I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas. . . Yay?

It is currently snowing right now.  We knew it was going to happen, but we were kind of praying it wouldn't.  Not because we don't want to have snow for Christmas, but because we want to ride our bikes tomorrow to do the things we want to do tomorrow.  And if it keeps snowing like it is now, maybe it will be a little hard to ride our bikes.  But we'll just have to see what happens.  We baked some cookies yesterday and we want to deliver them to the members and our investigators tomorrow.  We had to do some today, and it was so fun, I hope that tomorrow we'll be able to get the rest done.

This week we have had a few fun things happen.  We went to Joetsu for missionary splits again.  I got to work with Okada choro and we had a lesson with one of their investigators.  It went well, but she is still not sure if she has felt the Spirit before and if she wants to be baptized.  But she's following the commandments, fasting, and coming to church more than some of the members are.  We are praying she'll get an answer soon.

We were also able to find some new investigators lately, one who is the husband of a sister we recently helped start coming back to church.  He investigated the church the same time as his wife, but she was baptized and he stopped meeting with the missionaries.  But he's a way nice guy and said that he'd be willing to meet with us again.  Hopefully we'll be able to help him learn more about the church.  I think it will also help his wife grow in the gospel to.

This week we are going to have a few fun days this week.  It is going to be a holly, jolly Christmas.  It's the best time of the year.  Let's all remember Jesus Christ and keep Him in our hearts as we celebrate Christmas.  I am so thankful for all of your love and prayers.   I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Love, Elder Wixom

It's Almost Christmas!!

I can't believe that Christmas is just a week away.  How exciting is that.  We are feeling the Christmas spirit here in Nagaoka right now.  It hasn't snowed much lately (which is nice), but there is still snow on the ground which adds to the Christmas feel.  Also we had a zone conference last week that was very Christmas-y.  And our branch had it's Christmas party on Saturday.  It is just so great to have the Christmas feeling as a missionary.  When we walk down the street and the Christmas lights are shining, people sometimes listen to us just because they are feeling the good old Christmas spirit.  And we know that that wonderful Spirit is from our Savior and we are able to feel it so well this time of year because we get the chance to celebrate His birth.  I know there is still a week until Christmas, but I hope that throughout this week, we can all feel that Christmas joy and try to share it with others through kind works and words.  I am sure that we will be able to brighten somebody's day if we try to do something nice for them.

We are still trying to work hard, but lately it has been difficult to meet our investigators.  But yesterday we were able to get three new investigators in one day.  And they all seem like people who have real interest in what we are sharing.  I hope that we will be able to keep helping them and our other investigators receive blessings from God by being baptized into His true church.

I hope that you all have a good week and that you enjoy this wonderful time of the year.  I thank you for your kindness and prayers.  I love you all very much.

Love, Elder Wixom

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

So it snowed yesterday.  And today it is snowing.  And tomorrow it will snow.  And the next day.  Uchida choro and I think that we won't have any more days here in Nagaoka without there being snow on the ground.  It is actually pretty fun though.  Cause I mean there is a bit of snow, but its not all that cold actually.  It was much colder before the snow started.  So we have been having some fun these past couple of days walking in the snow.  Since neither Uchida choro or I live in a place that gets a lot of snow, it is nice to see some.  In fact yesterday it snowed more than Uchida choro has ever seen in his home town.  Pretty crazy to think that it is only going to get worse.  We'll probably enjoy the snow less after a week or two of living in it.  But it will be fun for the time being.

 I did feel the earthquake actually.  But we were riding a train when it happened so we were fine.  It wasn't very strong where we are, but yeah we all felt it.  I am sure that there will be a lot of service opportunities for the missionaries that are working over there.

This week we were not able to really meet with our investigators which is a real bummer.  But we were able to visit a less active brother that we've been trying to help re activate.  And he came to church again this week which is awesome.  And he said he wants to keep coming which just makes me feel so good.  Helping someone come back to church is just as, if not sometimes more, fulfilling as helping someone come to church for the first time.  I really hope that we will all be able to help bring back members who have found themselves not coming to church.

This is all that I really have for this week.  It's pretty short, but that's just what happens sometimes.  I hope you are all getting excited for Christmas.  I know I am.  Thank you for all of your prayers and support.  You are the best.  I love you all.  Have a good week and take care.

Love, Elder Wixom

It Snowed The Other Day. . . I Almost Died.

That is a bit dramatic to be honest.  It was cold, but I didn't almost die.  And if you asked somebody who has lived in Nagaoka during the winter before, they would tell you that what happened last Saturday wasn't real snow at all.  More like, fun Christmas snow.  The real snow is much worse.  Maybe I won't be here to see it though.  And if I am, maybe I won't be able to survive it.  But it was actually a really fun thing that it snowed.  It means that it's getting closer to Christmas, and everyone gets nicer during the Christmas season.  So maybe people will still stop and talk to us, even if it is cold.  At least that's what we're hoping for.

Well this week we had a few fun things happen.  One real cool thing is that a less active brother was able to come to church yesterday.  He seemed much happier and he was the first to bear his testimony during sacrament meeting.  This is really cool because we have met with him a few days this past week because he asked us to help him get better.  On Monday when we visited he asked us to give him a priesthood blessing, which is way cool, but when he asked me to give it, I got way nervous.  It was my first blessing in Japanese, but Uchida choro said that is was good after and that I said the important parts right.  So that's good.  But we are really trying to help this brother get better and come back to church.  So the fact that he came yesterday was great.

We also had splits this week with the elders in Joetsu.  So Fitz choro and I got to work together here in Nagaoka.  He is such a good missionary and is really fun to work with.  It was almost just like the MTC all over again except that we're in Japan and not Provo.  But it was a lot of fun.

We are still just trying to help our investigators progress towards baptism, and trying to stay warm.  Thank you for all you love and prayers.  I love you all!!

Love, Wixom 長老