Christmas 2007

"Happy Merry Christmas" as the signs say. It has been a good one. I got to do to two different daycares and dress up as Santa Claus for the kids. I also got to sign a letter as Santa Claus for someone`s son - which has all been way fun. I am a great Santa - because I`m caucasion and really tall, so all the Japanese kids think I`m the real one. I like it.

There`s two Chinese girls talking - this is what their conversation sounded like - "swan chang wong ching CHRISTMAS son twan ton aong" It made me smile.

I went on exchanges the past week with Elder Muhlstein and we had a great time knocking some doors and talking about Christmas. We brought up a computer game that I had almost forgot about - I played it like when I was ten. I know dad will remember it - it was called Monkey Island. Elder Muhlstein made me laugh a lot that we had such a random thing in common. That`s kind of what makes life fun sometimes - the random funny things.

So the Teaching of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith is probably one of the coolest books I`ve ever flipped through. I am very excited to get into it. The sources are funny how it talks baout all the spelling and punctiation being updated. Languages are increadible - how different English is from a hundred or two hundred years before. Japanese changes pretty fast. I have some Japanese books from the 70s and 80s, and they said that one word that I use ALL the time was actually a feminine sounding word. I was a little worried - but the truth is that nowadays, everyone uses it. the word it "suteki" which means cool, or good looking. Everytime I see a young guy wearing a hat, I tell him "Suteki na boshi desu" which means, nice hat. They always like that.

This past weekend there were some Christmas parties at the church. The choir sand - but somehow Japanese choirs are a little different than amaerican choirs. I still haven`t heard a choir that sounds...well, good...but they tried hard. I smiled to myself to think that even though there were some out of tune notes - God probably was smiling at them trying their best.

The ward here gave us a ton of presents. I got a way cool scarf - amybe a little feminine, but I`m sure going to wear it...or I`ll try. Also, a professional writter - i forget the word in English, but a person who writes things prittier than a computer, wrote a scripture (moses 1:39) in beautiful japanese characters, on a gold leafed board, and gave one to Elder Cano and I. It is perhaps the coolest present I`ve revieced...except for one other thing. Sister Wang gave me a saxophone tie clip - it was probably the coolest thing ever.

Anyway, I love you all so very much. It was way good to hear you on the phone. I`ll talk to you in 5 months.

Yours,

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

Kanazawa and Cold

Well I am now in the city of Kanazawa in Ishikawa prefecture. It`s right next to my previous area of komatsu, so I have actually been here a few times before. The ward is a lot bigger (100-140 at church) and the words they use are a little unfamiliar to me, but I`ll get used to it eventually. It`s so funny how such a small country could have so many dialects. Of course if a foreigner went to Texas, they wouldn`t know what they were speaking either I suppose.

The biggest change is that it is freezing cold here. It has also rained everyday since I`ve gotten here. The rain sometimes turns into snow, but usually just hovers above freezing. Makes for a cold day. I guess I know a little but more what the pioneers must have felt like crossing the plains.

My companion Elder Cano is from Sao Paulo, Brazil. His English is pretty good - and things haven`t been too bad so far. We actually had a baptism this past sunday - Brother Kondo. I got to the baptismal interview for him, which was a new experience for me. He did very well and with the help of the members, he will become a very strong member I believe. He has very funny Enlgish too, yesterday after the baptism he said "Now I am success road!" It made me laugh.

Tomorrow we are gathering as a mission for our Christmas mission conference. It looks liek it will be a good time - a chance to see everyone again including former companions. Leaving Matsumoto was pretty hard - and Elder Golladay was one of my best companions by far - so it will be good to see him again. Also, any opportunity to meet together and hear President Traveller`s instructions is a spiritual experience. It will also be quite a long day - six hours of train round trip - but definitly worth it.

After seeing so many miracles, a few rainy days can certainly be expected, so I`ll be okay. Sometimes I am cold, wet, hungry, tired, and a whole lot of other things - but it`s just for a few minutes, so we keep on smiling and sing a song or something. In the end, I am thankful for the millions of blessing I have and the continued opportunities to see more miracles. THere are many people ready and waiting to learn about God and the blessings he ahs in store for them.

I pray that you will all have a great week, and a especially good Christmas. I am being taken care of by the Lord. I know he loves me and I know He`s there.

Merry Christmas,

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

Baptism and Saxophone

Well the baptism went well – I even said the baptismal prayer in Portuguese with no problems! Latin based languages are a whole lot easier – that’s all I have to say about that. Brother Reinaldo Nagata will be confirmed a member of the Church this upcoming Sunday and will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The blessings are just innumerable. His whole family came to church as well to see the baptism – and two of their friends. The wife was a little sad since she is a pretty strong member of another church, but I think someday she’ll join her husband in receiving baptism.
Brother Reinaldo is just incredible though. He reads and understands everything. His testimony is so powerful and he is just a kind, gentle man. He really wants to learn Japanese now so that he can talk with the other members – but while he learns, I think he’ll feel loved.

The baptismal service went very well. Elder Golladay translated everything from Japanese to Portuguese and back – he felt like a squeezed orange afterwards – but the Spirit was very strong. The two sister missionaries, Elder Golladay and I sang “abide with me” in Portuguese, and then everyone sang “I am a child of God” in Portuguese for the closing song (although a Japanese pronunciation of Portuguese is pretty funny).

Otherwise, it has been a very eventful week. Tuesday we had interviews with President Traveller, Friday Elder Golladay and I went to Nagoya for zone leader council, and then today was cleaning day – tomorrow is transfer calls (exciting! kind of). In between all of that, I have been doing something pretty fun. I use the saxophone that the branch president let me borrow, and we go down to the train station and I play Christmas songs. While I play, the other missionaries hand out fliers for our English class and for our Christmas party coming up. It is way fun to play – I included a picture so you can see me. We all wear Santa hats and the sisters wear Christmas lights around themselves – very fun. I wish I could do that every night.

So I haven’t received any hard evidence that I’m transferring, but logic and rumors say that I am going to – probably to Kanazawa, but I won’t know until tomorrow. If I do, I think I will shed a few tears, because I have come to love Matsumoto so very, very much. The members are amazing – and are some of my best friends. The investigators and recent converts, and other friends I have gain are all examples of faith and kindness. I had the wonderful blessing of seeing two souls receive baptism here, and I will miss Brother Reinaldo and Sister Wang very much. I hope to return, but that certain knowledge that we will all meet again someday is very comforting.

I am keeping warm – I spoiled myself with a very nice hat – so even when riding a bike as it snows, my ears are toasty. There are a few signs of Christmas here and there – though it is all about Santa. Actually, let me answer those questions you sent me mom.

1. Give us a brief description of how the people /communities in your mission celebrate Christmas - what's similar? What’s different? What’s the most surprising or unique thing to you?

Well, Japan is a funny place for Christmas. First off, it isn’t a national holiday, so people go to work just like normal. There are some Christmas lights here and there, but everything is focused on Santa Clause. They don’t really give many gifts, though the stores advertise just like in America. The traditions they do have however include eating a Christmas cake, which they purchase at the local convenience store, and then eating Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner. Both of these traditions are done because they think it is what everyone does in America for Christmas. There are also a couple Christmas songs that little children sing about Santa, but I have never heard them before. Really, it is kind of like Valentines Day in that it’s a nice day, and maybe you do a little for it, but not too much. I’m not sure how Santa gets into houses anyway; they don’t have chimneys at all. However, when I go to church, and hear “Silent Night” and “Hark the Harold,” it feels like Christ and the true meaning of the season has not completely been ignored.

2. What do you miss (if anything) about Christmas here?

I miss the word `Christmas` everywhere Christmas is advertised, it is always Xmas. People not working would be a good change too. However, I have enjoyed the experience very much and will always remember my Christmases in Japan.
3. Feelings about being a missionary.

Being a missionary at Christmas time is an amazing opportunity. I get to explain what this holiday is about to people who never knew Christ and Christmas were related (they are pronounced differently in Japanese). If ever there as a time to declare glad tidings, it’s during the same season that angels did many years ago. The Light of Christ seems to penetrate many barriers during the season of giving in commemoration of His gift to all.

4. What you'd like to share with folks back home in Lenexa?

Though I miss Kansas (well, minus the freezing rain), it really has been a great opportunity and blessing to be teaching Christ to the Japanese people. I have come to love them and see that God loves all people in all places.

Well I`ll talk to you next week. Hope things are well.

Love,

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

Being Led

Well, there’s a man that Elder Golladay and I found two weeks and one day ago named Renaldo Nagata. He is from Brazil. I remember knocking on his door - and I thought he was American. As I spoke in Japanese, his face changed a little, and I was scared that he was about to yell at me. However, Elder Golladay started talking to him in Portuguese - and he invited us in.

Renaldo had been going with his wife and children to a protestant church here in Japan, but he really didn’t like the pastor or the some of the doctrine - especially baptism of infants. This Sunday, he had actually stayed home while his family went to the evening service and was just reading in his room. He had prayed that he would know what to do, and that he could find the truth. He came from a Catholic background, but still he had some concerns as he read the Bible.

Well, we came in and talked to him. Well, actually, I did more smiling - but Elder Golladay translated a little for me. Thank the Lord that my companion’s mom grew up in Brazil and that he can speak fluently. He asked us to come back in a week or so. We were happy, and kept on knocking doors.

Well, this past Tuesday we show up a little bit late (though we rode our bikes like mad and were sweating a ton when we got there), and he hurriedly ushered us in. We could tell he had been waiting for us. After getting to know his wife a little bit, the religious discussion began. Renaldo had read up 2 Nephi 4 in the Book of Mormon and had prayed about it. He had marked verses more thoroughly than my companion and I have. He also understood everything. His wife, Sonya, however, hasn’t accepted that there is more scripture than the Bible. So, we had a discussion.

I testified a few times, and the Spirit came to all of us, though Sonya still needs some time. What was incredible was that everything that Renaldo said that night to us and his wife was all doctrinally true. There were many times that Elder Golladay was going to say something, but Renaldo said it first. He said he has found what he has been looking for since long ago. In his little Japanese, he asked me where the church was and I explained it to him. He said he wanted to come this week. We said sure.

Well, at 9:45, he walks into the church building on Sunday dressed in a suit and a nice overcoat. I thought he looked like James Bond - and I told him that. Several of the members couldn’t believe he wasn’t a member - it was pretty funny.

Anyway, we had a great fast and testimony meeting in which the Spirit was strong and tears were shed. Afterwards, Elder Golladay and the Branch President talked with Renaldo as I taught another lesson. Also, Wakana and her two children came to church, and the sisters taught her.

The lesson I taught was kind of so-so, the father of our branch president comes every week, but just can’t believe in one God - so we talk. After church, Elder Golladay talks about the lesson.

President Kawabata has fairly decent English, but no Portuguese, so Elder Golladay would say a few things in Japanese for him to stay along with the lesson. After the first three minutes Elder Golladay says to the Branch President, "President Kawabata, he wants to get baptized." "Oh, ok." “President Kawabata, he wants to set a date." "Oh, ok, how about next week after church." And so it happened. He’ll be interviewed this next Tuesday (tomorrow), and then receive a remission of his sins through baptism this next Sunday around 12:30. I’m inviting lots of investigators and friends, as well as a Brazilian family in my last area, Suwa. I think the father - Brother Pontes - can give a talk. Also, we might be doing a musical number in Portuguese - which will be fun.

So I am pretty excited. What a miracle! What a prepared soul! What incredible timing! How great is the wisdom of God.

I haven’t really taught him much at all - but neither has Elder Golladay. It’s all been the Book of Mormon and the amazing power that book has. It is the words of Christ, and to those looking for Him, they will recognize it as such. What an incredible blessing to be here to witness this take place. There truly are those seeking the truth, but simply don’t know where to find it. We as missionaries, get to carry it to them. It makes me want to knock a few more doors.

I love this gospel and the joy it brings. It has helped me through many trials. The Spirit has led me. But most of all, I am thankful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. There was no back-up plan - but He did not fail nor shrink. What courage that took.

May we all see miracles in our lives as we are humbly led by Him,

Always,

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