September 8, 2003

Dear Family and Friends,
It is time to write again. We hated to miss out on little Alyssa’s blessing, this weekend. It sounds like most of the immediate family were there for the occasion. That was a special effort that we appreciate. It did our hearts good to think of you all there together. Mar told us that Mike and Vanessa’s new little daughter was there and she is really cute. We would surely love to get a picture of her! It will be interesting when we get home to have three more grandchildren. We are sorry to hear that Chris’ good friend died suddenly, that was nice that they could go to his funeral. Anyway we are glad everything went well for the blessing. Sis. Golloher said that her daughter that lives in Las Vegas has just had a new baby girl yesterday. It is her first so Sis. Gollaher says she is leaving this week to go home and spend two weeks with her. I think that makes Mom pretty envious.
This has been a busy week for us. Tues. was the Hiroshima district conference held here. Mom got in on some of it but I couldn’t get away and missed it. Wed. and Thurs. Bro. Osako was here from Tokyo to audit our financial accounts and train on deficiencies. Also the computer specialist from Tokyo came and installed a new computer. That makes four computers for the missionaries in the office. Our problem isn’t so much not enough computers, but our office is only allowed two printers -no color printer.. One of the printers is in my office and the other one has to be used by 6 missionaries that work in the office. Much of Mom’s work requires a color printer. We had an old color printer that we received from Kobe when they closed that mission that she has been using. It has gone out so Mom and I decided that we would buy a cheap color printer to use while we are here and either leave it when we go or try to take it home with us. Hopefully that should solve many problems.Last week we were in our apartment and suddenly Mom yelled, “Gary, come here quick!” I went in where she was and there was a big cock-roach on the wall. It was 2 1/2 or 3 inches long (about the biggest one I have ever seen)! I grabbed the fly swatter and it scampered down the wall and right into the ‘roach-motel’ (trap). Inside the trap there is something that smells quite good but is lined with super sticky paper. That was the end of that roach. We haven’t seen anymore since, but we have several ‘roach motels’ scattered around the apartment just in case.
Next Tues. we are having 3 new missionaries come in and just 2 returning (1 Japanese). To have such a few is a switch but it will be good because Sis. Banks won’t be back until Sep. 15. and she is responsible for housing and feeding the new and returning missionaries. However, transfers will be Thurs., as usual, and we will be busy. Pres. Banks, as are the rest of us, anxious to have Sis. Banks back. Pres. Banks told me the other day that Sis. Banks on the way back, is going to stop off in Portland and see her new grand-daughter. We are glad she will be able to do that. Her Dr. in SLC has released her to come back and we hope she will be in improved health.
Things continue to go well for us. We were just remarking that we haven’t had as much as a cold since we have been here (just some tooth problems). That is a special blessing.. The Lowe couple who’s health has deteriorated, I was telling you about, are scheduled to go home Oct. 1. It is a problem for them to have to cut their missions short but they are thankful they could stay as long as they did.
We really appreciate the way you keep in touch with us and let us know how things are progressing at home.
Mom’s put in a special request that someone please keep her updated on the BYU football games. She has questions like who is playing quarterback, other positions, opponents, score etc.
Ai suru Ropa Choro to Ropa Shimai