Ma-ku-ru---ah or How to Say Our Name in Japanese

I thought that it would be fun to show our name tags.  The Japanese say things backwards, so it’s “McClure President”.  The first 5 symbols are Katakana for Ma-ku-ru---ah.  The Kanji (or more detailed symbols) say President or Kaicho as they call him here.

If I counted right, we did 35 interviews this week.  They were close, so we didn’t spend much time traveling, but hour upon hour sitting in interviews.  These initial interviews are L-O-N-G!!  But it is fun to get to know each one.  Russ interviews one missionary, while I visit with their companion.

 Here’s some pictures of our happy missionaries:

On Saturday afternoon our ward had a ward party--A Summer Festival.  It was pretty great.  First they had food—LOTS!  Then they had a little talent show followed by MORE FOOD!!  They dressed me in a yukata (an informal summer kimono) and ended with a little traditional Japanese dance.  

This was just interesting--kind of like a rain gutter regatta.  Water went down the tubes with noodles.  You caught the noodles with chopsticks and ate them.  As would be expected, the young boys were mostly eating here.

Sister Von Forell (also in black) is our Office Secretary

My kind of party!

Finally, here are two amazing links--videos of the Sapporo Temple.  The first is almost 4 minutes and shows pictures of the inside of the temple.  The 2nd is longer (10 1/2 minutes) and explains the symbolism used in the architecture.  I recommend both!

Sapporo Japan Temple

Architecture of Sapporo Temple

Temple, Toll Roads, Tunnels and Trees

This week the highlight was going inside the Sapporo Temple.  I have walked around it each day since coming, but on Wednesday we got to do a session along with 8 of our Sister Missionaries.  What a treat!!  Heaven on earth for sure!  How we love living in the shadow of The House of the Lord!

The chocolate factory

 

On Monday, Kacie and I were able to go with 6 Sisters to a chocolate factory for their Preparation Day Activity.  It was really fun.  The grounds were beautiful—kind of a Disneyland feel.  Very enjoyable.

Lots of Driving!

On Thursday we began the first round of interviews.  We drove to the southern-most point of the Island, Hakodate, interviewing 10 missionaries in 3 different cities.  We also got to see their apartments.  Two days of driving on toll roads, surrounded by lots of greenery, and MANY tunnels.  We are so impressed with our missionaries!  They are working hard and just are generally delightful!

Yes, KFC and McDonalds are big here.

The last T topic is toilets.  Japanese toilets are pretty fancy.  You walk in the room and the lid opens and the seat is warm.  There are all kinds of buttons which I haven’t tried.  They've come a long way from squattie potties, though you can still find those too. 

We're Here!

All went well with our flight--Salt Lake to LA, LA to Tokyo, Tokyo to Sapporo.

Briefly met with outgoing President & Sister Nakatsuka before they left for the airport.

Our two Mission Assistants (Elders Akamatsu and Takamasa) who have chauffeured, translated, and basically carried us for the past 8 days.

We’ve had a great first week.  We arrived on Friday evening, June 30^th.  Saturday evening a 5.2 earthquake shook me awake.  What a way to begin!

Our goal for the week was to meet each of our 102 missionaries.  We were in the car a lot driving to 4 different “Meet the President” meetings.  We were so impressed with each Zone as we met with them—such valiant missionaries!

On Thursday, July 6^th we celebrated our 38^th anniversary!! 

Russ has been sick with bronchitis, but like the Energizer Bunny, he has kept “going and going”.

Our Mission Motto is “To Become”:

Obedience is the Price

Faith is the Power

Love is the Motive

Spirit is the Key

Christ is the Reason

Joy is the Reward

Friday night we had training for new leaders and then Saturday from 9-3 was Missionary Leadership Council.  Today we spoke in church.  Needless to say, it has been a busy week!  We have been warmly welcomed and though I would normally be stressed to the max, I have felt a lot of peace.  Truly, this is God’s work and he is strengthening us.  Russ drove for the first time last night.  (Remember this is Japan—the steering wheel is on the right and they drive on the other side of the road—SCARY!!)  He did a great job getting us safely to church today.

Thank you for your prayers and love.

Here’s a few more pictures of our wonderful missionaries:

Missionary Leadership Council

Family Time - Saturday Night!