Sunshine in My Soul

(January 10)

We've had a good number of long, cold, dark nights this week. The sun goes down around 6 or so, and the temperature drops. If I'm not sporting at least 2 pairs of tights, a thermal, 2 sweaters, a scarf, coat, gloves, and a hat, it's not night-time proselyting. And it's the best! We sing songs, practice Japanese, make up funny cheers, and try our best to smile when the 47th person in a row says they're not interested in the level of politeness only the Japanese language allows. Because we're all here on the Lord's time, doing His work. And if it takes what seems like eternity of ringing doorbells in the freezing, dark night (to be fair, the rest of Japan is probably colder), to show our faith in and love for Him, that's what we'll do!

There is sunshine in my soul when an investigator asks when we can meet again. There is sunshine in my soul when I finally apply a grammar concept properly. There is sunshine in my soul when the cute old lady picking up trash on the side of the road lets us help her. There is sunshine in my soul every time I pray, pick up the scriptures, and go to church. But most of all, there is sunshine in my soul when I bike home as fast as I can, run up the stairs, collapse in prayer to begin daily planning and thank my Heavenly Father for the many miracles we witnessed that day. Giving 100% to the Lord is exhausting, let me tell you. But it is the sweetest, most satisfying and wonderful experience I could ever have. I know I, like Joseph Smith and all of us, have experienced the feeling of a rough stone rolling down a mountain with the edges getting smoothed out along the way. It's not always a glamorous process, but following the plan our Heavenly Father has set for us is the one true way to happiness in any phase of life. 

This week, we had the opportunity to show someone of their infinite potential. We showed them that they can overcome their past and all the temptations and negativity of the adversary through the Atonement of Christ. It's a long, hard road, but brings an even longer and more blessed future. 

I love you all! LDS hymns 227

Sister Janette Jorgensen

Japan Fukuoka Mission
9-16 Hiraozyosuimachi, Chuo-ku
Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Japan 810-0029

It's 2016!

(December 31)

If it's not 2016 where you are right now, let me tell you: it's a great year. Happy new year, everyone! I hope you've all enjoyed the holidays as much as we have here in Japan! It's truly been so much fun, although separated from family, to be here. 

New Years is the Christmas of the Buddhist faith, and therefore a really big deal here! That being said, most people haven't been too interested in talking about Jesus Christ this week. There's been some long, cold nights of proselyting - who knew two pairs of tights and boots wouldn't quite keep out the cold? But that's such a small price to pay compared to the joy we're able to share and feel as we see people progress towards a stronger relationship with Him. 

One grandma invited us in the other night and gave us cake and warm milk because we looked freezing. Her house was very Japanese - she showed us her butsudan (shrine to ancestors to which they pray) and told us all about her family and New Years plans. This place is full of sweet little old people who love to talk :) my companion and I had just had a pretty lengthy conversation about warm milk and couldn't understand why anyone thinks it's good...so the Lord saw fit to teach us to be careful what we say. I wouldn't ask to drink it again, but it wasn't bad, to be fair. 

We're continuing to teach young Marines on base. They seem to multiply - everyone has a friend they bring to activities, pretty soon that friend starts inviting their friends, and eventually we have a lot of people to potentially teach! Still looking and praying hard for a Japanese family to teach, and we have had some miraculous contacts this week that could be them! One man opened his door last night and, once we introduced ourselves, asked if we could come back today. We'll stop by even though it's Pday - he could be golden! We taught all about eternal families to another lady for 10-15 minutes at her door and will be back to see her next week as well! I'm so excited to see how the work continues to progress here in Japan! We're working on developing faith to baptize this month, and it's going to be awesome.

Sister Fritchen went to her first Japanese McDonald's yesterday! I meant to order a cheeseburger with no ketchup and mustard, but I mixed up the grammar pattern and accidentally ordered a cheeseburger with only ketchup and mustard. Lesson learned. 

I love you all! Happy New Year! I dare you to keep your resolutions into next month :)

Love,

Sister Janette Jorgensen

Japan Fukuoka Mission
9-16 Hiraozyosuimachi, Chuo-ku
Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Japan 810-0029