Sunday, August 9, 2009

Dancing and Drumming during Matsuri

Summer Festival - Matsuri












This is the stand they built in the middle of our little park. It has two levels, the bottom for dancing, the top for drumming.











There was a big circle and lots of people were dancing, some in yukatas and some in regular clothes.












A close-up of the dancers on the stage.











A cute little girl in her summer yukata with strawberries all over it.
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Visiting Yuichi's Cabin in Komoro












We spent a fun weekend in Komoro, Japan. Our Eikaiwa student, Yuichi, has a family summer home there that they built over 20 years ago. Look at all the lush growth. In one day we had fog, rain, sun, and wind.











We took a walk and tried not to get muddy. Yuichi's car got stuck in the mud a couple of times.












This is our host, Yuichi, on his side porch.












Having breakfast with Yuichi, Kiyoko, Ken, and Mana on the porch. Didn't like the bugs so ate indoors for the other meals.
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Sunday, July 5, 2009

Our Tribute to the Hills--Hill Highlights

When we arrived in Japan, one of the first special occasions we shared with the Hills was going to see the Sakura in Nakano. This photo has always been one of our favorites. Thank you, Pres. & Sis. Hill, for your loving kindness and great leadership!!
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Hill Highlights
















One of our favorite dai bo-okens was to the Tama Zoo. Sis. Hill loves the butterfly house there and Pres. Hill loves the Lion Bus. We all had a great time!!











Pres. & Sis. Hill at Nikko Park











Pres. Hill's sister came for a visit and we went to Nikko Park and saw this spectacular waterfall.











While they were in Japan for three years, each one of their children and their family came for a visit. This is just one of the families that came and had a fun time!
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Hill HIghlights











This was one of the first dinners we had in the Mission Home. Besides Pres. & Sis. Hill are Elder Innes on the left, Elder Jacob Lee on the right in front, and Elder Muroi on the right in back.











Pres. Hill knew how to have fun--here he is bouncing on a huge inflatable hill (no pun intended).











Sis. Hill loved being with the children. She is showing them how to decorate Easter eggs, their first time ever!











This is the last supper Tuesday evening--a delicious taco dinner!
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Hill Highlights

















Pres. & Sis. Hill at their farewell meeting to give their last talks.
















Sis. Hill dressed in the yukata (summer kimono) made for her by Sis. Yamashita.
















Showing the back bow and hair that were done by Sis. Sekiguchi & Sis. Tanaguchi











The Changing of the Guard on July 2, 2009--Pres. & Sis. Hill getting ready to leave and Pres. & Sis. Albrecht newly arrived (standing far left). It was a very bittersweet day.
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Sunday, June 28, 2009

Our Visit to Kamakura, June 2009












The sign on top of the hotel announces that we have arrived in Kamakura.











The next photo shows the city of Kamakura along the east coast of Japan. Can you see the surfers out on the water?











The third photo is to show our son Joseph that he has a pizza place in Kamakura
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The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) in Kamakura













Jim in front of the Great Buddha, the lantern, and the Lotus flower











The Great Buddha is an impressive and imposing statue
















What a beautiful sculpture of a lotus flower!












The walk leading to the Great Buddha statue
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The Grounds and Hydrangea Flowers at the Hasedera Temple in Kamakura

















Jim & the cute Buddha statue
















Pat getting ready to enter the cave












A tiny room with tiny statues
















Don't know who this is, but you wouldn't want to meet him on a dark and stormy night (or any other time!!)
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Kamakura













This multi-armed buddha shows different tools












These are the temple buildings of Hasedera
















This is the largest wooden Buddha in Japan











These statues are in the baby garden. Can you see the little baby attached to the leg of the one statue?
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Kamakura












This is the entrance to the grounds of the Hasedera Temple--a beautiful pond and garden area.












The area of children buddhas.












A hillside of hydrangeas. Can you find the groups of people walking through the hillside?












This one was very different--had a much smaller petal.
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