Christmas Here and Gone

Christmas cheer at the JMTC

This past two weeks have been a blur. We have been busy making goodies, gifts and celebrating the holidays. The lights in Tokyo were lovely, but the Spirit of the season was not so obvious on the streets. Christmas is not celebrated here as it is in the States.

Making gingerbread houses in FHE
(our good buddies, the Markers)

Although the lights and trees go up and assuredly the purchasing increases, nothing was even closed on Christmas day. Japan is not a Christian country. Christianity only comprises about 2-3% of the population. The really big deal here is the New Year. Many stores, banks and other businesses will be closed for several days. Even the church office building is giving the employees a week off. Of course they were also closed Christmas day, but the greater celebrations will be for the New Year. People return to their ancestral homes and it is a time for family and food. It is called Shogatsu. Our Japanese friends are planning to do a traditional celebration so all of us "gaijin" (foreigners) can see what it is like. (I refuse to eat anything that is still moving!)

Twenty of us got together for a multicultural Christmas!
Pictionary was agreat game to span the language gap!
Most of the Japanese couples are
serving in the nearby Tokyo temple.

We had a good time with all of the temple and other missionary couples; eating, playing games and even watching a movie in Japanese with English subtitles! Although we missed having our children and grandchildren with us, we are grateful for the technology that made it possible to both see and hear them!!
Added a few pictures we thought you might enjoy...

The Japanese use every square inch/centimeter of ground.

This building is only a foot wide at this end of the pie shape!


The camelias are blooming everywhere.
They are so lovely! Elder Brown adorns the hedges!

Lost in Translation?

Just had to share a few more fun signs that we have added to our collection! These three shops may not be high on your list of favorite places to shop!

Too funny!

Maybe Bruce Lee??

We are busy preparing for the holidays and hope that all the joy of the Christmas Season fills your hearts! What a blessing it is to serve in this great work of the Lord!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like....

Thanksgiving was interesting here in the Far East! Our missionary group actually found turkeys at Costco,( yes we have a Japanese version, and we get a hot dog or pizza every other month when we can shop there!) and we even managed a bit of cranberry sauce trimming. It was super! Everyone made something, the Japanese couples made some great salads, and we had quite the festive meal! Not quite like home, but we had a splendid time together.

One of seven tables for our Thanksgiving feast!

Our "giant" tree and decorations cheer the apartment!

The candy-maker at work!

Tokyo is certainly looking festive, with lights and Christmas decorations everywhere. If red and green are expected there will be some disappointment as they tend to love the blue, white, yellow and pink lights.

Dome in shopping area filled with lights!

Our travels took us to the ASIJ -The American School in Japan, which is a very large international school. They held their annual bazaar and had everything from 6k oriental rugs to 1.00 bags of cookies for sale. There were 12 countries represented in the food arena. So lunch was anything from a falafel, sauerkraut and sausage, or Brazilian beans and rice. We even enjoyed some entertainment via folk dancing and drum beating.


Japanese Folk Dancers

This past two weeks have been spent close to home seeing to some holiday preparations, working at the temple and keeping life and limb in good order. Our days are full and our joy great as we continue to serve. Our hearts are especially tender this time of year as we give thanks to our Lord for our many choice blessings!

Nativity on the temple grounds: The Reason for the Season!!