Due Date and Delivery

Last December we learned that our mission family 

would be growing and after many months of waiting--

it finally happened!  

We added 20 young missionaries and 2 senior couples.  

They are all obedient, impressive servants of the Lord.
We love them already!

Something kind of interesting is that 3 of our Elders 

are now serving in the same mission that they live in!

Something else that is interesting is that 7 of them will be returning home in a month and several more the next transfer.

(The number of missionaries serving in Japan is greatly decreasing.)

Last Wednesday we flew down to Honshu with our 3 incredible Assistants

 (Yes, temporarily 3, as two will be going home soon.)

to meet and welcome our new Elders and Sisters.

We spent the day gathered together and then spent the next two days driving to the areas 

where these missionaries are serving and doing interviews.
(It's a BIG area!)

With this change of boundaries, Russ also acquired 11 new Branches that he will preside over.

We met many wonderful Priesthood leaders and members during our visits.
Sunday evening we returned home--a whirlwind 5 days.

We recently had a special Mission Leaders Council with our dear friends the Yamashitas.
We are a Preach My Gospel Mission! 

We love to eat!

We love to play!

And we couldn't be happier!

 At this time we celebrate two other special occasions--
our 2nd anniversary of serving in Japan and
our 40th wedding anniversary.
We feel very blessed!