Monday, September 16, 2024

#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.  



















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#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 th...