An Inspired Detour

Scarlett Rose Arrives

A few months ago we learned that our daughter Jackie was pregnant with her third child. We would have liked to be there but also felt the sense of responsibility that comes with our sacred calling as missionaries. We weighed the pros and cons of going or staying, though there were really not many cons to either position. Our preference was to go even if for just a short period of time to help her in whatever way we could. Even though we knew what we preferred, we wanted to know what the Lord wanted for us to do.  After much thought, prayer, and study we felt returning to the US was the proper course the Lord wanted us to take. But we also felt we needed to discuss it with those to whom we reported. We contacted our MRM coordinator at the church headquarters, who approved, saying we were fulfilling the Lord's purposes. We discussed it with our Mission President and his wife who were both very supportive, but asked to let them run it by the area president, who would also approve. 

So now the past two weeks we have traveled to the US. Coming to Japan the first time was new but you knew you had the church sponsoring you through with your visas and arrangements. Not too difficult, but we still had to work getting through the airport on our own then through customs. We were reminded our resident visa is a little different than a tourist visa which makes it a little more streamlines when you remember to get in the right line.  Overall the flight to LAX was smooth. We spent the night with Diane in her home then the next morning Sister Melton got a ride to Jackie's house while Elder Melton went to Salt Lake.

 Haneda Airport

On Board for US 

                         

Meeting Oldest Daughter in LA

Over the next several days Sister Melton mainly did a lot of laundry, cooking and cleaning while spending time with the other two grandkids. She made sugar cookies with them, went to a pumpkin patch, and attended church for Trunk or Treat. Learning the school routine was good since she needed to know the schedule when Jackie was going to the hospital for a few days. Sister Melton also went to a baby shower which was delayed a week just for her to attend. She was able to attend her granddaughter's Primary singing time and her daughter and son-in-law's Primary class. It was fun that the Primary sang a welcome song for her.

 CA Pumpkin Patch

Learning the School Bus Route

Teaching Basic Cookie Baking Skills

Meanwhile, Elder Melton spent some time with the UT grandkids. He also took care of a couple of medical appointments he couldn't take care of in Japan. He got to surprise our home ward by attending meetings there. A big highlight was getting to meet for a couple of hours with Elder Haws, our MRM coordinator to discuss the work in Japan. Several of the items concerned areas that touch on all the MRMs in Japan such as the requirement to pass a difficult Japanese driving exam; the use, distribution, and reimbursement of church funds to base chaplains and MRMs for assisting in charitable operations; the possible need for the Japanese encephalitis immunization, working as temple ordinance workers and other calling outside of the MRM calling, and a host of other items. It was a wonderful discussion to feel the spirit Elder Haws had and to share open communication with one another. We feel that this will have a big impact as we go into the second half of our mission.  Elder Melton took two days to drive their truck to Jackie's house where they will be able to use it for the next year.

 UT Pumpkin Patch

Business at the Church HQ Building

With Daughter and Grandkids in UT

 

As we were reunited in California, the next couple of days were spent taking care of the girls while Jackie prepared to go and went to the hospital. We saw the youngest girl, Leilani, go off on the school bus in the morning and were there to see pick her up. Liliana we took her to school, and picked her up at the end of her day.

    Night Before at a Food Trucks event

To the Hospital

The girls make lunch before heading to see new sister

On Wednesday, 29th October, Scarlett Rose was born. We took the other two girls to the hospital to meet her and got to visit for a short while with her, Jackie and Aaron. We returned home and continued to watch the two girls until they returned home on Friday afternoon.

3 Sisters!

Friday evening was Halloween where Elder Melton helped Aaron take the two girls out through the neighborhood, while Sister Melton helped Jackie hold down the fort at home with the new baby and answering the door for neighborhood trick-or-treaters.

Halloween trying to get things back to normal

Saturday was spent with family activities while continuing regular scripture and missionary preparation studies. Our older daughter Diane and John visited as well. This morning, Sunday, while Jackie still gains her strength, Elder and Sister Melton took the two other children to church where they were rehearsing for next week's primary program. We hope that next week will also be Scarlett's baby blessing the day before we depart back for Japan on Monday.

Primary Rehearsal for Next Sunday

Quite a different two weeks from any of our other two weeks in the mission. Yet, we have felt it has been what the Lord wanted us to do at this time. We still wear our name tags and have been approached by people on the street about who we are. We have continued to be in touch with the mission, we have continued to remember our purpose. And though our focus has been a little driven by other priorities, we have felt the ongoing guidance of the Spirit as we try to focus on our service to others.

Best wishes to all!

Elder and Sister Melton