Melton-Japan-Mission

We just had a productive Zoom meeting with the Stake Military Relations (MRM) committee. It is comprised of Stake presidency members, the High Council advisor for Missionary Work, the High Council advisor for Military Relations, the High Council advisor for Young Single Adults (YSA) and the six MRM couples serving in the stake. As MRM's we represent the following areas here in Japan: MCAS Iwakuni, Yokosuka, NAF Atsugi, Camp Zama, Misawa AB and Yokata AB. We feel it a pleasure and honor to associate with all of these good people. As MRM's, we are in the field working directly with chaplains, other missionaries and members of all ages. This gives us a hands on perspective. The best part is that we are representing our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Last week we were asked to fill in for a Primary class of eight children ages 4 to 8 years old. That was nearly half the size of the whole Zama Branch Primary. Elder Melton used a picture we have on our apartment wall for an object lesson. We a...

 A few days ago Brian took his practical driving test for the second time. This has easily been the most stressful part of the mission. Despite years of driving, converting a US license to a Japanese one is not easy. It takes several months to get your documentation together, pass the written exam (easy) and pass the practical driving exam on a closed course. Even scheduling is drawn out over several weeks for each step. We both failed the driving exam on our first try, now Brian was taking it for the second time. In the meantime, our international driving permits expire in November and word is the Japanese government plans to make the exam even harder in October. We have met people who passed it on their first try, and others who have taken it multiple times. We recently listened to an old talk by Elder Bednar reminding us of the enabling power of the atonement. In it he tells us that like the prophets in the Book of Mormon, we may not be able to change the circumstances of our tr...