If I can learn to channel my eyes . . .

Hey what's up!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

So I mentioned this last year, but New Years' in Japan is like Christmas in America (a really big deal), and Christmas in Japan is like St. Patrick's Day in America.....people know about it, but don't really do much to celebrate it. In Japan during New Years', everything shuts down for about a week or so and people just party with their families. I'm sure it's way fun for them, but it also means they all stay in their homes together and don't go outside, so the streets are empty. And unless the church members really love you and make appointments with you during the week of New Years', not much gets done in missionary work.

Luckily for us, the members seem to love us, and judging by the size my stomach has grown to from the festivities and ensuing culinary accessories, I would say it has been a week well-spent. Plus we've been able to still meet with our investigators and even have good experiences talking to the few people on the street, so we've been able to get work done.

with Elder T from Hawaii and our wonderful investigator Y

Every time we get time to go out and work, I get so happy. I love talking to people and telling them about their Heavenly Father and about their Savior. It just never gets old!

I hope everyone has had the chance to make some resolutions for the new year. I have made several myself, but the most important commitment I have made has actually been on my mind for quite some time. I have mentioned it before, but lately I have been pondering a lot about how to completely let go of my ego and focus on the glory of God. I know that there is no need for the eyes of the world to be on me and any achievements that I think I have attained....but if I can learn to channel my eyes towards my Lord and my God, and that through me others can see which way I face and therefore bring themselves to face the same way.....towards God....then all will be edified and the world will be filled with light. I have been coming to learn about the absence of power when I rely solely on myself versus the complete presence of all things good when I let go of my pride and rely solely on my Heavenly Father. That is where I have found I am the most happy. I want to work on putting the glory of God first in everything I do in my life, and not focus attention on myself and on worldly ambitions. That kind of happiness only lasts for moments, while this happiness emanating from the glory of God is endless and eternal. 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, 

and His righteousness; 

and all these things shall be added unto you . . . 

~Matthew 6:33

Those words echo a promise that rings true across all ages of time for the disciples of Jesus Christ. I want to fulfill this promise as fully as possible as I can in my own life and in the lives of my brothers and sisters, both during these last months as a full-time missionary and during the rest of my life as a full-time disciple. God always keeps His promises.

God is our Eternal Father, and everything He does is for our happiness. I know that this is true. I can't imagine it any other way. What a beautiful gift to the world this gospel is! I hope we can all receive it, cherish it, and rejoice in it. How blessed we really are.

I love you all!

Peace and love,

Elder Naylor

ネイラー長老

Nagoya Sunrise. New Day, New Year!