Made Something Out of Nothing

I heard this pretty song today and appreciated its message. It's called He Knows My Name by Francesca Battistelli. It's important for us to know our Father in Heaven loves us and knows us individually and by name. It helps to guide us and our decisions and to see eternally instead of just seeing the here and now.


There are two parts that really made me think.

"I'm not meant to just stay quiet.
I'm meant to be a lion.
I'll roar beyond a song with every moment that I've got."

What does this mean to you?

In one way, to me it means that I shouldn't just stay quiet, but instead share the joy and peace that comes from knowing a God and His plan and feeling His love. I was a very shy child, but even with that quietness, I was always eager to share the gospel with friends and teachers. I wouldn't say that I ever roared, but I did talk.


"He calls me chosen, free, forgiven, wanted, child of a King,
His forever, held in treasure,
I am loved."

To me those are powerful words. We each inherently yearn to be loved, adored, chosen. It helps me to go on in spite of trials and disappointments when I know I am someone's forever and held in treasure by someone, He who knows my name and knows me. I'm so grateful for my Father, the King, and for his eternal love.

The Real Frozen

I think this photo will be THE iconic photo of his mission. I guess they call it the Chosen Frozen for a reason.

He does not complain about the cold and even talks about how fun it is and how beautiful the snow is. "I have a lot of layers on usually, so it's easy to stay warm." Yeah....right. I'm his mom so I worry about that red, chapped looking face and if he really is staying warm walking out in that every day. I was told that it just started snowing hard when he got there. I hope it warms up soon.

So here are some parts of his letters to us in italics with my comments not in italics.

My daily routine? Wake up, Exercise, shower, eat breakfast, personal scripture study for an hour, companion study for an hour (or two most of the times since I'm a new missionary), language study, lunch, go out into the world and walk everywhere until it's late and we have to go back to the apartment, dinner, planning, writing in my journal, district prayer, companion prayer, personal prayer, sleep.

So he skipped the whole explanation of what he does while he's out in the world. He told us he doesn't go knocking on doors because that's not effective. I know that he teaches English class, but I don't know how often.

Elisa asked him what new hobbies he has and his response was, My best newfound hobby is missionary work. I do it all day every day ;)

There are a total of 17 ish active members in this city, and a lot on inactive ones. But we're working on that! No one really hears about Mormons too much here, because a lot of christianity just gets ignored here. Nothing like in America or other mainly christian countries. 

 

 

This photo is actually from an elder who shares the apartment with Alex (not his companion), but I had to include it just to show more snow.

 

A silly hat we included in his stocking, along with Christmas gifts of the sweater and scarf

Alex's letter to everyone:
So for new years, we got to eat lunch/dinner with a member and his family. There was so much food, I couldn't believe. All of it was so delicious. We couldn't eat it all there was so much! I should have included a photo, but if I didn't then sorry!

Also at that event, I got to practice piano, and play ping pong, a really big thing here in Japan. I had a lot of fun!

After that, we went to the local shrine. There were booths selling food and items (apparently it's the year of the ram), and the snow was absolutely marvelous (both the snow on everything, and the snow that was falling). I got to go ring one of the bells they had there, and participate in the traditions as well, so that was a cool and new experience. We then had to walk home in the snow, right when it turned into a blizzard. It was so much fun. Also included is a picture of me covered in snow.

Not too much activity here as far as missionary work, however, because of how special this family time is, so that was all we did outside the apartment on new years day.

When we got back to the apartment though, we read all of 3 Nephi from the Book of Mormon on our own, and made goals for the new year. I had an amazing time reading it, and I have been keeping to my goals so far!

I pray that all is going well for all of you, and hope that you stay happy and positive whatever the circumstances may be!

With all my love,

Elder

 

Above is the New Year's Eve feast at a member's house. 

 He didn't give details about this meal, but it seems like it's at a restaurant.