Week #27. It's Fall -- Finally.

We have enjoyed much cooler weather this week...and some rain.  We found that even cooler weather with almost 80% humidity still makes for a "hot" and "wet" day.  Still, we are enjoying the advent of fall and looking forward to the fall colors here.  And hot or cold, rain or shine, our opportunities to serve continue to abound. 

Monday started with some Red Cross support and a little travel between Camp Zama and NAF Atsugi to accomplish a few tasks and errands, which included getting our Security Badge -- another step closer to being able to "volunteer" in one of the health clinics.... We try to have a Family Home Evening with our missionaries and young adults each week that includes dinner!  So, that means a trip to the store. This week also marked our "Mission Tour" by the Area Presidency, so we had a special Zoom session with Elder and Sister Esplin and Elder and Sister Kim, along with President and Sister Tueller.  All very uplifting.  We welcomed a new young adult sister to our FHE and it was fun to get to know her.

Tuesday was our Temple Day...yes, one of our favorite days of the week. We enjoyed the Temple this week with the missionaries from our Zone getting to attend a session. After our Temple duty was over for the day, we went out to dinner with Elder and Sister Yamada --who work in the Area office.  We had an enjoyable time with them and it was good for all of us to take a little break from our weekly routine. They took us to their favorite "ramen" place (which was really a Soba noodle place --- but we won't tell...). It was good though, and afterward, they took us to another favorite spot for some ice cream.

Wednesday we had to divide and conquer a bit.  I had to travel downtown to the Japanese medical center I had been to previously and have a biopsy done of a suspicious spot on my head... I took the train and all total I was gone until almost 5pm.  I came home with a bandage on the side of my head, a couple of stitches, and an appointment to return next week to get the results.  Sister Nelson and I linked back up in time to do dinner at our favorite Mongolian BBQ event at the Camp Zama club.  In the interim, she sort of volunteered/got asked to help with the YMYW activity...in fact, she was the only YW leader present, even though she is not one of the "leaders"...but who cares about those details.  She always enjoys time with the youth.  Oh, did I mention that she whipped up and baked 73 cookies for the Zone Conference (see next).  That was no small feat. My job was to sample one of the cookies, taking the total to 72.

Thursday was a big day!  Our Zone Conference was in Yokohama and we elected to drive because we had to make sure that the 72 cookies made it unscathed and that might be difficult on the train.  Little did we know that the traffic from "here" to Yokohama is UGLY in the morning. We left a little after 0700-early and had planned to be there well before it started at 0830...yet, due to the UGLY traffic, we were late. Blah.  But we did make it, and so did all the cookies.  Elder Esplin was presiding at our Zone Conference and we got some excellent counsel from our Mission President and then from Elder and Sister Esplin. We really enjoyed the conference, the spiritual messages, and being with all those wonderful young missionaries. 

We left the Zone Conference a little after 3pm to make it back for a Red Cross event we signed up for that afternoon. It turns out that the Red Cross team had lots of help, so the two tired Senior Missionaries left early and went home to crash, but not for long as we still had one more thing to do...support the Celebrate Recovery group....then, about 8pm, we were really done...except we still had one more thing...a Zoom meeting for "Branch Missionary Council" It's now 8:30...and no more. 

Friday was an open day so we did a little of this and that.  A little cleaning up and stuff.  We wanted to go for a 5K walk (we had signed up to do one before the end of the month to support the "Substance Abuse Awareness" activity, so it was a volunteerish kind of long walk.)  Our walk also had the purpose of seeing if there was a pay phone closer to our emergency evacuation site...we found out that there was not. So, we reported that bit of trivia to our Mission Office.  We finished up our errands, did a little coordination with the Zama Red Cross folks, and then ventured out to try "Shabu Shabu" for dinner.  Shabu Shabu is a hot pot kind of Japanese dish, it reminds me of Sukiyaki, but maybe not quite as simple. We enjoyed our experience and eventually figured out how to "do" it correctly.  It was a bit pricey so we may not try it again for a while.  Another adventure for the book of experiences.  

Saturday we decided to declare as PDAY and we decided that we should get out and do something. We haven't done that for a while because of the heat.  It was now cooler and it wasn't bad weather, so we made the decision to take the train south to Odawara.  Odawara is famous for its Samurai castle and history.  The train trip was relatively easy and the castle itself was about a 15-minute walk from the train station. We had actually been there once before (15 years ago) and when we went last time it was in a torrential rain storm and not a good memory.  This time we enjoyed it much more.  Beautiful and striking and historic.  On the way back to the train station we found a produce stand and bought some nice tomatoes, grapes and nashi's.  We stopped on the way home for some precooked bacon and had BLTs for dinner!

Sunday was a little different in that we did not go to our Branch sacrament meeting. We had volunteered to help with a service project making food for distribution to homeless individuals.  We didn't have time to go out for the delivery, but we helped make a bunch of sandwiches and we met some new people we work with again.  A very worthy cause and great people leading the effort.  As we have been serving various organizations during our mission, we have had the pleasure of meeting and supporting some absolutely wonderful Christian folks who are as gracious and generous as they come.  We hope that we may be the first, second, or third contact that they have with the church and that eventually their time to hear about the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ will come.   Unfortunately, we did not meet anyone on our weekly trip to Camp Fuji and that is a little discouraging for us. 

We carry on, keep praying for direction, and refine our spirits to be ever more sensitive to the prompting that can guide our efforts.  

Week #26 Still Busy and Still Hot Here

How many days of 90+ degrees and 90% humidity is too many?  You know when it's summer, and you just tolerate the heat because it's summer, and what else do you expect? Then September hits, and you finally think you get a break from the heat, except not this year in Japan. Even when it rains, it doesn't cool things off. It just becomes a sauna. I know...good for the skin, right? Well, I'm ready for fall. Maybe next week?

This week, we attended a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner by the base chapel for all the folks who helped with Vacation Bible School and other events. I was most excited about someone else doing all the cooking. It was a catered event at the Zama Community Club. We hobnobbed with all the folks, ate some dinner, and got our certificates. Seeing how many community volunteers participated and came together for VBS was really nice. We will be here for it next year and look forward to sharing the time with them. 

Tuesday took us to the Tokyo Temple for our regular shift. It usually takes a little over an hour to drive there, and this time, we noticed the other side of the expressway was at a dead stop. There was a large truck that was on fire, and the traffic was at an absolute standstill for about 8 miles of backing. I don't know what those folks had planned for their day, but sitting on the expressway for hours wasn't it. We were more than grateful to be on the other side going the opposite direction. However, it was still very slow going through there on the way home 7 hours later. It took a lot longer to get home. PS We enjoyed our temple experience that day. 

The rest of the week was pretty intense, and by the time we got to Saturday, we were D-U-N Done. Thursday was really packed with a couple of different Red Cross shifts, and in the afternoon, we met with the Behavioral Health Clinic to further the process of getting our accreditation to start volunteering there. Still a few more steps. We then hustled off to the orphanage for another opportunity to share with the 20 or so kids there. Elder Nelson read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" (Aomushi, the Japanese word for caterpillar) to them in Japanese while I reinforced the names of fruits and vegetables in English.  They got the idea because many of the names of things sound similar in Japanese. Our treat for them was a Fruit by the Foot, which they had never seen before. The paper liner kind of threw them. We tried to ensure they knew they weren't supposed to eat the paper. There are not enough pictures of the orphanage as they don't like us to take photos for obvious reasons. 

Friday dawned early (5:30 a.m.) as Brad had to take a shuttle for downtown Tokyo to go to a hospital for a dermatology check-up. I proceeded to prepare chicken enchiladas, etc., for the young elders and sister district council meeting lunch. One of the elders is leaving soon, and we didn't get to celebrate his birthday, so we chose September 19th as his pretend birthday. He requested anything Mexican and apple pie. They loved it ala mode. 

That evening, we met an investigating family at the Tokyo temple annex to show them the visitor's center and answer any questions about the temple. It is a mom and dad and their two kids. They loved the whole experience, and we were very happy to share the time there with them. They have a strong desire to be baptized and have been coming to church every week. 

Saturday, we spent the whole day putting away all the things we got out for the week and cleaning the apartment. Brad then spent time preparing a talk for the sacrament meeting, and I was asked to teach Relief Society, so I prepared my lesson. It was nice not to have to go anywhere. 

Camp Fuji was rainy and foggy this week. We met several folks hanging out at the USO lounge and shared our treats with them. One gal asked me if I could bring brownies the next time. She and her boyfriend are Marines stationed at Fuji as permanent party, so we may see her again. Most of the Marines at Fuji are only there for training, so we don't see any on a regular basis. We met a visiting chaplain from Iwakuni (a Marine camp south of us) who was there training. He may be able to spread the word that we offer services to other Marines coming to Fuji in the future.

We are working on trying not to do too many things in one day, as it can get intense and exhausting. But we love all the opportunities to serve so many good people. There are always places and people to serve and meet. We love the connections we have made and look forward to many more. 

Thank you to all the wonderful friends and family who love and support our efforts here in Japan. We will continue to serve faithfully and hope for cooler weather. 

#25 A week of extraordinary events

An extraordinary week for us, but we were not quite "out of the woods" as much as we thought.  Our health is a bit more tenuous than we thought; however, we keep driving on.  For missionaries, even senior ones like us, our health and energy are so important. We have been blessed with good health most of the time, and for that, we are very grateful.

Monday we had planned to head to Tokyo in the afternoon and spend the night.  We had to be at the Tokyo Temple Annex bright and early Tuesday for our mission-wide devotional with Elder Quinton L. Cook.  We had also been asked by the Senior Missionary Couple that takes care of finding apartments to come and look at the furnishing from a unit that was being closed down to see what might be worth using for the new MRM couple that will be arriving near us in November.  So, we left earlier that day and drove first to Hachijoji to where the old Mission HQ/home was before driving into the area in Tokyo by the Temple and new Mission HQ.  We took a quick tour, offered our opinion, got a picture with Elder and Sister Nagata, and went on our way. We had a room reserved at the New Sanno, which was nice; however, this time our meal at the hotel was awful...would have rather gone out and found a ramen someplace...way overpriced too, 

Tuesday morning was special and a mission highlight for us.  Our entire mission came in for this special devotional with Elder Cook.  So, that meant a mission picture. Our first time seeing and being in a photo with ALL the missionaries.  We gathered in the cultural hall (gym) for the picture and then waited... And what do we do while we wait for a General Authority? We sing. That was special too.  After our picture, we filed into the chapel and we were blessed to hear comments and testimonies from our Mission Leaders (The Tuellers), Elder, and Sister Palmer (Elder Palmer is in the presidency of the Seventy). Sister Cook, she told us how special Church hymns and music are to testimonies...then, she led all of us in singing a hymn...but her way, sort of in a round. (Elder Cook mentioned that he is never quite sure what she is going to do, and he just lets her do her thing!)  Then Elder Cook spoke to us. He shared his personal experiences with Japan. He also shared some special testimonies and prophecies that have been made about Japan and how Japan is growing and changing as foretold.  Then he shared his very powerful and personal witness and testimony of Jesus Christ.  Words can't really describe it.  The spirit was very very strong,  Finally, he pronounced an Apostolic Blessing on us,  Wow. what a morning,  

The rest of Tuesday for us was serving in the Temple as we do each week.  Always a highlight for us. We also enjoy our association with the other Temple workers and Senior Missionaries we see each week.  

On Wednesday we took a bunch of pictures of our furnishings and apartment to show Elder and Sister Nagata what kind of stuff the new MRM missionaries might need... I have shared some of that in this blog with you all -- don't get too excited.

Wednesday's highlight was supporting the 9-11 run held on the Atsugi Navy base.  A variety of groups had signed up for 1-hour slots to run or walk with the American flag around the base in commemoration of 9-11.  We helped our friends from the Atsugi MWR office from noon to when the event finished around 6pm.  We also had a good visit with our Friend Chaplain Grady (Atsugi's chaplain). The last group that ran that day was a group of Sailors, that had all been selected to become Chiefs (Senior NCOs). They ran in formation and returned in time for the colors to be lowered for the day at NAF Atsugi command headquarters.  We really enjoy the moments of patriotism we experience at Camp Zama and NAF Atsugi.  We ended our day with the Camp Zama Community Club's Mongolian BBQ...one of our favorites.

It is now Thursday.  Sister Nelson is not feeling well.  She is trying to get in to see the doctor now. Her phone consult fell through but she got an in-person appointment for Friday.  She had a haircut appointment and then we got our "token" badges activated!  We will need those to allow us to help in the Zama clinics (this has been a LONG TIME coming).  Sister Nelson stayed home the rest of the day and I worked solo at the Red Cross office for a while and then later helped at the Celebrate Recovery activity we support each Thursday.  

Friday came.  Doctor's appointment.  Sister Nelson has pneumonia. There is some goodness in finding out the "why" of not feeling well.  She got some antibiotics and was directed to go home and stay home for 24 hours as she might have been contagious... after the drugs worked for 24 hours, it was safe to go out, if she felt better.  We stayed home the rest of Friday and ordered Domino's pizza delivery.  We had to cancel a planned event we had looked forward to.  Elder Cook was giving a "Japan-wide" fireside broadcast that evening and we invited a family investigating the Church to come and watch it with us.  We felt bad about canceling, but Sister Nelson was actually sick. 

Sister Nelson was, by this time, really tired of staying home, so the minute her 24-hour restriction was over on Saturday morning, she was off to go help with another community event, promising not to cough on anyone!  My job was to deliver an "emergency" Betty Crockers Brownie Mix to our young elders. (I also washed and cleaned up our mission car) We took it easy the rest of that Saturday, in the hopes that we could have a full and busy Sunday.

Sunday we both went to Church, we enjoyed a nice Sacrament meeting and then we taught a Sunday School lesson about the Sacrament to the family I mentioned earlier that is investigating the Church. That went very well, and they, the Goodson family, are special people.  We went back "home" and took a short power nap before packing up for our weekly trip to Camp Fuji.  On the bright side, Mt Fuji was out from under the clouds, it was a beautiful day and we had a good visit with our Marine friend Jason.  But, we still have not seen any Marines wanting to come to our Church services...we will continue to have faith and carry on.  

On Your Mark, Get Set...Not So Fast.

 Our Blog Week 24

After many things were canceled last week, we were ready and waiting to have a great, busy week. Well, it began that way, but then some type of bug changed our pace again. 

We didn't make it up to Camp Fuji because of all the rain we had. We were wondering if all the roads up and back would be safe as there had been a lot of landslides. Those are typical in Japan when too much rain takes over. That's the first Sunday we have been home on a Sunday afternoon for quite a while. We decided to start watching The Chosen, which so many have raved about. We are enjoying it, and watching it at our own pace is nice. It has compelled us both to reread the New Testament. Having both finished the Book of Mormon, we decided to tackle the New Testament. I haven't read it since my seminary teaching days.  We are both enjoying it. 

Monday was Labor Day for all those in the US, but it was just another day here. We didn't take a P-day last week, so we did that on Monday this week. We checked out a nearby mall, Aeon Mall. It was very nice, and Brad found two ties for $6.70 each. He likes to refer to them as his polyester, washable missionary ties. I found a new scarf, and then we sampled the Baskin Robbins ice cream. We didn't try any of the unusual flavors. Next time. On the way home, we stopped for take-out pizza for the Young Adults and missionaries who joined us for  FHE (Family Home Evening). We played a fun card game that Elder Williams shared with all of us. It's called Tori Dori. The Sisters shared a great message with us, and we all enjoyed time together. 

Tuesday was our regular temple day. One of my favorite days because I don't have to plan anything or make or bake anything for anyone. Don't get me wrong, I love doing all of those things but sometimes it's nice to have a break. We are able to both attend the temple and do our individual assignments, and we don't even have to plan them.  Another missionary couple, Elder and Sister Yamada, made us a box lunch to eat on our drive back home from the temple. (usually about 90 min drive) Why do sandwiches taste so much better when someone else makes them?  It was a great day all around. 

Wednesday started with a dental cleaning for Kim. I don't know if the dentist here is not as aggressive as my dentist at home or if I'm just getting better at my dental hygiene, but I got an A+.  That's my favorite grade. After coming home, I started feeling very achy and tired. I chose to stay home from a Red Cross event on Atsugi for Suicide Prevention Week. Brad attended without me, and when he got home, he said it was too weird going to things without me. I felt the same way last week when he was sick.  

Thursday dawned with me still feeling achy and tired. My companion told me to rest that day. Something I'm not very good at, but the way I felt, I didn't argue too much. Brad again attended an activity that evening without me with the base chapel. So much for being a missionary couple. 

Friday, I was encouraged to go to the doctor to get tested for whatever. They don't have Covid tests that you can buy at the drugstore here. The nurse tested me for COVID-19 and both Influenza A and B. All came back negative. I felt a little better and figured we would move on from the sick thing. 

Saturday and Sunday, the bug reared its ugly head again, and I was down and out. Consequently, I stayed home for both days and hoped for better days. I am now starting to feel better. I am not sure what virus hit me, but I am happy to say Sayonara to that. 

This week is dawning bright as long as we both avoid any more sickness. Being sick does have a way of making you appreciate your good health. 

I hope you are all enjoying the impending fall weather. It is one of my favorite times of the year. It is still a little hot here, but we are looking forward to seeing the fall leaves soon. The drive to Camp Fuji has the potential to be beautiful. 

Love to all, and may you stay healthy and safe.