The Heat is Back, Sept 5 - 11, 2011

We thought fall was here, Wrong! This has been a great week with many wonderful experiences. We were able to do a joint lesson with the Tsubio Choro on Monday teaching Mayumi-chan. The lesson was on the power and gift of the Holy Ghost. We were both able to bear our testimonies twice and tell of the blessings we have received from the Holy Ghost. Bess shared the scripture Moroni 7: 12-13.

12 Wherefore, all things which are ^agood cometh of God; and that which is ^bevil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to ^csin, and to do that which is evil continually.

13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do ^agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and ^benticeth to do ^cgood, and to love God, and to serve him, is ^dinspired of God.

It seemed to be the right scripture at the right time. We ended with prayer and got word today that Mayumi-chan has set the date of October 15 for her baptism!!!

Our Japanese lesson this week started Monday night with a surprise visit from our wonderful teacher Maesawa Kyodai, bringing us some additional material that he wanted us to study for Tuesday night. We studied Japanese most of the day on Tuesday, with time out to read and underline the Book of Mormon. We are enjoying the lessons very much and are starting to recognize some words.

We were invited to have lunch and tour the Suizenji Jojuen Garden with Elder and Sister Tashiro from the Quorum of the Seventy on Friday. We were nervous, at least Tom was. The Tashiro's speak very little English and we do not speak any Japanese. So after Tom's fretting most of Friday morning we were picked up by the Tashiros. We went to a hotel for a buffet and enjoyed a wonderful meal. We all had our electronic translators out and we we able to understand each other very well. Thanks to Bess's prayer that morning. We found out we had things in common, both married 35 years and of course children, the gospel, and the love of missionary work. After lunch we drove to the Suizenji Jojuen Garden. What a treat! The Garden is beautiful! We enjoyed the time together and gained another testimony of prayer.
Alma 33:6

• 6 And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer.

Tom and Elder and Sister Tashiro

Crane looking for lunch at the Suizenji Jojuen Garden.

We were able to teach English Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. We have some new people that have come to class. We really enjoying teaching and interacting with the Japanese people.

Sports night is always fun. We enjoy visiting with the Oyamas, they are still waiting for their mission call to come back. It has been at least 2 months. They have been studying both English and Chinese. Oyama Kyodai's English has improved very much since June. He wants to go to the US rather than China like Oyama Shimai.


Ping Pong action and visiting.

New Eikaiwa student from Shimizu/Tsuboi.

Clements Choro birthday.

Birthday boy Shun-kun four (yon) years old.

Saturday's new Eikaiwa Student. We did not say a young student.

Pam from Eikaiwa. She comes on Wednesday and Saturday. Pam has been coming for 10 years or more. We think it's her social outing. She also comes to Church on occasion but says her husband won't even talk about her taking the lessons.



Three pictures from our early morning walks on the Canal.

These are honestly the brooms they use over here.

Japanese Mafia building across the street from the Tsuboi Ward Church. We walk around it to our parking on Sunday. Directly across from this building is a Pachinko Parlor. (gambling)
On Tom's birthday Mayumi-chan told him to read the Book of Mormon and pray every day. We hope you each will do this and realize the blessings from doing so.

Love,
Dad and Mom
Grandpa and Grandma
Tom and Bess