We got a lot of changes this week, since a lot of missionaries went home a couple weeks early for Christmas.
One of the Elders who went home in our district was our district leader, Elder Carter, so that was the first change. That responsibility fell to me. Thankfully, President Wright gave me a couple weeks of warning that I would be District Leader soon, but it's still a big change. Should be a great experience, though, and the Lord will help when I stumble.
The next change was Elder Carter's companion, Elder Worthington, who is now our third companion here in Hershey. We were not expecting that change, and neither was our pantry. Lol, we got all the food we needed today, but we were a little confused the last couple meals what we were gonna do.
As far as the work goes, we had some awesome experiences as well. I went to Harrisburg Wednesday for exchanges with the zone leaders and we had dinner with a super nice member family. As we talked about their family and the area, I learned they were related to a returning member we had been trying to get in contact with for months now! We exchanged information and made plans to reach out them soon.
We also had the ward Christmas program yesterday, which was a great experience for our investigator, B.! The night before, I learned one of the singers in a group performing in sacrament meeting was sick, so I got the music and learned it as best I could in a night and a morning so I could fill in. The song was a super cool arrangement of "O Come Emmanuel".
A scripture we've shared a lot with people this season has been Alma 7:10-12:
10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.
11 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.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
I think this is a perfect Christmas scripture because it describes not just how Christ was born, but why he was born. The nativity is a fantastic and inspiring story that fulfills and gives credit to all the prophets who have ever lived, but the true power of the story lies in that baby's destiny to provide us life, mercy, and strength.
So, I invite you all to watch The Christ Child with the mission of Jesus Christ in mind. I love the emotion you can see in the wise men's eyes because they know how important this child is. I also invite you to share the video with somebody you know and love. I know it will brighten their Christmas season, as well as yours.
Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
Sincerely
Elder Brown the elder
A nice family took us out to dinner
My district
An older couple we are teaching offered us an old Santa suit, so we took it! And used it in some photos for social media posts.
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Japan Sapporo Mission | Jul 2019 - Mar 2020
COVID Intermission | March 2020 - May 2021
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Mission | Jun 2021 -
Mission Scripture
Alma 26:12
Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things;
Where is Sapporo?
The Japan Sapporo mission encompasses the island of Hokkaido (northernmost part of Japan) and the northern tip of the main island as highlighted in blue in the map below.
Japanese Words
mogi
role play
honbu
mission home, headquarters
nihon, nihongo, nihonjin
Japan, Japanese (language), Japanese (nationality)
shimai / choro
sister / elder
kanji
a system of Japanese writing using Chinese characters
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