Representing Christ Brings Blessings

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 asked, "What are things that help us get closer to Jesus"? The children were lined up against one end of the room. After they gave suggestions, like be kind to your family and read scriptures, each child took a step closer to the picture of Jesus. Elder Melton, holding the picture, then took a step closer to the children. It is really fun to see the young smiling faces enjoy themselves and also give fist bumps.

Sister Melton loves baking for different occasions. She made cookies for an American Red Cross coffee cart and found a recipe for chocolate pecan slab pie that we brought to a District Council (DC) meeting. Elder Melton had two opportunities to make a brownie mix recipe that we got from a friend who works for the Stars and Stripes. On some Mondays, after the weekly orientation briefing, the three of us go to the Trilogy for lunch. Elder Nelson took pictures of their final District Council and we also met Elder and Sister Nelson at their last YSA activity with Hosea and Eric. It was a nice restaurant called a Yakiniku where you grill your own meats on the table. That was a new experience for us.

We took a few hours to see Enoshima Beach again but this time it was during its peak summer break time. It took a little longer to get to the location this time and we parked near an aquarium (we want to go again sometime and see what this aquarium looks like). There was quite a contrast of people since the first time we saw this area. After walking the cement board walk area and venturing out near the water, we went to a spot that served shaved ice. It was apparent that we stood out as an older American couple sitting at this busy establishment. Everyone was very polite.

Elder Melton has been regularly going on Wednesdays volunteering and training at NMCRS. While he was doing this last week, Sister Melton worked at Davey Jones Locker thrift store with the rest of the District missionaries. They work well together distributing the tasks. They assigned themselves to specific areas to work on. Helping each other as needed shows their Christlike love. The building manager of the thrift store is always appreciative for the help we give him. He recognized the decluttering, especially in the toy room. Some missionaries had to leave early and by the time we were finished there were four of the eight remaining. It was easier on our pocket to buy pizza for them.

Our last blog boasted of Elder Melton achieving his Japan's drivers license but Sister Melton will not get that blessing. She is content to be the navigator from November 16, 2025 till October 2026, the time remaining in the mission. We thank God that we do have the blessing of at least one of us able to drive here. Driving on the US military installations is not a problem with our regular US license and our military IDs. However, our international license expires after the first year which is what we have been using up to this point to drive the two miles from our apartment to the base. Another blessing recently was about getting permission to return to the states for a few weeks. We checked all the boxes of asking persons about our desire to help a daughter who is having a third child. Jackie lives in California and her two first children were born during COVID. Donna felt a strong need to be there for this child. We leave on October 21 and return November 11.

We had a conflict of interest recently. The new soccer season of practices are Mondays and Wednesdays. There was a quarterly function of Senior Missionaries FHE dinner on the first practice of this new season. Coach Brian went to the practice and Sister Donna went to the Tokyo annex, by train, for the area senior meeting. She especially wanted to see the Burnetts, the office missionaries, before they go home. Their replacements, the Halversons, commented that they hear so many good things about the Burnetts and it will be difficult to meet the standard that was set. A lot of people asked about Elder Melton and he showed up at the very end to pick up Sister Melton.

One of the several Red Cross events we supported was helping the teachers at the elementary school prepare the classrooms for students who started back on August 18. The librarian asked for help and we jumped in. It was a fairly big task and we had signed up for the first shift due to other commitments. We had a lot of fun getting to know the librarian there. We also had some help from the public works persons who were walking through and checking faucets. There was a large set of joined book cases that needed moved against the wall and the help came to the rescue at the right moment.

Whether we are serving others at church or on Atsugi or even taking a break, we are always wearing the tag that designates us as representatives of Christ. Although our Japanese is very weak we also have name tags in Japanese now. We can see the difference between Choro (Elder) and Shimai (Sister), but we have a whole lot more to learn. Working with the younger missionaries helps some. The work here has been a great blessing to us and we look forward to continuing in the Lords work.

Atsugi District August 22, 2025