Sendai Temple

No, no, don't get excited.  There is not a temple in Sendai, Japan.  But oh I wish there was.  And oh how I hope and pray there will be.  Ken and I served in the Sendai, Japan mission.  We served in a small branch across the narrow country (about a 2 1/2 hour drive) from Sendai in Tsuruoka.  We came to love those people in Tsuruoka.  They long for a temple of their own.  They know they don't have the numbers (Sendai was the smallest mission in Japan and we heard was the 2nd lowest baptizing mission in the church) to justify a temple.  Many family home evenings ( night the Tsuruoka saints gather to sing, have a lesson and a meal)  were devoted to whiteboard discussions conducted by dear Brother Sugawara on what do we need to do to get a temple?

Dear Brother Sugawara preparing the white board for FHE lesson.

This is a picture I took of one of the many discussions held on how to get a temple.  These are statistics comparing the seven Japanese missions in number of those submitting names for temple ordinances and convert baptisms in the last year.  You can see that Sendai is the lowest in both categories by far.

A temple had just opened in Sapporo.  They knew the numbers they had, and they projected that if they could get that same number of active members, maybe they could get their own temple.  So they talked about it: personal righteousness, attend the Tokyo temple as frequently as possible, do family history work and submit names,  and mostly increase activity and baptize new members.  Then they did (and still do) all they could to achieve those goals.  We had two convert baptisms while we were in that branch.  That was a tremendous miracle as there had not been a convert baptism in that branch for . . . well no one could remember how long.  There had been a child member baptism eight years before, but no one could remember the last convert baptism.   When we arrived, the elders were teaching a sister who became interested through English class.  We don't know how long she was taught before we came, but she was taught weekly almost the whole time we were there.  Ken and I helped teach her many times.  She sincerely wanted to be baptized, but she had some hang ups and problems that just seemed insurmountable.  Shortly before we came home, the elders decided they had to drop her as an investigator.  But dear Sugawara san (pictured above)  volunteered to continue to teach her, remembering his covenant to increase the size of the branch until it could become a ward. So, at least weekly, he would drive the half hour from his house to meet her at the church and teach her.  We just heard she was finally baptized!
 These committed saints are few in number, but I think deserve a temple.  We pray most every day that they will get a Sendai temple.
When the twelve new temples were announced in the last conference, I sat with almost held breath waiting to hear, "Sendai, Japan"  When President Nelson said the last one, "And Washington county, Utah" there was huge reaction from the audience in attendance at the conference center and I'm sure in many homes throughout Washington county.  But my reaction was different.  I burst into tears.  I so wanted him to say Sendai !  I felt so guilty that we were getting a second temple and they have none.  I cried for over an hour.  I'm not exaggerating.  I was just devastated.  Since then, I have had my time of rejoicing for our anticipated temple.  As I wait in line for an hour to get in to do three names in Initiatory, I realize we really do need a second temple, and I am humbly grateful.  But I still long and hope and pray for a temple in Sendai, Japan.
 When you think of it, will you please throw up a prayer that they will get their temple?  I will be holding my breath at the next conference, waiting to hear those precious words, "Sendai, Japan."

No Cancer Gene!

In December, I met with a genetics counselor.  Because my mother had ovarian cancer, she recommended I be tested for the genes that show a weakness for cancer.  I got the results back and was happy to learn that I do not have the gene for cancer.  Yea!  That is also good news for our three daughters, as they could not have inherited that gene from me.  There is a possibility they could have inherited the gene from their father, but unlikely as no one in his family has had ovarian or breast cancer.  It is also good news for my sisters.  Since two of us have been tested with negative results,  it is unlikely, though not impossible that the others have the gene either.  So happy news all around!

Eleven-Year-Old Nathan Receives the Priesthood

An announcement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that all youth would move up in their classes on January 1st rather than on their birthdays caused us a quick trip to Wisconsin.  The announcement also included that eleven- year -olds could be ordained to the priesthood to the office of deacon.  Our oldest grandson, Nathan, who will turn twelve in August was among many throughout the world this announcement affected.  In a matter of a few days, we bought tickets to fly to Wisconsin to be there for his ordination.  Kristen is expeciting their sixth baby in the middle of February.  She greatly desired to take Nathan and Brielle to the temple in Chicago (three hour drive) before she could no longer travel, meaning right now.  So we hurried and bought tickets and were there for the ordination on January 7th, so that they could make their temple trip on Friday, January, 11th.

We arrived on Saturday evening and attended church with the Mackrorys on Sunday morning.  Jared taught a great lesson in gospel doctrine.

That afternoon at 5:00 the bishop came to their home to do the ordination.

Nathan and I and a photo bomber

It is difficult to get a picture with Sammy.  He was in the mood that day.

Those involved in his ordination.  That is their bishop and good friend, Steve Thurmon

In preparation for the new family centered Come Follow Me program, the Mackrorys changed their spare room into a gospel library room.  Brielle (for her personal progress project in Divine Nature) and her dad built shelves for gospel books.  They moved the bed out and bought tables and chairs and notebooks so that the whole family could gather for gospel study.  They had a great gospel discussion on the first lesson while we were there.  Brielle and Nathan were particularly involved.

Monday morning was really fun.  The older children were in school, and Ken and I had a good time with Sammy and Audrey.

Audrey had a great desire to tie up her grandpa

Then the Grandpa Machine got into full production.

Grandpa machines often break down with the child in midair.

Kristen got a much needed nap while we played right by her.  How she slept with all that commotion, I don't know.  She was a tired mama.  She works so hard.

Repairing the grandpa machine involves tickling it's head.  The children tickle and watch for life to return to he grandpa's legs, indicating the machine is repaired.

We took Audrey to afternoon Kindergarten, then took Kristen out to lunch at Cheddar's.  It was delicious food, and oh, so fun to have Kristen to ourselves (mostly) for a couple of hours.

We then did some shopping.

Audrey showed off her cartwheel skills for grandma's camera.

I made enchiladas for dinner.

Audrey told the story of Zachariah and Elisabeth and John for family home evening and Brielle, again for her personal progress, gave a lesson on service.  The activity was Pinchy, Fisty, Flatty, Cutty, Cow- an old Hinton family tradition.

We left early Tuesday morning to fly home.  It was a short, but delightful visit with the Mackrory family.

Our Sweet Remi Comes to Visit

Our sweet "daughter" Remi came to visit from Japan.  She was only here for a little over a day, but it was so wonderful to see her.

Let me tell you about Remi.  Her parents lived in the little branch in which we served our mission in Japan.  We got there in December, 2015.  Her parents told us about Remi and her sister Rizumi who were living together in Tokyo at the time.  In January, Remi came home(about a 7 hour bus trip) for her Seijin Shiki Day.  That is a very special day for Japanese young adults.  It is a day honoring all who will turn twenty-years-old during that year.  Girls have their hair and make up professionally done, dress  in an expensive kimono and attend the ceremony.  It is a day anticipated by young girls all their lives, much like American girls anticipate their wedding day.  

The ceremony was going to be in the afternoon, but Remi came dressed in her finery to church.  I was thrilled when she walked in.  I fell in love with sweet Remi immediately.  No, really.  There was a bond right from the start.  She hugged me and, though we couldn't communicate, I could feel her sweet spirit.  

The next summer, she and Rizumi moved back home and to the branch to live.  She added such a spark to the branch.  Everyone, and I mean everyone, loves Remi.  From the littlest Amani kun (the branch president's baby) to the oldest sister in the branch, Sister Ikeda, everyone loves Remi.  She is pure joy.

Remi's mother, Imi, speaks and writes pretty good English, and is a dear friend.  She and I continue to communicate often.  So we were happy to hear that Remi had reconnected with one of our elders who we served with in Tsuruoka (he went back to visit with his family) and that Remi and Walker were skyping frequently.  They arranged for Remi to come to Salt Lake City to visit for a week during her break for New Year's Day.  She insisted that, as part of her visit, they come to St. George to see us. She calls us her American parents. We were SO excited.  How we love this precious girl.

And we aren't the only ones who love her!  She and Walker got engaged on New Years Day!  So Remi will most likely be living in SLC after they are married.  We are so happy for them.

As is so customary for Japanese people, Remi came bearing lots of gifts from her mother.

Remi and Walker arrived about noon and we served them barbecued hamburgers for lunch.  Beef is a real treat for Japanese people as it is extremely expensive there, so they don't eat much of it.

As a joke, Imi sent these little plastic mice, which Remi immediately arranged on our fruit basket.  So Remi!

This was my favorite gift that Remi brought.  New Year's Day is a HUGE holiday in Japan.  As part of their celebration they all hang a special wreath on their door that looks like this. I was thrilled to get one to hang on our door each New Years.  

That evening, we skyped with Imi and Hiroyuki.  It was so fun to talk to them again.  We love them so much.  If you follow this blog, you may remember the "They don't drink sake!" story.  That was Hiroyuki.  They helped so much in so many ways.  We really miss them.

What a miracle we can talk with loved ones clear around the world.

That evening, we took Remi to see Olson's beautifully decorated home.

On Friday, we took Remi and Walker to Zion National Park for the day.

These deer ran right in front of our car to welcome Remi to America.  She was thrilled.

For lunch, we went to what used to be "The Bumbleberry Inn" in Springdale.

Remi's idea to reenact this statue.

Remi had a terrible cold while she was here, which did subdue her a bit, but you can see her adorable personality.  She was thrilled with her berry salad.

The sandwiches were delicious, too.

We hurried home and packed them a sack dinner for their travel back to SLC.  Then we went to the St. George temple and walked around.

The Christmas nativity was still up.

They had to be on the 5:00 shuttle back to SLC.  Remi left for Japan from the SLC airport early the next morning.

As is Japanese custom, we stayed and watched the shuttle drive away, bowing and waving until out of sight.  We are so grateful Remi and Walker would take a day of their precious week to spend with us.