A Prayer of Thanksgiving and Service

Thanksgiving Day

"Live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." (Alma 34:38). These last two weeks have been very eventful in both activities and in planning upcoming activities through the rest of the year with the upcoming holiday. Service has mostly been with the Chapel, the American Red Cross, and community service through the Public Affairs Office. Working with others with a wide range of backgrounds has been a blessing in seeing the good nature and humanity of others.

The Atsugi Chapel has always been a pleasure to work with and have been some of the most joyful times on the mission. One morning we helped distribute food items as they came to the base chapel. Sorry, for privacy purposes and personal dignity we did not take pictures of the actual event. You may wonder why would military families may need such assistance, remember that while the federal government was shut-down, there were government employees still expected to work but who were not able to get paid until the government reopened, even all the way here in Japan. So the sense of community was greatly felt here.

Serving Sailors in the Dorms

The Lady Volunteers

On on one occasion we supported serving refreshments and fellowship young sailors in the dorms with the Chaplain, his family, and a few others. This was special in that it was one of the early events we did last year. What was even more moving was that we had forgotten about it until Elder Melton was saying hi to one of the young mothers from the Chapel at the commissary just a few hours earlier who asked if we were going to be there and how she remembered it being the first place she met us. When he mentioned this to Sister Melton, she unhesitatingly responded that we were definitely going and we stopped what we were doing to head back to the base. Serving with others is something we are very thankful for.

Finally, with the Chapel, we made and dropped off some chili on a Sunday morning for their Protestant after service chili cook-off. We were not able to stay due to our own sacrament service, but it was well-received. Although not the #1 winner, you could tell how appreciative they were that these LDS missionaries would go to the trouble to share with their congregation.

The American Red Cross continues as one of the most active groups we work with. As mentioned in some previous blog entries, a common event is assisting with Coffee Carts around the base. These provide coffee, tea, hot chocolate and assorted snacks at various organizations around the base. A fun part for us is that we will usually make a homemade treat (cookies, lemon bars, etc.) as part of the snack. They will always go first over the prepackaged items. We usually have a couple of these a month, but we had three within just the past two weeks at the base clinic, the security forces, and a joint forces logistics group.  On occasion, our chaplain also has a Red Cross trained dog he brings which the forces love to pet.

Serving coffee and snacks to base workers

Pedro - Another Red Cross Volunteer

We recently picked up our activity at the Post Office as they started a new system. We're now going once a week instead of once a month to prepare for the Christmas rush in helping distribute packages. We still always bring some type of dessert. They are wonderful people to work with though we were sad to hear that another of our favorites, a Japanese national, retired while we were on our trip to the US.

Learning the New Post Office System for the Holidays

It is great when we can bring the younger missionaries into some of our service projects. The people get to see these young men and women willing to serve and representing the Lord. The service projects had been getting canceled over the last few months due to the either weather or the government shut down, so it was great to finally get one back up. All 9 missionaries were able to make this one, which entailed picking up trash in the local community and meeting other volunteers. Afterwards, we sponsored them all on base to treat them to dinner at our base food court. Though not a big deal in the US, this is a special treat like being home for several of them. What also made it more special was this would be the last service project for this group together as 5 of the 9 would be either transferred or head home that weekend.

Missionaries providing Community Clean-up Services

Afterwards dinner at the base food court

Our Public Affairs Officer sends certificates for each individual volunteer and I shared with them her personal message "Melton-san We always appreciate you and your group participation in the activities! v/r Ikumi Yanaka"

Volunteer certificates from the base for all our district

Our last District meeting was on Thanksgiving Day. We gave out the certificates from the service project, and we made thanksgiving sugar cookies. Sister Melton is finishing up her final signature quilt for the Mission President and his wife, and got a couple of signatures from missionaries who had not signed it previously. It was a nice send-off to a good group of dedicated missionaries.

Elder Melton making sugar cookies

Sister Melton presenting Sugar Cookies

Opportunities continue at the temple. We served twice, once as ordnance workers and once as patrons. Elder Melton was able to serve with Elder Thueson at both the veil and in the initiatory. It was nice to feel his spirit as he has now departed for their home after he and his wife completed their mission. As patrons it was nice to do a couple of names from Sister Melton's side of the family during a Branch Temple Day

The Thanksgiving weekend brought new experiences, yet ever mindful that we are still missionaries. On Thanksgiving we went to the Navy's New Sanno hotel in Tokyo for their Thanksgiving Buffet. There were set meeting times at 30 minute interval, ours was at 4:00. We were able to visit with several friends while we were there: two couples and another family from our LDS Branch, our Red Cross Director with her husband, and our friend Rob who works with the Stars and Stripes was there with several other friends. While we were there, a young man came up to our table to say hello Elder and Sister Melton (reading our name tags). He was staying in the hotel with his wife and child and visiting from Misawa AFB several hours north. We said he must know our friends Elder and Sister Rowley who are the MRMs at Misawa, to which he said yes. Again, you never know who may have eyes on you as you go about as representatives of the Lord. 

Thanksgiving at the New Sanno

Thanksgiving layout at the New Sanno

We spent that night at the Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho Hotel just a couple miles away from the temple. It was a beautiful hotel with a wonderful view of the Tokyo skyline. Hospitality and service among the Japanese culture is phenomenal, including kimonos and slippers for wearing inside the room. The stay included a jacuzzi, a workout room, and a complimentary breakfast. Although offered Elder Melton could not quite get use to the idea of the Japanese bath. 

Tokyo Skyline from 30th floor

Christmas tree in Tokyo

Breakfast at Tokyo Hotel the day after Thanksgiving

The next morning after breakfast walked to some of the local sights we had not seen: the Inari Sando Shrine with it Tori Gate being the most impressive. But we also saw a couple of other sights and did a little shopping on what would be our Friday after Christmas. It was a nice little getaway.

The Tori Gate at the Inari Sando Shrine

Inari Sando Shrine #1

Inari Sando Shrine #2

A few other minor events we would like to mention that helped us feel thankful for the opportunity we have to be here in Japan at this time. We've had a few meals with other missionaries, even one we learned is the niece of a friend back in Virginia. Also, a Young Adult in our Branch was recently married, but due to military assignments, they are not yet residing together. We were able to get the new wife's information and passed it on to the Thueson's just before they left their mission to pass on to the English Speaking Ward in Yokota. We hope to be able to get with the couple in the near future for dinner and help get them settled together. Sunday we again had fun filling in teaching one of the two Primary classes. Sunday evening we delivered banana bread we made for a family in the Branch as well.

With Sister Southwick from the Mission

The Elders in our Branch at Dinner

The Sisters having Sushi

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that the upcoming Christmas Season will bring you peace and joy for the beauty we see in the world and through the Lord's atonement and his great plan of salvation.