A Few More Baptism Pictures

Brother Nishi was baptized in Nishinomiya. He was contacted by the elders on the train. Here is is with Elders Jones, Uehara, Novak, the bishop and some great members of the ward. Brother Imatsu who was referred by a member was baptized in Omihachiman Ward, Kyoto Stake. Here is with Elders Nishio and Richardson.

We are just about on the same pace with convert baptisms this year as last year. However, we hope and expect to exceed last year's numbers. We are seeing more enthusiam from the members and we have had more success this year with our reactivation efforts as we do this with the members. We just need faith, patience and diligence (all attributes of Christ) to move the work forward at a faster pace.

Ricky's Eagle Project - 72 Hour Kits for Each Missionary

While serving with our family, we try to maintain a "normal" life with our kids. Rick is graduating from high school next month and is bound for BYU Hawaii. He is finishing his Eagle project for scouts and he decided to prepare emergency food kits for each missionary.

Planning meeting with office staff. Assignments made.There was a lot of pre-work deciding on menus and content and buying samples to see what would work and stay within budget.

Thank heavens for Costco and 100 yen stores!One of the buying trips to Costco. That is a lot of peanut butter!Moving and storing the goods was a project in itself.We filled three vans and cars one of the trips.Missionaries make good movers!Exhausted after a day of buying and moving.
Pre-work making little hand sanitizer bottles. We needed 100 of them.Ricky setting up for assembly.

Getting each station ready.

Putting it all together.

We had about 17 people help with the assembly including missionaries, members and family.

Kits being assembled into these cool bags.

Here is a sample of the final product!

We made 100 of them, one for each missionary. Should be enough food and water for three days and some basic emergency supplies. Can consume all of it without cooking if necessary. We just need to distribute them now. A nice project for Ricky and a great help to the mission.

Another Birthday in the Office

Elder Shepley who just transferred into the Kobe area had a birthday this week and we celebrated it with some treats and his cookie. Looks just like him!

Sister McIntyre loves to make these.

Two Elders Return with Honor - May 2010

Elders Harvard and Smith returned this week after two years of service. This was a special group for us as we first met them in the MTC when we were preparing to come to Japan and they were two of the first missionaries we welcomed to Japan after we arrived. We have served with them for their full missions. Sister McIntyre spoiled them with several treats. Face cookies and aprons.

Elder Smith was known for his cooking Japanese food and Elder Harvard served in the office for 6 months and was dubbed assistant to the president's wife because of the nice things he did for her.

Dinner with the family on their final night in Japan.

These elders have grown so much and we are sad to see them leave, but happy to send off such fine young men after completing their missions.

New Missionaries May 2010

We welcomed 7 new missionaries this transfer. Sisters Kadekaru and Shields and Elders Draper, Kawamura, Kobe, Lystrup and Knight.Dinner with the family before we sent them out to their new areas.
Lunch the first day was sushi.
The new sisters with the Kobe Sisters.
Elders Knight and Draper with Elder Burton.
Elders Kawamura, Kobe and Lystrup with Elder Hobson.

Baptisms! Yes, We Do This In Japan!!!

Some more great pictures that show why we are here! Elders Stennett and Andrews with Brother Oono in Wakayama, Sakai Stake.

Elders Varjao and Lee with Brother Sawano in Otsu, Kyoto Stake.

Elders Bennion and Imi with Sister Marby Dano in Nabari, Osaka Stake.

Elders Lee and Nakamura with Sister Watanabe in Otsu, Kyoto Stake.

Elders Imai and Escalante with Brother Murata in Habikino, Osaka Stake.

Elders Tateishi and McLaws with Brother Inokoishi in Fushimi, Kyoto Stake.

Elders Reading and Kanno with Brother Kawagoshi in Katsura, Kyoto Stake.

Maizuru Branch Conference

This past Sunday we held Branch Conference in Maizuru. Here is a picture of some of the members and the Fukuchiyama District leadership.After the meetings we had a potluck meal with everyone. This is smaller branch working very hard to grow. They have a wonderful plan and are working closely with the elders to find, teach, baptize and reactivate people.

One of the members (Brother Amano) made this cake for the potluck!

The name "Maizuru" means dancing crane. There are many cranes and other wild birds and animals in this part of Japan in the mountains and along the coast of the Japan Sea.

Shimogamo Shine - World Heritage Site Near Church in Kyoto

We recently held a missionary fireside in Shimogamo, Kyoto as part of their ward conference. Before the fireside we stopped at the Shimogamo Shrine next to the church and took a few pictures. This is world heritage site and a very large and shrine.

We have past it a hundred times, but this was the first time we went in and actually saw it. Very nice gardens and greenery.

Omikoshi During Golden Week

During Golden Week there were several festivals here in Kobe. We were able to catch the giant Omikoshi going down the street right in front of the mission home and church. This one was so big it is on wheels. Often they are carried on the shoulders by of the participants.

Many believe these are designed after the Ark of the Covenant from ancient Israel. If you have seen many, there certainly is some remarkable similarities and some interesting connections between the ancient Japanese religion of Shinto and ancient Israel customs and symbols.