Bringing to Rememberance

We learned who has been called to replace us in a few months. That has gotten us to think a lot and ponder on this mission. We look forward to returning to family and friends back home, but we also reflect on this road we have been traveling now for the last 18 months. Even more deeply, we think about and remember the many friends we have made over this time, and see each person as a blessing in our lives. As we have looked to bless the lives of others through Christ, we receive not only blessings but teachings on how to love one another.

Missionaries, Friends and Sparklers

But First...It was a Happy Mother's Day!

                           

Mother's Day weekend was also our stake conference for the Tokyo Japan South Stake. The lessons that were taught were amazing. There was one brother that spoke of his conversion years ago as someone who was originally from Mongolia and part of the old Soviet Union. He grew up an atheist but later converted to the gospel. Another memorable speaker was the Asia North Area President, Elder J. Kimo Esplin. He spoke of faith and trusting the Lord, but what stood out even more was a comment on remembering. Many who have had testimonies but drift away because of the things of the word, or doubts that enter their minds, sometimes just need to try to remember the feelings and promptings of the Spirit they had when they had their testimonies. It reminded us of D&C 6:23 "Did I not speak peace to your mind...What greater witness can you have than from God?" 

So, much of this blog entry has to do with some of the individuals we interact with and with whom we feel the Spirit of the Lord in our lives.

We attended a Temple P-Day where the missionaries go to the temple to perform temple ordinances. Beforehand we asked a few of the missionaries to help us with a few of our family names. It is always inspiring to attend the temple with them and to see some missionaries who we worked with previously in our district but have since transferred to other areas in the mission. We will always remember their sweet spirits and their testimonies as they serve the Savior.

          

                  Last Day with the Footes             Temple P-Day with Sister Missionaries

We went to the temple a second time with Brother and Sister Carlson from our branch to perform endowments for our family members. We were delighted to also see others from our small branch, again showing Christlike service. While we were sitting in the Celestial room we felt an earthquake tremor. We could see and hear the grand chandelier shake and create a tinkling noise. Interesting that just a few days earlier we read how the Tokyo temple was build to meet earthquake at a higher standard than any other buildings in Tokyo at the time.

           

                                                      Walking the Tokyo Temple Grounds...

...followed by dinner at The New Sanno Hotel

During our time with the Carlsons, We had a wonderful time discussing the Gospel and sharing in the Spirit that comes from working together in the Lord's work. We even discussed other specific individuals in the branch and how we could serve them. It gives comfort knowing the Lord directs those leading the church in both the spiritual and earthy aspects to move his work forward.

One of our biggest roles is working with the Single Adults. We have grown to love each of them, even those who seldom attend church. We constantly reach out to them, and we hope that wherever they are in their own personal eternal journeys, they will at least know how much we care and love each of them.

We held another game night for YSAs which also included our two elders and two of their friends. At the end one of our YSA shared some sparklers which we used to celebrate the occasion of his birthday. Lighting all the sparklers jointly together gave us a sense of sharing with each other, similar to what we try to do with sharing the Gospel.

       

                                    Dinner with Missionaries and YSAs, followed by Game Night

A lot of our remembering at this time has been learning who our replacements will people in four months. Having no military experience, we first wondered why the Lord was calling them here. However, it became very apparent when we learned our replacements come from the same ward as the family of one of our YSAs. Tanner is a young man we met when we first got here before he deployed last year, but when he came back he did not attend very often. Last month he started to return, though he just deployed again last week for six months. We now feel strongly that a key reason our replacements are being called here is to be here when Tanner returns from this deployment.

Memory is a member in our branch who was baptized over a year ago. Being from Zimbabwe, it is difficult for foreigners to find work in Japan, so when she found a job working in a meat-packing plant, it limited her ability to attend church. One day we met her in a park near where she lives. Sister Melton invited here to our Stake Conference and we were able to arrange a ride for her with our Branch President's family. She enjoyed it and even stayed after to listen to a special Single Adult meeting.

Sharing with Memory

Sister Morris who was assigned to our branch last Fall contacted Sister Melton about a friend (investigator) they met who was interested in continuing to take the missionary lessons, but lived in our area. Salome is from Liberia and we were able to see her twice, once when she came to the church on Sunday and again when he came for a discussion with us, the Elders and Sisters in our district. We learned she has a friend who is now serving a mission. Although still difficult to meet on a regular basis we are hopeful to be able to meet with her and that she will fill the Spirit in her life.

Our own memories have been shaped by our interactions with Japanese members. For example we were invited to attend a Japanese Family Home Evening at the church. It was a small group with both Japanese and English speakers. It was fun to participate in three different games and share a spiritual thought.

FHE Games with the Japanese Children 

Kite Flying!

But our memories surround many Japanese outside the church, and sharing in their cultural events. One we recently attended was the Sagami Kite Festival. Several groups fly kites so big it takes several people to put them together and get them off the ground. But we also attended the Friendship Festival at Yokota AFB, which was opened to local residents to experience the base, see the planes, and meet some of the pilots, mechanics, and flight engineers who support the Air Force mission. While there, we also were greeted by one of our young adults who was attending with three Japanese friends. We later saw an old sister missionary we met when we first arrived in Japan, and had returned for a visit. To remember such times and people humbles us to remember the blessings the Lord grants to those who follow his Gospel.

             The Yokota Friendship Festival...

                                             
                                         ...included USAF Service Members

Our district just went through another transfer which happens every six weeks. Of six young missionaries, three were transferred, a new companion for each companionship. Anticipating this might happen, for our last district meeting together, Sister Melton made a birthday trifle for one of the missionaries who was not only leaving, but celebrating a birthday as well. We have learned to love all the missionaries and love seeing them grow and mature in their mission service.

    Signing a Farewell Flag with Sister Melton's Trifle...while saying Happy Birthday before Transfers

We still had had some of our regular activities such as the base orientation briefings and another day of working at the post office. As we see our mission winding down, these activities are becoming more than just activities to show a presence, but building long-lasting friendships. We love talking to the folks at the Post Office as they have shared with us many of their own stories, their families, careers and religious beliefs. We also see this when we attend the bible study classes, where others greet us with open arms, and we share our perspectives on the Gospel. Sister Melton loves teaching new expectant mothers in the Budget for Babies class, and it has helped develop strong relationships with the people she has become involved with. It has been a wonderful way for her to share her knowledge to young mothers and their families. We also recognize and will always remember the close relationship we have developed with Rob Zukerman, a close friend who we love having our weekly lunches. A representative for Stars and Strips, who has traveled extensively around the world, he has given us a lot of guidance on places to visit, we have shared favorite recipes as well as a lot of good times.

Teaching Budget for Babies Class

So many small miracle occur in our lives, and sometimes they may be hard to see in the moment. So as we realize how short our time is becoming, we are realizing more and more the reasons we are here. Whether it is to reach out to the one or the many, to support the branch members or set the example of christlike service to others outside the church, to help younger missionaries grow or set the example for family back home, or to experience our own growth as individuals and as an eternal companionship, we have learned more that through through obedience and faith in the Lord, we are all being blessed.