What wonderful memories I think we all have of our time living on Okinawa!  It is truly amazing that there is a Temple there now, and what a blessing it will be to the Okinawan people and also all of the LDS military members.  This is just a little of the article in the Church News today.

OKINAWA, Japan — It has been almost eight decades since the final battle of World War II claimed the lives of 240,000 Japanese and U.S. servicemen and Okinawan civilians here in Japan’s southernmost prefecture.

Now, this place, once defined by war and made sacred by the blood that was shed, has a new symbol of peace and unity — the Okinawa Japan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Okinawa Japan Temple on Sunday, Nov 12. The temple is the fourth in Japan and the 186th worldwide.

Akira Yafuso, also an early stake president in Okinawa, spoke of the 240,000 people who died in Okinawa. “I believe and I feel that this land of Okinawa is purified or sanctified by the blood of these ancestors and military personnel,” he said. “And now it is so great to have a house of the Lord in Okinawa, to have a symbol of peace. We want to be the Lord’s temple-loving people.” 

Alsuko Nakado, 99; Tamihara Sadako, 101; Uechi Toyoko, 98; Makiya Teru 97, at the dedication ceremony.

Remembering the Okinawan sunny days, warm winds, and fun times at the beach 💕

A Sad Good-bye

We lost a good friend in August but actually didn't find out until just this past week.  Our friend, Duke, who was in our Addiction Recovery class really made a connection with Kevin.  He had been sober for. 20 years, but continued to come to our meetings, as well as, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.  He was smart, and kind, and had worked as a military contractor for many years.  He had just become active again in the Church and he would call and spend hours talking to Kevin about gospel questions he had.  We were able to go to the Temple with him last Spring and then saw him there often when we were working our shifts.  He was preparing family names to take to the Temple and had asked if I would go through for his Mom who had recently passed away.  Always good to keep in contact, Kevin had reached out several times but had not heard anything back.  At the Addiction Recovery class this week a new sister came, and when asked how she found out about the program, she said that Duke had told her she should come, and then she continued to share the news of his death.  

Kevin was able to make contact with one of his sisters today and mentioned to her that we would like to do the Temple work for her Mom.  She didn't say no, so I'm going to be hopeful that that is something we will be able to do in the near future.

Happy Veteran's Day to Kevin!

Jake's school had a Veteran's Day assembly this week and Jake invited JiChan to participate.  We had a wonderful time and the kids were so cute.  Thank you Jake, for thinking of JiChan- he loved it!

Kevin also received a special text from Spencer who is always so thoughtful.  Thanks, Spence!

Speaking of Veteran's Day, if anyone is looking for a really good movie that deals with the Battle of Okinawa, I love Hacksaw Ridge.  It is the true story of Desmond Doss who saved 75 men by belaying them down the Okinawa cliffs by rope.  I don't want to give away all of the story but one last little tid-bit - Desmond Doss refused to carry or shoot a weapon.  

Family news - 

Thank you for all of the photos I received this week!

Samantha and a DECA teammate. It looks like they are somewhere fun!

Emma and a new haircut!

Cory and kids at the Pumpkin Patch!

Chris at the really horrible BYU vs. Iowa State game.  What happened????????

   

I also loved this so much!  We had Milo one day this week and he got real comfortable on the futon bed, and the next thing I knew Sendai had taken over and Milo was on the floor.

And then there is Amos - he has the bed, blanket, and pillow all to himself 😂