Adventures Every Day

Sunrise near Tsukiji, Tokyo
Each new day is a new adventure. We can choose how we want to face that day. Sometimes there can be obstacles in our way but we can still choose our attitude toward those bumps in the road. As for us, we choose to follow the light of Christ and find joy in the experiences.

There was a missionary P-day that we were available since it was a Japanese holiday and there was no Area Orientation Brief (AOB). We invited the Yamato Sister Missionaries to meet us at the chapel to cook Adobo chicken for us. Sister Melton asked what ingredients she needed to bring. We asked the Elders in Yamato to bring rice and join us for lunch. Three of the four missionaries in our branch are Filipino and they love Adobo chicken as much as they love rice. Since the Sisters did the cooking, the Elders were glad to do the cleaning up. It has been getting very hot and humid lately but the Sisters were determined to go to Enoshima to see the beach. Later, when we met at District meeting, they were disappointed in how dirty the beach looked. The better part is crossing the bridge to the island and browsing the shops. We now have 14 missionaries in our District. Two new Sisters arrived from Brazil. They speak little to no Japanese and English. They are happy to be here to serve. We are happy to have them with us.

Sister Eronico, Sister Capalongan, Elder Calmadag, Elder Tokuzawa, Sister Melton and Elder Melton

at the Yamato building kitchen

Sister Milena, Sister Medeiros, Sister Jones and Sister Southwick

We learn to be flexible with our schedule due to changes. Sister Melton scheduled a hair appointment on a Tuesday which is usually open on our calendar. It happened that the AOB was changed from Monday that week to Tuesday. Elder Melton was able to fill in for Sister Melton at the AOB so she could keep her hair appointment. On another AOB day, Elder Melton filled in for Sarah by giving the Red Cross brief. Though there were problems with the slides, Sister Melton had her computer to help Elder Melton get a jump start until the slide problem was fixed. It actually went very well. On a different day with the Red Cross we were going to the Clinic for a Coffee Cart. We learned that the Clinic was closed for an exercise. We had made cookies to supplement the snacks. Sarah decided, since the cart was loaded already in her vehicle, to just drop in at the Fleet and Family building and have the Coffee Cart there instead. It all worked out. There was a Pacific DeCA training meeting going on upstairs and we gave them a nice snack break.

DeCA employees at the Fleet and Family Red Cross Coffee Cart

Elder Melton participated in an Atsugi base exercise on emergency preparation and evacuation. He was asked to role play himself as a retiree getting ready to evacuate. In this role he caught several offices off guard. He was asked questions about his military status, what resources he had, and what did he need. A retiree in Japan with no office to report to, left several responders unknowing how they should proceed. A couple even said in the case of an evacuation emergency, we should travel a few hours to the embassy in downtown Tokyo. A friend of ours who was also the coordinator said that was wrong, that in a real emergency, they would work to evacuate us along with all other military. We laughed a little as our friend, Freddie, said "well part of the exercise is to find weaknesses in the process and how well responders know their duties."

Trilogy opened up the facility for an exercise as practice in case of an emergency evacuation

Red Cross participants in the emergency exercise

(Brian, Sarah and Danny)

A Doseiki is when a member of the branch or ward joins a lesson that the missionaries are giving. Elder Melton has often done this with the Elders. There was another time that the Sister missionaries asked both Elder and Sister Melton to join in a combined Japanese class and lesson. This was with a female friend from Mexico who has been living in Japan many years and has two children. This was also an opportunity for Elder Melton to use his Spanish.

At District Council we lately have done a couple of different Mogi's. That is a way the missionaries can role play a scenario. One time we each acted as a new friend with a different background. Elder Melton likes to challenge the missionaries, and he pretended he was a drug dealer. These Mogi's usually last only a few minutes. Then we give feedback on what went well and what could be improved. On another District Council we interacted in another Mogi where the missionaries could practice a principle in Preach My Gospel (PMG), Chapter 10 "Teach to Build Faith in Jesus Christ". Even though this is a "practice" we can still feel the sprit in the truths that are taught. Sister Melton brought a favorite desert, Key Lime Bars. The anticipation was seen in the eyes of the missionaries. She shared the recipe with the District.

One time as preparation, we went to Halsey Gym. While there, a man noticed us (and our badges). He said that he didn't know that there were Senior Missionaries in Japan. He happened to be visiting from Utah with a group. He also asked about where to attend church meetings. Some other coworkers also wanted to attend. Elder Melton exchanged information and made transportation arrangements. It was a nice group of seven persons. The branch members were very happy to see them. That same Sunday Sister Melton was giving a talk for sacrament meeting. She spoke on Elder Holland's talk from the April 2022 conference. It was titled "Fear Not: Believe Only!" Elder Melton borrowed a van and took the visitors back to Atsugi while Sister Melton attended a Branch Council meeting. The summer can be very sparse seating and it was nice to see some of the seats filled.

Some visitors from Utah at the Yamato building for Sunday services

The Sister Missionaries were able to bring a friend to a YSA event. (She was lost the previous week). It was our weekly FHE, which is on Wednesdays. This time we learned how to play pickleball on Atsugi. Although the Sisters were late, it was a fun time. Troy likes feeding the fish at a pond near the Halsey Gym and he brought lots of bread. Everyone fed the fish while Elder Melton got pizza and wings from Parcheesi's. We used the lounge area of the lodging facility to sit and eat. The Sisters had to leave to catch a bus after eating pizza. The rest of us then went to McDonald's for ice cream. As Sister Melton went to the car looking for something, on her way she twisted her ankle. She was well enough to hobble back inside where Elder Melton helped her get some ice for her ankle. Since we would go on an excursion to Kofu that weekend, she was worried about walking a lot in the next couple of days. She stayed home one day and used ice, Ibuprofen and elevated her foot most of the day.

The missionaries and YSA after eating pizza

During a Thursday night Women's Bible Study time, we had a service project. Sister Melton helped put together some care boxes for sailors who are deployed. Service always gives you a good feeling. The following day we went to Tokyo to attend the English speaking session at the temple. Before that, Sister Melton had an appointment for a massage at the Spa and Elder Melton went to the hot tub. Then early on Saturday morning we took a taxi to Tsukiji to see the fish market. Historically, that was where it had the fish auctions. We found out as we were walking around that it was somewhere else. We were able to get another taxi and were not in time for the actual auction. However, there was a small museum, and we were able to see where the tuna and other fish items were setting. Since it was so early, (we woke at 4 am), we knew we would be tired and went back to the hotel to rest after touring. After checking out, we were able to have a brunch at The Pacific Standard in the New Sanno.

(Left) Sister Melton, Susan and 2 others (not seen) at Fellowship Hall putting together care packages

(Above) Elder Melton at Fish Market Museum

(Left) A man nearby offered to take our picture and we gladly obliged

(Below) Workmen and frozen tuna on the floor

One day Sister Melton went to a meeting with the NMCRS director, Jennifer. Her office is in Yokosuka and she comes to Atsugi maybe once a month. Elder Melton was able to go to the gym and take care of other errands. We informed NMCRS that we will complete our mission in a couple of months. Until that time, Sister Melton was asked to continue the monthly Budget for Baby course. Jennifer also asked Sister Melton to remove her (church) name tag. In response, Sister Melton asked for a name tag from NMCRS. The new NMCRS name tag is now on order. It is interesting that most people are more unified about allowing who you are representing. Some persons are more concerned about exclusion policies.

Having a Saturday brunch at New Sanno

The Southern most area in our mission is Kofu. Since it is peach season, Sister Dawson invited us to join them in Kofu. We stayed one night in a hotel and did some sightseeing the next day. The Singletons had already decided to go to Kofu so three of the four MRM companionships went on an excursion together. Sister Melton said we should see the Maughans, a senior couple living in Kofu, while there. It took a little time connecting, but we met for dinner. It was great conversation and food. On Saturday, the three MRM couples went to a Crystal Museum. The art was amazing. Many large stones were placed for view. Nearby, was a cable car that took us up a mountain and we had a view of Mt. Fuji. The steps were taking a toll on us. Before the return down the mountain we all had shaved ice and ice cream. Sister Melton had rented walking sticks to help as her ankle was wrapped in an Ace bandage. We also went to see a waterfall nearby. The highlight of the trip was sitting under grape vines eating a peach. Then we were able to purchase and pick our own peaches. Next, we went to a market to purchase more produce.