We fed them lunch and thought a good old American meal might be welcome. A previous missionary couple left a gas grill at our apartment, so Bruce set it up on our little patio to grill hamburgers and hot dogs. This unfortunately created enough smoke and flames that a concerned passerby called the fire department! Elder Loi-on was out on the patio at the time and assured them that everything was okay, but the call was made all the same. I'm glad there wasn't a real fire, because it was a good 30 minutes before the fire department showed up. Elder Watanabe said, "I will cope with this!" and took care of communicating with the firemen, who came in, looked around our little apartment and patio, took Bruce's name, date of birth, etc., and Elder Watanabe's address. They then advised us that they would prefer we barbecue in the parking lot behind the building, which is more open, but if we must use the patio, to contain the smoke under and umbrella. Really??
Incidentally, Bruce got a new nickname out of the whole experience. As Elder Watanabe asked his name for the fire department's records (just great to know we're on their radar now), Bruce said, "Orville" and Elder Watanabe said, "Ohr-do-blle?" which sounded very much like "Horrible"! Suppressed giggles from all the missionaries, and we now have Elder Horrible Bruce Adamson serving here. (I've always thought Orville was a pretty horrible name...)
Anyway, it was a pretty quiet group while the firemen were here, albeit the suppressed giggles. Sister Bybee snuck a picture, you'll see Bruce eating in the foreground -- that was his priority while Elder Watanabe took the heat...
Then Sister Sorensen got a phone call and it was the mission president. We wondered, did someone call the mission office about this already? But President Wada was calling to check with the missionaries who were being transferred, confirming their new assignments and getting their feedback, so the phone was passed around as they each spoke with him.
After all this excitement and once everyone was sufficiently stuffed, Elder Loi-on conducted his last district meeting. Even in this informal setting with 12 people in our small living room, this was as effective a leadership and training meeting as I have ever seen. We hear stories sometimes about flaky missionaries and we make jokes like "the Church must be true or the missionaries would have ruined it a long time ago", but what we are observing and experiencing here is the complete opposite. These missionaries are on task. They work hard, they love and support each other, they obey the mission rules, and they are an example and inspiration to us!
For my memory:
Elder Loi-on, new zone leader from Oahu, Hawaii, has been on his mission for just over a year. He balances a relaxed personality and great sense of humor with inspired leadership and hard work. Other missionaries in the district have expressed how blessed they feel to serve under his leadership.
Elder Pena, from South Carolina, is the new district leader of the newly created Yokota District. He is humble, enthusiastic, and he says his Japanese language skills are terrible, but that doesn't stop him from teaching and working hard. He has such a great smile!
Elder Kerr, from the big island of Hawaii, is the new district leader of the Fussa District. He graduated from a university in North Carolina on a full scholarship (which they wouldn't defer for a mission). He plans to go back to Hawaii to support his widowed mom and attend pharmacy school. He's so kind and courteous, the first one to offer us a chair when we come into a room, translates for us when needed without waiting to be asked.
Elder Watanabe, from Japan, I'm told his home is only a couple of hours away. He spoke little to no English before his mission but has learned a great deal serving with American missionaries. He's the go-to for tough translations for all the missionaries, and he willingly "copes with" firemen when needed!
Elder Strain, from Spokane, Washington, is a brilliant kid who grew up with a much older father (now in his 80s) who was a stay at home dad while his mother worked. Elder Strain was homeschooled and by his own account, one of his reasons for serving a mission was that he knew he needed to learn to work with people. Elder Strain has lost over 100 pounds on his mission, largely because of a structured schedule and regular meals (he said his eating habits before the mission were terrible and constant) -- and I'm sure the bike riding hasn't hurt!
Elder Pesce, from Indiana, came on his mission with Elder Loi-on, just over a year ago. Four months into his mission, he had a bike accident and broke his arm, and had to go home to have surgery and heal. Eight months later, he came back and has been here just six weeks now. He says his Japanese has actually improved, maybe it just needed to percolate a little. I think he's a little disappointed to be transferred, he and Elder Kerr have been working with four Chinese student investigators, and he's going to miss them. Elder Pesce will serve wonderfully well wherever he goes.
Sister Sorensen, from upstate New York, was here when we first arrived -- the four sisters live upstairs in our apartment building -- and she was my link with sanity those first days of jet lag with literally everything being so strange. She plays viola and bought a second-hand violin here in Japan, she has played for mission and ward meetings. I wish I could accompany her, but she plays by ear and in whatever key she chooses! She goes home in July and plans to return to BYU this fall to finish her undergraduate degree. Eventually she wants to get a masters in library science.
Sister Powell, from Gilbert, Arizona, is also sad to leave, I think, after just six weeks here in Fussa. She has a beautiful singing voice, she and Sister Sorensen sang "If You Could Hie to Kolob" at a baptism recently, unaccompanied, with beautiful harmonies. Her birthday is the same day as Kendra's -- they both turned 20 on April 11th, which was a couple of days after Sister Powell arrived in Japan. I was telling her about Kendra driving alone all the way from Salt Lake City to Colorado Springs and how concerned we were for her. And then I though, who am I talking to? Sister Powell is exactly Kendra's age and here she is in Japan!! -- yeah, Kendra's going to be just fine!
Sister Bybee, from Riverton, Utah, is sad to see Sister Powell leave, as they've been together all through their time in the MTC and their arrival in Japan. Sister Bybee has flaming red hair and a personality that matches it, larger than life. She says her Japanese isn't good at all yet, that she understands absolutely nothing from the three hour block of Church services, but that doesn't stop her from speaking to everyone and she has great enthusiasm for teaching. She's quite fearless!
Sister Jolley, from Salt Lake City, is a sister supervisor, sort of the equivalent to a zone leader for the sisters, I guess. She's been out a little over a year, she goes home in September. She's positive and friendly, and just quietly observes and serves everyone in the group. She's very dedicated and obedient and loves the gospel.
These little descriptions are inadequate, of course, and don't reflect much of the challenges and struggles these missionaries experience. What we observe is their faithfulness, obedience, love for the Lord, and love and support of each other, and we feel so blessed to be here serving with them.
The meeting ended with the traditional "district selfie." You can see what a great group of young people we have here!
Saying good-bye to Sister Powell. We know we'll see her again, and we hope it'll be soon!
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