Shake, Rattle and Roll!

Shortly after 3 am on Thursday morning we were jolted awake by a 6.7 earthquake. 

 It was a BIG one!! 

 Soon after we lost power and had many aftershocks.  This came on the heels of a typhoon the day before that uprooted many trees.

Thankfully, all of our missionaries were safe and sound, and even happy!  When Elder Renlund visited our mission in May, he pronounced an Apostolic Blessing.  He said that our missionaries would have a "bubble of protection" around them and we have seen this promise fulfilled.

Our missionaries used their time without power and water to serve others. 

Interestingly, the area around the temple and our meetinghouses seemed to have power and or water before the rest of the neighborhood.  Missionaries invited all to come and enjoy.

Throughout this ordeal, I would describe things as calm.  

The Japanese culture is one of kindness and patience, with a "clean up and carry on" attitude.

We are well and thank you for prayers sent our way!

Missionary Moments

 

We are a Preach My Gospel Mission!

We LOVE the Temple!

We LOVE Baptisms!

We had a Miracle--12 Baptisms in 36 days!

 We Love food!

We Love being together!

 We love getting new missionaries,

but are sad to see missionaries go home.

We love preparation day,

having fun,

and meetings!!

We love Kaicho!

We love serving in the Land of the Rising Sun

and helping it to become the Land of the Rising Son of God

 as people learn about Jesus Christ.

Jubilant July!

 Celebrating our 39th Anniversary--date night at the Otaru Canals after zone conference.

 Our former missionaries married in the Sapporo Temple!  Sweet, Sweet, Sweet!!

Lots of Baptisms!

(Yes, that is the newlywed couple still being missionaries the morning after their wedding.)

Tacos Anyone?

Taco is Japanese for octopus.

Yep, that's what they ate! The octopus was still alive in this photo.

We are shrinking - from a peak of 108 down to 95.

Russ in action.

Excited trainers about to meet their brand new companions (green "beans") fresh from the MTC.

Breakfast for our Mission Leadership Council.

Day trip to the flower fields of Furano where the lavender is in bloom. . .

and Blue Pond.

One Wonderful Year!

It's been One WONDERFUL Year!!

The best part--our WONDERFUL missionaries.

They make us smile.

We are SO blessed to work with these valiant "Fishers of Men"!

When Russ & I get a free moment, we have enjoyed exploring on our bikes.

This week we received our first Brazilian missionary.

We thought it was tricky working with two languages, but now we have three!

Like I said, we are loving every minute.  

This picture showed up on our zone conference slide show, but it pretty much sums things up!

A-MAY-zing!

 May has been amazing!  First of all, it's been so beautiful!

As part of our amazing Mission President Seminar we were able to go to the
Fukuoka Temple down in the southern part of Japan.

Our amazing meetings with Elder and Sister Renlund continued in Osaka.

When we got back home, our whole mission was brought together to be taught by

Elder Yamashita, our dear friend and Counselor in the Area Presidency, 

Elder Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

and their wives. 

It was an AMAZING time for all of us!!

It was wonderful to be all together as a Mission Family. 

For Mother's Day I received

many sweet messages of love from my 100+ children!

Later that evening we were able to host a dinner for our special guests.

Since I had been gone all week, I begged for help.

These amazing Sisters came to my rescue and provided our beautiful meal.

An amazing work of art!

Our Amazing Assistants and Office Elders surprised Russ with a Birthday Cake.

65 Years Old!!

What an amazing month!!

Sakura!