August 31, 2003

Sun. Aug. 31, 2003
Hello Everyone,
A special Happy Birthday wish today for Sherry. We are also excited about Mike and Vanessa new baby girl born yesterday. Those are some of the things we hate to miss out on but then its hard to be in two places at once. We are happy for your phone calls and e-mails.
We continue to be amazed at both the weather at home and the rainy season that continues here. Eventhough the rainy season should have ended by the last of July, we continue to have rain about 1/2 the time. We hope your weather is starting to cool down and we pray that you will get the moisture you need. Its starting to feel a little like fall here. Matt reports that they have been getting some rain in Gilbert, AZ and he is now head over heels in dental school while Jen continues in her executive job at Target. They are awaiting the birth of their first (a boy) in November.
Yesterday was our P-day and Mom and I went over to Hondori street to get her hair cut. She has found a person over there that cuts it about the way she likes it and he is in our price range. The sky was clear when we went in but it was raining when we came out. As we were walking home (it takes about 45 -60 minutes) I was noticing and thinking about the fact that there are few if any cement sidewalks here in Hiroshima. The Japanese islands were originally formed by volcanoes so they have an over-supply of granite rock. All the sidewalks are made, using squares of granite cemented together. There are several colors of granite and they make for unusual and interesting sidewalks. Occasionally you will see regular bricks put together with cement in place of cement on the sidewalks and in entrances. It seems like when I was here before we saw very few sidewalks like that. Right after the war nearly all sidewalks and roadways were graveled. What 50 years and a little prosperity can do for things!
Mom had a tooth break off, so Dr. Kiribayashi got her lined up with the same Dentist I went to. He arranged to have her tooth fixed in just one visit (instead of several like I had when I went). So Friday afternoon we went over to the Dentist. He was very careful and did a nice job on it. However, the nurses put a blanket on her (in this heat) and as fast as she took it off they would put it back on. They also covered her face and eyes with a towel. Cultural differences, I suppose. She was happy to get it fixed before it turned into a cavity.
We have some Elders here in the Mission Office now that are getting on our nerves. They replaced Elder Killian with Elder Hollis from Australia. Elder Killian could fix anything on a computer and Elder Hollis doesn’t know straight up about computers. His voice is course and loud in the Australian accent, and he can’t quit talking. Also one of the AP’s can’t keep his nose out of everyone’s business. There are things in the office that are confidential and some missionaries just don’t understand what that means! It will be interesting when Sis. Banks gets back and we’ll see which ones get on her nerves.
Pres. Banks gets phone calls from Sis. Banks everyday. She seems to be improving but her Dr. won’t let her come back yet. One of her daughters just had a grand daughter last week. However, they live in Portland, Oregon and Sis. Banks can’t even go up see the new baby! Pres. Banks says she is anxious to get back here and continue on with the mission.
We always pray for your safety and success. We feel very blessed to be able to serve a mission here. Lots of love to all of you.
Gary & Shirley