It's a Friendly Time of Year
A new friend Sister Melton met at Camp Fuji
We took a few extra tags off the Angel Tree this year. It feels good to be able to give to those who may not have much. The toys or items are given to children with special needs or who are in an orphanage. It is truly better to give than to receive. It has been nice to spend time serving in the temple twice a month. We look forward to turning the time we have done this service into time to serve our small branch more.
Since the branch is losing more members through retirement or PCS, our branch president asked a special fast to ask for more active members to join our congregation. Besides fasting the first Sunday we picked an additional time during the week that we would fast again. President Jaggi felt confident that our prayers and offerings will be answered.
We had a well produced Branch Christmas dinner and program. Sister Frank, the Relief Society president is a good organizer. Most of the Branch and other guests attended. After and during eating ham, turkey, potatoes, various sides and deserts the Christmas story was acted out. Several participants had nice costumes and props. The children enjoyed their part as angels, cows, sheep and shepherds. There was a fun game afterwards called "Hip, Hip, Hooray" for the youth and some adults. It was a happy time of socializing.
We had two separate events at Camp Fuji. One was for the USO where we assisted with setting up and making ginger bread houses. Sister Melton made the frosting and met a friend that helped her. Elder Melton also helped with getting items needed and greeted a lot of the soldiers who participated in making the gingerbread houses. There was a 20 minute timer set to see who had the best house in the limited time. It was fun to see these young marines act like children in their competition.
Marines making gingerbread houses at the Camp Fuji USO
The second time we visited Camp Fuji was for the Red Cross. We went the night before and stayed at the Mountain View Inn. In the morning we visited a museum that was recommended by a friend at the Stars and Stripes. The museum and gardens were originally a home for Prince Chichibu and his wife. The area had few people and made it very quiet. It was a beautiful and peaceful place. The Red Cross event was a joint effort with Zama and Atsugi. We had a cooking class for young marines who learned to make chili. Plenty of chili and cornbread was available for anyone who wanted to eat. We took this opportunity to visit Chaplain Schaffer and presented a second framed print from the McDermott Foundation. This one is a depiction of General Patton during the Battle of the Bulge. In it he is holding a letter that the chief chaplain wrote, as requested by Patton, a prayer for the troops to ask God for better weather so they could continue their mission.
Marines making chili
(from left to right) Sister Melton, Elder Melton, Chaplain Schaffer, Elder Singleton and Sister Singleton at Camp Fuji
One day Sister Melton was feeling a bit under the weather and she took a day at home to rest and also do a little catch up at the apartment. Elder Melton was on his own for the day and was alone while going to help the USO, take snacks to District meeting and work at the Post Office. Luckily, our retired friend was at the Post Office at that time and we got a picture of the two together. He wants us to get together sometime. Later, we met his wife on base and she remembers her time in Chicago and liked living in the United States. We hope to visit again so they can show us around sites in Japan.
On two occasions Elder Melton was asked to portray Santa Claus. First, he was at the NEX, but what was special was he got to ride in a Fire Truck in the cherry picker bucket. It was fun to see the children's excitement. At the end of the "Cookies and Milk with Santa" event, a group of Japanese teenagers were visiting and "Santa" gave candy canes to each of them. Several people did not recognize who Santa was. It was surprising to them when they realized who he was. The other "Santa" event was with the chapel who delivered toys to a special needs school. The children were brought into a room and then Santa came in. They sang a couple of songs for Santa and afterwards he called out individual (Japanese) names of children then gave them a gift. They all waited and opened the gifts at the same time. So many happy faces lit up the room. At the end, the mothers of these children had made special "New Year's wreaths" as thank you gifts for us associated with the Chaplain's office. Such a thoughtful and kind gesture. One thing Elder Melton noticed was when in character as Santa, the Japanese adults even wanted pictures with Jolly Old Santa Claus.
Handing out gifts at a special needs school
Santa (Elder Melton) greets the children on Atsugi NAF
On the first Sunday there is a special Portuguese and Spanish meeting that we attended. The missionaries there are part of our District. A couple of them happen to be from Brazil. They did the translation for those who needed it. We plan to go back to this in addition to our regular meetings. One Sunday we filled in for a couple in Primary. They are retiring and moving to Vineyard, Utah. The Ohsieks have been here a long time and will be missed.
It is hard to do everything that is going on and we did not attend a couple of Christmas Tree lighting events. However, the pretty lights are here for our enjoyment. We did take the opportunity to attend a special fireside and performance by Steven Sharp Nelson with his wife and son at the Tokyo annex. Brother Nelson is well known as the cello player with the Piano Guys. His son completed a two year mission in Korea and with his parents they did many performances around South Korea. At the request of the North Asia Area President, Elder Esplin, the trio made an extra stop in Japan. It was a wonderful presentation with heartfelt stories and music.
Due to time constraints, Elder Melton is dropping from working with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS). However, Sister Melton will start picking up time with them. She is training to teach the Budget for Baby workshop. There was an appreciation luncheon with pizza and snacks for work this past year. Jennifer, the manager, came from Yokosuka to our small unit. Several persons received recognition certificates for the hours worked for NMCRS.
It has been a joy to work at the temple a couple of days a month this past year. Starting January we are using our time to directly work with the members in our branch and on Atsugi NAF. We feel this will better follow our missionary purpose. We will go to the temple in support of the branch and stake temple days and doing personal family names. Every week going over our schedule we fill it with study and service and allow inspiration to guide us. Our focus is on helping others feel the love of Christ and invite them to come to know Him. This is a happy time of year as we celebrate the birth of Jesus our Savior. The gift he gives is available to all the world. We rejoice in His mercy and love. May God bless you all and have a Merry Christmas.
Camp Fuji Christmas Tree A Nativity decoration in our apartment
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May you have a very happy holiday season so far from home and family. I absolutely love what you share with us and appreciate all our missionaries around the world. Aunt Judy
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