Taihakusan Mountain

About 2 to 3 miles from us is a very pointed hill call Taihakusan that we hiked on p-day with Pres. and Sis Tateoka. They've been needing a break from an extremely demanding schedule and called us to say that they'd found the trail that went up the mountain. So we went with them to check it out. It took about 2 hours from the time we left the car to make the round trip. It was great to get out and use the hiking muscles.

We started out from the parking lot through a stately grove of evergreens that looked like Pacific yew, but we don't really know what they are, maybe some kind of cedar. About two-thirds of the way to the top, the trail got very steep, but a log chain had been attached to the trees making the climb quite easy. When we got to the top, there was a little building with a carved bear, Japanese dolls and a gong. There was so much humidity in the air that the view from the top was not very interesting. We could only see about a mile through the watery haze. Coming down we stopped at a small building where they perform plays during the summer time and people had left 1 yen coins in a little shrine, so I took a picture. It was not apparent whether it was a Buddhist or a Shinto Shrine.

Once we got home, we began to think about stopping the kerosine smell in our house and making plans for cold weather that will soon be here. At present, we have the carpet removed from our living room and have been running the fan trying to get the kerosine to evaporate. We found a leak in the line that leads from the tank to the heater. We have bought a new carpet but it will be several more days before we can put it down.

This week Brother Richard Heaton from the MTC in Provo has been here trying to help make the Sendai Mission more productive. He spent 2 days taking mission leaders out making contacts on the street and in talking to them about becoming better missionaries. We met him on Friday evening after they were finished and got some insights from him on missionary work. He complemented us for being willing to go streeting with the young missionaries, and told us to love our Eikaiwa students into the church until we can do more with our Japanese. He said that sometimes we offend people who have known about the church for a lengthy time because we don't boldly ask them to become members. He indicated that few office couples go streeting and few try to learn Japanese. He didn't say as much, but implied that most senior couples won't try to learn the language and that's why they don't spend more effort on it at the MTC. He did tell us that they have had a film crew following missionaries in real life situations and have made some interesting DVDs about how to be effective. He said that when they were picking missionaries to film, the only real requirements were that they be humble and diligent. The Tateokas will get a copy and then we can watch it.

We appreciate your postings and e-mails. Kristi took 2 pictures of our front yard and sent them. At least some of the plants have grown, and we appreciate all that our family has done trying to take care of things until we return.

Today in priesthood meeting we covered the chapter containing the letters that Joseph wrote to his family. The teacher asked us to write something similar to you, so here it is. On April 4, 1839 while in Liberty Jail he wrote, "I would gladly walk from here to you barefoot ... to see you and think it great pleasure..." Well, I'm glad there is too much water between us and am thankful for modern conveniences -- like voice-over phone, Skype, e-mail and the blog. When we're finished here, a jet ride sounds better than walking barefoot. Now, don't get your dander up! We love you immensely and miss you, but are just beginning here. You'll have to endure more strange blog messages while we work on perfecting our assignment here.

Dad insists that I add to his blog. I think he has covered things nicely. We are loving being here. We love the people, the surroundings, the missionaries, but most of all--the Lord. We want so much to be able to share the gospel. As we pass them on the street, I look at them and think how much the gospel would bless their lives. They need it and just don't know it.

We had an investigator come to church today. The sister missionaries just met her and she asked them if she could come to church. They haven't even given her a discussion yet. I assume they have given her some pamphlets. Anyway, in Dad's Gospel Principles class today, she answered most of the questions. The lesson was on tithing and she said she wanted to give more than 10%. She was the same way in Relief Society. She had just looked at the pamphlet on the Prophet Joseph Smith and she answered questions about him. I think you could truly call her "golden." I think it is subarashii! Matsujitsu Seito Iesu Kirisuto Kyokai no senkyoshi desu. Watashi wa Iesu Kirisuto ga ikiteiru to shitteimasu. Kantan wa chirashi wo mite kudasai. There, that's my Japanese for today. (translation: I'm a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Please look at this flyer.) That's what I say when we go streeting. Love you all and hope your lives will be blessed by your goodness and our service.