Email #88    Monday, September 12, 2016

Dearest Family and Friends,

This week went super well! God has been pouring down miracles on us.
On Wednesday, we had follow-up training for the new trainees. It went
pretty well. After that, we had Eikaiwa. Thank you everyone for the
birthday wishes! The older I get, the less receiving material things
matters and the more just feeling loved (as effeminate as that sounds)
matters. Thank you so much everyone, I felt very loved! I wish I had
time to reply to everyone individually, but I don't. I will do my best
to do so in person. On Thursday, we had a good district meeting and
weekly planning. We taught Hide and Yuta and did some contacting.
Friday was exchanges. It was a way good day, I was with Elder Broberg
and we had a blast busting our butts. We found 4 外人 potential
investigators and one Japanese guy. We had ping pong that night and
taught two investigators. The next day I didn't feel super hot and so
we did some housing and a lot of contacting and then went to a dinner
with a member family. They were actually friends with one of Elder
Yoshida's former colleagues and invited her over for dinner. They also
invited this super smart half German half Japanese guy named Hiro who
was super cool to talk to. We had a thought at the end and had all the
members there share their testimonies and the Spirit was super strong.
Members are the best! Sunday was great as well, Yuta came to church in
a tie and a white shirt and only one minute late! He's improving so
much. We also had the opportunity to teach Daniel, our little 9 year
old friend who is getting baptized next week. He's the best. I'll send
a picture of him. Things here are going so well! This past week, we
were actually able to hit every single standard in the standards of
excellence for the first time in my mission. We also now have 5
progressing investigators and things just get better and better! We
just had transfer calls, and I am staying. I'm so happy to be here
until the end, and will 100% be giving it my all. Unfortunately, Elder
Yoshida is transferring. I love him so much! I will share more about
him next week. My new companion is flying over today from Utah. I'm
training again! I'm super excited. Life is good!

I've been thinking recently about how one of my favorite attributes in
people is the ability to legitimately feel joy for others. The Book of
Mormon gives so many good examples of people finding joy in other's
success, even when they necessarily aren't doing so well, like Alma
and Ammon or Antipus's army rejoicing for the 2,000 warriors. I am
really trying to work on this. I know that finding joy in others is a
huge way to not only spread love and happiness and deepen
relationships, but also to become more happy ourselves.

I love all of you! Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Calhoun

1. Daniel!
2. Kouki was super nice and bought me this shirt for my birthday. He's
a super good kid.
3. There's a member in Tokyo Second Ward who never adds missionaries
on Facebook. I made it a goal to be the first one. He was talking
about how good he is at ping pong, and I said I would play him, but if
I won, he had to add me. I whipped him. It was actually way good, our
relationship has gotten really good
4. We went bowling with Joe and Yuta, two investigators, to say
goodbye to Elder Yoshida and Elder Broberg

Love you all!