I still have no idea what is going on, but it's great!

All,

I made it through week two. Crazy huh? A lot has happened since I last wrote. I have spent a LOT of time in the classroom learning Japanese. I still have no idea what is going on. I know a few words in Japanese but I just sit in class and wonder what the heck the sensei is saying. Luckily we have our very own missionary who has taken a few years of Japanese. Without him then we would be out of luck. Who knows how we would function without him.

Last Tuesday my companion and I lined at the gate to the MTC 60 min prior to the Tuesday devotional. As soon as the gates were I opened we quickly walked to the Marriott center passing several hundred missionaries. It was good because it turns out Elder Richard G. Scott was speaking and my companion and I were able to sit in the first row of missionaries in front of him. He looks really old. He talked about prayer and how prayer can be effective. He also talked a lot about his love for the missionaries and the Church. The spirit was really strong. The devotional was broadcast throughout the world at all the MTCs. If you watch it you can see my head multiple times throughout it. 

I've met several zoomies this week. They are all silly. I was running this morning from breakfast in my PT clothes and one of them told me to "Keep on running Plebe." Probably one of the funniest things today. It’s okay because I give them even more of a hard time. 

On Sunday we watched a church movie in Japanese. I just sat there and tried to figure out what they were saying. It was like a reverse dubbed Japanese Movie. Pretty hilarious. I probably shouldn't have been laughing in the back of the room but oh well...

The missionaries in my district are all under the impression that Cathryn and I are both trained killers. This is accurate. I have them all wearing their watches inside out and eating healthier meal alternatives. I lead about 5 of them in a workout yesterday morning. I would consider myself a leader among all these 18-something year old's. They all keep referring to themselves as "Farr Choro" And using my name in various songs and phrases. It’s silly and flattering at the same time. 

To help me learn the language I have been carrying around index cards in my shirt pocket with 20 vocabulary words on it. Every day I write down new words and the next day I learn them. My comprehension has improved. It’s crazy how in 9 weeks most missionaries can get by with what they have learned. Only at the MTC.

My branch president is President Mack, a balding man. He and I both can relate to the struggles of hair loss. Dad would probably like him too. I wrote him an email asking for permission to shave my head. #FingersCrossed.

Thank you all for the letters they are so uplifting and help to keep me motivated throughout this trial of my faith. Thank you all for your support and love it can be certainly felt here at the MTC. 

Side note: my companion, Elder Hernandez has not gotten any mail or packages. The chance on him getting any is 2% for all his family lives on a base in Okinawa. If you have the chance please send him something his address is the same as mine but his name is: Elder David Hernandez. That would make his day. Thanks!

I hope everything is going well in the real world I love you all.

Best Wishes,

Joshua A. Farr

Elder        LDS

I AM ALIVE

Note: If you would like to receive my fun emails DIRECTLY, just email me at jfarr@myldsmail.net and say so! I check my email on Tuesdays.

ALCON,

Today is my first official P-Day. I have P-Day every Tuesday so that is why I haven't responded so timely. Thank you for your letters I got the Dear elder one and the one from Mom in a timely fashion so both services work well.

I have been at the MTC for over a week. I reported on Wednesday around 11:45 and was immediately shuttled to and from place to place getting all my issued gear. I got my name tag (in Japanese of Course) as well as my huge pile of Japanese Books.They took us right into the classroom. Its crazy because as soon as I arrived our sensei (teacher) started talking to us in Japanese. I had zero Idea what he was saying. He has spoken English all week and I still don't know what he is saying. We spend about 6 hours in the classroom having Japanese rammed at us. Its quite fun not knowing whats being said. I can say a basic prayer, share a basic testimony and make very very very simple sentences. Equipped with this knowledge I have been able to teach an Investigator over 3 times in the past week. Crazy Huh? The Spirit here is super strong there is no way I would be able to learn this much Japanese with its help. I was able to learn the entire Hiragana Alphabet and be able to read and write it in only a few hours one day!

The food here is good I try not to eat too much because its really easy to gain weight. I'm following a strict diet of whatever looks good. Haha. But seriously the MTC is great they even have homemade Ice-Cream. I eat most of my meals with my district (12 Missionaries) as well as my Companion. Everyone here is SUPER Mormon and from Utah, no joke. You think i'm joking but i'm not. Everyone in my District is either from Utah or from Idaho. I'm from the furthest east.

My companion, Elder Hernandez is pretty cool, albeit young. He's an 18 year old recent graduate from the American High School located in Okinawa. Hes lived on bases there his whole life and doesn't know a lick of Japanese or Spanish either. Hes young but full of energy. So are all the other Missionaries here I out age them by over 1.5 years on average. But in the class room that does not really mater. I love them all and cant wait to see the progress that we will all make in the coming weeks.

Sunday here Was really cool. We had Sacrament meeting in Japanese and the only Word I could Understand was Morumon Sho (Book of Mormon) and Amen (Amen). But it was a good meeting regardless. Following church services I was able to attend a fireside given by the director of the MTC where he gave a good talk about the purpose behind the purpose of the Missionary. Followed by a recording of an Address by Elder Bednar entitled "Character of Christ" it was REALLY REALLY good I recommend you watch it one day because its that good plus its Bednar so you know it'll be pretty good.

I've seen all the Mids except for Wilson Rydalch because he lives on the West campus of the MTC. Hopefully I will see him tonight for our devotional. William Allred lives two doors to my right and Diaz a floor below so we see each other frequently through out the day which is good. Often we well just congregate around the pull-up bar and workout whilst conversing.

The Language is Hard. But I know the Lord will provide a way because I know that I was called to this mission for a reason. I'm amazed at the progress that I've had in the past 6 weeks. The missionaries that about to leave (dai sempi) are well versed in the language, I cant wait to be able to form well thought out sentences in Japanese. Hopefully all is going well. Send letters and packages :) Its always good to hear from you.

I have attached a few pictures, I haven't had much time to take many but I'll try my best to send a few each week!

Love, 

Elder Joshua A. Farr

Japan Tokyo South Mission

Elders Farr, Allred, and Diaz

Elders Hernandez and Farr

Mission Blog!

Starting August 7th I will be cut off from the rest of the world as I serve in the Japan Tokyo South Mission. I have setup this blog as a means of keeping everyone informed to my whereabouts as well as to share pictures and stories as I journey throughout Japan!