The missionaries were standing in their places waiting for us to arrive with Elder Oaks to get the mission picture taken. They were singing hymns as we walked into the cultural hall. Such a wonderful spirit in the room!
The Kamisugi Chapel
Look at the happy faces of the missionaries.
The entire missioin together~a first for us.
Sister and Elder Aoyagi, Elder and Sister Oaks, Sister and Elder Hallstrom
Shaking hands with every missionary. (I have not included every picture)
Sis Maki (She was pretty famous in the mission after the earthquake. A big article was written about her in the Liahona about how she was missing for a couple of days in Ishinomaki (where she was serving and the destruction was particularly bad). When she was found, she had been in an evacuation center doing service for everyone (cleaning bathrooms) like a good missionary. She is a dear!!
Elder Dowdy's mother passed away the day before the General Authorities arrived. Elder Hallstrom knew about that and he watched for Elder Dowdy to come through the line to be able to talk to him and give him comfort.
Tender moment.
Elder Sanders was a new member of the church before he came on his mission. His Father was baptised the week he came to Japan. This was a new experience for him.
President and Sister Yoshida.
Elder Juchau (AP) getting everyone ready.
Elder and Sister Tsuchida with the Yoshidas. The Tsuchidas are in their 80's and wanted to serve another mission. He was the Sapporo Mission President several years ago. He was also the Fukuoka Temple President. They are wonderful members of the church and we are lucky too have them as missionaries.
I love the pics with Elder Dowdy. What a tough decision he had to make to decide to stay and finish. I have to commend you and your AP's for the meticulous planning that went into having every missionary in place before the Oaks arrived for the group shot. That's a pretty awesome picture that each missionary gets to take home.
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