Sayonara!

As the time approached for our mission to end, we thought a lot about what we would like to give everyone as a farewell gift.  We decided a picture of the newly dedicated Sapporo temple would be nice.  Blake and Shonna were coming to see us, so they ordered enough copies from church distribution for everyone (and never did let us pay them back- little stinkers) and brought them with with them when they came.  We found frames for them.  Ken framed them all and wrote a message on the back of each one.  I think it says something like Let's hang in there in the gospel until we can meet again someday.  We love you!  We attached our meishi or business card and a picture of Jesus.

We also bought a large chocolate bar for each person in the family (and for some, other nicer gifts).  Much like we had done at Christmas and again at Easter, we wrote a list of all we wanted to visit and set out to visit each in their homes.  If we found them home, and if we remembered, we took a picture of each one to remember them by.  That is what this post is about: remembering our Japanese loved ones.  You may or may not be interested. And that's fine.  The rest of this post is mostly for us to have a place to come and remember. For us, this may be the most valuable post we have.  A lot of these pictures appear in other posts, so it may seem redundant, but we wanted them all in one place.  As we scroll through these faces, we are reminded of the love we have for each and every one of these people and for the blessing it was and is to know them.  Sayonara . . . for now . . . dear friends!

Brother and Sister Kobayashi- dear friends, both are nature photographers and loved that Ken shared their interests.  They took him many places in the area to view birds.

Sister Goto.  We helped reactivate her after many years of being less active.  She was a fabulous artist and presented us with a painting she did of us.  She was gracious, kind, and oh so humbly grateful for everything.  Words can't express how much we love her.  We are so happy to know that she still attends church every Sunday. 

This is Hiromi Sakano.  We taught her the gospel lessons for several months.  She got ill and took a very long time to recover and we never did resume the lessons with her.  But we visited her faithfully at least once a month.

This is her beautiful old-style Japanese home.

This is Sister Ritzu Ikeda.  We love her dearly.  We visited her at her home/store frequently. 

Kneeling to visit with us in the entry between her home and store.

This is Yuko.  She was the very first person we visited in her home and we visited her at least once a month our entire mission.  She came only occasionally to church.  Her mother, not a member, was always gracious and kind to us.

Sister Fumiko Itoh.  This is a dear, sweet friend.  We visited her in her beautiful home regularly.  Though she couldn't attend church regularly because she cared for her ailing husband, she was a faithful member and was always so gracious and grateful for our visits.

Ikeda Michiko.  She was found by a miracle after being lost to the church and less active for nearly 40 years.  We worked with her and loved her for the rest of our mission (over a year.)  Finally, the last few months we taught her lessons.  When we left, she was reading the scriptures and praying daily.  We love her and miss her.

Muraoka Kyodai.  He came to church most weeks, but didn't talk to people much. We found out near the end of our mssion that it was because he felt the chapel should be a sacred, reverent place.   Right at the end of our mission, we finally found his home and visited he and his wife there.  He was so glad.  We complimented him on the Japanese lounge suit he was wearing.  He then purchased one (over $100) for Ken as a going away gift.

We had never met his wife.  She was darling.

Ken in his Japanese lounging suit.

We got a cute picture of Amane when we visited them at their house.  It was so fun to watch this little guy from birth.

Kazuko and Shiho Kadowaki:  They feel like family to us.  Shiho is my Japanese daughter.

Ikeda Mayumi- a gentle, beautiful, artistic soul

And a beautiful dancer

Haruo Saitoh-  Such a fun, older gentleman who attended our English class in Sakata.  He loved when we visited him at his home.  He had such a cute sense of humor.  He came to church on Christmas and really enjoyed himself.

A close up of delicious treats served to us when we visited Mr. Ogura in his home.

Mr. Ogura really wanted to take us out for a farewell lunch before we left, but we couldn't arrange a time.  So he had us for cake and strawberries and a nice visit instead.  We miss him.

Mr. Ogura with his wife in their beautiful home

Kozue's parents- Mr. and Mrs. Takahashi - became such dear friends.  We were privileged to teach them a few gospel lessons and spent several delightful evenings in their home.

We know someday they will accept the gospel.

They live about an hour from Tsuruoka.  They too wanted to have us to dinner before we left, but we simply ran out of nights.  As we drove away after this short visit, Mrs. Takahashi said something that touched us deeply.  She said that from the first moment they met us, they felt like they had always known us- that we were good friends.  She said they loved knowing us and being with us.  Ken was able to testify to her that we probably did know each other before we came to this earth.  We probably were good friends in that before life.  She agreed.

I had to post this picture.  This is the picture of Japanese hospitality.  When you come to visit, they kneel in front of you in the genkan to visit- it is Japanese custom.  No matter their age or physical condition, they humbly kneel to talk to you.

Sweet, delightful Miyuki from Sakata eikaiwa.  Miyuki was funny, pleasant and a breath of fresh air.  We were so pleased when she came to church our last Sunday there.  She expressed gratitude for Ken's talk as he encouraged us to forgive those who have hurt us.  She said that really helped her.

In Miyuki's genkan

It was fun to meet her mother and her cute nieces that she talks so much about.

Haku Satoh.  Haku joined the church in his youth when he went to America to visit missionaries who had converted his father.  He stayed with them for a year and was baptized then.  We got him to come to church a few times while we were there.  He was a nice, friendly guy.  It was very difficult for him to come to church because he lived in Sakata and had to walk to the train station, take a train to Tsuruoka, and then walk from the train station- a good 1/2 hour walk.  But he did it several times while we were there.

Yamaguchi san- she moved to Tsuruoka from Yamagata just a few months before we came home.  She added such strength to the little branch.  We heard since we came home that she is engaged to be married in September in the temple.

Hiroyuki Satoh was a dear friend.  The Satoh family were all dear friends.  Hiroyuki did so much for us.  He helped us with our car many times.  He was a guard at a local hospital and often had to work on Sundays.  So he did all he could when he wasn't working to serve.  He often cleaned the church thoroughly, weeded around the church, and gave missionaries rides. 

Imi, Rizumi, and Remi Satoh   Maybe more than anyone else, these three have been pictured on this blog.  We spent a lot of time with this dear family.  They are family to us.  We loved the daughters like our own and Imi was a faithful, thoughtful, and good friend to us.  She and Sachiko cooked for us at FHE every Tuesday night.  We love them.

This is Sister Onodera and her good husband.  He was a farmer, and more often than not they would fill the genkan of the church with homegrown vegetables for the members to take home.  We visited them at their home occasionally and he would give us vegetables.  She faithfully attended church every Sunday even when she had to ride her bike for 45 minutes-1 hour each way.

Midori.  Midori is Ren's mother.  Ren usually came to church with Miki (sitting behind Midori,) but every once in a while MIdori would come.  We were grateful she came on our last Sunday. 

This is Dr. Kobayshi- the first convert baptism in this branch in many years.  He loved learning the gospel and studied the scriptures faithfully.  He was an internist Dr. and spoke fluent English.  We were so grateful to witness his conversion and baptism and to be his friend.

Miki Endo was President Endo's mother.  She is a fine woman and a good friend.  She had us to dinner several times and freqauently brought us little gifts.  She and I were born the same year just days apart, so we joked we were twins.  Her grandson, Amane and our grandson, Samuel were born just a day apart.  She is an eternal friend.

Hisako Hirayama.  Right from the first Sunday, Sister Hirayama translated Relief Society for me every Sunday.  We spent a lot of time with Sister Hirayama.  She and I took turns playing the organ for church, she was in charge of Tsuruoka eikaiwa, and since she didn't drive, we gave her rides frequently.  She was always cheerful and did so much good. 

Yoko Ikeda was a faithful sister. 

Ren kun, now Ren Kyodai was the only child in the branch for years.  Sister Miki Endo faithfully brought him to church each week from Sakata.  At his last sacrament meeting presentation, he felt the spirit strongly and was rendered unable to sing.  It was truly one of the most touching and sweet experiences we had in sacrament meeting in the branch.  He is now a deacon and we hope is staying strong and true.

President and Sister Endo and their baby boy.  These are faithful, good people.  He was willing to do anything to make the branch better.  We have great admiration for this couple.  We pray the Lord's choicest blessings to be upon their family.

Dear Shin.  A good friend from day one.  She was excited for us to be there and loved speaking English.  We became such good friends and had many spiritual experiences with Shin.  She is one that I miss the most.  Her mother was not a member, but became a good friend.  Ken gave her several priesthood blessings while we were there and she knew God had blessed her.  We visited them in their home several times.

Ruka Honma- Miharu's daughter. 

Sisters Tomoko and Yuko Abe.  It was cute to see them interact with each other.  Neither spoke English and both were quite shy, so I couldn't talk to them much, but Ken always did.

Sister Yamaguchi and Mami Honma.  Both moved into the branch fairly recently and both add a lot.

Miharu Satoh.  She moved into the ward when we had been there about six months.  She became an instant friend, though she spoke no English.  She did a lot of good in that branch.

Sister Abe was a kind, gentle soul.  She was the mother of the biggest family in the branch.  They had three young adult children that lived with them and another son who was married and lived in the branch.

The Abes have been in the branch and the church for a long time.  They raised their family in the gospel.

Takahiro and Kaoru Abe.  Takahiro was Abe's second oldest son.  They were married while we were there- last summer.

You are looking at a very fine priesthood holder- Akira Sugawara.  He is dedicated and friendly and everyone trusts and loves him.  He is a high councilor in the stake, runs FHE every week, teaches Seminary at 6am every morning, and is one everyone calls on for help- counseling, jointing with the missionaries, etc.  He often is at the church every single day of the week.  But he always has a smile and a warm greeting for everyone.  He unabashedly told Elder Hinton on several occasions, including at the pulpit in church,  that he was his hero and he wanted to be like him. 

Brother Nomura.  He was a good man and very good to the elders.  He would take them places. He had a soft spot for the troubled and downtrodden.  He was always reaching out to those less fortunate and handicapped. 

Nyui at his apartment when we stopped by to give him his goodbye gift.  Often when we went to his apartment, we could smell yummy things in there.  He was an excellent cook and baker.  He was starting to attend young adults, and we hope will integrate into the branch.

Ryoko Sugawara- our neighbor two doors down.  She is the singing gardener.  She loved her garden and spent a lot of time grooming and tending it.  She was always so pleased to show us what was growing and blooming.  Occasionally, she would bring us flowers from her garden.

A close up of her

These are our across the street neighbors- the Honmas.  They were friendly, good people.  We enjoyed visiting with them and Ken often shoveled their snow in the winter.  They would usually reciprocate with a gift and visit.

Dear Katsumi.  I love this picture as he looks so happy and has such a light about him.  When we first came, that wasn't the case.  He was sad and sullen.   It is a joy to see his transformation.

Nomura Ritzu.  Relief Society president.  Cute, teasing personality.

Ryohei was the second person to get baptized in the branch while we were there.  He saw an advertisement for eikaiwa and came one night.  He came to our class.  He asked one of the elders what they were doing in Japan.  Elder Murakami said they taught English, but that they also taught about Jesus Christ.  Ryohei said, "I want to learn about Jesus Christ."  He started taking lessons and was baptized just a few weeks later.  It was truly a miracle.  He has grown so much in the church and spiritually.  He spoke in stake conference the weekend we came home and we were told that he talked about us.  We love Ryohei and hope he will stay strong and true.  We sincerely hope he will visit us here.

Dear, sweet Sachiko Sugawara.  We love this dear, sweet, cheerful, dedicated, hard-working sister.  She was the Primary president in the branch to the only child- Ren- and faithfully taught and loved him.  She helped cook dinner every Tuesday evening to whoever showed up to FHE.  She is a true disciple of Jesus Christ.  We miss her.

Dear Rizumi.  We know her and love her like a daughter.  We hope she will marry in the temple and find every happiness in life.

Yo.  Yo was a member, but only came at the end of FHE to eat.  We got to know her well.  Since getting home, we saw a picture on facebook taken after church on Sunday and she was in it.  We can't tell you how happy this made us!

President Hideki Satoh- 2nd counselor in the stake presidency.  What a kind, gentle, good man he was.  We got to know him well as he came often to our branch and sometimes to FHE.

Ruka and Miharu.  Ruka and her sister, Mami lived in a house behind Miharu and Akira.  Ruka loved her little dog.

Naomi Yamaguchi- one of our advanced eikaiwa students in Tsuruoka.  She and her husband and in-laws owned a bakery in Tsuruoka.  She was a very nice person and a good English student.

Echiko Enimoto  She lived about an hour away down the coast, but worked in Tsuruoka, so sometimes came to English class.  You may remember that she and her daughter invited us down to their village for a delightful afternoon of sightseeing and lunch.  She and her sister came to our Christmas program on Christmas morning.

Echiko and Naomi were good friends since they met at our class and promised to come and visit us in America.

Kumi Sugiyama loved English class and loved studying the gospel with the elders.  Ken jointed with them in lessons many, many times and I would go to play the piano as she loved music.  She had a couple of problems with getting baptized- one that her job kept her from attending church on Sundays ever.  Only once was she able to come.  We continue to pray that her circumstances will change and she will be able to accept baptism. 

Some of the people we will miss the most is the Kadowaki family.  Kazuko was our leader at the volunteer center.  She loved being with us.  Shiho was her daughter.  She is sweet and gentle.  We became very close.

This is Kazuko's husband.  He was always welcoming to us in their home.

Jiro from Sakata eikaiwa was a faithful attender.  He spoke good English.  He owned a glass recycling company.  We visited him there one time.

Miki moved to Sakata from the Tokyo area for work.  We were so glad when she joined our eikaiwa class.  We loved her immediately.  She spoke very good English.  We were privileged to teach her a little bit about the gospel and she even attended church a couple of times and Young Single Adults. She told us she would keep learning little by little.

Miki came to church on our last Sunday there.

Hiroshi was in our Sakata eikaiwa book club.  He loved studying and discussing literature.  He played the guitar and sang really well.

Mr. Ogura from Sakata eikaiwa was our dear friend.  He loved to garden, swim, and learn English.  He is a good man.

The Katanumas moved into the branch about six months before we left.  They were sent by God.  He served as a stake president and area authority seventy before moving there.  He was well-versed in the gospel.  She was kind, gracious, and loving. We asked him to befriend Dr. Kobayashi.  They are both intelligent and they hit it off immediately.  They are a true God-send.

Beautiful Sister Katanuma

These were our ninjins, ha ha, I mean rinjins- our neighbors.  Grandma was resistant to us at first, but she warmed up as Ken served them by pulling their weeds.  They all became friends.  The son even helped Ken shovel the neighbor's snow one day after a huge storm.  He really got into the spirit of serving.

This is Satoshi in his humble home.  Each week, we took him a hot dinner and always told him we and Heavenly Father loved him.  He was a good man and always willing to serve when asked.

Adachi san was my hair stylist the whole time we were in Japan.  She cut Imi's hair and Imi recommended her.  She did her best to do mine the way I wanted and was very nice.

These are our next door neighbors on the other side the, you guessed it, Satohs. 

Grandma Satoh, Me, Yuno, and her mom, Yoshinaga san.  Three generations.  Not pictures were another daughter, Ayano and Grandpa.

Our mission presidency.  Sezas, Smiths, and Brother Yamada.  Kozue was in the Tsuruoka branch until just about the time we came in December, 2015.  At that time, she married President Seza.  We loved her the minute we met her and were very close with her.  She gave us the privilege of teaching her parents(Takahashis) the gospel.  We are eternal friends with all of them.

Megumi Furutani was a friend from Ken's first mission and is now both of our friends.  She rode a train for over three hours to meet us at the Tokyo airport on our way home. 

Sayonara, dear friends.  We love you, each and every one!