Lessons in Opposition in All Things....
"The basic gospel law is free agency and eternal development. To force us to be careful or righteous would be to nullify that fundamental law and make growth impossible...If we looked at morality as the whole of existence, then pain, sorrow, failure and short life would be calamity. But if we look upon life as an eternal thing stretching far into the pre-mortal past past and on into the eternal post-death future, then all happenings may be put in proper perspective" (Elder Spencer W. Kimball, Tragedy or Destiny, BYU Devotional 1955).
This last Sunday Elder Melton gave a Sacrament Talk on Opposition and Free Agency. Over the last couple of weeks, we have become a little more aware of how free agency plays such a critical role in our lives. We have thought about how God created "both things to act and things to be acted upon" (2 Nephi 2:14). We continually see how this plays out here in our mission, with our families, within the church, and with friends back home. Sometimes these instances can be frustrating, other times they are blessings, but never neutral. So these last two weeks, we have been thinking about how opposing views help develop who we are.
A few weeks ago we were meeting with the chaplain at Camp Fuji where we are the LDS representatives. Since it is little far, actually just outside our normal mission boundaries, we get out there maybe once every month or so, unless there is a request from a member there for training. We asked the chaplain if there was anything we could do and he said, it would be great if you could deep clean our bathroom (they share their chapel area with a non-manned USO open area for Marines to relax, and are responsible for their own cleaning). We took the challenge and went back on Tuesday, the 13th. With a lot of cleaning supplies, and dressed in old work clothes, wee spent over three hours cleaning these two restrooms from top to bottom. This included, cleaning the vents, all the walls and floors, and of course all the facilities. When we were finished it was a good feeling that we could be of service. After we returned to Atsugi, some members of the chapel there asked why we would do that. They appreciated when we said, we didn't see this as any thing more than Jesus did in washing the feet of his disciples, which they all appreciated.
One View of Mt Fuji Deep Cleaning at Camp Fuji Chapel
Our big initiative was starting a Game Night at the Atsugi Base Chapel at 7:00 PM on Monday nights. We have been struggling with holding FHE for the Young Single Adults, usually at a home or meeting at different restaurants in the area. Yet there were only two young adults, and one of those just got married. Atsugi has several inactive and partially active members, so we have been looking out for other ways to reach out. So as not to discourage the the inactive members, we decided to call it Game Night, have a short 5-10 minute spiritual thought, flowed by board games and refreshments, The first night no one showed, the second night we had three which included the two young missionaries. As we practice patience and constantly stick with it, we believe that the Lord will bless our efforts to bless others, even if the group stays small.
A bonus with having the Game Night at the base chapel has been the tremendous support from our base chaplains. There is a trifold flyer that announces when various religious services are held at the chapel. To our surprise, we were excited to see that our Monday night activity is now listed in the flyer without us even suggesting it! It has always been great interacting with the chapel and the chaplains here, they are always kind and generous.
Atsugi Chapel Trifold Announcing our Weekly Game Night
A few attendees at our Game Night
At one of our service projects, we renewed contact with a member who doesn't attend church, and never had his records moved. Yet he always approaches the missionaries at these clean-up projects. He said he loves doing board games so we have invited him to our game night.
Elder Melton started attending a Protestant Men's Bible Study with about 20 other gentlemen. It has been humbling to see the welcome they extended for another member, and interesting to hear from a few how they had always seen the LDS attendees as some of the most giving. It was also humbling to listed to them talk about people and events in the Old Testament that we don't normally talk about in our church. For example, a discussion on King David we normally think about his life as a young man, Goliath, Bathsheba, etc. But this last discussion was about how he forgave the grand children of Saul and gave them a place. Elder Melton has found himself having to keep on his toes with this group.
Sister Melton has been picking up a couple of new activities which is developing her own skills in reaching out to others. Through the NMCRS, she is beginning to teach a monthly class called Budget for Babies which teaches new parents how to do budget planning, which includes giving a $50 Amazon Card and baby blanket.She has also bee getting ready to start coaching a girls youth basketball team. The Child and Youth Programs (CYP) needed coaches but since priority is given to parents to coach, we have have been willing to work with whatever group needed a coach. After a couple of changes she will be coaching the 12-15 year olds which will include two weekly 1.5 hour practices and a game every Saturday. Dr Donna also got a new pair of glasses from a store in the local mall. Great job that was a little different from being getting them in the US through her own practice.
Elder Melton had the privilege to hike Mount Tacko with members of the Elder Quorum. Although the group was just four people, the weather was great, the company excellent and the views stunning. It was noted that of the four Elders, one was in his 30's, another in his 40's, the third in his 50's and the fourth in his 60's. He felt pretty good about making it to the top and back down.
We both also volunteered to help with a PTO Winter Activity. Most of it was outside, where Sister Melton made and contributed chili. Sister Melton was asked where she wanted to volunteer. In her great wisdom, she said we wanted to do the Winter Wonderland which was the only activity actually inside. The gym was decorated and kids were able to do a craft, decorate cookies, take photos, receive a gift wrist band and play in the gym. Meanwhile, outside it was colder with some strong winds, so we had quite a few other volunteers come in just to get warm.
PTO Winter Wonderland Welcoming Students and Parents
One Sunday we met a new family of a husband, wife and a 13 year old son. We realized the husband was someone we met several months ago when he processed onto the base, but thought he was single. He was then deployed for several months onboard the Washington Aircraft Carrier as a helicopter pilot We learned he got married just before he deployed and now his new family had just arrived. The wife expressed interest in her son getting involved in Scouts, which we were able to pass her information on to those in the Branch who work with the Scouts.
We finally had a family of four over for Sunday dinner that we had been trying to arrange for several months. Both parents are returned missionaries who served in Okinawa and attend the Japanese Ward. They have two boys about nine and five years old. The Sister grew up near this area in Shonan. The husband has been somewhat less active a while, so it is good to help fellowship them so they know they are loved and not forgotten.
As a side note to family and friends in Indiana: We watched a different type of opposition. We watched IU win the NCAA football championship live from NAF Atsugi, which for us was Tuesday morning. Go Hoosiers!
By small adjustments, we are seeing the work continue forward, while at the same time recognizing everyone's own free agency. Regardless of where any of them are at in the Gospel, we have come to love and appreciate each one in their own right and recognize them as children of our Heavenly Father.
With love,
Elder and Sister Melton
Aunt Judy will continue to root fot you as you continue in serving the Lord. GO MELTONS!,, I love what you are doing and I’m sure your presence there is felt and will be for ever.. you have it all fun, problems, work, successes and put grit, well done !
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