April 13, 2003

April 13, 2003
Dear Family and Friends,
We are a little late with this letter because we have attended General Conference all day today and yesterday. We thank so many of you who called and sent e-mails this past week. It is good to hear how things are going at home. We keep busy but glad we have what it takes to keep up with our jobs. Greg’s e-mail address didn’t pan out. (We got notice that it didn’t go through with the address we had, so maybe someone could send us the correct one.) We were also happy to receive the 20th Ward newsletter.
Thurs. Pres. Banks took one of the Elders to Kansai airport (Osaka) to catch the plane home. He was the Elder that had his head injured a few years ago that I told you about, and is having complications again. Elder Banks was nervous about him and decided he better get him back in the States. Dr. Smith (Marlene and Andrew’s uncle) was in on the decision to have him go home. We surely felt sorry for him because he so hated to leave and he was a good missionary.
While Pres. Banks was at Kansai, he picked up his daughter Emily, son-in-law and their only little two-year-old grandson who have come to spend 10 days with them. That has surely made Sis. Banks happy and also made us homesick for our grandkids. They are from Portland, Oregon. The Banks have three children, all married -two daughters and a son. I can’t hardly believe they are grandparents because they don’t seem that old themselves.
Conference was surely good. It came to us translated into 58 languages. The version we saw was the same one broadcast to you last week. Our whole ward and missionaries in our Stake all went to Takasu and watched the Sat. sessions yesterday, and the Sunday sessions today. (They had one hour between sessions, here so we got back in pretty good time). We packed a lunch both days and had a good time. Between sessions, Mom and I walked all around the Church and the area to see if I could remember the area from when I was here before. We couldn’t help but notice how affluent everything seems to be here now as compared to 50 years ago. There seems to be a car in every driveway and most of the old Japanese homes have been rebuilt. It was interesting to visit.
Riding the street car out to Takasu with the missionaries was an interesting experience. As soon as we boarded the streetcar, the missionaries would spot a person to sit down by, introduce themselves and strike up a conversation with the person. That was part of their proselytizing. They are really good about finding every opportunity to talk to someone about the Church. There are two Sisters that have a baptism every week or two. They are really good at proselytizing.
We have bought an English newspaper or two to find out how the war effort is going. As Matt told us, it sounds like it is pretty well over. We surely thought Pres. Hinckley explained in a good way, the war and how it affects the Church. The same things are going on as they have since Adam and Eve. We don’t need to worry, even if our lives are taken, as long as we keep faithful in the Church.
I guess it is time to quit for this week. May the Lord continue to be with you and watch over each of you and your families.
Love, Gary & Shirley