Yesterday was my 6-month-missionary-mark! That means I am roughly a quarter of the way through my mission. It feels weird because I still can't really speak the language and I am still not a very good teacher. But on the flip side, it feels like I have been away from home for so long. It is hard for me to remember how things really were before my mission.
So, a few notes in response to Elder Fry's comments: I have heard a lot of similar things about being companions with Japanese elders. Japanese men really "don't cook" and it is way sad - they expect their wifes to do 100% of the cooking, and so young men never learn to be independent unless they go to college on their own.
Everyone in Japan smokes. They have vending machines on nearly every block that sell cigarettes. Most people realize that smoking is bad and that they shouldn't do it, but they just can't stop. It is way sad.
Ok, finally a few things about my week. On Thursday I got two packages! Thank you Kira and Mom, they were both amazing. American candy is so good! And the pictures you sent were way good, too. Thank you soooooooooo much. That day was pretty cold - it got all the way down to 3 C, and we could see our breath.
On Friday we ate Pizza Hut pizza, and it was way good. It is sort of different in Japan, but way amazingly delicious. Also, we talked to a policeman that had way good English. His pronounciation was better than nearly all the Japanese people I have ever heard.
Anyways, thanks for your love, support, prayers, packages, letters, and emails. I love you and I am trying to work hard and serve the Lord. Have a great week.
Elder Christensen
