The Last Days
There have been several lasts these past two weeks along with introductions for our replacements. Going to Camp Fuji, eating at Rock and Roll Burrito, attending a YSA activity, a final District Meeting Council, staying at the New Sanno, and Bon Odori to name a few of the last times that we had.
We had a request from Sister Capalongan to make banana pudding for her birthday. She even asked for the recipe and Sister Melton was glad to oblige. That was at the next to last District Meeting Council (DCM). Sister Capalongan has been impressive. She was trained under Sister Eronico, another impressive missionary, who went home to the Phillipines the same time that we traveled home. Sister Capalongan is now training a new sister missionary after being in the mission only two transfers herself. The following week was our last DCM. We decided to bring Popeyes chicken and made brownies. Another Sister asked for the recipe for the brownies. The last Mission Wide Zoom meeting, Elder Melton and Sister Melton were scheduled to bear testimonies with the other missionaries who were returning home. Following that short 30 minute meeting, we had our last DCM where we all bore testimony. The closing song was "Till We Meet Again".
Banana Pudding before DCM Sending Sister Eronico home
The day before picking up the Proudfits was our cleaning time in the apartment. It always seems that something comes up to sidetrack our progress. Tuesday, September 8 was Temple P-Day and the Rasmussens were working that day. It was also the day we meet the Proudfits in person. President and Sister Tueller brought them from the airport to the temple annex. We had arranged a double room at the New Sannno so they could get rested after eating dinner and would take them to their hotel room on Atsugi the next day. We needed help getting the luggage over to the New Sanno hotel and the Dawsons helped out. Our rental car was much too small. We also asked the Singletons to bring the same luggage from Tokyo to the hotel on NAF Atsugi. Not long after arriving, the Proudfits had met all the Military Relations Missionaries in the Tokyo South Mission. They also met the Yamato missionaries and the Atsugi Elders. The next day we were at the security office at the gate to get non-escorted passes for Mike and Melody Proudfit, then gave them a tour of NAF Atsugi. Part of that was meeting Chaplain Cook in his office and also we met Ikumi Tanaka in the Public Affairs office at Headquarters.
(Right) Us with Elder Paixao
(R) With two of our past
District Leaders, Rocha and Inumaki
The Proudfits, the Dawsons, the Meltons and the Rasmussens
The Proudfits joined in their first YSA dinner activity at Sky Writers. The Elders brought a new friend and the Sisters invited Mel. Elder Calamdag gave a spiritual thought and we had card games. It was a great way for the Proudfits to integrate with the YSAs. The following week we had our final game night with YSA. It was held at the Rec Center at Zama. Troy really wanted to see us one more time. Several people came out on this rainy night. Normally, the center is restricted on who can attend and how late it can be used but Elder Singleton was able to persuade the person in charge to let us in. We had food, games and a spiritual thought. Elder Melton was able to translate for a couple of our Spanish speaking friends. There was a lot of interaction with friends, members and missionaries.
Going to City Hall to "unregister" for taxes and health care was eventful. We found out that we needed a person responsible for our taxes after we leave. They said it was more of a formality. Fortunately we had Brother Sakuma with our party. He was helping the Proudfits downstairs and we were upstairs. As Brian was going down the last five marble steps, he lost his footing and rolled the rest of the way to the floor. He said his pride was hurt more but he was feeling it in his ribs for some time. The next day, he couldn't find his passport and we finally found that it was in the rental car we had returned after getting our car back from repairs the day going to Zama City Hall. That was a big relief since we were returning home soon.
Sister Melton, Elder Melton, Brother Sakuma, Sister Proudfit and Elder Proudfit at Zama City Hall
Elder Melton had been working on DBID's cards with the Proudfits before their arrival. This allows them access to the base the entire time serving on NAF Atsugi and it requires a sponsor. We were able to get the card at Camp Fuji and got a raman recommendation to a place nearby for lunch. The person helping at Camp Fuji, Katsuhisa Takagi, was awesome. Lunch was "oishi" (delicious)! It was a good thing that a few of us wore bibs. Then we went back to Camp Fuji and saw Will for the last time. It was impressive and comforting how the Proudfits are able to engage with the members and others we introduce them to. Since Brian let Mike Proudfit drive the one hour and 40 minutes back to our apartment. They kept the car for the evening and most of the next day. We had a brief stop at the nearby Costco. We were also able to introduce them to a favorite sushi place, Hamasushi, in the neighborhood.
Lunch at a Ramen place near Camp Fuji
Saturday evening we attended the Bon Odori which is normally held in August all across Japan. Bon Odori is a celebration with music, dancing and wearing a lighter material clothing called uukata. The dancers on the Yagura, a raised platform in the center of the festival, go around in a circle. It's a communal dance to welcome ones ancestors. The NAF Atsugi festival invites local communities with food and fireworks. We were happy that the Proudfits were able to see this traditional event. Before leaving, we had a quick last picture and goodbye with a few friends from Atsugi.
Our last Sunday we gave talks at church. Sister Melton spoke on a talk called "The Merciful Obtain Mercy". It was by Elder Uchtdorf from April 2012 at General Conference. Elder Melton spoke on "Loving Others Amidst Our Own Trials". He talked on personal experiences about serving others even when we have our own difficulties. Sister Melton had a last Relief Society meeting where she received a Sayonara Kokeshi Doll. It has been a tradition in the Zama Branch to give this special wooden doll to those who are leaving the area. The doll's "kimono" rolls out as a scroll. The Sisters write messages on it for someone leaving the area. It was a beautiful momento that will be treasured. A nice surprise was that Frankie came to church and we had not seen him in a while. There were lots of hugs with many members that we had connections with.
(Left) Frankie and Elder Melton
For our final AOB with Red Cross and the Chaplains table, we showed the Proudfits how it went. We also said farewell to more people who worked at Fleet and Family. Only four days before we take flight, Sister Melton had a clinic appointment for her foot and they took final x-rays. She has been doing much better but still has some pain. We had already picked up our last refills on prescriptions and cleaned out our gym lockers. There was banana bread that needed delivered to the Branch Presidents home and a baby blanket for the Vincents who also live on base. While at the clinic, Elder Melton was talking with President Jaggi and then noticed Will Grant from Camp Fuji. This was the first introduction to President Jaggi with Will. A nice surprise and a tender mercy that we were all there at the same time to make the connection.
Masuko was Donna's hairdresser on Atsugi
Preparing for moving day was waiting all morning for a carrier to pick up our four pieces of luggage. They were taken to the airport. We had tickets to retrieve the luggage the day of our flight. We helped the Proudfits get stocked up on some supplies and brought the bags of food and other items to the apartment. Moving day was the day after that. We simultaneously took our things out of the apartment as they brought their luggage out of the car and into the apartment and then they took us to Tokyo. They had to leave promptly since they had an appointment. The person they were meeting was an interesting story. A couple of days before we were at the food court on Atsugi, Elder Melton was approached by a man who noticed the name tag and said that he was wanting to get baptized. Knowing that we were leaving soon, Elder Melton introduced him to Elder Proudfit who took action quickly.
Transitioning with bringing in the Proudfits belongings
Brother Sakuma wanted to meet for a birthday lunch with us and the Proudfits. We decided on a place close to base called Rock and Roll Burrito. He gave us small giftbags for our birthday. Afterwards, he was able to take the Proudfits back to City Hall to update their residence cards. For our last few days of morning District prayer Elder Calamdag asked the Meltons to give the prayers. We also listened in on one more day.
Elder and Sister Melton say goodbye to their friend Brother Sakuma at Rock and Roll Burrito
The last sight seeing activity for us was going to the Harry Potter Museum. We took the train and fortunately were on the correct one to get us to our destination. It was great for any Harry Potter fans and the butter beer did not dissapoint. There was a meeting on transfer day and our exit interview. We had a wonderful interaction with President Tueller who was attentive and humble. We were the last ones before dinner at the Mission Home. As usual Sister Tueller did an amazing job when having guests in her home. We are very grateful for the experience we had under the leadership of the Tuellers.
At the Haneda Airport before going through security
Returning is a change but one thing is the same. We are disciples of Jesus Christ. No matter what is going on in the world, our purpose is constant. That purpose is we desire to invite others to come unto Christ. Through faith in His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end we help continue to roll out His divine plan. We felt it an honor and blessing to serve the Lord. May God bless you in your efforts to serve Him.
Well done thy good and faithful servants
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