Servants of the Lord

Tokyo

I LOVE being a missionary!

In this last month of my mission I am being so blessed to learn at the feet of some wonderful servants of the Lord.
Last month Elder M. Russell Ballard, Elder Rasband and Bishop Stevenson visited our mission.
I learned from what they said, but I learned even more from who they are and how they have lived their lives in the service of the Lord.

In 2 days I will learn from Elder Russell M. Nelson and Elder Evans. 

Elder Evans came to our mission during my first transfer! 

I am learning that God likes to make bookends in our lives.

In all of my goodbyes I am learning that there is more happiness than sadness.

I love being a missionary!

Sister Orton

オートン姉妹

Accident

My hand bandaged by the policeman.
It is even waterproof!

I was in a bike accident yesterday. 

I am totally fine. 

We were riding on the road and it was dark and very rainy. Actually only moments before I had told Sister Smith that I liked riding in the rain. It is fun and it makes me think that I am a real missionary. Just then I actually fell into traffic and all I could think as my wheels came out from under me, was "put hands out and tuck in head". 

I didn't hit my head more than a bump on my left cheek (not even a bruise and I immediately started calling backwards toward the sidewalk. 

My companion who was behind me saved my life. She stopped her bike between me and the cars so that they would go around us. If she hadn't done that I don't know if they would have seen me because I was laying on the ground. 

Wow. It was a miracle. I only have a few bruises on my legs and my left hand was scratched. 

A nice policeman biked by us right after and took us to the station down the block where they bandaged my hand. 

I know from the bandage above, you would think my wound was major, but here it is in all its glory!

I think I will live!

Parasites!

So, maybe not everyone would find this a great place to spend a day, but on p-day we got to go to the one and only Meguro Parasitological Museum! It is the coolest museum ever!!! I highly recommend it if you are ever in Tokyo!

Elder Ballard, Bishop Stevenson and Elder Rasband were here for a Mission Conference. It is always so wonderful to sit at the feet of these amazing servants of the Lord and learn from them. I learned a lot from what they said, but beyond that, I learned a lot from who they are. They have sacrificed so much to serve the Lord and are just willing to go where they are needed and do what is needed to serve God's children. (see 1 Nephi 3:7)

We have found (or re-found) some great people lately. Like I said before, it is amazing how our paths cross others who are prepared to hear what we are teaching. Miracles happen every day!

Last Transfer...

So this is my last transfer here in Japan...
I am staying put, but Sister Gates (sadly) is leaving.
We have had a great transfer together. She is just amazing.
My new companion will be Sister Smith. I don't know her yet, but I am sure she is great.
I don't like thinking about this being my last transfer. Time has gone too fast. I want it to slow down.
One of the sisters who lives in our apartment (Sister Nash) had appendicitis and had to have surgery. Scary. Poor President and Sister Budge stayed with her at the hospital all night and had lots of meetings the following day.
Thankfully, Sister Nash is well now and things are as busy as ever!
We have had many wonderful conferences and temple days already this year. That really rejuvenates my spirit and gives me strength to go on.
It is really miraculous to see how the Lord puts people in our path. We will just hear a bit of English as we are walking down the street and as often as not, the people speaking English are wanting to talk with us, or have previously talked to missionaries and have more questions for us to answer.
It is so great to be a part of this life changing work.

The Good Ol' Days

It is so fun seeing old friends. The other day a dear friend showed me this old photo. Every year while my family lived in Japan we would have an 'Easter Party' for friends with little kids. I was the oldest, so I would take the plastic Easter Eggs to the local park and hide them for everyone to come hunt. Those were the days! Now all the kids in the photo are 16-18 years old!

Isaac, Joey, Lisa, Miki, Chloe

Missionary work is hard and I have to work hard to not get discouraged, but the rewards are so worth it. It is so wonderful to see the gospel bring peace and joy into the lives of those we care about.

I know that God cares and answers prayer and that the Book of Mormon specifically answers the questions of the soul.

We are so blessed!

Happy New Year!

2015 Year of the Sheep

This is going to be a great year. It is off to a great start with hard work in a great part of the world!

It is a whole new experience for me to be searching out foreigners in the city. 

We also get to attend the Japanese ward to help with the language, but are assigned to find and teach English speakers.

We have found some wonderful people and the members here are just terrific!

Skyping home for Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Tokyo!

So, I was transferred to Tokyo!
I am serving in the Tokyo 2nd (English speaking) Ward.
Crazy!
This is where I grew up (it was called Tokyo 3rd ward then).
I was baptized here when I was 8 years old!

I didn't dream I would be assigned to this area and was a little concerned about switching over to English, but when I walked in this building and realized that this is where my testimony began, I realized that this is where God wants me at this time.
It has been so wonderful seeing so many dear friends of my family from many years ago.
The members here are having a hard time calling me Sister Orton because they still remember me as a 13 year old girl named Emily.
I spoke in Sacrament meeting and there happened to be a man visiting from Saipan (where my little brother is serving his mission). I won't see my brother for 3 years because of our missions overlapping, but it was great to see someone he knows and get news of him.
My new companion, Sister Gates, is great! We are already hard at work with some really wonderful people.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is such a blessing! It is such a beautiful thing to see how it can change lives for the better. And it is an even better thing to be able to play a small part in helping others find and learn the gospel!
I couldn't ask for anything more!
Merry Christmas!