Thankfulness - Wakana and Roberto

Well this week has been cold and incredible - one of the best Thanksgivings ever. It snowed and stuck to the ground for a white Thanksgiving morning. The assistants were over with us that night on exchanges and they flipped out over the snow. I guess I’m almost used to it, being in the coldest part of the mission for some time now. I love Nagano, it’s so pretty.

So yeah, the assistants came over with us for a day and it was inspiring. I worked with Elder Shuto, who is from Yokohama. Having fluent Japanese makes talking to people so, so very different. However, in the end, it doesn’t matter how well you teach someone - it all depends on the Spirit. But yeah, he taught me a few good phrases and we taught a way good lesson that night before our English Class.

So Thursday, the entire zone (all 10 of us) went up to the city of Nagano to celebrate Thanksgiving together. Elder Golladay and I gave a little bit of training on working with members from the new PMG DVDs that are out (and I’m the only missionary in the mission that has them - yes!) which went very well. Then, we threw on some other clothes and had a Turkey Bowl. It was probably the most fun game of football I’ve eve played - just because how kind everyone was. The best play however, was one where I lateralled the ball, and Sister Fullmer did a Cartwheel to distract everyone - worked perfectly.

We then came back and had a glorious feast. Chicken, Mashed potatoes and gravy, and homemade rolls. We went around and shared what we were thankful for and a warm spirit was enjoyed by all. A great day.

So that night Elder Golladay, a really good member named Brother Seki, and I went over to Wakana`s house to talk about baptism. I challenged her and she said she isn’t ready. She did say she would get baptized in like six years...but I won’t be here anymore. Actually we did have a very spiritual lesson, and the Sister missionaries also talked to her the next day and she’s looking good. There are probably a couple concerns we don’t know about, but as we work with her, maybe she can get baptized a little sooner. She is just so good - reading and believing and praying. Lots of faith.

Well in order to meet our goal of a baptism by the end of the year - I thought wakana would be our only shot. However, Friday night we visited a part-member family. The wife is named Sariah - she’s from Peru. She’s 20, and married to a Brazilian named Roberto who is 22. Roberto has heard the lessons and met the missionaries lots of time - but he only speaks Portuguese so it makes it a little hard for normal missionaries to teach him. Well, my companion happens to not be normal - and since his mom is Brazilian, he can speak Portuguese too.

So we visited them and gave a lesson on temples. I asked - "what sacrifice would you be willing to make in order to live with your family forever." He replied, "Anything." Elder Golladay then challenged him to be baptized for Christ’s birthday. His date is December 23. The Spirit was strong in the little apartment. Roberto is such a nice guy and very, very ready. That lesson was an answer to many prayers and fasting.

We have actually been teaching a TON of Brazilians lately. I am very grateful for my French experience, because I am actually able to follow what they say fairly well - kind of. I feel like a new missionary all over again - just sitting there, listening, and having my companion translate for me. Its fun - and they feed us some amazing food!

I am so thankful for so many things. I am thankful for my bicycle, which has carried me over 7000 kilometers. I am thankful for the trains here, which make traveling to zone conferences rather easy. I am thankful for friends and people we meet who open their hearts and homes to us. Most of all, I am thankful for the teaching of Jesus Christ - which have changed me and made me happier.

I am thankful for you as well,

Yours,

Elder Alexander Todd Fuller
Japan Nagoya Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

First Snow

Well late last night, Elder Golladay and I were knocking some apartments - and then it happened. We walked out of the complex and watched as little white feathers of snow fell silently down. It didn't stick of course, but it is a momentous occasion. Today we are going to buy some serious winter supplies - because it is COLD!

Just fantastic things going on here. Wakana, one of our investigators, she has two children ages eight and seven months. She is just doing fantastic, really liking everything we teach her, and ready a lot from the Book of Mormon. She told me the other night "I read a bunch. Like, up to chapter 21 of 1st Nephi, but I have to say that`s not the most interesting part. I read the back and that`s way more fun." This made me laugh a lot - because in the back of the Japanese Morumon Sho is a thing called the scripture guide. It`s basically a combination of a topical guide and dictionary about doctrinal topics and words. Anyway, she said she read aboput 100 pages of it and said it was much more straightforward and therefore interesting. Elder Golladay and I had a good laugh. she was essentially saying, 'yeah, the stories are good and all, but just give me the straight doctrine.' Hopefully this thursday we will be able to set a baptismal goal with her and her son.

We have these two investigators, Hayashi and Saito, and I can`t describe them any better than a couple of punks. Their both about 20 years old and way crazy. However, they love to hang out with my companion and I. Saturday we read and drew Lehi`s dream together, and then put them on the announcement board for everyone to see. I think most of the other members might be a little scared of them, but past their exterior, they really have a good heart. They`re cousins living together, and committed to pray together. It so funny how different people in different circumstances can still have interest in the same gospel.

Finally, Sunday was a special treat in that I helped Brother Hirabayashi, who was baptized this around april, bless the sacrament for the first time. he hasn`t come to church for sometime, because I don`t think he had any friends, but thanks to Elder Pratt and Elder Golladay, he now comes every week. For just a second I caught a small glimpse of the righteous man he will one day become. He's 19 right now.

Things are good. Elder Golladay and his Portugese are teaching a ton of Brazillians - they let us in all the time. It`s cold, but the Spirit is warm. My prayers are being answered,, and I am at peace.

I love you all,

your son and brother,

Elder Alexander Todd Fuller
Japan Nagoya Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Getting to Know Matsumoto

Well Elder Golladay and I are just having a great time together here in Matsumoto. We’ve been visiting lots of people and making lots of friends. On Tuesday we went to Nagoya and back for our zone leader council meeting. We talked a lot about working miracles and how we can help the miracles in Japan increase. Perhaps one of the greatest miracles is when one of God's children begins to follow His Son's teachings and live His commandments. Those are the kind of miracles we are looking for especially.

I’ve been thinking lately about Christ’s sermon on the mound, how we must love our enemies. Though I don't think I have many enemies, the point is still very relevant. God does make the sun rise on the good and bad, showing His love for everyone. Sure there are so many people that will forever hate the name we carry on our nametags, but I should always them too. Like all true teachings, it’s in practicing them - which is always the hard part - where they matter.

More than anything, I talk to so many people who are just lost - and searching - but they don't know what for. We talked to a man that joined the church, but hasn't come for nearly thirty years. He was incredibly nice, yet so full of philosophical questions and problems that he was just outright confused about life. We asked if he had prayed - and he hadn't in a long time. Perhaps it is when one cuts off that two-way communication with heaven that one is swept over by the waves of doubt and fear. When we turn away from the lighthouse, we are just left to drift at sea.

So what do all these thoughts and experience mean - not too much, other than how thankful I am for truth from God about why I am here and where I am going. There are so many things I don't know, but because I know some of those most important answers, it seems alright for now. I wouldn’t trade the sense of sublime peace I am blessed to enjoy for anything else.

I got a package from my father this morning, and there was some good stuff inside. Included was a bunch of advertisements from the Kansas City Star newspaper for grocery stores. Elder Golladay and I deeply enjoyed looking through the ads and seeing how incredibly cheap food is in America. Our favorite of all was a pizza ad for a large pizza for less　than seven dollars. The same pizza - I don’t know if there ever could be the same - but nearly similar pizza here would cost around forty dollars. America is the promise land of pizza, that’s for sure.

Another gift was a CD called "Trek: A Nashville tribute to the pioneers". As we were cleaning our apartment a bit, we turned it on and listened a bit. One thing for sure, country music has gotten better lately. Another though was the pioneer spirit that was in those songs. I was humbled as I thought of my own ancestors who were forced to cross the plains to a place of refuge. It wasn't for money; it was for safety and for God.

This life is full of sacrifices. The most special and meaningful ones in my life haven’t been for money or fun, but for spiritual safety, and for God. I am so thankful to be on this wonderful world - in this wonderful land.

Have a good November week - it is almost ready to snow here! Stay warm :)

Yours,

Elder Alexander Todd Fuller
Japan Nagoya Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

So some nights, when I am in a particular good mood, we will come home to our apartment and I will put on a CD I have from the BYU Men’s Chorus. The first track is Martin Luther’s "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." However, when you have a choir of 200 men singing with power, it sounds like a giant army. I’ll turn it loud and pretend to direct the music and sing along. I’m sure our neighbors enjoy the 9:30 ritual, but I only do it for like 20 seconds. I’m still not sure what my companions think of it, but I love it. It’s so fun. And maybe I’m kind of strange.

So Elder Golladay is amazing. He and I are having way fun. He makes up songs all the time just like me. I never knew there could be somebody just as cool, or peculiar, as me, but it is way fun. Our investigators are doing good, and most of all, church was fantastic this past Sunday.

Well, we had visited lots of people and told lots of others that Elder Pratt would be visiting with his family, and so lots of people came who normally don’t. We also had six investigators there - bringing sacrament attendance up to 67 (74 with Elder Pratt’s family). It was almost like home - babies having to be taken out and little kids running around - but there was a particular and special spirit there. I love the Japanese saints.

I’m hesitant to tell the next story, but because it has a good ending, I will. So Friday morning, I woke up feeling pretty yucky. My stomach hurt and just wasn’t my old self. However, after getting dressed and eating, it wasn’t bad, I assumed it was just some bad food or something (missionaries eat at a LOT of people’s houses sometimes, and there is lots of interesting cuisine.) Anyway, there still remained a very small pain in my stomach, through the weekend and even today. It really wasn’t a big deal at all, but simply because it lasted, I was a little curious. So, I called our stake president, President Sugimoto, who is a doctor, and talked to him.

After just a few questions, he knew what it was, and assured me that he would take care of it. That was at 7am this morning. At 11am, his wife knocks on our door and hands me some little pills - and wishes me better. I was amazed at how fast my prayers and request for help was answered. The organization of the Church and of helping one another is truly heaven sent. I am so thankful to be so watched over. Maybe it’s because I am a missionary, but I have never felt more safe and worry-free about health, or really anything, than ever before.

I love the words of Nephi, "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." I too know that God loves us and watches over us, though there is still so many more things I am waiting to learn. That we may all learn together more deeply of His love is my prayer,

Always,

Elder Alexander Todd Fuller
Japan Nagoya Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints