Climbing the Mountain (not Fuji yet)

Sometimes the Lord allows us to grow not by success, but by the failures we experience. Even with study and prayer, our hopes may not come to fruition as we had hoped. President Kimball once said something to the effect that if the Lord answered all prayers of the righteous and the wicked never experienced success, the incentive to learn and grow would be lost, everyone would do good. Similar to climbing a mountain, we try to move forward, but then have to adjust, step back, or find another way around an obstacle; all to give us experience.

We recently made our first attempt to pass the practical driving exam.  Both of us felt okay about the Japanese driving practical, however the result was that we failed. We had someone translate to ask about what we needed to do better. Out of the nine persons in our group doing the driving test only three passed (it was the third time for one of them). Some of the drivers were sent back to the beginning of the course because of an instant fail infraction. At least we were the only two failures that were able to complete the course, losing out on just the final score. A week later, we were glad to hear another MRM couple from Yokosuka passed on the first attempt. This couple walked the course several times before taking the test, which we will try to do before our next try. We still have faith as we retake our exam: Brian on August 7th and Donna on August 14th.

The old Roomy (a Japanese Toyota model) we have been driving all this time has been turned in for a newer Corolla. We now have a car that is more of the design like the car we test in which will help a lot in practicing the left turns. Everywhere we go, while driving, we try to emphasize the movements required in the driving practical. For example, we now put the parking brake on most of the time. We happened to run into President and Sister Tueller Sunday and were asked how we like the new car. We told them we love it!

After the driving test, we wanted to get out of the house. We went to an outlet shopping area in Gotemba for some shopping therapy. Large is an understatement, it was on different levels and was like three separate malls combined into one. There is a nice view of Fuji from an upper level of the mall. Donna got a couple of new outfits while Brian got socks. She wore one of the outfits to a Senior Missionary dinner at the Tueller's home. With the temperature and humidity going up a cool summer dress was a welcome relief from the heat. For the second time Sister Melton was asked to give the prayer at a dinner for the senior missionary gathering. 

As senior missionaries, we don't have a formal P-Day like the other missionaries, but plan all our activities around what we are trying to do.  A preconceived notion is the missionaries have one Preparation Day (P-Day) on Monday. But for the Senior missionaries, we have a lot more flexibility to take time off as needed. However, on one of the younger missionaries' P-Days, they invited us two to go to Enoshima Beach/Island. Although we still had another event on base that morning, we made the 50 minute drive to the beach and were able to spend a short while with them. Because of shorter summer breaks for school kids, the beach doesn't get busy until mid-July, so we were able to relax, watch several wind surfers taking advantage of the cool breezes, feel the wet sand on our feet, as we got to know the younger missionaries a bit better.  We also got to spend a little time just the two of us as we crossed the bridge to the small island for lunch. We did eventually have to return to reality as we had our 7-9 year-old coed soccer team practice at 5:00.

One Sunday we had the Sister Missionaries over for dinner. During this time there, we took a selfie and Sister Melton sent a text of it to their mother's. One is from Brisbane Australia and the other is from Meridian, Idaho. It was nice to have a spiritual thought from them. 

We started working twice a month as temple ordinance workers. After the first week we were asked to return the following week when we would be off to help with a live ordinance that was Spanish speaking.  Elder Melton can speak Spanish and Sister Melton can read Spanish which was all they needed at the time. The Japanese temple workers apparently thought if you know Spanish, you must know Portuguese as well. So Elder Melton was switching back and forth between three languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese) to help others receive temple blessings. At first it was tricky to fit it in our schedule but with the Lord’s help and patience it worked out. It is a great joy and honor to serve in the temple and along side with these amazing missionaries.

There was an early Independence Day celebration open to the public on Camp Zama. Coincidently, we saw brother Carlson from our branch presidency. He had visitors with him and we found out that we knew someone in common. We knew the person in Springfield, Virginia and he knew him and his wife much earlier in Shibuya, Tokyo. Even with difficulty in communication it was exciting to have commonalities.

Our YSA group is small, and we invited one over for dinner.  Recently, including four senior missionaries, six of us went out for Sushi near our place and invited them over for brownies. After dinner Elder Melton gave a spiritual thought based on the video called "Only a Stonecutter". We are inspired to keep giving our all considering what this stonecutter, John Rowe Moyle gave. It was a wonderful time. 

                                          View of Mt. Fuji from Gotemba Outlet Mall

A Lego Store was interesting to browse.

                                            Saying goodbye to the old Roomy

                                          The Senior Missionaries of the Tokyo South Mission

                    It took several attempts to get this picture with all of the Sisters in the air together.

                          From this beach there is a bridge that goes to the island seen in the distance. Elder Melton                            is standing by Elder Santillan who is the current District Leader.

                    Lunch on Enoshima Island at Teddy's Bigger Burgers. We shared a pineapple burger.

                                        Pedro is the newest Red Cross petting dog volunteer 

                                         The Yamato sisters in our apartment for dinner