june 16th

It's pretty amazing to see Dan-o turning into an adult week by week in his letters. Last week he was made a senior companion in Kushiro. He is WISHING he had a little more MAIL so... I was thinking that if everyone who reads this could please post a comment for him (click on where it says comment at the bottom of this entry for those that are new to this). I'll print them off and send them to him. Easy for you and fun for him. Here's the latest letter:

I will get you some pics of the comp next week, I forgot my USB port.. i love the idea of you writing me letters! I have not got a shred of mail in over 2 weeks!!

So week one of the big bad senior week and I am surviving. When the other elder left on Thursday morning the week was looking terrible!!!! had some of the worst numbers i have ever turned out. on top of that i was very nervous about being senior, and on top of that to a elder who has only been out for 1 transfer plus he is japanese, and one of the most shy japanese people i have ever met, he still has not stopped someone on the street. needless to say i felt extremely overwhelmed. as i sat and pondered i thought, what kind of senior am i to be, what kind of leader am i to be.. i felt that i was in a big hole and to get out would be impossible. thats when i decided right then that as senior there are some things that are within my control. however, there are some things that are not. i decided right then that i was going to be spotless, in that i mean everything that falls under my responsibility was going to be done, i would give everything to the lord, and in return i would have the assurance that the lord would keep his promise. 100% obedience, out the door not a minute late, back home not a minute early. this week i have spent a lot of time on my knees(as one should) that is it.. i pray a lot, and i trust 100% in the lord. I had the confidence that i would have the spirit with me, that i would yeild to any prompting, no fear. the lord has been working with us. it has not been easy, but one day after another we gave it our all, it has been amazing. we finished the week with one of my better weeks, and elder hattori`s best. found 4 new investigators, taught 9 lessons, and made 8 new appointments. and we finally have a progressing investigator (we gave her a book of mormon 2 weeks ago and she has read up till jacob! has a couple issues, but i think she is going to be very good) by sunday i was overwhelmed by the tender mercies of the lord and how he provided for the youngest couple in the mission. but my surprise and gratefulness was not over yet. on monday night at 10 oclock i got a phone call from president daniels, i still dont really know why or for what purpose he called other than to congratulate me. he said "elder lawler, congrats on going senior, i see that you have taken over and really done an outstanding job! (listed a couple numbers) asked if we had a progressing investigator, I told him about the women, than he said "keep it up you are doing a great job and i am very grateful to have a great elder like you in the mission" needless to say i was very touched by the phone call. as i thought about why he called one thing came to mind, he has a lot of confidence in me, and so does the lord. these past couple of days have been great we have been trying many new things and its pretty fun being senior. i have become more consintrated and focoused now more than ever, just like pmg says, work, work, work, that is the key. i feel as though i could do this forever, its different from anything i have ever done. with all my might mind heart and soul its a joy that cant be won or bought its beyond description, but it fills my soul. everything is just starting to make sense, for the first time in my life i am living in the now, and i dont want it to go anywhere, i want to stay right here forever, its no wonder the 3 nephites had the same desire.
Thank you so much for you constant support and prayers, everytime i pray at night and think of my parents i can almost hear and see the prayers you say for me as you kneel by the bed side.

with so much love from your missionary son,
elder lawler

pics from kushiro

dano is back in kushiro after hanging out in sapporo for a week or so while his companion received medical attention. here are some pictures.

kushiro

"it rains a lot"

mission companion

april 14

buon giorno tutti!! dont know if that is right my italian is a little rusty... so here is an update till today of what happened since we last talked. wednesday me and elder weloth went to go play tennis with the daniels but couldnt find a court and ended up driving around for an hour and a half, it was really fun though. they said they really like us because we actually have a personality and are fun and funny.(i think most people get so nervous around them that they are scared to say anything) the next couple of days there were three of us in a companionship- it was a lot of fun! we were in the heart of sapporo talked to a lot of people (some wierd and nice) i think we might have been on the japanese version of PUNKED or something, this really wierd kid kept saying he had interest and wanted to talk to us, but wouldnt give us a reason, then we finally just left and then this camera crew started to talk to him, really strange. we had conference this weekend!! it was amazing!! which reminds me we get all the ensigns but if you could send me the conference issue as soon as it comes out, and do what you did last time, bind it and lameanate it that would be awesome. in between sessions we had dinner and stuff, but i think everyone forgot easter, there was no special event or anything. than on sunday night i got a call from pres. said i would be going back to kushiro on monday mourning, except with a different companion. so now im in kushiro with a different elder from utah while my comp elder ogura will be in sapporo till friday and then come up to kushiro. lots of fun! ha its been crazy neither of us really know the area but we had a really good day yesterday and hope that we will continue to find people. so that brings us up to today.
i did get the easter package and the tape will eli and all the crazy irish people, i do have to say dads accent has improved, and for a large part everyone elses is getting better with the exception of cristina, im not really sure what accent she was using... sounds like you all might be up to my level by the time i get back..
good to hear that dads work is going great!! and that you are all having fun! my bias on moving is that the ward in hillside, the people and everything around alpine is my home to me. it would just be sad if i were to come back and not be there. but what every happens happens. so next week elder bednar is coming to sapporo and having a big mission conference everyone all over the island is coming in for it. and very rapidly approaching is my b-day!! yata i was thinking that i really want to get a new camera, the old sony is big and ugly, and out here in japan they have some really cool nice cameras!! i will  work on getting a tape out to you guys soon! other than that on my end life is pretty good. these last couple of weeks have been a really good time to mature as a missionary and learn to adapt to any situation.
oh by the way did you see in conference the one talk they were playing a video of a preist quorm visiting people and then in a circle praying. anyways tyler haws was one of the kids in the video, thought that was pretty funny.
well love you all very much keep the emails, and everything coming they are very appreciated!!! i have seemed to hear from everyone except for matty!! whats up with that!? hit me up!
love you all
elder lawler!!

march 24th

what it is what it is!! so kushiro is pretty cool! it's almost like i am on a different mission.. ahhaha. the landscape and all that stuff is way different, its really flat. there is not any snow really on the ground but the wind we get is from siberia (aka freeeeezeen cold) so it's fun when we ride bikes. the transition from an american companion to a japanese companion has been quite the journey so far. let's just say it didn't start out so good.. i thought my japanese was pretty good, but it just got opened up into a whole new world!!!!! up until about sunday, things were grim. i was frustrated, lonely, scared, and not very happy. i got rocked. i lost confidence completely. sunday they asked me to give a 5 minute talk. (my first in japan so far) it didn't go so well, i thought it was okay but everyone had blank stares.(felt like the other side of heaven) after that i hit even more of a rock bottom. then i decided that's not the way i wanted things to go, with much reading, and finally a wrestle with mighty prayer i told the lord "i dont know what to do, and i need your help" with no immediate promptings, i went back to my desk and sat for a second, and then went to work. i decided i need the gift of tounges. and if that's what i wanted i needed to exert myself. for the last week i have cracked down on my language study, i now memorize 20 new words a day, read 3 pages of the japanese book of mormon and study the basic japanese grammar book for aboud 30-60 minutes. i'm still struggling but i have felt the difference. the words don't always come to mind when i need them but by the end of this transfer i am determined to be independent and fluent. The last couple days i have really felt me and elder ogura getting closer, we laugh more, have more fun, and recently have been having success. (yesterday we picked up three new investigators) elder ogura is very knowledgable. he has great ability to explain simply gospel principals, i am learning alot. the ward members here are great!! they love the missionaries, and are one of the top wards that give referrals to the missionaries. im really excited for what is yet to come this transfer.
my biggest insight i have got, and time and time again i have seen it recently in my studies. be pacient in our trials and afflictions!! we have not been forgotten or forsaken by the lord. he loves us but we must be tried in all things to be worthy of the glory that awaits us if we endure with faith and an eye single to the glory of god. things don't work according to our time, they work in the lords time. life won't get easier, the trials don't really ever stop, but we can control what we do when the storms come our way.
may we all be humble/pacient enough to oblige with the Lord's will.
with all my love and prayers
Your missionary, elder lawler

This is Dano's last district- the one on the right was his last companion... the bottom picture is of another woman who decided to get baptized right as he was leaving Otaru.

March 17th

yo family, i don't have much time, transfers are going on, and i'm leaving otaru!! i'm going to kushiro!! and getting a japanese companion!! i'm way excited! real quick he is a recent convert, he investigated churches for 4 years, and decided ours was true. president daniels said he is the best teacher in the whole mission!! i'm really excited! great to hear about dad with the weight loss, and miles looks very cute!! hope you all are having fun!
i love you all and pray for you everyday...
love elder lawler

March 3 & 10

March 3rd letter:

well on my end life is still good! the work is moving forward, our investigator pool is strong right now but there are just a few worries we have with them. one lady is having a baby and is leaving in 2 months, meeting with her is hard, and we want to somewhat fast but not over due it. another kid leaves feb19 and we are trying to get a baptismal date he is super solid and talks about joining the church but time is not on our side.  pretty much all of our investigators have time issues, it's been hard deciding where the line is, it's hard not to be selfish and want to see them get baptized while i am still in the area (transfers are in 2 weeks and i will probably move) but i have to allow them to take their time at their pace.
Overall everything is really good, im really happy, im having fun, and progressing eternally everyday.
hope all is well cant wait to hear about the baby!

March 10th letter:

i am particularly excited for our upcoming mission conference with elder bednar! don't know the date of it, but it should be coming soon. transfers still no word, but when i email next week i will know what is happening.. i hope to  go somewhere in sapporo, maybe even have a  japanese companion, but we will see. may is coming up somewhat soon! i will make sure to  make a list of stuff you can get me for my birthday! but some real quick things that i need/want: the  preitsthood book teachings of joseph smith, in english! with easter coming around all i want really is those peanut butter bunnies!! you know the kind.. also if you  could send emails to everyone informing them on the new rule we have, they cracked down, we can only directly email immidiate family. i can still email  friends through you but, aunts uncles, and grandparents i can't directly email anymore. also i never heard back about the ward spotlight they  did  on  me... did  they  do it? if so will you send me a copy..?
 
well other than that this week's been pretty good, we are finding  new people  to  teach which is good. i am learning a lot from just watching  people, i have tried to think and envision more when i talk to people. I am getting a lot out of my personal study, things have taken off when i started getting really writing down what i think of when i study, feelings, all of that, i have found many many insights, and really feel as though i am directly learning through the spirit.
 
today is going to be  fun, we spent  the night  at  the honbu(mission home) in the elders apartment, played basketball with pres. daniels, lots of fun, we  have a big  zone activity, than after going on splits, with a  japanese elder who is a lot  of  fun. so  im excited!
 
love you so much!! i think of our family all the time, i read the scripture in alma 27:17-18 the joy ammon is filled with after his long mission and meets alma. i look at that scripture and have that as a goal  that when i meet my family after my mission i can have worked like ammon and be filled with that joy.
 
love you all so much, give the kearls my love, especially miles!!

Feb 24th

LETTER TO MOM:

well i guess carrie is getting married tommorow... well make sure you take a big picture of me to the wedding and put me in the welcoming line, and make everyone there write a letter to me!
sounds like you are very busy!! are you having fun? hope so! well life out here in the field is good! can't complain, i feel like the japanese is coming along little by little, last week we taught the most lessons in the zone so that was good, the people we taught were all very good except they all want to take things very slow, meet like once a month, stuff like that so it is a little frusturating. but other than that life is great, i spend all my extra time now studying!! i do a combination of japanese, jesus the christ, preach my gospel, new testament, doctrine and convenants, drawing from the powers of heaven, and writing in my study journal, and daily journal. it never seems like there is enough time to do anything, i cant put down anything anymore! i truly am learning alot, but what amazes me is how intertwined they all are, i will read one thing and the next day see the same thing in another book. It's very exciting. well about to go to the wing bay mall!!
Love always your son/missionary,
Elder Lawler 愛しているよ　

feb 18th

here's the next installment from our favorite elder:

Update on my end, the new comp is great we get along well, his style is a little different from my past comp but its not a bad thing. we are weekly having companionship inventory. but we have only really been together for a week. we have interviews tommorow so i am always excited/nervous for those.. had an interesting dream last night about my interview, but that's a different story.
The ankle is better, i am walking but somewhat painfully but i'm not going to let that stop me! missionary work is fun! i am really trying to work as hard as i can, my new comp is a hard worker, i can remember earlier on when i first got here, i was just waiting for time to go by hoping we could go back to the appartment, now i find myself working hard in everything, the key is only focusing on one thing at a time. when i used to return to the apartment i wanted to just take a nap or relax, now i am anxiously studying either japanese, pmg (preach my gospel), or jesus the christ, and i truly am happy. sure i think about home every now and again, but when that happens i just get to work, as president hinkley's father wrote, forget yourself and go to work. as president hunter said "work work work, and you will be happy." it seems as though i have finally understood their statements. earlier this week we had a mission conference by elder choi of korea an area of the 70 one of the things he suggested of us to do was with all of the commotion of the economy, and tragedies that are happening back home was to find a way to tie it into the gospel. an example used was by pres. packer- he called elder choi one night and asked how the economy was effecting korea. elder choi told him, and elder packer replied, dosen't it make you so grateful that in a time where the world is in so much distress we have a promise from the lord that all we have to do is obey his commandments and we will receive protection and blessings?
we truly have been given the blessing of commandments and a living prophet, that literally all we need do is to listen and obey, and we are promised protection, and happiness.
the snow festival this past week was a great time, i will send you all the pictures, pretty amazing all of the stuff there, tons of people too!!
well i love you alll!! you're in my prayers, and my heart
Love elder lawler

Feb 10 Letter

From his latest letter:

"well transfers are official. i am staying in otaru for another transfer.. my new companion is elder christian. elder nelson went zone leader to a place called hakodate. I'm really excited for this next transfer, hope things go good, my comp is hawaiian, he seems really cool, he is known as a way hard worker so that will be fun. my ankle is much better, i just wrap it now, if you could send some ace bandage wraps for me that would be nice, they only have temporary daily ones, so they aren't the best, but i can walk fine and all of that.
Have not heard from mom in a couple weeks.. whats up? Sounds great about the work out and weight loss dad, i do like the sports updates, please keep them coming, i have tons to say about them probably too much so thats why i don't comment back on them.
The last week has been pretty good, taught a really good lesson one with a lady that use to live in tonga i have some pretty high hopes for her. other than that it was a lot of helping elder nelson pack and doing last minute stuff. I love you all continue to update me on life, in a bit of a hurry, we are going to the big annual snow festival in sapporo!!"

He also had some desperate plea for decent hair gel and LETTERS. He even had me break into his facebook account to beg for more mail. Sooo.... let's get into the Valentine's loving spirit and send Elder Rora (Lawler) some mail. His address is located on the left of this blog for your writing convenience ;)

Here are some pictures I found online of the snow festival he's talking about just because it feels like all posts should have at least one picture.

Feb 3

This is a long one, but it's a good one...

yo yo! its been a crazy week!!! all starting off with thursday, day one of ankle injury, pretty sucky, we were confined to the appartment, so we went through the area book, we called everyone in there!! that took the whole day up. then we made carmels with some people in the ward it was pretty awesome, they were a lot of fun. fugita passed her baptismal interview with flying colors!
Friday was another day in the appartment or solitary confinment as i like to call it, i was way sick of being there! earlier in the morning i was thinking about what we could do, i had the random idea to just go through the phonebook and try approaches and see if we could pick anyone up, when it came time to go to work, elder nelson had the same thought and mentioned it so we gave it a try. i thought we should start and do all the names that ended in fugita (would be the equivelent of calling all the smiths in the phonebook) after 2 hours we had nothing, just a couple contacts but no pick ups. finnally elder nelson talked to a guy who likes english picked him up and took a come to church commitment, pretty wild! we were excited.
saturday was the day of fugita's baptism. the first one i would get to watch, i liked it. The baptism was great, as soon as fugita came out of the water she was crying. she was very touched and graetful. just how grateful i did not know but would soon find out. when she went up to bear her testimony she was very emotional. she could not really speak much, but whatever she said it was expressing her gratitude, it was very sincere. then to my astonishment she closed her eyes bowed her head and started saying a prayer, at first i was stunned, i didnt know what to do, i thought it was very weird but than as i listened to the prayer it hit me, she was so grateful, so overcome with emotion and gratitude that she knew of no other way than to thank her Heavenly Father than to offer a prayer to Him. i was very touched by her prayer, in which she said she was older and commited sinns and how greatful she now was that they were washed away, she thanked the missionaries, and everyone that helped teach her. I have never seen someone so humbled and greatful. This is what a mission is all about!! fugitas conversion and experience will forever be engraved in my mind.
Sunday we confirmed fugita as a member and gave her the spirit, and the other fugita from the phone book came to church, he is about 30 or so very tall for a japanese person, after church he said he enjoyed, but was not really interested in religion, but agreed to meet with us again to talk in enlgish and get to know us.
Monday started off with teaching tatsuya (phone book guy) at first we talked, he is very smart and very good at english, he started to explain japanes culture, history, background. i learned a lot, very fasinating!! he talked about the way japanese people think, act, it was amazing, i learned a lot, and it made a lot of sense. he than told us how he was different why he was not like the rest. he said about ten years ago he was very unhappy. all he did was work. he got up at 6:30 took a train to work, went to work, worked, took a train back got home at 12:30 at night, slept and then did it all over again, every day, no vacation, no weekend. he repeated that life stlye for 5 years. one day he said it was too much, he fainted, woke up in a hospital. when he woke up people thought he was mental, but he explains he had awoken, and broke free of the life he was trapped in, he stoped working, and lived, his girlfriend thought he was crazy and left him, to this day it is a sensitive subject. i was very taken back by his story. as i just listend i found so many thing he said that highlighted messages of our gospel, i just listend, never said anything unless he asked me a question. and he talked, a lot. he told us when he came to church he felt a peace, a sense of love, and unity. he agreed to come to church next week, again. I am very excited for him! the lord guided us to find him, in a very perculiar way, but i am so greatful to have found him, it can be said it was a coincidence or fate, but it is nothing short of the tender mercies of the lord, and his gathering of his elect. even if tatsuya turns into nothing i have learned a great deal from this experience. after that we had another lesson with a 25 year old kid named hashimoto. we went over his reading and discovered he had, had quite the experience. he said at first he did underdstand mosiah 3 the spot where we gave him to read, so he than went and read mosiah 1-4 and he gave a perfect explanation to us of all the chapters. it was amazing, just as we were about to move on i asked him how he felt and he could not describe it, he said it was more than just learning, he felt something, he said he felt like he should pray but didnt. we told him that was the spirit, from there the lesson went great! he offered one of the best prayers i have heard from an inverstigator ever!!
Tuesday was a day full of member visits and meals, it was a lot of fun.
This last week tried my faith with my ankle injury, but it proved when we are given afflictions and trials, the lord is testing us to see if he can bless us, he wants to shower us with blessings but wants us to prove that we want them, that we will submite to his will, i was patcient in my small affliction, and the blessings from heaven we received without end!!! How great is my calling
With all my love
Elder Daniel Henry Lawler

Now for some pictures... too bad there is no cane in view.

Fujita's baptism 

Can you believe  it looks like dano is actually enjoying the food in Japan? I keep holding out for his first encounter with squid and fish soup...