72nd week in Japan
12/25/2016
メリークリスマス! (Merry Christmas!)

Dear Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas! I hope that everyone had an awesome Christmas. I also
hope that everyone was able to remember why we celebrate Christmas. It
is such a special privilege to share with the people here in Japan
about their Savior Jesus Christ. In Japan not many people know about
Jesus Christ, other than his name. Declaring to others that they have
a Savior who they can lean on for help gives so much joy.

On Christmas my companion and I had the opportunity to ride around to
others houses and sing them Christmas carols. Many people were
extremely surprised, but you could tell it helped them to feel the joy
of the gospel. We, ourselves, truly felt the joy by focusing on others
during Christmas day. It was definitely a Christmas to remember.

I testify that Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior. He loves us. In
the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Questions:

How did your Christmas go?  Did you listen to any Christmas music?

1. It was awesome! It was great to skype with you. Thanks for all of
the packages too! We did listen to some Christmas music.

How is your new companion?  What does he like to do?  Where is he from?  What is his first name?

2. He is amazing! He used to do parkour before his mission. He is from
Draper. His first name is Evan.

Does your ward have a Christmas program on Sunday?

3. The relief society sang a hymn that was good, but other than that
it wasn't too different. A few of our investigators showed up though
which was great.

 What has been your favorite thing about the holidays there in Japan?

4. I would say being able to share about Jesus Christ and why he is so
important.

Have you been to eat at any members houses lately or on splits with them?

5. Yamauchi shimai invited us over to eat once and sometimes some of
the other members do as well. We didn't go on splits yesterday, but we
did go caroling with some members.

Is your new companion a zone leader too?  How does he like it there?

6. He is. He loves it here!

Do people go caroling there?  Is there a rest home in your area?

7. Other than the members/missionaries, no. There is a few I think.
The number of old people in Japan is way high, so they have a lot of
rest homes.

Thanks so much for all that you do! Hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

Elder Hirschi