"Hybrid" Portion

 This week, I have come to a realization that for now, this is my mission.  I call it the "hybrid" portion of our mission.  We work 40+ hours a week between Japan and Salt Lake City Headquarters mission.  Prior to this week, I have thought of our mission as waiting until we can go to Japan.  I realize this could take a very long time as the COVID delta variant rages on.  We move forward taking one day at a time.  It's not like we are alone in this.  The entire world has been working remotely for over a year and a half.  

I create a mission newsletter every 6 weeks for the missionaries.  I am learning new computer skills and using the creative side of my brain.  My goal is to document the events and people of the mission.  I also provide articles to lift and support the missionaries.  The Mission President and missionaries help translate portions of the newsletter into Japanese. These newsletters will be complied into an annual history at the end of the year.  I am also gathering testimonies/stories as the missionaries share the gospel with others.


While I was in the MTC remote training, the owner of the AirBnB taught me how to make these cookies.  I have decided I want to improve my skills so I have purchased the supplies and plan to practice.  I am hoping I'll be really good at making them by the time we move to Japan.  Then I will give them to our missionaries.  In the meantime, I will be giving practice cookies to our missionaries here.  


We have weekly mission devotionals and conferences in Salt Lake Headquarters.  This week we were able to listen to the Projects Manager, Thomas Hanson, for the Conference Center built in 2000.  It was interesting to listen to the inside story of the planning and construction of the Conference Center.  There were many miracles that occurred as the center was built.  We have been able to participate in many inspiring devotionals as a result of not going to Japan yet.  
Tours are available for visitors to see the Conference Center.  We walk by this building everyday.  Maybe we should take a tour.😉





Comments

  1. Queen MaryAugust 8, 2021 at 7:38 PM

    ❤️❤️❤️ that you’re using your creative gifts! And I ❤️❤️❤️ your beautiful cookies! Those missionaries are blessed to be the recipients of your beautiful and I’m sure delicious cookies! ❤️❤️❤️ that you are blooming where you are planted!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Viviana Wilkinson August 8, 2021 at 9:20 PM

    I love those cookies ♥️♥️ You are always an inspiration 🥰

    ReplyDelete
  3. Shan KelleyAugust 8, 2021 at 9:49 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Shan KelleyAugust 8, 2021 at 9:51 PM

    Awww I wish I could taste your “practice” cookies!

    I love hearing your perspective on how God is working in your life!

    Love you!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownAugust 8, 2021 at 10:24 PM

    I had to look twice at the cookies. They looked like decorative pins. I'm so impressed!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownAugust 9, 2021 at 5:21 AM

    What a wonderful opportunity to develop a new talent to bless others!!!💜💜💜

    ReplyDelete
  7. Julie MarkhamAugust 9, 2021 at 7:35 AM

    I have not always been a "one day at a time" person, but it's where I am now, and it's a good place. I hope this works well for you -- and yes -- definitely take a tour of the conference center!

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownAugust 9, 2021 at 7:46 AM

    Looking forward to trying your cookies!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Adam BurkeyAugust 9, 2021 at 8:54 AM

    Not sure how to put the comment from my name like some others. Thanks for sharing! Those cookies look like the magazine ones. When we were there at the Conference Center we weren't able to go through, but they did a virtual tour for us that was amazing. I hope to go through it for real in November when we come out. Maybe we can even see you guys! Adam Burkey

    ReplyDelete
  10. LeAnnAugust 11, 2021 at 8:00 AM

    Love the newsletter!...a wonderful service with total creativity. Got to love those mastered computer skills. The cookies are fantastic and will most definitely score big!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

10 more days--Our mission is coming to a close

Image
10 more days-- our mission is coming to a close. What an amazing experience this has been!! We have seen God's hand in our life in so many ways. We feel the windows of heaven have been opened to us that there is not even room to receive it. We have grown closer to each other and closer to the Lord. We arrived when the sakura trees were blooming. Now, they are blooming again. Walking under the blossoms gives you a sacred feeling that you are somewhere very special. This is my favorite walking path. There is a lady who cares for these flower boxes every day. I have enjoyed seeing them on my way to the river walk. Today, I saw a miracle with the ward choir. They asked me to lead the choir when we first arrived. I have sang in many choirs, all of my life. I have never led a choir. We started out just singing hymns but eventually added more and more difficult music.  I wanted to sing "Let Us All Press On". This is a difficult piece sung by the Choir at Temple Square. I had hig
Read more

Enjoying our time here...

Image
We decided last P-day to go to Universal City. It was a fun and memorable day. The weather cooperated with a beautiful spring day. The adventure started even before we arrived by riding the train and then subway in Osaka. It was packed body to body, a full contact sport. When we got in the subway, we were jam packed. I was wondering if the door would close. Then we stopped at another station. An additional 5 people got on the train. We were absolutely smashed together. The people at Universal City all wore crazy hats. It seems the more outlandish the hat the more they enjoyed them. I loved seeing these little cuties. Our favorite spot was the Harry Potter castle and village. They have really strived to recreate the book. You walk through a forest before arriving at the village. We saw the flying blue car, Mirror of Erised, the talking pictures on the walls, the Fat Lady guarding the door, the Sorting Hat, Dumbledore's office and many more.  We would have bought some butterbeer but
Read more

Daruma Doll

Image
President and Sister Halvorson gave the missionaries a Daruma doll for New Years.  The Daruma doll is rich in symbolism and is a sign of good luck for the new year. The eyes are blank. Once you determine your goal,  you color in the first eye. At the end of the year, you complete your goal and finish the other eye. The Daruma doll wobbles but won't stay down. If you tip it on it's side, it uprights itself. This is symbolic of perseverance in striving toward your goal. You may falter but just pick yourself up and keep trying. President Russell M. Nelson, the prophet gave us a New Year's Message for 2023... Be Patient... Be Persistent.. Be Prayerful...
Read more