We drove to Miyako on the East coast north of Sendai to attend church. This community was heavily damaged and many lives lost in the tsunami last year but we found the Branch happy and doing well. We asked what damage had been done to the church because it looked in great shape. We were told that there was no damage to the church even tho it was very much in the path of the tsunami. The water seemed to go around the church and it was protected. Yet another tender mercy of the Lord. No members lost their lives, tho the older lady on the front row(2nd from right) and the man with the stick in his hands both lost their homes completely and were living in temporary government housing. The church is helping them get permanent housing. The government will only let people live in their temporary housing for two years.
It had been a very busy few weeks before we went to Miyako and so Gary decided to take "the long way home " on back roads instead of the freeway. (the 4 hour trip took 7 hours) We took several pictures along the way because the landscape reminded us of Soda Springs where we grew up. Gary is standing in front of a small river running through the area.
This picture doesn't look like Soda Springs, but I thought it was interesting that wood for burning to heat homes is stacked so neatly in front of this barn that is ready to fall down.
We saw this man fishing along the bank of the river. Check out how long that fishing pole is!
More neatly stacked wood--typical of Japanese to be neat and orderly.
Our van.
That little creek is still running through the snow.
Just when we think Spring is around the corner, it snows again.
The Hirosaki Branch is a big branch with lots of children and youth. (by lots, I mean 3-4 children and 3-4 High School students.) Many of the Branches don't have any children so it was nice to see the enthusiasm of youth. Many baptisms happen here because of the two sister missionaries serving here. Sis Maki front row in white sweater) is one of the very best missionaries in the mission. She is loving and kind and always smiling but absolutely relentless when it comes to encouraging investigators. She doesn't give up easily. 
The Relief Society President in Hirosaki
Sis. Takatsu
This gal is from Pocatello, Idaho and is teaching English in Hirosaki. It was fun to talk to someone from home.
The next day we were in Aomori with the Elders. They wanted to take us to this fish market where you could buy any piece of fish you wanted (sashimi) with a bowl of rice. The men all loved it. I found a piece of fried shrimp and was happy with that. Elders Taylor, Ohira, Me, Gary, Watanabe and Squire.
We got a picture with the cute lady that helped us know what do to and befriended us. She and her husband had a "booth" that sold fish and rice.
