December in the Mission 2010

We held three special training sessions in the mission during December. We took those opportunities to also have special Christmas programs with the missionaries. During lunch we played some holiday games. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and feel the true spirit of Christmas at each session. The training focused on discovering and magnifying our gifts and talents and using them to serve the Lord as missionaries. We also enjoyed several missionary Christmas stories and learned more about the Savior, his life and mission, and the true meaning of Christmas. Elder and Sister Shimada trying to open a gift during our lunch games.

Lunch games during one of the trainings.

Elders playing the oven mitten game.

More fun!

Some parting treats from President and Sister McIntyre and pictures with the missionaries.President and Sister Iwaki joined us at the Osaka training. This is the group at the training held in Okayama.

Sister Shields had a birthday here in Kobe right after Christmas.

The Kobe district and our family celebrate with Sister Shields. Ricky and Erika were back with us from school.

Christmas dinner in the Kobe Mission home.Some singing after dinner.

Sister Kadekaru also had a birthday in Kobe.

She got a face cookie too!

President preparing Christmas treats for the training sessions.

Elder Hinton and his family visited us before departing Japan.

We stopped by to see Elder Escalante in Osaka before Christmas. He was bit by a dog and had stitches in his nose. Sister Escalante, his "real" sister, is also serving here and they are in the same zone. We took this shot of them and sent it to their mother.

Kobe City's Luminaria which is held every December in commemoration of the Kobe Earthquake.Sister McIntyre and Erika hanging on a tree in Nara park.

A White Christmas in the Works

Brother Yamaga in Higashi Osaka Ward.

Mission President's Seminar in Osaka 2010

In November we had the chance to participate in our annual mission president's seminar. This year it was held in Osaka right here in our mission. We were privileged to have 4 members of the seventy attend and teach us. This is the whole group in front of the Todaiji Temple in Nara.

This is the group of presidents and wives that came out with us 2.5 years ago. The Daniel's in Sapporo, the Tateoka's in Sendai, the Jennings' in Busan, Korea and the Dowdles in Guam/Micronesia.

Feeding the deer in Nara Park.

Osaka City night view with Osaka CastleVisit to Nara Park

Osaka Castle night shot

Returning Group December 2010

Seven wonderful missionaries completed their missions and returned home this week. Elders Stennett, Childs, Hinton, Sheffield and Masui and Sisters Gyobu and Hayase.
A final meal together in the mission home. Sukiyaki.
James says goodbye to Elder Childs as they pose with Elder Starks. The three spent many nights together while the President and Sister McIntyre were out in the field traveling. And of course Sammy too.

A Couple More Departing Photos - December 2010

Elder Masui and Sister Gyobu with their aprons. Elder Masui got one for his service in the office as assistant and all the sisters receive one.
Elders Masui and Sheffield
Sisters Gyobu and Hayase with their mothers who came from Tokyo to pick them up.
Finally, Elder Sheffield takes a knock out punch from President and Sister McIntyre before heading out to the train station and airport.

New Missionaries December 2010

5 New Sisters and 3 New Elders arrived in the Japan Kobe Mission this past week. Elders Shumway, Ewer and Low and Sisters Ferris, Wajima, Ilch, Megmarjav and Holker.
Dinner at the mission home.
First Sushi...
Sushi...
Two of the Sisters are from Mongolia, one is from Japan and two are from the US. Our three Elders are all from the US.

Zone Leader Council December 2010

We had some of the sisters attend our council this month. They helped train the elders and gave them some important instruction on how to work with sister missionaries in the mission.

Baptism in Matsue - December 2010

Sister Kadowaki, who is a retired school teacher and 80 years old, was baptized in the Matsue Ward, Okayama Stake the first week of December. She was found (and taught) by Elders Wiser and Tsushima through house to house contacting. The bishop performed the baptism.We traveled to Matsue on Saturday evening and attended the baptism and church in Matsue on Sunday morning. On the way out of town we stopped to get a picture in front of the Matsue Castle.Many of the members of the Matsue Ward after Sister Kadowaki's baptism.
This the Notsu family in Matsue. Sister Notsu, who is now married to the former Elder Christie, served with us in Kobe.
Not all the hotels we stay in are that modern! Here is the toilet in the one in Matsue. These are affectionately called squatter toilets. We also often sleep in futons and tatami mats as can be seen above. The hotel did have a nice hot spring bath (onsen) though.