July 26, 2003

July 26, 2003
Happy 24th! I think when the 24th of July comes, the summer was over. I hope everyone has had a great summer. We have felt the enthusiasm from many of you that are attending the Roper reunion (going on right now, in fact). That sounds like a wonderful occasion and a special thanks to Alan & Lori and all of the rest of you who helped put it together. I can’t help but think how pleased Dad and Mother would be to know how well the family is getting along and staying together. Alan really has an ideal set-up for such an event.
We also had an interesting 24th. It being Mom’s birthday, we had lunch with all the Mission Office staff. We ordered four huge pizza’s from Pizza Hut. We made salad and Birthday cake. When we were down to Costco’s in Fukuoka we got a case of Dad’s rootbeer (special request from some of the Elders) and some candy treats. We also had a watermelon and it was yellow inside instead of red. It tasted just like the regular melons but certainly looked different. Pres. Banks had to be out of town, but Sis. Banks invited us to their Apt. and we had a great time. I can’t believe how much food missionaries can put away! We just about slicked everything up. It was the Elder’s preparation day so we didn’t have to rush.
This week-end the Hiroshima Stake is sponsoring a special missionary activity in connection with the mission. Yesterday and today a large group of members and missionaries assembled at the Peace Park to talk to as many people as they could about the Church. Last night they had meetings in the Stake for the members on different aspects of Miss. work. They asked Mom and I to present, to some of the older couples, thoughts on Missionary service. We talked about such things as deciding to go, the mission call, financial considerations, what we had to do to get ready, describe our Mission assignments, some of the rewards we enjoy as missionaries, etc. We had four or five couples there and they had many questions that we tried to answer. It was an interesting experience. Members here are very missionary conscious.
We have two other couples here in the mission besides us. One couple is from Washington State, and the other couple is from here in Japan (Japanese). The couple from the US has been here about a year and Pres. Banks said yesterday that they may have to go home early because the Elder is in such poor health. They have been working mainly on activation, lining up people for the young missionaries to give the lessons to, etc. That has to be a disappointment for them if their mission is cut short.
The two Drs. from Tokyo have rescheduled their visit for Tues, Wed. and Thurs. Once again we have arranged for three conferences throughout the mission -to include all of the missionaries. We look forward to seeing the Smiths (Andrew and Marlenes, uncle and aunt. Then the following week we have 6 new missionaries coming in and 9 returning home. That is life in the Mission Office.
We are anxious to hear from you and a report on the reunion at Fillmore. We are especially excited about Marie and Chris’ baby and pray that all will go well with them as they have the baby Monday and complete their move to Cedar after Marie gets out of the hospital. We hope Jen and Vanessa are also doing well. Until next week, Saiyonara.
Love Gary & Shirley or Chichi & Haha