Email Home 15 December

Yesterday I went to the Japanese branch in the morning and then went to the Iwakuni branch in the afternoon (because the chapel is still under construction we met just for Sacrament in a hall on base).

Afterwards we walked over to the senior couple missionaries' house for a lesson with T. He is a good guy.

The day before we went to our investigator's baptism. 

The work that you can do by being the Lord's instrument is amazing. You can be the Lord's instrument through doing His work His way.

I love being a missionary.

We Three Kings (Piano/Cello) - ThePianoGuys

Santa and Hotei

http://www.japanprobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/japanese-santa.png

Christmas in Japan is a secular fun event.  Only about 1% of Japanese people are Christians.  

When you read about how Christmas is celebrated in Japan, you may see images and read about an ancient Japanese god that serves in the role of the American Santa Claus. He is called Hotei.  He has a sack full of toys, is always very happy, surrounded by young children and it is said he has eyes on the back of his head.  He sees you himself…no need for a naughty or nice list.

However, when you are in Japan, you will see many traditional fun American Santas. And most likely, you will not see happy Hotei. 

Letter Home

So, we saw Brother P. [In the LDS church we call each other Brother and Sister.] come in with someone we had never seen before to church. So we went, introduced ourselves to J., stated our purpose, and started saying stuff like, “if you have any questions.…” When Sister P. came up and informed us that J. was a member of the church!

The members had a good laugh. Another brother was just standing there smiling the whole time!  He knew and didn’t tell us!

Dad, I just remember the time you brought a friend to church and the missionaries didn’t approach you or him.

The Coat: A Story of Charity

LDS Church organizations for Women, Young Women and Children

The ReliefSociety often is referred to as the largest and oldest women's organizations in the world, with 5.5 million women in 170 countries. Organized in 1842, its purpose has been called the pursuit of the “relief of poverty, relief of illness; relief of doubt, relief of ignorance — relief of all that hinders the joy and progress of woman.” 

The Young Women organization, established in 1869, is for young women aged 12 to 17. 

The Primary organization for children was organized in 1878 and now includes more than 1 million children worldwide.