May 17, 2003

May 17, 2003
Dear Family and Friends,
We had a great week, receiving mail and messages from so many. We appreciate being updated on news from home.
We just got back from Fukuoka Temple. The Gohallers (pronounced Golier) came by at 7:30 AM this morning and picked us up to go with them. We had a very enjoyable day. One of things we did that we hadn’t planned on was to go to the Costco Discount store there. Sis. Gohaller had a Costco Card so we were able to get several things that aren’t available here on the Japanese market. We then went to Temple and attended a session. It was our Stake’s temple day and the session was full. One interesting thing that the Gohallers have on their car is an electronic navigation system. They put in the phone number of the Temple and it showed us on a small screen and told us every turn to make and got us to the Temple fast without any problems. It has a special antenna on the car that receives locations and monitors the car at all times. I want to get one installed in our car when we get home. We had a good visit down and back and got to know the Gohallers better. He says his company (Mazda) installs them in their new cars for under $200.
Bro. Gohaller has a good history of working in the Church. He has been a Mission Pres. in Brazil, was released as a Stake Pres. in England when he was transferred here. He said when he was called to be Mission Pres., he asked Ford Motor if he could take three years off. They said no, that was against there policies. So he said he would quit. But just before he left they said they would give him two years leave of absence. Then by the time two years were up, they said they had changed their policy and he could have another year off. He said the reason they changed the policy was because they had hired about 100 BYU graduates and many of them were planning on Missions. He felt that was a real answer to his prayers. (You just have to have faith and things work out.)
I had a wonderful Birthday, Thurs. Shirley arranged and planned everything. She invited the Mission Home Elders and Pres. & Sis. Banks to a Birthday dinner. She planned to hold it down in one of the rooms on the 2nd floor where the Chapel is, but when Sis. Banks found out about it she insisted we have it up in their dining room. Shirley arranged to have okanemiyaki (a Japanese noodle dish) brought up for the main course, then she fixed some fresh fruit shishkabobs and cooked some vegetables. All I had to do was make some banana cream pies. There were about ten people there and we had a good time. I also really appreciated all the greetings I got from you. I don’t look forward to Birthdays but that doesn’t stop them from coming.
Mom really appreciated all the greetings she received from everyone for Mother’s Day. And congratulations to all of you that are mothers and/or have May birthdays. We have really been interested in all the changes that have been taking place in the local schools. It sounds like they are good changes.
The missionary work here seems to be proceeding well. One of the sick missionaries that has been staying here was sent out, yesterday, and I haven’t heard that anyone else is on the sick list except for maybe a few ingrown toenails. We are hoping that the Japanese missionary that went home a week or two ago will soon be returning. Next week the new missionaries will be coming in and some others will be leaving, and there will be transfers. That is always a hard week for us.
Congratulations to Craig Olsen on his becoming an Eagle Scout. Also to all of you who have family members graduating from High School and University. It is an exciting time of the year. We are glad everyone seems to be well. Until next time,
Love, Haha to Chichi Ropa (Your own mother and father)
Ojiisan to Obasan (Your own grandfather and grandmother)