October 19, 2003

Sun. Oct. 19, 2003
Dear Family and Friends,
It is Sunday and time to write again. Thank you for all your phone calls, e-mails and letters. We are glad to hear that no one seems to be having any serious problems. We are enjoying beautiful weather here. The temperatures are just right and we have only had rain about two days during the past two weeks. Japan is very beautiful this time of year.
Last week we received pictures and a note from Mike and Ness concerning the blessing of little Bri. Over to Best Denki store, they have a machine that you put in your computer disk or the memory from a digital camera and it will print off what ever you request. We had the pictures printed and enjoy them at least once a day. Also Mike reported about the ‘Y’ games, which made Mom’s day. We hope Jeff’s family trip to California was successful. I remember how we used to enjoy the UEA break each year. Did any of the rest of you travel?
I am learning how to use the digital camera that you gave me. I haven’t mastered how to send the pictures to you by e-mail yet, however; so you may have to wait until we get home to see them.
We are glad last week is over. The 3 new missionaries came in on Wed., instead of Tues. which was transfer day. It is always hard for the missionaries going home to say their last farewells. I remember how hard it is to leave and face the rest of your life. On transfer day we had several changes in the Office staff. I’m sure most of it will be for the better.
Thursday evening, we went up to the Bank’s Apt. for Pres. Bank’s farewell speech to the missionaries going home and hear their testimonies. It was all very good. One of the returning missionaries is Elder Nielson, the medical Dr. from Brazil. He made some interesting comments about his mission and the Appendicitis operation he had. He has been a very effective Zone Leader and besides being a medical Dr. in Brazil, he speaks three languages well and is only 26 years old. While he was here he gave the missionaries flu, typhoid and other shots they needed. He also has a sister who is a medical doctor at Duke University Medical Center in No. Carolina. He said all of his family joined the Church and they are good members.
We have noticed that so many of the Japanese people have bow legs, knock knees, feet that turn out or in , or are crippled and can hardly get around. Pres. Banks says it is because the Japanese used to sit on the floor on their knees, for hours. They don’t seem to do that so much now. Now most of the Japanese sit on chairs. I hope they will develop straighter legs and their posture will improve. Mom thinks it could be a lack of calcium in their diet.
We are still battling mosquitoes but with a gadget that we keep plugged in that helps keep mosquitoes away, and spraying once in a while, we are staying on top of them.
Until next week, Sayonara-
Love from the Ropers