Lily

Get this: last week, I studied the scripture verses about "Consider the Lilies" and shared it with our investigator, Yuri, who is preparing for baptism. We gave her a hard commitment and promised that God would take care of her and provide the way for her to accomplish all she needs to. As she read the scriptures out loud in the lesson, she smiled really big. When we asked why, she said that her name, Yuri, means "lily" in Japanese. I had no idea! But I know that Heavenly Father wanted her to know that He loves her and will help her out according to her faith. And I know she knows that too :)

I got a new companion this week! I'm accruing a lot of them, turns out. Which is fun - all the missionaries in this mission are so hard-working and awesome, I'm honored to be able to work with anyone here! Her name is Sister Henderson and she is from San Francisco (make that 4/6 Californian companions). She went to BYU for a little while and, get this, is one day older than me! Our birthdays are so close! She was born in China, so we were thinking we might actually have the same birthday American time, but it didn't work out. Anyway, she is so sweet and nice, and I'm so happy to get to work with her!

Yesterday, during dendo (proselyting), we ran into two ladies next to a giant field cooking something over a fire. We went over and they were stewing some derivative of bamboo to eat! They also garden like crazy on this huge plot of land (really rare in Japan) and then "go stand where the rich people are so they buy our food." They gave us orange juice and said we could come back and hang out sometime :)

Other than that, life goes on. I can't believe it's almost May! I was talking to someone on the street the other day and they asked how long we're in Japan and I said I've been here about eight months now...and then realized I only have about that long left! A little microcosm of life, I guess - the further along we get, the more we begin to truly appreciate each day. I'm grateful for this opportunity to serve :)

I love you all! Have the best week!

Another Day in the Life

Hello everyone, hope you're doing well! I am happy, warm, and a little sunburnt here in Fujisaki - a welcome change from the countless layers of a couple weeks ago. This week, we had the privilege of hearing from living prophets and apostles of Jesus Christ, those called by Him to run the church here on Earth. They spoke on all sorts of topics, including charity, opposition, the future, agency, you name it. I really enjoyed each and every talk, and look forward to going back here soon and reading over them all. If you follow this link, you can also find my favorite song performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (also the Vanderbilt Choral Department last year, so I love it even more). I know that through the grace of Jesus Christ and our exercising of faith, we can receive the fullest joy imaginable (2 Nephi 25:23-26).

http://media2.ldscdn.org/assets/general-conference/april-2016-general-conference/2016-04-1071-come-thou-fount-of-every-blessing-256k-eng.mp3?download=true

This morning, pre-PDay activities, we participated in the funeral service for a woman in the ward who passed away suddenly this week. It was my first funeral in Japan - very somber and reverent, as is to be expected. In this situation, as with the passing of loved ones which we all experience, I'm so grateful to know of Heavenly Father's great Plan of Salvation, which enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave and into eternity. I'm grateful for the life and example of my great grandmother who also passed away recently, three days after her 100th birthday. Because I am so sure she is and always will be my great grandmother, and that I will be reunited with her in the not-too-distant future, I can feel peace half a world away. God has provided this plan and allowed us to know of it so that we can be happy in this life and in eternity.

And I am happy :) I hope you all are too! These three ladies in the picture added some fun to the week. We were biking down a street and saw the lady (top left) sitting outside her house at a spinning wheel! We asked her what she was doing, and she said she was spinning old futōn into thread...what a cool lady! She invited us into her house, where her sister and friend were crafting to the highest degree. They had looms, wheels, t-shirt designing, you name it. Every time we turned around, there was a new thing they had either made or purchased in their travel literally ALL OVER the world. They gave us cake and hot water (because we don't drink tea, but hot water works) and we talked for an hour or so. They were adorable. Three of the twelve old women we became BFFs with this week - a record, I think. 

Here's a picture of the crane attack we received on our post box, as well as my sunburned face :)

I love you all!

Sister Janette Jorgensen

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

janette.jorgensen@myldsmail.net