More beautiful Japan

What have been up to? Lots. We drive all over our mission fixing apartments, bringing missionaries to new areas, anything the mission president needs.  We love being able to see beautiful Japan on the way. We teach English Connect for Missionaries three times a week. We teach English Connect training once a week at district councils. One of the missionaries told me that "Sister Allan is changing the mission one pumpkin loaf at a time." I thought this was funny as I do bring treats to the missionaries along the way. I don't even want to think about how many pounds of butter, sugar, flour, and chocolate chips I have gone through during this mission. I've burned out one mixer and working on the second.


We removed old rusty mission bikes from a church parking lot.

I love the Japanese bridges.


This is a performing monkey that just happened to be at a rest stop on one of our drives across the country. He really loves his stilts. When his trainer took them away from him, he started screeching. She grabbed his hands and started talking to him in a calm voice.  Before long, he settled down and was ready to start performing again. It seems this would be a good technique for upset children.

A cat backpack that Paula could't resist.
"It is just so different from anything you see in the States." Fred was not a fan.

 "

Japanese parfaits are the best. Jello, mochi balls, shortbread cake, cornflakes, soft serve ice cream, hard ice cream, strawberries, strawberry puree, whip cream. One parfait, two spoons please ;-)




Prices in Japan: Expressway Toll, Gasoline, Rental Cars | LIVE JAPAN travel guide
Driving in Japan is like driving Mario Cart. Flashing lights, arrows, pedestrians, bicyclists, driving on the left side of the road, tiny roads that look more like a sidewalk than a road, steering wheel on the left side of the car, 5 or more roads connected to an intersection, cars everywhere, buses, large trucks, confusing exits and entrances, a mass of intertwined roads. It takes both of us in order to stay safe. One is the driver and the other is the navigator. "Left turn, my way. Right turn, your way." It's so confusing. We switch off every hour on the long drives.

Our mission has been such a joyful experience. Truly, we are grateful for this opportunity to serve in beautiful Japan.

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