Takayama, Zone Conf, Valentine`s Jazz and Nanao

Well this week was up, down, sideways and every other direction that Willy Wonka`S elevator can go - oh man...

We started off with a companion exchange with the Elders in Takayama. They live so far away (about 2-3 hours depending on your train) that we actually were with them for two days. They are both very new missionaries - and yet they are doing very well. It was quite humbling to be honest, to see that fire and zeal, but Elder Williams and I have talked a lot and hope to incorporate some of what we learned from them. It`s funny how we learn sometimes. Also, lately we have been praying a lot for direction - it`s just interesting how that direction came.

That brought us to Zone Conference - which went very well. Working with members is the focus - and Preach My Gopsel as well. However, an interesting principal was brought up - Doctrine and Covenants 82:10 reads: "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." Elder (now President) Uchtdorf told the mission presidents this last Mission President`s Seminar that this promise applies to Preach My Gospel. As we do what it says - we shall see success. There`s something that made me rethink some things.

After Zone Conference and another English Class, the next couple days were spent in preperation and performance in our Valentine`s Jazz Concert. It was a fantastic success and a really fun time. One of our English Class students, Ms. Goto, is a professional jazz pianist, so with her, and Sister Mills who is pretty good at singing, we performed five songs: Over the Rainbow, Danny Boy, Imagine (the John Lennon one, to which ELder WIlliams also sang a bit), St. Thomas (to which we had everyone compose lyrics to and then sang a few of them) and When You Wish Upon a Star (which everyone sang at the end). I played decently - especially since I haven`t practiced in a year and a half - but what really made the night was the decorations. Hundreds of hearts, heart candles at tables, and a DISCO BALL! That`s right, we found a disco ball in the shed outside - I was thouroughly pleased. Lots of English class students and friends of members came which made it way fun as well. TO top it all off, we made lots of heart cookies and had them decorate them. It was an activity to remember. Fun fun fun. Also, a good spiritual thought about how romantic love is important in marriage - but how foir lasting relationships, Christ-like love, or charity, is also essential. What a great evening.

Finally that takes us to sunday where we took the two hour train ride to the remote branch of Nanao. Elder Ishii of the Seventy and the stake president went with us to make a total of thirteen in attendance. Nevertheless, the members in Nanao Japan and the members of the twelve apostles both partake of the same sacrament each week - and have the same opportunities of blessings. It was humbling and peaceful.

Well, this next week is going to be my faith week. Investigators are a little low - and time to go out and find people is quite high. So with faith, desire, prayer, dedication, and a little fun, I hope to really work hard this next week and find some new people to teach. Elder Williams is likewise committed, and I think we`ll see some good things.

I appreciate your prayers and support from home - they keep me going sometimes. You`re in my prayers and thoughts from time to time. I love you.

Yours,

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