March 22, 2003

Mar. 22, 2003

Dear Family and Friends,

We haven’t heard much from the immediate family this week. Hope things are going well. Afton, we got your e-mail today. I am glad you are busy with the genealogy and record keeping (mother would be happy about that, too). You mentioned about the bar-ridges down the middle of the sidewalks here. Just today, Mom and I noticed the third blind person we have seen since being here, use the ridges. So it is much expense for a few.

Tonight they are having a wedding reception here in the Church. It is a couple from Yasafuruichi (an area in our Stake). They were married yesterday in the Fukuoka Temple and the reception here in our Ward. It is interesting, because none of their family belong to the Church (they are all Buddhists) and they are having one of our kind of receptions. It will be interesting to see how it turns out. The Relief Society is down in the kitchen cooking up a storm.

Today is Sat., our p-day. This morning the weather was beautiful so Mom and I walked down to the main shopping area. On our way back as we were going underneath Hiroshima station (there is quite a large area with seats and a huge TV) there was a high school band concert in progress. We sat down and listened for a while. They were really good (all girls dressed in their uniforms except two boys on the basses probably from one of the boy’s schools).

Tues. we were supposed to have 14 new missionaries come in, however we only got 12 because they said two of the Elders weren’t doing well with the language at the MTC so they transferred them to missions in the state. They went through several orientations for two days while they were here and then went out Thurs. AM to their different Wards and branches. On Thurs. we had 9 missionaries come in to go home. They have finished their missions and they left for home, yesterday. Fri. night they invited us to their final testimony meeting and it is wonderful to see the new Miss. and contrast them with the ones going home. They grow so much.

Next Sat. we have made an appointment to go to the Fukuoka Temple. We are excited about that. (Finally after trying so hard to get there since we came to Japan. We would have gone today, but they were full and couldn’t handle anymore. It is beautiful here, this time of year. The blossoms are coming out and the weather is improving. We have read some about the war that the Pres. is waging with Iraq. I hope it will be over soon and people can go on with their lives. The Japanese take a dim view of any kind of war. We have heard a few groups of protester out on the street corners. They don’t seem to derogatory towards the US, however.

We hope everyone is well. We really appreciate hearing from you and know you are being looked after. We really enjoy our mission and appreciate all the blessings we receive each day.

Love, The 'Ropas' (Edited)