Monday, August 25, 2008

August 25, 2008

Dear Family & Friends,

Sorry this is late this week. I am still trying to do catch-up from last week’s Transfer Week. We had 9 outstanding missionaries leave, including our Assistant to the President, Elder Olson. He has been with us since we arrived and helped welcome us and teach us. We will really miss him. So there is a lot of paperwork that needs to be done to take care of their files and 3x5 cards and lots of little things that add up to a lot of time.

Then we had 11 terrific missionaries arrive—7 Americans, 1 Australian, 2 Japanese, and 1 Korean. (As far as we know, he is the first Korean to serve in Tokyo Japan Mission so this is pretty historic. He speaks both English and Japanese so is doing very well here.) So there are photos to print, letters to send, and lots of paperwork that needs to be done to take care of the new missionaries. It will probably take another week until I feel totally caught up.

Elder Hartzell is really struggling with the new bank card. The missionaries are having no problems with it, but it has made a lot more work for Jim. He is still trying to figure out how to do reimbursements and collect money that is owed for orders. He worked until 9:30 Monday night and 10:00 last night. I worry about him, but I know the Lord takes care of him and gives him the energy for what he needs to do.

So on Saturday we opted not to go to a Japanese Festival because of how tired and hot we were at the Aquarium the Saturday before. So we just stayed home, cleaned the apartment, did laundry, ironed, read, took naps, and watched the Olympics. It was the best, most relaxing day. The bummer was the weather had turned cool and it was cloudy and would have been a wonderful day to do things outside!!!

We think maybe Fall is here. It dropped 20 degrees last weekend, and we have had rain all day Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Today is sunny and really nice, with a breeze.

Our word for this week is: “ganbatti kudasai” which means “do your best,” and “ganbaru”, “I’ll do my best.”

Our thought for the week is: “Put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly.” Doctrine and Covenants 11:12

We hope you will all “ganbatti kudasai”and we will “ganbaru.”

We love you all—Pat & Jim

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