BLOG #70 "You Can Learn Alot of Things From the Flowers"

 Hello all, 

Another week of summer weather in beautiful Japan. Plenty of things to see and do with lots of steps in between. The collage of flowers in the photos below is a collection of the flowers Sis Nelson photographed while taking her steps. She has always enjoyed taking pictures of flowers, and Japan definitely has some unique ones. The app on her phone identifies them for her, and so we share them with all of you. She is learning a lot about flowers here. They grow everywhere. Suffice it to say the Japanese people must like them too. 

Speaking of taking pictures, on Monday, Elder Nelson taught his photography class to some Japanese ladies who are part of the Japan MLC (Master Labor Contractors). They are coming to learn how to take pictures with the camera that their office issued them to take pictures of visitors and the training that goes on in their office.  But they don't know how to use it so they have been learning from Elder Nelson. On Wednedsday he will be going to their office to do "hands on" training for them. Just one of the many opportunities to share our talents and serve the community. 

We also wandered over to the softball field to see one of our YSA's play a game. That was what we did for Family Home Evening. We have another game to attend tonight. 

Temple Tuesday was a bus and then train ride. (Elder Nelson's picture is what it looks like to be in the back of the bus). The temple was wonderful as we were able to see many of the awesome missionaries that we have worked with over the past 16 months. The picture is of three of the sisters who will be going home on the next transfer, and Elder Baquirin who is not going home yet. We love them all. 

We had dinner at the train station, which was not terribly exciting. But we did have our dinner served to us by a cute, yellow robot. Quite a few restaurants use these robots here in Japan. No need for a waitress because you also place your order on a tablet. And that's how it's done here in lots of places. 

We got home a little later, and Sis Nelson finished up some baking and bagging of cookies and banana bread for the next day's Red Cross Coffee Cart. 

Bright and early on Wednesday, we delivered the baked goods to the JED (Japan Engineer District) building, and we hung out with the engineers and served them coffee and cookies for the Red Cross. Bella the dog was also there as part of the Red Cross' Animal Visitation Program ( AVP). Many people enjoy petting dogs, so Bella is part of the certified AVP program, allowing people to pet and love on her. Somehow, that goes well with coffee and cookies. A nice diversion for the engineers. 

Elder Nelson also taught a family history class to one person. She is married to a retired Navy guy who works on the post at the dental clinic. Anyway, Sis. Nelson also attended and "helped". This gal wants to start doing family history work, but has many challenges finding Japanese records. Definitely not as easy as we have it with all the resources available to us. I commend her for being willing to try. 

Later that day, Sis Nelson joined the Pubic Affairs folks and put on her garden gloves to go to one of the city parks to help pull weeds. She managed to find a shady spot and helped others pull the weeds that were growing in the bricks. Something a large bottle of Round Up would have handled nicely, but they don't do that here. Everyone worked hard, and the Japanese workers appreciated the help. (Elder Nelson was not able to attend; he was missed)

Thursday was another very hot day, and we had almost nothing on our calendar, so we stayed inside in the cool apartment doing other stuff. At least until we were needed at the PX (Post Exchange). We set up a table and smiled at people to encourage sign-ups for VBS (Vacation Bible School). We will be helping with that in August. Sis. Nelson with the crafts, and you can probably guess what Elder Nelson will be doing. Once again using our talents. 

After over a week of very hot weather, Friday dawned with a much cooler day. Temperatures are in the 75-85 range instead of 95-105. It was a much-needed break for our sanity. Sometimes, too much heat can be overwhelming. We were able to attend a Change of Command for some friends from the branch. We met the Hansen family when we lived in Boise, ID, in 2005. At that time, Eric and Megan were newlyweds, and they came over to our house to visit with us about what it was like to be on active duty in the military. They were trying to decide whether to do that or just the ID National Guard. We must have been convincing enough for them to choose to go active duty. Twenty years and 4.5 kids later, we met them again here in Japan. Eric has been the commander of a battalion here that just changed over. We love the small world of the military and the church. 

Saturday was another day of cooler temperatures, and we ventured out for a shopping trip to the Shinjuku area. Several train stops and transfers later, we arrived at the Shinjuku station. One of the busiest places here in Japan. We made one more train transfer to find a Japanese Folk Art store called Bingoya. The store had traditional, handmade crafts, textiles, and pottery. We were looking for Tamari balls. They come in many sizes and are handmade balls made with rice husks and yarn. Very pretty. We found what we were looking for and also found a lunch stop. Elder Nelson took a picture of his yakisoba. And then we headed back to the train station for a reverse trip. 

We joined the Meltons at the Navy base to see the latest Jurassic Park movie. That included popcorn and Diet Coke, and we called that dinner.  The movie was more of what all the JP movies have in them. People looking for dinosaurs in heavily forested islands. When they find them, the people get eaten if they are the "bad guys," or they make it out alive if they are a nice guy after lots of hiding and chasing. It was entertaining. We headed back home on the train, and usually take the bus back to our apartment. But alas, the last bus was at 10pm, and it was 10:20pm. We therefore walked home, adding to our many steps that day. Sis Nelson's final count was a little over 20,000. Tired feet, tired old people, but it was a fun day. 

Sunday is our day of rest....and we were delighted to do just that. We fellowshipped with the members and missionaries. One of the Elders gave Elder Nelson a drawing that another Elder had given him. He drew a picture of Elder Nelson taking pictures. Pretty nice rendering. 

One of the Japanese members that served with Elder Nelson in Hokkaido, almost 50 years ago is always giving us sweet, handmade presents. He and his wife are downsizing and moving in with their son, and they have given us some of their lovely, Japanese treasures. The lastest have been some very beautiful Tamari balls. The Japanese love to give gifts. We are very grateful to Elder Akasaka and his wife. 

Thanks for making it to the end of this long blog. Neither one of us is very good at journal keeping, so we hope these blogs will help us remember our experience here in Japan. It has been a wonderful time here. We can't believe how fast the time has gone. We are doing our best to finish strong and serve with all our hearts. Thanks to all for your love and support. 

Love to all,

Elder Nelson and Sister Nelson

                                                                    

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Week #69 We have moved from Rainy Season to Hot Season...just like that!

We have moved from Tsuyu (Rainy) Season full on into Summer (Natsu) which here means HOT and HUMID. There is no escape other than staying indoors which one can only do for so long.  After all there are buses to ride, trains to board, and places to go!  Sometime during the NATSU or Summer we will be treated to Typhoon Season!  One bright spot during this hot time of year is that flowers keep blooming!

This week Elder Nelson started teaching a Photography class on Monday morning. And Sister Nelson volunteered at the Army Community Service office - At ACS, we get to see everyone who is coming to Zama or leaving. So it's a good way to meet and greet people.  Later we had a YSA FHE activity by going out to a "hamasushi" restaurant. Similar to the older style "sushi-go-round," you order from but then your stuff comes on a little race-track kind of thing.  It was OK, but not our favorite. This one was noted for being inexpensive...it was.  We then went over to Elder and Sister Melton's apartment for a a spiritual lesson/video and some brownies!  Anytime we can do something with our YSAs is worth it. 

Once per transfer, the Mission conducts an emergency drill. Tuesday was the day.  It involves walking out to your designated evacuation site (in our case a nearby school building) and then making a phone call on the Japanese payphone system which as a set up for calling and getting recorded emergency messages from your ? employer or organization... you then get to report in and demonstrate that you got to your site and made the call and got the message.  It is good for the missionaries that often transfer...we never transfer, so our drill is always the same...not exciting, just compliant. We then made our way --bus/train/walk to the Tokyo Temple for our weekly privilege of serving there. 

Wednesday, Elder Nelson was lined up to teach a Family History class (3rd time), but sadly nobody showed up.  (sad face :( ).  When you offer to teach a class for free at the library, you never know what you are going to get.  This time, the timing must have been bad...and it is summertime...school is out and lots of folks are on vacation. (a good thing to do when it is SO HOT here). He teaches it again next week (as well as the photography class), so we shall see.  Sister Nelson got a haircut and helped out at Red Cross.  Later, Elder Nelson took his turn at Army Community Service and then we went to the commissary for a grocery run. 

Thursday was our bimonthly Newcomers Orientation for new Soldiers and families. We really like supporting this because we get to see and greet every new, incoming person...and they get to meet us too! As we were taught at the MTC, seek for opportunities to "Show the Badge." We also help with the Red Cross briefing part of the orientation and yet another opportunity meet and greet and help.  Later that day we went to a Vacation Bible School meeting for volunteers.  VBS is coming up the first part of August and is a major summertime effort offered by the Camp Zama chapel and we will be 100 percent involved again. Finally, after a somewhat longish day, we came home in time for Elder Nelson to jump on a video meeting with the young Elders and one of their "friends."  Meanwhile, Sister Nelson is always baking something for some upcoming thing. She is famous at Camp Zama now for her baking prowess. 

Friday was our day to walk/bus/train our way to our church meeting house for weekly District council and District Lunch. Friday was also the 4th of July and our young missionaries (9 of them) wanted something "American" for the occasion.  Sister Nelson orchestrated Sloppy Joes with her potato salad, pickles, chips, corn on the cob, and the Meltons kicked in a couple of delicious apple pies. Our young missionaries were all smiles. We have been doing a district lunch for whoever is in our district pretty much since the beginning of our mission and while it is a lot of work, our young missionaries are always very appreciative and thankful.  Later on Friday evening, we were treated to a very intense thunderstorm through our little part of Japan!  Rainy season is over, but with a sky always full of HOT HUMID air, it rains whenever it feels like it. 

Saturday, since we are mostly still in the walking mode, we declared as too hot to go outside much. Sister Nelson wanted to go walking though and so she did...she walked and walked and came back very hot, sweaty and red...9,999 steps later. Elder Nelson has had to pull back on the walking a bit because of an emergent foot problem. So he is not going out for any walks longer than is "mission essential." He got a blessing for it on Tuesday, so we are trying to be hopeful for an improvement soon. 

On Sunday, it was our monthly Fast Sunday. We enjoyed hearing testimonies and fellowshipping with our Branch members and missionaries.  We trained our way home and enjoyed a relatively quiet and cool sabbath day inside our apartment.  Each Sunday our mission hosts what is called the "Miracle Call" where all of the missionaries join.  For 30 minutes any of them that wish to can share any special spiritual experiences they had during the week. We look forward to joining that call each week.

Each week we can never really say what or where, but always we enjoy special little experiences that remind us that we are doing His work in some small way.  Our mission experience will come to an end in a matter of weeks now and we hope to stay engaged and do what we can until the end. 

Love

Elder and Sister Nelson

                                                                            

Week 68 Baking and Walking on Humid Days

 Hello all,

Moving right along in the heat of the Japanese summer. I remember saying we would be doing two summers here and trying to get ourselves ready for the heat and humidity again. Somehow, you forget how bad it is until it happens. Although our grandson talks about the heat in the Philippines, I don't think we are quite as hot as he is. Humidity has never really been a favorite which is why we say we like summers in Utah. Hot but dry. 

We started off this week firing up the Japanese oven and baking for several events, one every other day, so we tried to keep it simple with banana bread, apple bread, and Rice Krispies squares. (Things that don't melt) Elder Nelson took Sister Nelson's ACS shift so she could do some of the baking on Monday. No FHE this week as our two young adults were out of town. That left even more time for baking. And did I say we did some baking? 

Of course, after all that baking, we looked forward to our Temple Tuesday. It really is a lovely, peaceful day, and we only have a few more left. We hope to continue serving in our temple near our home in Utah. It will be a little different than our experience here, but serving at the temple is a blessing. 

After our temple shift, all the senior couples in our mission were invited to the Mission president's home for dinner. We all brought something to add to a taco night. It was nice to mingle with all the "old folks," and they reminded us that we have been here the longest, and the next couple to leave. Now that was where it started feeling real that we are getting close. But for now, we love all the serving and helping that we do.

On Wednesday, we gathered with about 1/3 of the mission for Zone Conference. All the young elders and sisters love seeing each other at these conferences. We took the train to the conference, and it was raining. We exited out of the wrong side of the train station and ended up walking a very long way to the chapel where the meeting was. It was raining and we had umbrellas, but we were both thoroughly soaked because of the humidity. It's like taking a bath with your clothes on. But we had some excellent training and yummy food prepared by the Relief Society sisters from the Fujisawa Ward. We will have the opportunity to attend one more Zone Conference in August. Elder Nelson took a lot of great pictures that he has shared with the missionaries. They love pictures. 

Thursday, we provided some baked goods for a coffee cart held at one of the offices here on Zama for the Red Cross. They also have dogs that come for the employees to pet. Bella was the only doggie this time. She is the cutest little Maltese-Poodle. Afterwards, we headed to the SHA  Thrift Store to help with a sale they were having. As much as you can fit in the bag for $5. The Elders also helped sort and hang up the new things that had been donated. It was a happening place. We then treated the Elders to McDonald's at the train station. A value meal at McD's is 630 Yen. With the great exchange rate, that is only $4.37. Not going to find those prices in the U.S. 

Also on Thursday, we made a lasagna for the final night of the Celebrate Recovery program we have helped support. John and Stacy Villanueva are the leads, and they are moving back to the U.S. We presented them with a beautiful print of Elijah from the bible story in 1 Kings 19.  We have been given these prints by the McDermott Foundation, which donates them to be presented to chaplains and servicemen. They are very beautiful. John and Stacy were very touched. We have enjoyed supporting their efforts to offer an addiction recovery program here on Zama. They will be missed. 

Friday, we tried to stay home and regroup for our Saturday event, aka more baking. It was nice to not have any other commitments that day and to keep out of the heat. Elder Nelson ordered in some Korean food with Uber Eats, and we had a quiet evening at home as well. 

Saturday was  Camp Zama's Independence Day celebration/festival.  They open the gates to everyone and have music, food trucks, kids' activities, and fireworks. We helped get the Red Cross booth set up and provided baked goods for the Japanese First Responders who were there for emergencies. It is really fun to see how much they enjoy home-baked goods. Japanese folks don't do much baking. There are bakeries everywhere, and their Japanese ovens at home are small, so they just don't bake. I have the same size oven and have had to make lots of adjustments to my recipes, but we have made it work. That's not to say that I don't seriously miss my double ovens at home. However, I've done so much baking here that I may not bake for a while after we get home. It hasn't been good for my waistline either, but all the walking has helped. At the festival, we treated the elders to some takoyaki (like a tater tot, but it's octopus, not potato) because they said they really liked it. We do not. The Japanese love it too. 

After the fireworks, we cleaned up all the leftover snacks and took them to the Red Cross office. All the baked goods were gone. Then we took our two old, hot, and tired bodies home. All the walking in the heat and humidity tends to create a lot more laundry. Just grateful we have clean, dry clothes to change into and a washer to wash them. 

Sunday was a great day with the members of the branch. We have one brother from our branch who likes to give us a ride. Hence, not a lot of steps that day and only one outfit for the day. 

I know I have told you how we feel about the heat and humidity, but we really are enjoying our time here. So many good people to serve with. We know this is the best thing we could be doing right now. We want to finish strong, and we have several more events to support. Thanks to all for your love and support. We love you all 

Elder and Sister Nelson