Week 67 and what a strange week it was.

As you will see or not, this week was a mix of different than usual kinds of events, mostly good but different than we are used to...

Monday was supposed to be the greatly anticipated 2nd Driving Test and the end of our mandatory walking mission...but alas, it was not to be. Due to an administrative error (probably on my part) and the absolutely inflexible nature of the Kanagawa Prefectural government, Elder Nelson was not permitted to take the exam and was curtly told to reschedule it for the "correct exam."  There was absolutely no interest in any accommodation since he had made the trip to the Center... Fortunately, he did not end up in jail, so his inward frustration and rage was not permitted to act outwardly.  So, believe it or not, he has  rescheduled again, and this time making sure it was correct exam, to be taken on August 1st.  Part of us wants to just rip up the paperwork and forget it. and part of us wants to show them that Elder Nelson can do this, in-spite of "THEM" who wish to make this so hard.  The jury is out still as to which way we will go.    Sister Nelson did not accompany Elder Nelson to the test.  She dutifully volunteered at Army Community Service that day and did some baking. 

Temple Tuesday was probably the most normal day of the entire week. We enjoyed it as we always do and it helped Elder Nelson forget about the Drivers License thing for a few hours. 

Wednesday was a Mission wide "Sisters Conference." All of our some 50 or so Sister Missionaries gathered in Kichijoji at one of the larger chapels (and the location of the old mission HQ and home). Sister Nelson was asked to make one of the spiritual presentations along with one of the other Senior Missionary Sisters.  Elder Nelson tagged along to help carry stuff and then photograph the event. The conference was a great success and it was awesome to see and feel the spiritual enthusiasm and sisterly love that all these young sister missionaries share. With the walk, bus, train travel both ways and the conference itself, it made for a pretty long day.   Elder Nelson helped teach a lesson to one of our young Elder's "friends." later that evening,  

Thursday was a US Holiday, so most of our normal volunteer venues and gigs were all shut down for the day and weekend.  We had a ZOOM with Elder and Sister Singleton who will replace us in mid September.  We think that they are excited and will be a good fit to continue what we have going on and make it even better.  The rest of Thursday was a little recovery from Wednesday, some commissary restocking and such. 

Friday was mostly normal with our District Council meeting, District Lunch and a District picture.  Lunch was a bit ambitious (planned when we thought we might have a car) featuring Adobo Chicken (Philippine Style).  Sister Nelson pulled it off and the Philippine contingent of young missionaries all gave it hearty thumbs up!  Sister Melton topped it off with some awesome key-lime pie dessert. After lunch, the young Elders were arm-wrestling. Elder Nelson watched...then decided to try his luck.  He had not arm-wrestled anyone for a few years, but why not.  He matched up with the Elder who had beaten the others.  One attempt.  And, to the young Elders surprise, Elder Nelson beat him...twice.  I think everyone including Elder Nelson was surprised.  

Saturday, ironically, Elder Nelson per previous arrangement, did the bus, train, walk thing and met our other MRM friends from Yokosuka at the Kanagawa Driving Center to help them practice... and Sister Nelson went along for something to do... as it turned out, it was debatable whether we really needed to be there, but we stayed and cheered them on -- moral support.  Afterwards, they took to their Yokosuka (Navy base) neighborhood where we visited with them and then had dinner at one of their favorite spots. We then did the walk, train, walk thing back to our neighborhood and thus ended another long day. 

Sunday we did Church. We caught a ride from a good brother in our branch who knows our plight and has been giving us a ride to church for the last several weeks.  He and his wife qualify for the "Same Ten People" club in our branch for those of you who know what we are talking about.  We decided that we had enough "fun" this week, so we cooked Steak for dinner.  Sometimes you just need to do that.

So another week is just around the corner. And the end of our mission is also just beyond the horizon.  We will keep on trucking, trekking, busing, train-riding until we board the big jetliner to America.  Enduring to the End is part of life's most important objectives after all.  Have a great week.

Love 

Elder and Sister Nelson