Fred and Paula’s Most Excellent Adventure

 As we approach the close of our mission, I begin to reflect what I have learned through this experience. I kept a 'spiritual thoughts' note in my phone. Whenever the spirit spoke to my heart, I wrote it down. I am amazed at the inspiration that I have received during this time of our mission. I have kept a journal and a scripture notebook. These are reminders of all the Lord has blessed me. This mission has been priceless. I will be ever changed for good because of it. One of the most important blessings is the strengthening of my testimony of Jesus Christ and my desire to follow him. My testimony has been strengthened by many mission/zone conferences, personal study of the  Savior, music, and prayer. It is hard for me to express my testimony but the words of this song reflects my feelings. Savior, Redeemer of my soul, Whose mighty hand hath made me whole, Whose wondrous pow'r hath raised me up. And filled with sweet my bitter cup! What tongue my gratitude can tell, O grac

For our P-day (preparation day), we went to the knife stores in Sakai. We found a 5th generation blacksmith, Mizuno Tanrenjo. He creates knives the old fashioned way by forging carbon steel, heating it until it is red hot, and then hammering the metal out thinly. We got to see the workshop. The blacksmith was working with a blade and hammer when we arrived. We did not get to see the whole process but there were pictures taped to the wall so I took a few pictures of the pictures. I feel it is only fitting to make a moral to this experience. We are in the hands of the master blacksmith. God allows the fires of life to burn out our impurities, soften our hardness, and then he can mold us into the person we are meant to become. Mizuno-san also makes ceremonial swords for the sumo tournaments. This is Fred by some of the swords. We bought a vegetable knife which I am so excited about. We have been using a vegetable knife for several months. We found it while cleaning out a missionary apartm

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...

This week I have been compiling the mission history for the Japan Kobe Mission. These memories are kept on the records of the church. Every 6 weeks, I create a newsletter for the mission. It includes baptism pictures, new missionaries, and returning missionary pictures. It has a message from the president and zone conference summaries. I include things like bicycle safety, 2 week menu ideas, ways to manage stress, ideas for talking to strangers, and even a recipe. These newsletters have dual purpose. They are for the missionaries now but they also serve as a review for what is happening in the mission.  We are also collecting conversion/baptism stories from the missionaries. It is so inspiring to read the miracles that are occurring in people's lives as they come unto Jesus Christ. I have been collecting these memories over the year so I can have a memory for each person baptized. I can imagine that this will be a treasure to someone many years down the road when they read about th

The mission allowed me to return to Utah for the birth of my new grandson. These precious moments are some of my most treasured moments of my life. The ability to be there with them was an amazing blessing.  Holding this new baby and sharing those first moments can never be recaptured. I am so grateful that senior missionaries don't have to miss out.  This is one of my highest highs. Five days after the baby was born, Fred's brother died. I was in his home a few days before his death. I got to talk to John and Kelly before John left us. I also helped lift his body onto the gurney after his death.  I felt the deep sorrow for the death of John, for his wife Kelly, and for their three daughters. Fred joined me in Utah for the funeral and some family time. This was one of my lowest lows. Kimberly, Mom, and I decorated Mom's tree while we were in Utah. My three year old granddaughters really stuck with the project for over an hour. At the end of our decorating time, the lower th