Typhoons and earthquakes
It is the rainy season here in Japan. Though the rain may slow us down, we are continually moving on to the next service. There have been several Typhoons come toward the coast and we don't get the brunt of it but there has been plenty of wet roads and the windshield wipers are getting a lot of use. It keeps Elder Melton on alert when driving.
We have friends, the Johnsons, at Iwakuni who were going to a new assignment and we wanted to see them before they left for Korea. The domestic flight to Iwakuni was actually a nice experience. The weather was rainy going to the airport and we were a bit concerned about finding parking but it all worked out. Dinner was a favorite yakiniku place of Katerina and Travis that was near the base. After that we visited the ancient Kintaikyo bridge in Iwakuni. There was a beautiful park on the other side of the unique, ancient bridge.
(Left) Peaches
(Right) Fish market near produce area
The Johnsons were happy to show us around Hiroshima. We all had lunch at one of the many places that serve the specialty food, Okonomiyaki that is known in Hiroshima. The Peace Park is a large area of grounds with several monuments. One particular building stands out. It is called the Atomic Bomb Dome (or Genbaku Dome) it survived the 1945 atomic blast and is now preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even with the crowds of people it was still a relatively quiet place. The large museum gave multiple examples of the after effects of radiation. The point of it was to dissuade this type of tragedy to ever happen again. We noticed a lot of school buses and students around in groups doing surveys. One group asked us where we were from and what we thought of the park. Sister Melton responded that she felt reverence and respect. The students understood respect but Elder Melton had to Google translate reverence for them.
Next, we went on a ferry to Miyajima island. Some call this deer island because of the tameness of the deer all over. There is a large Tori gate that is partially under water when the tide is in. We tried a treat in the shape of a maple leaf called Momiji Manju that the area is known for. Brian decided on a sword souvenir that we shipped home from the post office there. The weather was overcast but the next day was torrential rains. We all opted to go to a Japanese theater which was an interesting experience. The movie was in English and the subtitles were Japanese. The interesting part was that the whole show had no reaction from the audience as it was very still and quiet the entire length. That lasted to the very end of the credits as no one made a move to leave the theater till the lights came on. The day we left Iwakuni we had a surprise for Father's Day. Our children were put on a joint video call that was set up by our son-in-law Aaron. It was a wonderful sight.
Travis and Katerina with the Meltons at Miyajima Island with the Tori Gate in the ocean
The movie theater in Japan is an interesting experience
(Vending machines are very common in Japan. This one in Hiroshima has the Momiji Manju cakes that are well known on Miyajima.)
The temple P-day is on a Tuesday. It was a pleasant drive to Tokyo. Later that evening we would see the transfer board. We gave out a few business cards to missionaries who were going home. It is always an emotional and special time. In our Line chat there was a Senior Missionary invitation for dinner at the Tueller's home in Tokyo. This was on the following Tuesday. Sister Laurie Tueller is so gracious to host a group of over 20 senior missionaries. We were invited to bring a desert bar or finger food. There was a good array of goodies. Sister Melton made an oatmeal butterscotch bar and some thought it was like a granola bar. It is always great to socialize with our peers. We talk about our families when they visit and other things going on in the mission. Before driving to Tokyo we were at a Clinic Coffee Cart for the Red Cross in the morning. It was a good time to catch up with Sarah. She also invited us to a special lunch with the new Red Cross Asia area supervisor, Tao. The old director, Scott was also there showing Tao around. Funny, that we also ran into the Camp Fuji chaplain at Trilogy which has happened before. Sarah also wanted to introduce him to Tao. Just the week before we were at Fuji meeting Chaplain Schaffer and also was able to take the sacrament to a marine who is assigned to kitchen duty unaccompanied for a year.
The best thing about transfers is that we now have Sister missionaries in our branch again. We also have a new Relief Society presidency. It is a domino effect, the summer is the season of people coming and going through the bases. The Hunters moved to Springfield, Virginia and they know the area because they both grew up there. It is also where we lived before moving to Utah, and they are going to our old ward, Rolling Valley. Sister Hunter's call as seminary teacher was filled by Sister Frank who was the previous Relief Society (RS) president. The new Sister missionaries are Filipinas and so is the new RS president. The Lord has a way of putting people where they need to be at the right time and place.
The Young Women (YW) had girl's camp this past week in Fuji while simultaneously the Young Men (YM) were having their's at Camp Zama. We were able to attend a couple of the evening events. One night the mission president from the Tokyo South Japan Mission spoke to the group. This was the first time that Presdent Tueller was at any American military facility, especially in Japan. It felt different for them to see all the familiar American food places. President Tueller was excellent in relating with these youth. He had a question and answer period and expanded well on how these young men can prepare themselves for a mission. It was impressive how he could be spontaneous with replies. He related how working on and growing in different areas of life ie. spiritual, social, physical and intellectual is useful in mission preparation. After the meeting, Sister Tueller asked for assistance on finding their way off base. We were able to get them to their vehicle and they followed us out. It was a small service that we were happy to provide.
The following evening we had brought all the hamburgers, hot dogs and buns for the cook out. The Elders Quorum' president and his family were spearheading the assignment. The Singletons and others from the branch pitched in. It was supposed to be at a park but was switched to the chapel rooms by the kitchen, due to the constant rain. Cooking was on an outdoor grill with a light drizzle of rain. Though the timing of the groups arrival was delayed, we were able to help out till all were fed then we also enjoyed the chow. We enjoyed the camaraderie and were full from the food.
On Friday there was a 5.6 earthquake centered at Mt. Fuji and we felt it for a minute here while on our sofa. Our standing lamp was still swaying a while from the rumbling. It was one of the more noticeable earthquakes that we felt. There have been others but usually we sleep through them. We feel we have been blessed and protected while here on our mission. Our prayers continue to ask for blessings and protection for our family and friends. Catastrophes can happen and yet life keeps going forward. The plan that our Heavenly Father has for us gives us great comfort in knowing all will be well. We have started a countdown for our return home. There are just two transfers left for us which is a little over 11 weeks. We feel there is a lot to do before then and realize how quick it has gone for us. Looking forward to seven more blogs. Thank you for continuing to follow the Melton-Japan-Mission blog.
I love reading your updates and longer for the day that Jana and I can serve a Military Relations Mission.
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