Hello all
Another week slides by as we continue to do our best and stay focused here in Japan. We love being here and enjoy all the service opportunities. We have asked ourselves what we think we are going to do when we get home. Neither of us has an answer to that, so we just keep putting our heads down and doing the work here.
Monday, we slowed down a bit, and Sis Nelson smiled sweetly at the two people who came in to out-process with Army Community Service. It was a long 4-hour shift, but it was nice to visit with all the folks who work there. Elder Nelson putzed around the house and finished the laundry, etc. Later in the day, we had someone help us drop off our car to be serviced, and then we walked home. It was only about 2 miles and a cooler day. As we walked along the roadside, we passed quite a few small vegetable gardens that were planted everywhere. Elder Nelson called out to one of the men working in his garden and said, "Konichiwa." The man then waved us over and handed us a cabbage and said, "For you". Now that never would have happened if we had been driving in a car. One of the joys of walking. We smiled about it all the way home.
We were also able to join our two young adults for a delicious ramen at our favorite ramen shop. Hosea is an active duty soldier and serves as the Young Adult Rep for the branch. Eric is a civilian working on base at the Japan Engineer District. He is the one who recently tried to show us how to play pickleball. And we love them both. The other five young adults we have are going "underway" for 6 months with the Navy or live too far away to travel in for FHE. We are small but determined to offer FHE each Monday night.
Of course, Tuesdays are always our time for the temple. This week, it was a very soggy Tuesday. We took our very large umbrellas on our walk to the train and from the train to the temple. The lovely little umbrellas that fit in the side pocket of one's backpack just don't cut it when it rains really hard here. We spent some time with our fellow MRM couples serving in the temple. We had a large group of young elders and sisters. Around 8 of them are going home this week. We will miss them. Some we hope to see again as they will be attending BYU.
On Wednesday, we signed up to help out in the community, clearing out flower beds for planting. We enlisted the help of the young elders and sisters from our branch as we joined with other Japanese citizens at their park. One of the sisters didn't understand why were pulling up flowers that were still blooming (winter pansies) I explained that they will be replaced with some fabulous flowers that like the heat and humidity. The Japanese people love to have flowers growing just about everywhere. Their yards, along the streets, parks, and everywhere in between.
Thursday, we helped with the Newcomers' Orientation for those people who are moving in this summer. We even welcomed the new General and his wife. He will be taking command next week. Elder Nelson does the briefing for the Red Cross, and we also helped with the breakout session, where many of the post organizations have tables and information. It's been a great way to meet new people.
Sister Nelson also attended a birthday party for one of the sisters in our branch, Suzanne Ohsiek. She and her husband are moving back to the States this fall. They built a home in Vineyard, UT, so we hope to see them again as well.
Friday, we had our District meeting, and our mission president and his wife joined us. We brought sack lunches for everyone as they were all headed out on another service project with the Meltons. I let them all make their own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They loved them.
That night, Elder Nelson and I wandered down the street to our local Yakitori restaurant. It's super small, only about 4 tables and a counter with stools. You order what you want and watch while they cook each skewer one at a time. We tried a lot of different ones and enjoyed the atmosphere. Last time we went, the owner took our picture and hung it on the wall. When we walked in again, this time he remembered us and pointed at our picture. Truly a unique Japanese experience.
On Saturday, we were asked to help clean the chapel, and we were able to get a ride there. Afterwards, we decided to try to find an old wooden Pagoda that Elder Nelson had read about. We set out on the train and found the area it was supposed to be in. We walked around for a while before we found it, and it was so amazing. A five-story wooden Pagoda built around 580. Yes, that means it is almost 1500 years old. It is made entirely of wood with a giant Cypress tree going up the center. All the wood fits together so that it can easily shift with the earthquakes we have here. It has been carefully maintained and is in excellent shape. Quite a wonder to see.
Sunday was quiet. Sister Nelson taught a Relief Society lesson and the rest of Sunday was nice and relaxing. We had Marie Callender's pot pies for dinner and checked our calendars for the upcoming week.
We are keeping a close eye on everything we want to do this summer and hope we have enough time to fit it all in. Each week seems to go by faster than the last. We love the great opportunities to serve and mingle with the folks on post and the Japanese in the community. It's been an incredible opportunity for us.
We love you all and hope you are also having a great summer.
Love,
Elder and Sister Nelson
Amazing how Sister Nelson is not afraid to get down on her knees in the dirt to work (and that she can do it)! The wooden pagoda is astoundingly beautiful. I've been praying for blessings for you with the walking you have to do. Who would have thought that you would be blessed with a cabbage?
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