February 1, 2003

2/1/03Dear Family and Friends,
It is good to talk to you on the phone and also continue to receive e-mails. We are having a little winter here this week. Temperatures have been cool all week and this morning we woke up to snow. (Very unusual for Hiroshima). Aunt Marge indicated that Utah still seems to be in a drought cycle. I hope that changes.
Saturday we had an enjoyable time at the art and handicraft museum that two of our English students took us to. First they came and picked us up in their car and when we got to the museum, they took us into the restaurant there for lunch. I think that was the first eating place we have been to since coming to Japan. It was really good. They had rice (of course) and a plate of meat (beef and crab legs), A nice green salad (we really love the vegetables), and ended up bringing us a cup of coffee. Our hosts had them take that back and they brought orange juice out instead. We then went through the museum. They had allot of Japanese handicrafts that were really interesting. They have a beautiful garden and we ended up going through that. It was so Japanese. We were interested that the plum blossoms were just starting to come out. We want to go back at cherry blossom time because they have quite a few cherry trees there also. We got back home at about 2:30.
We turned right around and got on the train for Takasu (where I used to live) so that when we get out there for Church we will be able to go right to it. I had copy down
the address in the office. We looked all over the place and finally found the address and instead of the Church it was the Elder’s apartment (and of course no one was home). We did talk to a lady that knew about the Church and showed us on a map where it was and we walked right to it. As you may remember when we were there before, it is a beautiful chapel. They have enlarged it since we were there -putting on a second story for the main chapel. I have allot of memories of that plot of ground.
Sunday morning we left early for Takasu. We got there a few minutes before Church started and here came Sis. Tawara and a friend. We had a good visit and she was full of questions about the family (you). Her husband has died. I talked to her about the Church and she said she decided since she was the only person in her family to join the Church she better go with the rest family (Buddhist). She didn’t even want to stay for Church and we were really disappointed. We haven’t given up on her yet and plan to keep in touch. It is really difficult here for women to stay strong in the Church because of family pressures. Missionaries now are concentrating their efforts on families. Things usually work out if the father is a member. One other member came up to me and said she was an investigator when I was there and is a strong member now. Unfortunately I couldn’t remember her. We really enjoyed the meeting.
Besides our office work, we are working hard on an English program. Pres. Banks says he wants something that he can publish and send to all the missionaries. Mom has it pretty well all organized now and I am typing up article and materials to put in the books. We are trying to use articles from Church magazines that at least contain good moral teachings and that don’t preach too much. We have had good success in our English classes using those materials.
We are surely in the middle of things here in the office. Like Matt said we are acquainted with all the missionaries as they come through the office and the ones we don’t see we have talked to on the phone. We are usually among the first to know what is going on throughout the Mission. Everyone wants me to tell them how things were when I was here before. It is really a neat experience.
Mom had a major crisis this morning. She got her hair cut! (First time since we came to Japan. I tried to explain to the girl how she wanted it. I thought it turned out really good considering. The Elders raved about it when they saw her. She was quite satisfied except it was too short. At is times like this it would be good to have Roland Williams come over.
Today we went down town and looked around. I believe we ran into every missionary that is serving in this area, out contacting. (Our office is closed on Sat. and so the office Elders proselyte all day long and at night too.) Mom and I doubt we would be able to keep up with such a heavy schedule. Pres. Banks is a remarkable man! He was gone all day yesterday to visit missionaries in other zones and didn’t get back until 11:00 PM and was up to greet us when we went in for our Gospel study class. Pres. Banks tries to drive his car to most places he goes. Last week Pres. Banks, Sis. Banks and Elder Allured (an AP) went down to take their driving test. All of them passed, so now Pres. Banks has someone to trade off on the driving, which will really help. Sis. Banks said it was only through the blessings of the Lord that they all made it.
It is nice to hear about what is going on at home. We wish these e-mails could be a little more personal but I’m afraid this is the best we can do. It is nice to have you call as well as send e-mails. We hope everyone is well. We are really pleased with the way you are handling things there. May you continue to be blessed.... Love from the Ropa’s