Missionary Quilt

                                           

This is a photo taken the day after we arrived in Japan outside the mission home with President and Sister Budge.  Inside the mission home, hanging in the entry is a beautiful quilt that Sister Budge quilted before coming to Japan.  She has every missionary when they arrive sign his or her name on the quilt.  What a special  treasure they will take home when their mission is over!

May 26

While walking home from church I started taking pictures of a parade that had just started. A police officer saw us and motioned for us to come into the street. He stopped the parade with the wave of his baton then took my camera and took a picture of us with the local dignitaries and the CO of Yokosuka Naval Base. After he finished the parade started up again. Wow..were we caught off guard.

May 25

A brand new fish market

-Yokosuka Port- 

opened up within walking distance from our place. We love to visit there and walk around.

I asked if I could take a picture and this young man stepped right into the photo!

May 24

                                                   

My sweet friend that I met in a department store.  I invited her to Eikaiwa (English Conversation Class) and she came.  The next day I went back for a free make-over.  She did a great job!

                                                    

May 23

One cantaloupe 780 yen 

three apples 699 yen 

and one watermelon 2800 yen = 4279 yen or approximately  $43.00 

We are so blessed!!!

May 21

When we traveled to Kamioka for zone meeting the Elders introduced us to one of their favorite stops for some chicken kabobs. This delightful gentleman is from Iran.

One way I discovered to make the Elders really happy is to bring cereal and milk for refreshments after district meetings.They were thrilled to have a bowl of Sugar Smacks, Corn Pops and Cinnamon Toast Crunch after our training.

May 13

Just a few of the dishes I have tried….gyoza…yum!

May 2

Brother Joel Winter, this photo is for you. Curry…not quite as good as what you fixed for us! But we thought about you while eating this dish.

We have discovered some of the best eating places hidden in nooks and crannies.  (Side alleys)  This little hideaway cooked everything with garlic...which I love....right in front of us.  This place was a definite "thumbs up."  We will return!

This little can of paint only 2 ounces costs $6.00

Japan...

The Big Buddha

Elder Ross and Elder Hoopes invited us to travel with them to Kamakura before Elder Ross returned home.

The seated Buddah, Amida Nyorai known by the familiar name of the Kamakura Daibatsu is the principle diety of Kokotu-in temple. It is a national treasure. Construction began in 1252 and continued for approximately 10 years.

These women were participating in a special ceremony while we were at the Buddah Shrine.

"Hey thank you two so much for all that you've done for me. Even though our time was short it was still fun and exciting. I'm hoping to be hearing from you continuously while I'm back in the states. You two keep up having such strong faith and doing what is right, and you'll see so many more miracles on your mission.
Love ya much. Elder Ross"

Tokyo Temple

What a treat to attend the Tokyo Temple our second week here with the entire Tokyo Mission!

China Town



This picture was taken in Chinatown in Yokohama. I wanted my grandchildren to see some of the choices one could chose for dinner! Anyone interested in duck?

On the Train

Two cute girls we met on the train going to a basketball game.

I gave them each a pass-along card and they consented to let me take their pictures.

They didn’t speak any English…but it was fun to try to communicate with one another.

Yamate Open House

Yamate Ward Open House in Yokohama



Elder Medeiros inviting people to come to the Open House

Fufu Dolls

We are listed on the Yokohama Zone Roster as Addington Fufu.

Fufu means  Couple (Senior) in Japan. We are the senior couple-Addington Senior!

I couldn’t resist buying a pair of Kokeshi dolls depicting an older Japanese couple. I love them!

They sit atop our dresser with their smiling faces, reminding us each day how exciting it is to be a SENIOR missionary couple!

     After arriving in Japan, we discovered this beautiful orchid on our doorstep.

It was from our Bishop welcoming us into the Yokosuka Military Ward.

Our Arrival!

We are home...for 18 months!

We arrived approximately 4:45 p.m. at Narita Airport on Tuesday, April 30^th.  While waiting in the Seattle airport for our connecting flight to Tokyo we met another senior couple, Elder and Sister Larsen that were returning to the Philippines.  They serve in the Temple Presidency and had served previously in the Denmark Temple Presidency.  It was a delight to visit with them.

When we flew into Narita several years ago we recall that it was quite busy and it took us awhile to go through customs.  When we arrived this time, we found the airport to be very quiet and went through much quicker than before.

We were most grateful to see the mission office couple, Elder and Sister Harrison there to greet us when we walked out of customs. They loaded our luggage into the mission van. After about 90 minutes we arrived at the mission home.

President and Sister Budge greeted us warmly.  After getting settled in our room, we sat down to a delicious dinner that Sister Budge had prepared for us.  We could hardly keep our eyes open as we had been awake for almost a full 24 hours.  As tired as we both were, it was a sleepless night.  The time difference, plus 3 full weeks of MTC and Military Relations Training had mentally and physically exhausted us.

The following morning we awoke to another delicious meal-pancakes, bacon, yogurt with fresh fruit and muffins.  After attending President Budge’s Staff Meeting, taking pictures, receiving our mission phone, etc. we loaded the vehicle that is to be ours for the next 18 months and traveled to Yokosuka.  We were so grateful Elder and Sister Harrison could travel with us to our new apartment and introduce us to the area and base. 

We are now here in Yokosuka and the work has begun.

Stay tuned for more to come....

And we are off...

Early this a.m. we left Draper, UT  where we have been staying for 2 days.  Yesterday we called each of our children and grandchildren to say good-bye.  Bethany drove us to the airport and helped us with our luggage.  I was expecting to pay a fee for my luggage because it was overweight, but after taking out my scriptures and a couple other items and placing them in my husband's luggage I hit the 50 lb. limit.  We are en route to Seattle and will then get on a connecting flight to Narita Airport in Tokyo.
As I boarded the plane, a gentleman accidentally bumped me and said, "Excuse me, Sister."
He then said, "You are a nun, aren't you Sister?"  Before I could explain, he sat down in his seat and I had to move down the aisle.
I have much gratitude in my heart today for lessons learned, values taught and love shared while at the MTC these past 3 weeks.  I simply desire to be a faithful, humble servant of my Father in Heaven as I serve others in the Japan Tokyo Mission.

Week 3-MTC

April 22-26, 2013
Seminary and Institute Training
Military Relations Training

100 Senior couples entered the MTC today!

Welcome from CES brethren-Church Headquarters-SLC
Attending were those who developed on-line seminary and the new 'Come Follow Me' curriculum
The objective of Seminaries and Institute-Help youth and adults understand and rely on the teachings and atonement of Jesus Christ, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves for their families and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven.
We experienced two days of exceptional teaching and training from the 'cream of the crop.'
It was an inspiring experience!
For one hour on Tuesday we received counsel from Church Security and some important guidelines  we need to remember while on our missions.

Tuesday evening's devotional was given by Elder David F. Evans-Executive Director of the Missionary Department.  His talk was about...Missionary Work!  Our purpose as missionaries is to help others come unto Christ.  It's all about doing the Lord's work-it's not about us!
Excellent talk!

Wednesday-Friday
Military Relations Training (Elder Roland and Kathy Griffith-Training Specialists) with 5 other couples
Approximately 70 military installations worldwide
83 couples now serving-military couples first called in 2002 (Elder Groberg saw need)
"Sisters, at some point the spirit will bear witness to you that there is someone's need that you are specifically to meet"
Make PMG as high of priority as the scriptures on your mission!

Journal entry:  This morning in the cafeteria we sat across the table from two, sweet sister missionaries  who have been in the MTC one week.  One was from the Philippines and the other from Taiwan.
The sister from Taiwan who spoke broken English told me her family joined the church when she was young but had since become very bitter towards the church.  When the missionaries would stop by their home, her father would yell at them and chase them away.  I asked her how he felt about her serving a mission and coming to the states to serve in NY.  She told me he was "very angry with her and refused to support her in any way."  I have heard other stories similar to this, since entering the MTC.
Hearing this story reminded me how we should contribute to the missionary fund when possible to help missionaries such as this dear sister.

Today (Friday) we checked out of the MTC to travel to SLC for our last day of Military Relations Training at the Church Office Building.
We both shed a few tears when we realized we were leaving the place where we have spent the past 3 weeks.  A place where enthusiasm, energy and the spirit runs high.  Oh how we have grown to love this place, but we are excited for the new adventure that awaits us.
Friday's training included important reminders on monthly reports,  military protocol,  creating signature blocks, working with military commanders, chaplains, bishops, stake presidents and mission presidents, etc.  After lunch in the church cafeteria we had a few picture taking sessions, received some more materials, said good-bye to our dear friends and left the church office building.