Yes, the heat is still on!
The good thing is, we are home for a couple of weeks and we can study and read more! We are teaching the two Philippine Shimai from Preach My Gospel, so are working hard to prepare the lessons. It has been a very enjoyable time. We each prepare a lesson and then we give it to the other and then fine tune it. We have been able to be taught by the young missionaries on how the give the lessons. Some of the ideas were taught to us before, but it gives new meaning now that we need to teach the material. So on Monday, instead of just learning from Kim Choro how to cook a meal, he and Oobayshi Choro taught us the lesson on teaching the commandments. This is fun!
The Can Man.... Yep, that is a man on a bike!! We have been trying to catch this picture for months as we see him each Tuesday on our way to District Meeting.
Tuesday we drove to Tsuboi ready to teach. We had our lesson plan, reviewed the Together For Ever, DVD, and had picked up Tobias. We met two other missionaries there and waited for the Shimai to arrive. They got there late. They had worked 11 hours cutting meet in a cooler and were frozen to the bone. Instead of a lesson, we had prayer with them and sent them home to warm up. That was what they needed that night.
Wednesday we studied more and made Banana Bread to take out to people. Thursday we were able to find the home of Adella and left the bread with her daughter Maiko as Adella had gone with friends just before we arrived.
We took cake and presents to Sister Maui and her family. Simoe is 26 and little Josie is 1 year old. Atu is still in Tuvalu. While we were there Atu called on Skype, but the three year old Maui Ron had done something to the computer so the mike did not work. Christensen Choro said a prayer and with the Lords help was able to fix the problem. Atuo and Maua Shimai were able to visit on that special day.
Josie's first birthday cake. Chocolate, yummy!! Thank you Anna for typing up the receipes for us.
Simoe and Josie, Ito (Itu) and sister Ito Shimai. Notice big brothers Maui Ron and Tuitu asleep in the picture.
Mother and Daughter birthdays one day apart.
Love that chocolate cake.
Itu and Ito Shimai.
We were also able to take more chocolate cake, foam swords and balloons to the Sopu family and visit with them. They have a real nice apartment. It was cool.
In the afternoons the coolest we are able to keep our apartment with the AC running full speed is about 88 degrees. We are in a GIANT SAUNA!
That evening we met with our Japanese tutor, Maesawa Kyodai. He has two children on missions and has been inactive until a few weeks ago. He has been tutoring us since he is trying to be active. Christensen, Kim and Oobayashi Choro gave his wife a blessing about the time he started to become active again. He has helped us a lot in starting to learn Japanese and we hope we have helped him to become active.
Friday we set out to find insulation to put over our 6 west facing, sliding glass, single pane doors. They do not appear to have much insulation here. We found shade screens and nothing but some foam board for insulation. We will look again and ask a builder for some help.
Saturday we found out that the Japanese people use bubble wrap to insulate the windows. We put up shade screens on three of the windows to see how that worked.
We worked all day Saturday getting our display for next Wednesday night's Lua u started. We had an enjoyable day putting family pictures in collages for retirement, travel, family, and traditions. Now to put them on a board and add the words. Then the Shimai will rewrite everything in Nehongo so the Japanese can read it.
These two lots were cleared of houses last week. It looks like they are going to build one home that will wrap around the house on the right that is on a corner. We watch the construction every time we walk out to our car. Stay tuned for the final product.
Sunday we went to Tsubio Ward for the Sunday School Class with the two Philippines, but they never showed up. When we called, Kawabe's son had a fever and the she would not be there. We asked about Matsumato Shimai but were told that she was not coming either. They did not want the lesson tonight so we rescheduled for next week. We wonder how strong they are? We have told them that Satan would be working overtime on them, he does not want them active.
When we get a little down, we read 2 Nephi 4:17-20
17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great agoodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O bwretched man that I am! Yea, my heart csorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily abeset me.
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have atrusted.
20 My God hath been my asupport; he hath led me through mine bafflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.If Nephi felt like this, there is hope for us in our sins. We just need to give them to Christ and repent of them.
Love,
Elder Tom and Sister Bess Christensen
Mom and Dad,
Grandma and Grandpa
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