38 years of happiness

 This was a busy week and we accomplished much. We opened 3 apartments which includes preparing the furnishings, moving, and setting up the apartments.  We had several strong missionaries helping us with these tasks.  These missionaries dedicate up to two years of their lives to the service of the Lord. They are strong and valiant. They serve with a lot of energy. Their faith and diligent attitude is impressive.  Their purpose is to bring people to Jesus Christ.  This scripture about the stripling warriors in the Book of Mormon describe the young missionaries serving in Kobe:

"And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all-- they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted." Alma 53:20

We also welcomed more missionaries to the mission.  We have doubled our mission in a few weeks.  My work as nurse has picked up with missionaries getting sick and a couple of bicycle accidents. Yesterday, I gave a medical presentation about heat related illnesses including dehydration, heat rash, and information about the stomach flu that seems to be spreading in some areas.  

Fred and I celebrated in Japan 38 years of marriage. I am so blessed to have a companion who is so kind and talented.  He has done so much for our mission. He repairs bicycles, furniture, manages the finances of the mission, and is the person we all call upon when something needs to be solved.  I am so grateful for him.  We celebrated at the a restaurant we discovered when we first arrived. They serve at least 7 courses. You cook the main course at your table. The meal is a real celebration. Happy Anniversary to us. 😉







Comments

  1. JudyJune 26, 2022 at 9:02 AM

    Sounds like a perfect anniversary celebration!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Julie MarkhamJune 26, 2022 at 11:01 AM

    I tried to zoom in the food. Not bulgogi, it doesn't look like. I love that you are busy and happy.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The blacksmith...

Image
For our P-day (preparation day), we went to the knife stores in Sakai. We found a 5th generation blacksmith, Mizuno Tanrenjo. He creates knives the old fashioned way by forging carbon steel, heating it until it is red hot, and then hammering the metal out thinly. We got to see the workshop. The blacksmith was working with a blade and hammer when we arrived. We did not get to see the whole process but there were pictures taped to the wall so I took a few pictures of the pictures. I feel it is only fitting to make a moral to this experience. We are in the hands of the master blacksmith. God allows the fires of life to burn out our impurities, soften our hardness, and then he can mold us into the person we are meant to become. Mizuno-san also makes ceremonial swords for the sumo tournaments. This is Fred by some of the swords. We bought a vegetable knife which I am so excited about. We have been using a vegetable knife for several months. We found it while cleaning out a missionary apartm...
Read more

Language Study

Image
We interviewed 17 missionaries this week in an effort to organize English Connect for Missionaries.  We were so impressed with caliber of these young men and women.  Missionaries are encouraged to study language at least 1 hour a day.  The Japanese are encouraged to learn English and the English speaking missionaries are encouraged to learn Japanese.  We will be holding classes in the evening to help those studying English improve their English skills. I am still studying Japanese at least an hour a day.  I continue to have a teacher 1-2 times a week. I try to practice 100 vocabulary words a day. I also play Duolingo and Rosetta Stone. Fred found me some good children's stories to practice reading. This one is "The Three Bears".  The book reads from back to front and right to left, as it should be. My progress is slow but I do see gradual improvement.  Hopefully, learning a language will keep my mind young and active.  
Read more

10 more days--Our mission is coming to a close

Image
10 more days-- our mission is coming to a close. What an amazing experience this has been!! We have seen God's hand in our life in so many ways. We feel the windows of heaven have been opened to us that there is not even room to receive it. We have grown closer to each other and closer to the Lord. We arrived when the sakura trees were blooming. Now, they are blooming again. Walking under the blossoms gives you a sacred feeling that you are somewhere very special. This is my favorite walking path. There is a lady who cares for these flower boxes every day. I have enjoyed seeing them on my way to the river walk. Today, I saw a miracle with the ward choir. They asked me to lead the choir when we first arrived. I have sang in many choirs, all of my life. I have never led a choir. We started out just singing hymns but eventually added more and more difficult music.  I wanted to sing "Let Us All Press On". This is a difficult piece sung by the Choir at Temple Square. I had hig...
Read more