A Celebrity in Our Midst

(from September 20th)

Useless fact about me: I am eleventh cousin to Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president of the United States. I don't even know what eleventh cousin means or how we know that...but I am. For some reason, I mentioned that to some men here in the church group and they about flipped. Turns out Lincoln is their number one hero in life! Walk in to a church activity this week, a guy comes up to me with Henry Fonda's "Young Mr. Lincoln" on DVD and asks me to autograph it! No joke! It was all I could do to not burst out laughing. But I obliged. A few days later, another man comes in with a three-volume set of "Team of Rivals," also about Lincoln, and asks me to autograph them! What?? Again, obliged. Hilarious. I feel a little weird about autographing things about him as though I have any significant thing to do with him. But it's so funny, I can't do much else! Anyway, do your family history and figure out what historical figure you're related to! (Then go to Asia and become famous).

It's been a great week! P-Day is Tuesday this week because transfers are happening on Thursday. I can't believe it's already been a whole transfer (six weeks)! Sister Chun and I are staying here in Beppu, and we are happy about that. I have to finish being trained, anyway. We have seen miracles here! I have progressed so much in the language and talking to people about more things than just the gospel. Still have a very long way to go, but I'm grateful to be improving!

We weren't able to meet as much with our investigators this week as we wanted, but we continue to meet new people and teach them, even if the message is only for five minutes. I know this is the work of the Lord and that He is preparing people to learn more about Christ and how they can be eternally happy with their families. Being separated from my family is giving me a new appreciation for God's plan of happiness. What a time to be alive!

I started the Book of Mormon again two weeks ago and am now almost through with 2 Nephi. I'm making a list of Christlike qualities I see in Nephi and working to develop them in myself. We can all learn so much from the scriptures! Before my mission, two hours of scripture study every day sounded insanely long. But it goes by fast! I'm grateful for the hour of personal and hour of companion study every day. They strengthen my testimony and help me be a better missionary. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass!

I love you all! Thank you for the prayers and support!

Love,

Janette