Hey! another Monday finds me sitting at the computer wondering what happened to the week...Well last week Mon found us prepping for a Zone Training Meeting off in Obihiro. We packed up the van and ended up going with the Sister Training Leaders and 2 other sisters, as in 6 of us in a 6 seater utility van. Yeah, I was stuck in the front middle, and I will tell you, it was awkward . I forgot what girls were like when they all get together. We ended up forgetting a box of stuff, and had to take an hour heading back then getting back on the path. It ended up being a good time, and we only got to Obihiro 1.5 hrs behind schedule! Tuesday we had ZTM, then I went on splits with Elder Brown, a New Zealander. Wednesday we headed back and prepped for the ZTM the next day. Thursday was another ZTM in Odori, then prepping and leaving on splits to Eniwa with the Hakodate ZLs. I went out Friday with Elder Hee, an Hawaiian who leaves in a few weeks. We had a good time going around big sketchy apartments. Saturday we went back, had some more splits, and that night had a lesson with a 15 yr old investigator, then had Sports Night. I ended up spraining my ankle pretty good, could barely walk that night and was limping around Sunday. Went to church, gave a talk in sacrament meeting, and limped around in pain. We came back, and Elder Kina and Elder Palomaki (Finland) went out while Elder Jo (Korea) stayed with me. I layed on the coach with my leg up, an ice pack on and called numbers in the phone. Good times! Today I went to the DMV to take my drivers test, and I found out what it was like to drive, after 1.8-ish years without sitting behind a wheel, on the opposite side of the road. Its hard. The only "practice" I had was 2x of a 10 min drive around a parking lot. I took the test with a Chinese kid. Our instructor started off the test explanation with "if you mess up on a real road, you will KILL someone, and go to jail, and pay a lot of money, and you will live forever with it on your conscience." Yeah, that's a great way to begin. Well, I failed the test; didn't put my blinkers on early enough (was busy trying to not accidentally switch on the windshield wipers since they're opposite in Japan) and braked going into the curve, not before. So I get to go back in 2 weeks and try again. Until then Elder Kina will continue to chauffeur me around. Have a great week! Elder Andrew Kade Jones

Another week has gone by much too fast. Seriously, this isnt funny. Well, I'm trying to remember what has happened this week, other than sitting in front of the computer making powerpoints and such. Well, I guess we had 2 splits with some Zone Leaders this week. Wednesday was the Atsubetsu Zone Leaders in the Shinoro area. I went out with Elder Rodenberg, whos been one of by best buds out here, we had a good time catching up. My son Elder Spurling is in the same apartment, the night before when we got there he and I were up until 3am talking, good times. Friday was with Elder Asai, one of the Odori Zone Leaders in the Moiwa area, where I was a year ago. We had some miracles. There was this guy, Sato san, who they had met a week ago and had an appointment with. We go by his house, and he isnt home. Bummer. So we head back to the main road and start "streeting", trying to stop people walking on the street to talk to them. We get this one guy to stop for a second, and behind him there is another guy who turn down a side street right then. The first guy who stopped quickly let us know he wasnt interested and kept on walking. As we continued, we got to that side street and could see the guy that had turned, now a good ways away. I thought he was too far out of the way and was going to keep going, when I had the feeling we needed to get him. So we backed up a bit and headed down the street. I caught up to him and said "hey do you have a minute? we are-" and thats when he cut me off with "hey im busy, ive got someone I need to meet, get outta here". Feeling dejected, I called out "thanks" and turned around. Suddenly Elder Asai turns to me and says "hey wait! Thats the guy!" "what? what guy?" "thats Sato san!" ??? So we turn BACK around and come up to him, and Elder Asai goes "hey Sato san, its US!" He finally realizes who it is and goes "oh Im sorry, I didnt recognize you!" I guess he was in such a hurry to go to his house and meet US. So we taught him while we walked along. He was way interested, said he wants to come to church and asked for something to read and study. Like what?!? I did make some progress on my drivers license. We went to the DMV for my written test appointment. They ask me to see my passport again. "Again? I showed it to you when I made the appt!" "yes, that was for the appt, now we need to confirm it". So we drive the 30 mins back, get my passport, then return. They then take 2 hrs to "confirm" my passport. Then I get a picture taken, take an eye exam, and a 10 question true/false test. And I passed! Almost all of them were stupid simple, well a few were tricky and 1 so far no Japanese person has known the correct answer: When driving and an earthquake occurs, you should pull over to the side of the road, turn off your engine but leave the key in the ignition, shut your doors with the windows open and the door unlocked, and head for cover. True or False. Yeah, why not? So now I get to go back next week to take a driving test. If I pass that, Im good. Thats been about it lately. This week we have 2 Zone Training Meetings and all kinds of stuff to do. Have a great week! -- Elder Andrew Kade Jones

Well, the first full week has been survived. And it wasnt soo bad. Monday we had P Day, just more getting adjusted and all. Had a Family Home Evening at the President's house with a good turn out. Tuesday was normal... Wednesday was Mission Leader Council, had all the Zone Leaders over for reviewing the missions progress and training and such. It was wierd being on the other side of it, training and not being trained. But it all went good. That night we had a Stake Mission Cordination meeting with a stake presidency, that went good too. Stopped by the temple site on the way home, there is some landscaping in and all, mostly just big holes where the foundations and all are being put in. But its on its way! Thursday we kept working on getting my license, which involves alot of paperwork and appointments and all. Should have all that done in a few weeks... Friday and Saturday were normal too. I guess I should explain my new "normal": it used to consist of being out all day working. Now its mostly sitting at a computer in the office. On the bright side, ive gotten pretty good with Excel and Powerpoint. And theres a lot of running random errands. Were lucky to get a few hours a night out proselyting, so we need to make it count. Anyways everything has been good, nothing too exciting. Hope your week was better! Elder Andrew Kade Jones