Our Time Here on Earth

As we get older we notice even more the value of the time we have here each day. Not just on the mission but in all things. The Lord gave a commandment to the elders in Jackson County that can also apply to us in all parts of the world. That is: "Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known". Time to prepare is good and the training we receive is valuable.

Zone Conference was an opportunity for zone leaders to teach about faith and hope in regards to companionships. They referred to Sariah in the wilderness and how she did not understand the visions of her husband and why their sons had to return to Jerusalem. When she had humility then she understood better. Sister Tueller spoke of preparing members to help and spread the invitation to go forth and invite. President Tueller spoke of the meaning of diligence. It is being valiant and consistent. He also referred to President Oaks talk on Good, Better and Best. He encourages the missionaries to make the best use of their time. He also referred to Chapter 8 of Preach My Gospel (PMG) about Goals and Plans. Sometimes we need to change the plan or goal. 

                                                                President and Sister Tueller 

                                                                      (photo BYU Hawaii News by Monique Saenz)

          Four of the six missionaries here, who passed off PMG Lesson 4, have been or are in our branch

                               (Sister Chuiery, Elder Problete, Elder Inumaki and Sister Compton)

As Sister Melton has been going through some medical appointments in Japan, we are learning more how  the system works here. Two appointments in one day at the same clinic means that you will be there a very long time. We prefer the military system, however the limitations here forces us to go through the Japanese medical providers. 

One day was packed for us. We had the usual AOB in the morning and in the afternoon we did the American Red Cross presentation since our director was in a conference. We then sponsored the Sister missionaries from our branch on base so they could help with making rice balls (onigiri). Later after our weekly mission zoom meeting, we had "Game Night" at Fellowship Hall. Elder Melton gave a spiritual thought continuing on his church talk about opposition. We sponsored the Elders and a Japanese friend who joined them. It was our biggest number so far with six of us total for the evening. The cookies and sliced oranges were appreciated.

Practicing "selfie skills" after onigiri making and "Game Night"

(We were joined by Sister Alido and Sister Compton in the afternoon and then in the evening by Elder McAllister, Elder Inumaki and Troy Hummons)

        

One of the blessings of getting closer to the members of the branch is connecting well enough to know when a service is needed. The Platts were one of the first families we met here. Brother Platt recently retired and started a new career in Florida. Sister Platt is taking care of final details of shipping household goods and cleaning their home before the final inspection. We offered to help and she gave us the opportunity to serve. Their family is one of many who have left or are leaving the small branch we have.  Fortunately, thanks to fasting and prayers we have a couple of new families joining us. 

                                          Elder Melton placing a cleaned vent back in the bathroom

Basketball season is here and Coach Donna with Assistant Coach Brian have taken up the task for 12-15 year old girls. For the first practice Elder Melton arrived later since there was a clean up project he signed up for through the Public Affairs Office. Managing time can be a challenge. Also, it is a challenge with the range of experience among the nine girls on the team. The first game in Yokota was attended by seven of our team members. Our girls were about half the size in stature of the other team. We have nearly all 12 year old girls and most of the other team were 14 or 15 years old. The Celtics, our team name, gave a valiant effort but could not compete with the other more seasoned players. 

                                                      Practice at Ranger Gym on Atsugi NAF

Taking the time to look at or do something new is a nice relief from some of the stress. We drove to the New Sanno Hotel to park the car then went by train to see the SkyTree Tower. The views were nice but the day was a little grey and hazy. Outside of the tower was an event called Chocolate and Strawberries. There were several food stands and a big heated tent for sitting and eating. Our favorite treat was the strawberry hot chocolate. It was a fun time.

Chocolate and Strawberry event
                              

                                      

                                                                             

                                                                            The Skytree Tower                                                                                                                                                                   (Tokyo)

Riding the underground train in Tokyo

We have fed the district missionaries the past two weeks. We usually switch off with the Singletons but they were having family visit this past week. They will have the opportunity to do extra meals when we have our family visit us starting the later part of March. Sister Melton wanted to make her shepherd pie dish more authentic by adding ground lamb. It was hard to find and we were told by a person from the commissary that he would contact us. He emailed saying he reserved us two frozen one pound packages. The surprise came when we saw the price of ground lamb at over $12 per package. We will save the second one for St. Patrick's Day. The following week we had the zone leaders visit us and we knew Elder Baquiran will return home to Manilla soon. We wanted to do a special meal for him so we served vegetable lasagna and pineapple delight. He was the the district leader almost a year ago and we have become close.

                 

  Last lunch with Elder Baquiran at District Council                                                       

We took time to visit other church services. Again we went to the monthly testimony meeting of the Spanish/Portuguese members. Elder Melton bore testimony in Spanish. After the meeting we each received a bag of treats. All the people are so kind and appreciative of us joining their small group. 

We also attended a service of the protestant group on base at Atsugi NAF. It was a nice sermon by Chaplain Grady. We were also able to chat with the parents of one of our basketball players. They are thankful and supportive of the service we give. 

The weather can be unpredictable here sometimes. One day is sunny and warm and the next day there is snow and ice. Our branch president decided to have meetings since the roads on Atsugi were clear. He also told members that it depended on the roads in their area for them to decide. Most of the members from Camp Zama and SHA did not come since it was not as clear there. That meant we did not have our temple prep class but we will be ready for the next time.

It can be unsettling to share with others but lately we were remembering President Spencer W. Kimball's quote of "just do it". Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today.  From Romans 13:11-12 it says,  ...it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer...let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  We know we are in the sunset of our lives and look to letting the light of Christ work in us. May God bless you in all that you do. 

                                                                Sunset view from Skytree