Unexpected transfer and sakura season

Missionary Life: Our mission evacuated 100 young missionaries between March 24th-26th! Some to the US, some to Canada, some to Brazil and some to the Philippines. Also, four senior couples returned home to the States. Then the remaining 38 missionaries were consolidated into three main areas--Okinawa, Fukuoka, and Kumamoto. Elder Welker and I were given the option to stay and continue to support the mission and were happy to accept that option.

We were still on self-isolation protocol and so we settled into helping our Kumamoto missionaries as best we could--checking in with them on the phone, joining the district and zone zoom meetings, etc. Then nine days later we got a call from President Mack asking if we would accept a change to our assignment and transfer to Fukuoka! We did NOT see that coming. Many times the young missionaries would ask us if senior couples ever got transferred and we would say, sure it was possible, but usually the couples stay in one area for their whole mission. But these are extraordinary times.

The US Embassy was issuing warnings about limited travel, and the possibility of not being able to leave for a period of time if you chose to stay. We knew we wanted to stay and felt it was the right thing for us and our family. The office couple, the Sorensen's, along with another couple, the Lee's, had decided it would be best for them to go home to America. And that's when the invitation came for us to move to Fukuoka and take over the office couple duties. So currently, I'm serving as the mission nurse as well as the mission office secretary. Elder Welker is now the mission finance secretary. Just like old times for him!

So we packed up our things, said goodbye to the Kumamoto missionaries (although we will be back to visit sometimes, especially when things open up again), said goodbye to dear neighbors and friends, and headed to Fukuoka.

We got about 10 hours of training from Elder and Sister Sorensen before they left. Typically the office couples overlap about 3-4 weeks so a thorough training can take place. Thank goodness for their willingness to keep taking calls from us as we come across new situations and have new questions. President Mack assures us that there aren't any mistakes we can make that can't be fixed. I hope we don't have to find out! We will miss the Sorensen's and the Lee's. They were a great asset to the mission!

Living in Fukuoka will be a new experience. It is a much bigger city than Kumamoto. Our new apartment is on the top floor of a seven story apartment building. There are multiple restaurants (which we can't eat in right now), grocery stores, barbers, bakeries, and even an ice cream shop within one block in any direction.

Our new apartment is a little bigger than the one in Kumamoto. More room for visitors, if anyone could travel here. Sister Sorensen even had peas growing on the balcony!

Japanese Culture: Sakura season! I'm sure many of you know about the famous cherry blossoms in Japan. Sakura season is a very big deal in Japan. Typically Japanese people gather in parks, surrounded by the sakura and enjoy spending time with family and friends. The custom is called "Hanami" which translates to "flower viewing". Hanami parties are usually celebrated during the day and evening and involve having food and drinks while surrounded by the beauty of sakura. But because of the virus situation this year, Japanese governments closed down some parks, and discouraged the people from having their gatherings. It was very sad for many people.

Last year when we arrived in Japan in April, it was the tail end of sakura season so we didn't get to see the blossoms in all their glory! But this year we did and we enjoyed them so much--while practicing social distancing, of course! And we did catch a small family or two enjoying a picnic under the trees.

For anyone wanting to visit Japan, coming during Sakura season is highly recommended!

Spiritual Thought: I wanted to share a wonderful quote from the recent General Conference. The whole conference was so uplifting, and gave me such hope in the future. I was reminded again that God's plan is ALWAYS the best plan. His plans are for the benefit of His children, EVERY time. 

Elder Ricardo P. Gimenez said: "I have concluded that no matter what kind of storm is battering us--regardless of whether there's an end in sight--there is only one refuge, and it is the same for all types of storms. This single refuge provided by our Heavenly Father is our Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement."

We can trust that He knows what is best for us. Christ's whole objective is to help us grow and become better. Have you ever noticed that you grow and change the most when you have had to go through hard things? We become more humble and teachable. We learn compassion for others. We have to stretch outside of our comfort zone. We have to learn to rely on and trust God. When we do that and reach out to Him in faith, He doesn't leave us alone to suffer these things. He is there to comfort us and strengthen us. I know this is true. I have experienced it. I pray that we can all partake of the peace that comes from our Savior, during this particular storm, and others that may come throughout our lives. Love you all!