It's CHRISTMAS TIME which means lights, songs, and tons of miracles in Japan!

Oh, so I need to apologize for not e-mailing last week.  We seem to be continuing this pattern of not really having a P-day here.  Last Saturday we had activities from 12 all the way until 9!  It was a crazy busy day, but it was way fun, and way worth it. 

Ok, so this is what's been going on the past couple of weeks.  We got a challenge from the Mission President to go and participate in what he called the 12 Days of Christmas.  The theme was, "What Shall we Give" to Christ (Click the link) the answer being to spread his word to all those who would hear.  What better gift to give Christ than to serve those around us with increased emphasis and zeal.  The goal was for every zone in the mission to contact 1000 people and focus on finding, then the following week (this week) to meet with them or talk with them every day focusing on teaching them Christmas' true meaning.  With that goal, we were hoping for 8000 contacts throughout the mission.  Well, in the Fukuoka zone alone we broke 3000 contacts and over all of the zones we spread the Christmas message to over 10,000 people during that first week of focused finding.  But even beyond that, more than just talking to people and spreading the message, is the hope to find someone who will want to hear more, who will continue to hear more about the Gospel, and out of those contacted in the Fukuoka zone alone, more than 30 new investigators were found, and are hearing the lessons of the Gospel of Christ. 

Even Elder Tanaka and I were able to find extra time to go out and put extra time into dendo.  We didn't have as much time as other companionships to go out and find, but with the time that we had, we were truly guided by the spirit, and our time, regardless of how short it was, resulted in the highest effectiveness of any other companionship!  Of 41 people contacted, 11 contacts turned into a lesson on the restoration of the Gospel, and 4 people agreed to hear more about the Gospel.  I can't think of a single other time in my mission where every 1 in 10 people I talked to had a desire to learn more.  The normal seems to hover around 1 in 100 or even 200. Christmas is truly a special season. 

While we were finding out on the streets on Tuesday we found this one guy walking down the street talking on his cell phone, we went up to him just kind of saying "Hello, we're missionaries."  Usually at that point we get 1 of 2 responses.  Either a flat out turn on the head, trying to put on a face as if they never heard us, or a hand up between their face and us saying "Kekko desu" (meaning: I'm good).  So you can imagine our surprise when he puts down his phone and says "あ、聞いてみよかな”Oh, let me listen for a bit".  That's one reaction that you almost never get!  After we talked to him a bit he got another phone call, but he quickly told the guy on the other end that he was talking to some missionaries and that he'd get back to him later.  After talking some more he was like "It's way cold out here, lets go talk in the cafe."  For the next hour or so we ended up talking to this guy eventually leading to an invitation to the Ward Christmas party and the young single adult activity that weekend to which he even brought a friend, who seems even more interested in the message than the first guy.  I don't think it's any coincidence that this 12 Days of Christmas activity came right at the end of the 40 day fast for the ward.  I know that it set the tone and prepared the way for the success we've seen this past 2 weeks.

On a slightly sadder note though, one of our main investigators has been absolutely swamped with work, and hasn't returned calls, texts, messages, or anything that we've been leaving for him.  We're really worried about how he's doing.  He works really hard and he's been loving reading the Bible and learning about the Gospel, but I think he let his work life get the most of him and I think he's losing the sight of what the Gospel is for.  There's not much we can do now but keep leaving him messages and notes, and hoping that through some small act that he'll be able to feel the savior's love for him and, when he's ready, come and continue in his progression towards Christ and our Heavenly Father.

This past Wednesday I was called on to be Santa Claus for our parent-kid English class.  It was way fun to come bursting into to the gym with all of the kids screaming "SANTA PLEASE."  Most all of them were still little enough to believe that I was the real Santa Claus, so I had to make sure I did a good job of representing the Jolly Old Man.  I taught them about the true meaning of Christmas and how we can all do and say kind things to make the baby Jesus happy.  We practiced saying nice words like "Thank you" "Please" "I love you" and "Merry Christmas."  There were some kids that were absolutely terrified of me, but for the most part, I think they had a really good time. 

The caroling activity that we put together for the Ward activity a couple of weeks ago has become a hit, and we've performed it 3 times now in various locations.  This past Monday and Friday we had an open house at the mission home for investigators and for the leaders of the ward.  Sister Gustafson and a couple of helpers were working overtime to prepare for the events making the most delicious cakes and sandwiches and my favorite Swedish Meatballs.  I even got into the food making mode and taught them all how to make the pretzel, hershey kiss, M&M treats!  I'm not sure if I can classify them as a hit or not, but I know I definitely had a fun time making/eating them.

Merry Christmas to all of you, and I hope you all have a great New Year! 

Elder Everett
エベレット長老