The Lord has called him another way
"Behold, the Spirit of the Lord has called him another way" (Alma 22:4) We have used this verse many times with the missionaries in our mission when they get transferred to other areas. Even our Mission President was using it as well. It encapsulates the life of anyone who seeks to follow the Lord. We just had another transfer in the mission. The next one in September will be our final transfer home. With mixed emotions, we trust that the Lord will guide us through these last few weeks and once we return home. But for now, the last two weeks once again have been filled with both spiritual experiences and interesting events
We have been to Camp Fuji twice this period. Both were mainly to meet with our member who is assigned there but unable to travel to the branch. The first visit was on a Wednesday where we administered the sacrament and Sister Melton gave a wonderful talk based on Elder Holland's talk "Fear Not, but Believe Only.", a talk she had just given a few days before in Sacrament meeting. With just three of us, the feeling was more relaxed as our member Will set up a stool from which she gave her talk. While we were there Elder Melton tried out their barber while Sister Melton bought a couple of blue shirts with a Camp Fuji logo.
Sister Melton Speaking at Camp Fuji Partially Hidden Mt Fuji
The second visit was just this Sunday where in just a few hours we held three different meetings at Camp Fuji. First was a Zoom meeting with the other Japan MRMs, the second was attending Chaplain's Schaffer sermon in the base chapel. The third was again our meeting with Will to administer the sacrament and he gave the spiritual thought on the importance of Family Prayer.
Sunset at Mt Fuji Will Speaking at Camp Fuji
We hope to have a couple more visits before we depart. One will be a final meeting with Chaplain Schaffer before he departs on 3 September for his next assignment. The second will be with our replacements to get them oriented to Camp Fuji. At both, we will minister again to Will.
Back in the Zama Military Branch we have started once again the Temple Prep Course. Our main students are a couple who are Young Single Adults (YSA) who hope to be married in the temple in the near future. Another two YSAs have also been invited to attend but so far have not been able to make it.
We have been highly active in the missionary work in teaching and fellowshipping three Spanish speaking ladies who we have mentioned in previous blog entries. Two are a mother daughter from Peru who attend when they can. We even had a lovely lunch at a Peruvian restaurant with them along with Sisters Eronico and Capalongan. The other woman is from Mexico to whom we gave her own Libro de Mormon. All three have personal challenges and doubts, but all three are beautiful people.
All three attended the monthly Spanish/Portuguese Fast and Testimony meeting. This month's meeting was more special as seven non-member friends attended the meeting After the meeting there was a pitch in dinner with a lot of different light food. Elder Melton made a couple of Spanish tortillas which were a hit. A couple of members even asked about what was included in the recipe. One asked if there was milk in them, to which he replied, "Claro que no!" to which they responded that was the correct answer. Another touching highlight of this meeting was that it was to be the last meeting for six months. When Elder Melton gave a testimony, he mentioned that we would be returning home next month. It appears that helped them to decide to at least keep the meeting every month at least for the rest of the year.
We were privileged to attend the baptism of an older Japanese woman who was taught by a couple of our sister missionaries in our district. It is difficult, even more so for older adults, then even more so in the Japanese culture where family traditions hold great sway. At first this new member was sure she would never join, but over time the Spirit touched her heart.
Japanese Baptism Attendees
Until a few months ago we would provide lunch at the district meetings. The meetings were then moved from Friday mornings to Monday evenings where we would just provide a dessert as the missionaries usually had dinner before the meeting. However, Sister Melton decided she wanted to provide a full meal. By letting the missionaries know beforehand, they were greatly in favor. She made an Italian meal of Spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread; something the non-American missionaries had never experienced. The meal was another huge success!
We had a beautiful birthday celebration for a sister in our branch. This sister was so giving that she cooked all the food herself. As a widow and with none of her children able to attend, she invited both of us along with the four young missionaries from our branch. There was a lot of food and great spirit there!
We held two FHEs for the YSAs in our branch. We always invite the missionaries even if they don't have teaching friends as their influence is alw
FHE dinner with the YSAs and Missionaries
YSA FHE at the Driving Range
We were finally able to have our good friend Rob over to our apartment for dinner. Again, Sister Melton out did herself with an Irish Shepard's Pie, not your usual menu for our Jewish friend. We all normally have lunch on Monday after the Atsugi Orientation Briefing, but his job has been realigned, and he will no longer be there. However, we do plan to get together one last time before we depart.
A few weeks ago, Sister Melton sprained her ankle. However, after a week, it did not seem to get any better. We saw our doctor who took an X-ray and found a small break in her ankle. She is now wearing a boor with a crutch.
The toughest part seems to be keeping her focused on sticking with the crutch. So much so, that we went to see the storm drains of Tokyo, which included walking out and back across a soccer field, then climbing 116 steps down and back up without the brace. She did 't want to call attention to herself and possible not being allowed to see them. She survived and is now more conscientious about following the doctor's orders. Plus, the drains were amazing and reminiscent of a castle or cathedral.
Inside the Tokyo Storm Drains
So even if serving means keeping your foot propped up, it is still fun and rewarding!
Donna's Oatmeal and Toast Room Service! Brian's Oatmeal and Toast in the Restaurant!
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