We officially did the slide into August this week with BLOG #73 and the expectation of HOT was met in spades. Sister Nelson, who is determined to get her walk (steps) in everyday has resorted to going at 0530 in the morning to avoid the heat. I think we will be in the HOT season the remainder of our time in Japan. We still get rain, it is Typhoon Season after all. This past week we watched one form that was coming our way until Friday night into Saturday and then detoured north. The other event of note this week was the big earthquake off the coast of the Russian territory known as Kamchatka. That earthquake generated a Tsunami advisory and reported tsunami waves (small ones fortunately) along the east coast of Japan on Wednesday through Friday. We dodged all of earthquakes, tsunamis and the typhoons this week, just not the heat.
Our week was mostly ordinary (for us) and only a few noteworthy events took place. We had a nice Family Home Evening with our YSAs and welcomed in a new young man into our YSA ranks. We now have a core group of three active YSAs. The rest, another six or seven are deployed (Navy), or inactive.
Tuesday we made it to the Temple as usual. Since we are doing the BUS/TRAIN/WALK routine we try and get on trains where we can actually sit for most of the 90 minute trip from our apartment to the Tokyo Temple. It is all about timing, mixed with a little luck. It is pretty much an all day affair since we leave in the morning before 10 and it is pushing 7pm before we return back to our Zama apartment. We are usually good and ready for our day to be over by that time,
Wednesday, Sister Nelson had a dentist appointment, Elder Nelson got a haircut, and then worked at Army Community Service. Thursday was much busier and started much earlier. Sister Nelson helped a few of the post chapel ladies clean (deep clean) the kitchen in the Religious Education Center, ahead of the Vacation Bible School event that starts next Monday. That started at 0600. At 0930, We traveled over to the Sagamihara Housing Area (Military Family Housing for Camp Zama) and volunteered with some of our young missionaries at the "SHA Thrift Store." That got us a good workout and very hot and sweaty all before lunch time. Elder Nelson had another follow-up photography class by request in the afternoon. Later we helped teach a lesson via video with the young elders.
Friday was supposed to be "the big day," Elder Nelson had another (and final chance) to take the practical driving exam. That involved a BUS/TRAIN/WALK starting about 10am and then the process of checking in, waiting in line, waiting to be tested, waiting to find out results, and finally leaving for the return WALK/TRAIN/BUS trip home. Elder Nelson had felt pretty good going into the test; however, nitpicky and subjective instructors want a somewhat surreal driving performance, and so for probably a number of little, not quite perfect things, they indicated that Elder Nelson would need to try again. He told them that would not be happening. His time, his window, his patience, after 8 months of playing this game with the Kanagawa government, he was done, time had run out. All preparations and prayers offered that things go positively, did not. So, we are learning to endure and I am sure someday Elder Nelson will have an epiphany about the profound lesson he learned by failing to get his Japanese License; however, for now it is bitter pill we just accept and endure until our time here concludes.
Saturday we had to divide and conquer a bit. Elder Nelson went to go clean the church, while Sister Nelson jumped into getting preparations (as the Craft Lady) for the upcoming Vacation Bible School (VBS). Later we helped unload decorations for VBS. Sunday we would return again,.. BUT, we had one more big event on Saturday, The annual Camp Zama Open-Post Bon Odori Festival! This is a big deal and we were grateful that the aforementioned Typhoon had passed us by. Still, it was REALLY HOT and MUGGY, We helped the Red Cross set up its aid tent for the first shift and then we returned later to be on shift for the evening. We took occasion to get dressed up in our Yukatas (Summer/Cotton Kimono). Elder Nelson likes these more that Sister Nelson, although she definitely looks better! So we worked, smiled, and enjoyed the evening of music, dancing, drumming, and finally fireworks. We got home, after putting all the left over Red Cross "aid" back in the office, about 10pm. Long day,
Sunday was a nice day, Branch Council meeting, Fast Meeting and a farewell to our Japanese friends Brother and Sister Akasaka. Brother Akasaka and Elder Nelson both served as young missionaries in the Japan Sapporo Mission --many years ago. So when we arrived here, we met the Akasakas and formed an instant friendship bond, After church we went back to the post chapel's Religious Ed Center and continued helping with the set up for VBS that would start Monday, So our Sunday was a bit longer that usual and we were pretty tired by the end of our day.
Our days remaining are numbered and we are still trying to embrace the idea of goodbyes to good friends here in Japan and the unknowns of returning to our home in Utah. One day at a time we will continue to serve where we can and start our winding down preparations.
Love,
Elder and Sister Nelson
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