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.