Not so typical week

 Hello from beautiful Japan. We are enjoying some wonderfully cooler temperatures here. I like to call it sweater weather. I love my sweaters so I'm happy when I can wear them. 

As I indicated in the title of this blog, we had an interesting week doing things we don't typically do. 

Monday was probably our P-day (preparation day) because none of the rest of the days were. We spent a little time doing "iro iro", (doing this and that) to get us ready for the rest of the week. Our Tuesday temple experience was wonderful with the young elders and sisters. They are all so happy to be able to come every 6 weeks. It is a true blessing for them and us.  

Wednesday dawned early as the mission office needed us to be at the new apartment for the incoming senior couple to take deliveries and installation of the a/c. After about an hour we were joined by 3 other Japanese couples in the very small apartment to help with the process. The moving company delivered all the furniture from another apartment, and that all had to be set up, and then there were about 4 large Amazon JP deliveries of items that had "some assembly required." I steered clear of that one and put away the kitchen stuff, hung curtains, and broke down boxes. The sweet Japanese sisters kept asking me where I thought we should put things and then just put them where they thought best. It was nice of them to try to make me feel like I was helping. The apartment is about 90% ready to go. A kitchen island will be delivered to OUR apartment this week, and we will transport it there and then put it together with our one screwdriver and hammer. It was a full day already and then Brad needed to teach a photography class on Atsugi. After that, we drove home as two very tired missionaries. 

Thursday was a little Red Cross volunteering at Zama, and then there was another photography class for Brad to teach. I attended this time and enjoyed seeing him share his love of photography with others. The mission president has asked all the missionaries to share their talents as a way of helping people get to know who we are. Hence the photography class. 

Friday found us packing our bags to chaperone and attend a 3-day Asia Area Young Single Adults conference in the Tokyo area. There were about 90 single adults who came. It began at the temple for any of them who wanted to do a session or baptisms. After that, we caught the train and a short? walk to a fancy hotel and a VERY fancy 7-course dinner and speakers. I haven't seen that much silverware for a while. It was very nice. 

After dinner, we were supposed to get on another train and go to the hotel they had reserved for us. We chose to take a taxi with another senior couple and ended up at the wrong hotel. (Bear family curse for those of you who know what that is) After that, we walked to the correct hotel, where we were ready for bed. Brad tried on the pajamas they lay out for you.  We are NOT small Japanese people. I didn't even try them on. 

The next morning, we were shown a Japanese breakfast consisting of rice, fish, veggies, and other things I could not tell you what they were. They also served some eggs and funny little sausages, which we opted for with fruit. After which, we all jumped on 2 large buses bound for Hakone. A beautiful area out in the country with a hot spring and museum. The ride was supposed to take 2 hours but ended up being 3 1/2 hours, so we were short on time at the open-air museum. Those who didn't go to the hot spring went to a craft house for various traditional crafts. Mine was glass bead blowing, and Brad took an etching class. 

And now, because we are with young adults, let's add another bus ride to the Hakone Ropeway to see a very smelly (sulfur) volcano. Then, we headed back down the mountain to Odawara Castle near the ocean. We RON (remained overnight, army lingo) there. The young folks headed to various activities like Karoki, castle viewing, and the beach. We had dinner and went to bed. 

The next morning, we boarded the buses again for a 2-hour ride back to Tokyo. There, we had a sacrament meeting,  testimony meeting, and lunch. The whole group sat together and talked for quite some time before they all had to leave to go back home to Korea, Okinawa, and various parts of Japan. It was a very busy, uplifting, and rewarding time for all. We were so impressed by these hard-working young adults who are strong in the gospel and want to stay on the covenant path. They loved being all together as most of them live quite far away from each other. 

We really do love serving here in Japan. There are so many opportunities to serve others and strengthen our own testimonies of the truthfulness of the gospel. Thanks you for your love and support.