Fred and Paula’s Most Excellent Adventure

Sister Joyce Forman is a service missionary for the Church History Department’s Acquisition and Receiving Center. She started as a full-time missionary in 2009 and is still serving more than 13 years later.    Trent Toone, Church  https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2022/9/28/23367539/joyce-forman-cancer-survivor-college-degree-byu-pathway-worldwide-church-history-department I met Sister Joyce Forman while we were serving in the Salt Lake City Headquarters Mission. She is such an example of faith, endurance, and love. I was so moved yesterday as I read this article that I wanted to share it with you. She is celebrating her 90th birthday. She became a full time missionary after the death of her husband in 2005. She has served in the Church History Library all of these years. She is a service missionary now, which means she works 3 days a week. She said, "If you are alive, why sit at home?" "I want to die with my boots on." I am so impressed. She has faced many...

We rode the ropeway to the Kobe Nunobiki Falls and Garden. This was a beautiful and delicious display of mini-h ors d'oeuvres. I loved the carrot tart.   Lunch at the Herb Garden. Their recipes include flowers and herbs that they grow themselves. This strawberry snow cone rivals the snow cones we had in Hawaii. Super Typhoon Nanmadol is hitting Japan now. We will get lots of rain and wind as it goes across the country. Fred and I have experienced many hurricanes in our life. We have learned to prepare but not to fear.  This scripture brings peace in the midst of storms. And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the  rock  of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your  foundation ; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty  storm  shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless ...

 Fall is coming...Kobe is still hanging out in the 90 degrees so we were super excited when we saw some maple trees turning fall colors in the mountains. The drive up the mountain was super steep with sharp, winding curves.  Believe or not, we saw several cyclist riding up those mountains. Unbelievable! The weren't even pushing their bikes. 😂   We stopped at an overlook sight. One of the bicyclist stopped too. I told him he was a rockstar. I couldn't believe he could ride up those mountains.  He said he was very tired. He was from Kobe and spoke English surprisingly well.   We found a Buddhist/Shinto temple nestled in those mountains. It was fun to climb up many stairs to discover all the lanterns, statues, and buildings.  We think there was also a monastery on the property. Saturday, our mission had a mission conference with Elder David A. Bednar from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It was an amazing opportunity.  He spoke to our mission (72 ...

  Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden Venus Fly Trap complete with fly A few blobs taking a break Enjoying some time out of the office We are learning that auto-translate is not always correct. Sometimes not even close. Sunday's Sacrament Meeting Agenda September 4th Communion Program (September 4 Sacrament Program) Administrator: Shoot Kimball Bishop (Bishop Kimball Shute) Opening Hymn: "After Time" ("The Time is Far Spent") Eucharist Hymn: "On the Blue Hill Leaving the City" ('There is a Green Hill Far Away") Closing Hymn: "Prayer is Fun" (Sweet Hour of Prayer") 😄 😂 😃  This week, I was asked to share a short testimony about Jesus Christ using a scripture from the Book of Mormon. I chose Alma 7:11-12 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and  afflictions  and  temptations  of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will  take upon  him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.   And he will take upo...

Every week, we take the opportunity to eat with the office missionaries. This is such a blessing in our life. We are united in the efforts of bringing others to Christ. I try to make delicious food. They bring a spirit in our home that can't be found any other way.  This week we learned about the Plan of Salvation. The Lord has provided a way for us to have joy in this life, and an ability to return home to our Heavenly Father.  That way is through our Savior, Jesus Christ.  "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh, and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." 2 Nephi 2:27 "Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy." 2 Nephi 2:25 If you want to learn more about the gospel of J...

  Japan is "mushi atsui" which means very hot and humid. I would say Houston is more "mushi atsui" but I spend more time outside in Japan. We walk most places that we go so we experience the heat a lot. My underclothes are usually wet with sweat. We decided to wait until dusk for an evening walk. I didn't realize that all the lanterns are lit at night providing a much different experience for viewing temples. They are very beautiful all lit up. We are on the road much of the time going all over our mission. The Japan Kobe Mission is large, encompassing 1/3 of Japan.  We have learned to really appreciate the many very nice rest stops. The bathrooms have small garden areas, fresh flowers, and fun origami animals. The bathrooms are clean and well maintained. There are also convenience stores with interesting snacks to try.   Last week, we opened 2 new apartments and welcomed 12 new missionaries. This week, we will open 3 more new apartments. This includes purchasin...

 "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do the spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Matthew 6:28-29 Today, I sang in sacrament meeting "Consider the Lilies".  I thought it was a miracle that these volunteer lilies sprung up in the ditch on the road I live on. On the very week that I was to sing this song. The message of this song is that God loves us. He knows our needs. He will help us in ways we can't even imagine. Sunset in Uwajima. Opening apartments all over Japan has allowed us to see much of 'Beautiful Japan'. That's what I call it, 'Beautiful Japan' truly. This was a much needed gas station in the middle of the mountains. We were running low and other stations were closed because it was still too early in the morning.  I was happy to find this guy.