We had a great couple of days with the missionaries from four of the six zones at the Korea Seoul Temple. This is one of the highlights they look forward to. As the temple is not within our mission boundaries, we can only go twice per year. We meet early so many can do proxy baptisms and then all do an endowment session in either Korean or English. Afterwards, before they run off for their preparation day activities, we take lots of pictures around the temple. Unfortunately, a few had some important appointments and missed out on the pictures.
As Terri says, "Strike a pose".
A little yoga and 007.
Only the sisters came make this pose look good.
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She ain't heavy, she's my mission mom!
A powerful group of elders!
Mix the elders and the sisters and you have a great photo.
Had to prove we were all there...
One evening after the temple we had a special zone activity. Some were so busy, they had to run off to appointments. A few stayed together and had a nice meal. It's fun for us to join them in their work and see them in their element. They are amazing.
We had two young men born and raised in China, now living with their mother in Korea become very interested in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The missionaries are doing all they can to help them settle in. They had a wonderful mentor, a young man born in Korea and raised in China and the US. He translated for them and helped them through some challenging situations.
Terri and I visited Japan for a mission president and wife seminar (more to come), when we returned, we immediately conducted a training with our missionary leaders. They are wonderful!
At first the camera had a mind of its own...
Then we got control and had a great group photo. Find your favorite!
We had a good few days in Japan. We look at it like a missionary zone conference. Every once in a while, we need a boost, some counsel from leaders on how we can be better. We try to do that for the missionaries all the time, but sometimes we need a boost as well. While there we had a few good pictures in cool places.
First were the views! This one in Fukuoka from our hotel room.
Then this one from our room in Osaka
This was my view as I trudged on the treadmill. Easy to be distracted.
Here's a rendering of the hotel in Osaka, one of the tallest in all of Japan.
Here's the actual building on our ride to the airport.
Here's a night shot from the highest point in the building. We could walk around the entire building and see lights for miles!
We were with three other couples from Korea. With four missions in Korea, we enjoy each other twice a year and share experiences. These are good friends.
This picture is from the Fukuoka Temple. Also joining us was the Asia North Area President and his wife, the two on your right.
The sisters love to get together and share the love (finger hearts you may remember from the recent Olympics).
A friend from Korea, baptized a year ago and a professional musician and singer came to Japan to perform for all the mission presidents and their wives. She is the woman between Terri and I. The sister on the left is a friend from one of the wards. She is a wonderful musician and translator. We love her for the great service she has been to us and our missionaries (like hospital visits!). We have been so blessed by both of them!
Our first experience on the bullet train from Fukuoka to Osaka.
Riding up front in a very crowded bus.
We saw a few other interesting sites during our travels to and from venues in Japan:
The first time on a massage chair at the airport. What a surprising poke in the back!
This fun bike actually has a seat in back and in front for little ones! This mother was so kind to allow us to take this picture while we waited at a stop light. There were more bikes in Osaka than we had seen on streets of big cities anywhere else!
This little guy was so handsome walking to school with a huge backpack, his hat on backwards, and his cool shoes. He gave me a big smile when I took the picture from the bus. I even got a smile as I waved to him.
On the street driving along, we spotted this large Buddha statue. We are accustomed to only seeing them in the temples and shrines behind walls in Korea!
We saw this interesting menu in a restaurant. We are not always sure how to translate some things...
This car in Korea was a surprise for us. I had to increase the size of the image because the car was so small!
Finally, we had a visit from one of our former missionaries. He lives in the south part of the country. He has to come to Seoul and was so kind to come visit us!
We have so many things happening. Time is flying by and we can't seem to keep up. We hope this update helps you stay connected with your special friends and loved ones serving in our mission. We love them all. Until next time!!!
