Week 47 - December 23-30, 2013

This week I rode with Elder Koberstein to the bank in Fukuoka.  On the way back to honbu he took me over this mountain.

We went through an amazing little park with beautiful stone paths/roads.

I pushed by bike up the steepest part. Can you imagine why?  I suggested that next time we should take the low road with only a slight hill for Fukuoka.  We usually bike around this park.  I know why.

This week was Christmas.  In Japan people work on Christmas.  It is not a holiday.  We did have the day off and were able to talk to many of our children.  We had the opportunity to attend a brunch at the mission home.  The mission president has one of his son's families here for Christmas.  We also had the opportunity to provide computers for the sisters in Fukuoka to Skype their families.  In the evening we enjoyed Eikaiwa (English class) with some of our students.  We watched "It's a Wonderful Life" in English.  It is one of my favorite Christmas movies and I love watching it every year.  These activities made for a wonderful Christmas Day.

Here is Elder Koberstein sporting a warm stocking cap that fits under his helmet and keeps his head warm when we bike.  We so appreciate our daughter who sent them to us, they are very helpful during the very cold winter here.  Not as cold as Logan, but much colder than Antioch.

One of our granddaughters sent us this beautiful Christmas Card.  Thank you for taking the time to think of us so far away.  We love you and had a wonderful Christmas.

 I had an interesting experience Friday Morning.  The mission received an e-mail from the Tokyo South Mission about an Elders Christmas package that had been sent to them from another mission in Japan.  This Elder was not in their mission so the mission secretary e-mailed all the Missions in Japan to see if she could find out where this Elder was serving.  We happened to have an Elder by that last name who had called the day before asking about his Christmas package.  We had told him that we had not seen it.  So I e-mail Tokyo South Mission to let them know he was in our mission.

A little while after I sent the e-mail the mission secretary called me.  She asked if I was so and so's mother?  We had a nice visit.  She said she knew we were in Japan but had not expected our paths to cross.  It was fun to visit a few minutes about our connection.

Saturday has been a lazy day in which we have done laundry, clean the apartment, prepared Sunday School lessons, shopped, watched the BYU bowl game, attended a baptism and enjoyed some down time.

The office secretary before me left a beautiful display of second hand store dishes.  She said that Japan is famous for beautiful dishes and if she was going to live here she wanted to enjoy them.  Today I picked up a dish with cranes on it.  I love that many dishes often have designs inside, not just on the outside.  The dishes are then beautiful on the shelf as well as when in use.

Scriptures for this week
You say - "It's impossible"  

God says - "...The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."  

Luke 18:27

You Say - "I'm too tired"

God says - "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30

You say - "Nobody really loves me"

God says - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

You say - "I can't figure things out"

God says - "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direst they paths."  Proverbs 3:5-6

You say - "I can't do it." 

God says - "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  Philippians 4:13

You say - "I'm not able."

God says - "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"  2 Corinthians 9:8 

You say - "It's not worth it." 

God says - "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God..."  Romans 8:28

You say - "I can't forgive myself."

God says - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  1 John 1:9   

You say - "I can't manage."

God says - "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19   

You say - "I'm afraid"

God says - "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  2 Timothy 1:7   

You say - "I'm always worried and frustrated."

God says - "Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you,"  1 Peter 5:7

You say - "I am not smart enough."

God says - "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:  1 Corinthians 1:30 

You say - "I feel all alone."

God says - "...he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  Hebrews 13:5