DISTRICT LEADER TRAINING REUNION

After the new District Leader Training was over, this mini-reunion happened outside as missionaries who were going home arrived at the Honbu and other transfers were happening today.  It is always fun to see the joy on their faces as they see each other.  Also some tears as good-bys were said.

This picture includes DL and companions,

some missionaries going home, and APs.

Elder Everett, Yoneda and Ikeda

Elder Preston and Everett (Doki)

 Elders Fukuta, Takei, Dick and Preston

Elder Carter

Elder Merkley and Ikeda

Elder Miyaki was sobbing to have to say

goodby to his trainer/friend Elder Dick.

Elder Dick also trained Elder Christensen. 

They pioneered Yokote together.

Now Elder Christensen is training Elder Hirao. 

 (A proud father, son and grandson~as they say in the mission)

Elder Preston, Everett and Kurita.

Elder Mizuochi and Ishida

Silly faces.  Elders Kurita, Ikeda and Takai

Saying goodby to a companinon.  Elder Yoneda and Preston.

Our happy Elder Takai.

Another goodby as a companionship, Elders Dowdy and Fukuta. 

Elder Dowdy is now an AP.

6 ARRIVING MISSIONARIES IN JUNE

 We welcomed 5 Japanese and 1 American Missionary in June. 

They were an extra impressive group.

 Standing together in the airport with the Assistants and the new missionaries.

 Later that evening, we enjoyed some soup and bread with them.  Afterwards, we twisted Elder Dowdy's (our new AP) arm to entertain us with his magic show.  It is the funniest presentation I have ever seen.  We all laughed and enjoyed our time together. 

 Elder Dowdy is so obedient, he would do anything his President asked of him--with a smile!!

 He lifted his jacket over his head and when he lowered the jacket

his head was "magically" turned to the side.

 ......and then to the other side~all while we were clapping to a beat.

 Then he made one leg disappear..

 Sister Yoshikawa from Osaka, Japan.

 She will serve with Sister Furukawa in Tagajo.

 Sister Takatsuka from Kanagawa, Japan

She will serve with Sister Bohnet in Tagajo

Sister Shuto from Yokohama, Japan.

She will serve with Sister Mukaitani in Niigata.

 (They were friends before the mission and attended Institute together.  We did not know that when they were made companions.)

Elder Yamamoto from Tokushima, Japan.

He dropped out of school in High School to go to work to support his family after his Father died.  He also can do full body push-ups using two fingers and he holds the record for the greatest number of push-ups done at the MTC.  

 His trainer is Elder Juchau and they are in Hochinohe.

Elder Haltli from Eden, Utah.

 His trainer is Elder Mizoguchi and they are in Ichinoseki.

Elder Hirao from Osaka, Japan.

His trainer is Elder Christensen in Kamisugi.

One last picture with our Assistants to the President before Elder Juchau leaves the Honbu and returns to the field as a Trainer.  Thanks, Elder Juchau!!

Group picture with the new missionaries and their trainers before leaving for their new areas.  We are thrilled to have them in the mission.

BASEBALL IN IWAKI

One Saturday morning, Gary and I got up early and drove 2 1/2 hours to Iwaki to watch Aron and Elijah Igari play baseball with their Jr High Team.   They are the sons of the counselor in the Iwaki Branch Presidency.

The team bowing to the spectators after the game. (before this picture was taken, the two teams lined up and bowed to each other.  Then to the umpires.)

The team bowed to their coach and stayed gathered around him while he talked to them after the game.  Notice their hats are off and they are very respectfully listening to him.

Sister Igari talking to Gary.

The Igaris have a good relationship with the other parents and seemed  proud to introduce us to them. They seem to talk openly about the church with others.  The other parents were all so nice to us.  This mom's son plays on the team and goes to Seminary once a week with Aron Igari.  (Note:  She is obviously afraid of being in the sun.  The Japanese women don't want to have dark skin from the sun.  They prefer light skin.  I see bleaching agent in face creams here.)

After the game was over, the team was asked to line up and greet us as we were introduced to them.

Aron (far right), the team pitcher and captain of the team. 
He is a good kid and a great leader!

Bro Igari and his two boys.  The job of the younger boy was to rake the field after the game.  His age group is sort of an apprentice to the main team.

We enjoyed our day with the Igari family watching the game and were very impressed by many things we saw.  However, we came to understand better the very big influence the schools have on this young generation.  It became apparent that the school are raising the children in Japan.  The really sad thing is that many of the parents, in and out of the church, like it that way.  These boys go to school every morning for a 7:30 start time.  They finish class work at 3PM and then they go to their after school activity (all the children are required to be involved in a club or sport, etc) and get home about 7PM.  They eat dinner, do a little homework, take a shower and go to bed.  Saturdays, students are at school all day.  They are involved in their clubs or sport.  The day we were in Iwaki was a Saturday and they boys had come to the school to practice at 7AM for a 9 AM game and an 11 AM game.  After the games were finished, the team would stay at the school and continue to practice until 5:30 PM.  Sunday was another day of games.  These two young boys can never go to church because they are obligated to their teams.  Our Missionaries tell us the same story about themselves so we can see this is happening everywhere in Japan.  How do we teach "Keep the Sabbath Day Holy"?  How can families have FHE?  How can parents teach their values to their children?  Somehow, someone needs to stand up and say to the schools, "enough is enough."  We want our children back ~ but who?   

ELDER & SISTER MORRIS LEAVE THE MISSION EARLY

                                 

Sister Morris was having back problems and Elder Morris developed allergies that put him in the hospital with pneumonia 2 times. They finally decided they should return home to California. The Branch in Yonezawa will miss them.

Elder Morris is in the background negotiating an over-sized carry-on bag at the airport.

FHE in June with 50 attending

 Elder Christensen and Elder Mizuochi

 Sister Chikamori with Date Shimai of the Kamisugi Ward

 President Tanaka and his children.  He is in Stake Presidency.

Sis. Sugawara (Stake President's Wife), two investigators and Sister Kitade

Gary conducting the meeting.  I gave the lesson tonight with the help of Elder Juchau who translated for me.

Elder Juchau-AP