Ja mata

May 12,2012

Konichiwa! Genki desuka? (translation: Hello! Are you healthy and happy?)

I couldn't let this special time go by without a note home. Happy Mother's Day to all you amazing, incredible mothers. You are an inspiration to me. I look at my children and realize they are far better parents than I ever was. Thank you for growing up just the way I hoped you would.

As a mother's day treat I have some hair salon names for you:

Sin--Miracles Arm Sin Kolon Factory

We are having a wonderful time here in Japan. The work continues to move forward. That is such a missionary term-but it is what literally happens.

I think I told you about our cute 15 year old Kyoko. She was baptized in March. She has already introduced her friend to the gospel and he was baptized just a couple of weeks ago. His mother was a little worried about Mormonism so the missionaries met with her and explained our beliefs. She was comforted and felt that it would be a good thing for him and for their family if he was baptized. They invited her to attend General Conference with them. When it was over she was inspired and moved. She told them that she thought it was something she'd like to be part of as well. She is an investigator now as is Kyoko's family. I don't think I mentioned this but the way Kyoko found the gospel was that she was very interested in learning English. Years ago her grandmother had met the missionaries and taken English classes from them. She told Kyoko to find them and see if they still taught English. They do and in our mission they use the Book of Mormon as a text to teach English. The grandmother also remembered loving the church hymns. Kyoko's parents say they listen to the hymns every day now and they all sing them. Thanks Art for your generous gifts (and your visit) of Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD's to their family as well as to many others.

Katheryn was just here with her husband Micah and his parents, the Wiederholds. We had a fantastic time! It was fun to be around family. To remember all the things I love about Katheryn. Her soft heart and her funny dry sense of humor. I was so sad to see her go. It's always hard those first couple of days after they leave. The day she left I got a mother's day gift from Whitney. Some fun things, among them was a notepad she had entitled "Mom----remember when?". She had written on each page a memory. I laughed and I cried. I closed it, touched the cover and said, "I have a family." It was like a new awakening--a painful, heart-wrenching one -when you realize you miss something so much. Sometimes I forget out of necessity. It all came flooding over me--how much I missed them and the family dinners, picnics, trips, recitals, last day of school dance festivals, grandparent's day, weekly visits-- they are so far away. Then immediately a sweet voice whispered a second part of a familiar phrase to my mind, "....here on earth, they are so good to me, I want to share my life them through all eternity. Families can be together forever......" It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord steps in and gives comfort when comfort is needed. It was His Mother's Day present to me. I am grateful for my family. A family that even if we are separated temporarily, we will be together again, eternally. I have felt separation and I am grateful for that knowledge.

I love you all. From the land of the rising and warming up sun.

Sister Baird, Bonnie, mom or grandma

P.S. Cultural tip: I was in a public restroom the other day and they had a sign posted that read (in English even!) This coming summer, due to power conservation we will be turning down the heated toilet seats to low. I LOVE Japan! I don't think anyone really needs heated toilet seats in July and August, especially here in Japan, but it's a treasured custom among the Japanese.

10:58 PM | Category: | 0 comments

March 11, 2012

Hello everyone,

Hair Salon names: ‘Pigtail’ ‘Moo Hair’

First I must mention that this date is one of those famous dates that will live in history, like September 11 or December 7. A date that won’t be forgotten. A date everyone in Japan can remember exactly what they were doing and where they were---or where they were not.

I was not in Rikuzentakata at the time of the earthquake and tsunami but I had a chance to go there with Cydne and see the devastation. We were humbled as we sorted through pieces of people’s lives. We realized how fragile life is and how quickly things can change.

The honorable Japanese people are picking up the pieces of their lives and they are continuing to move forward. Still much to do.

In the Japan Times the last few days, they have been doing articles every day about Japan’s recovery. They feature different places and people that are working to bring order to their world. A couple of days ago I read about a group of people in that same town Cydne and I were in. They have been planting a row of sakura (cherry) trees at the water line of the tsunami. They show where the water rose to. They said they are doing this as a warning so the people now and in generations to come, will know where the line of safety was for them.

I thought of how that is just like the prophets in the Bible and Book of Mormon. They saw things they never wanted their children and future generations to be unprepared for again. They received knowledge from the Lord to help and strengthen them. Is there any question? Of course the scriptures are true! That’s how we educate and love our posterity. How we’re protected by the Lord. Just as the people of Rikuzentakata are issuing a warning by planting trees, prophets have recorded their experiences to help us. Warning lines to keep us safe.

I wish I could be part of that tree planting project. I can’t travel to Sendai, there’s much to do here in Nagoya. What I can be part of, is this great missionary effort. To help people learn about the past, so we can improve our future. We can help them learn about principles that will make a difference and change their lives forever. I love the beautiful project of Rikuzentakata sakura trees. Some day I’ll travel there again and see this generation’s line of warning and safety.

We had the opportunity to attend Brother Masuda’s funeral last Thursday. Brother Masuda was the sweetest, kindest man. He’s amazing. He loves Bonsai trees and has some of the most beautiful specimens outside his home. They are stunning. He was the member in Yokkaichi that wanted to have a blessing by President Baird. Some of you may remember me writing about him before. He has good home teachers and a wonderful bishop but he wanted Scott to give him a blessing because he wanted his wife to hear the Mission President. He wanted him to help her. She’s not a member. He’s been a faithful member for almost 40 yrs. Sister Masuda was a little cool at that first meeting.

Brother Masuda had cancer and didn’t have much time to live. They had also lost a son when he was 7 years old. He knew he was dying and wanted so desperately to have his family sealed together.

Scott talked with them and then gave him a blessing. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. That sweet man got up and just clung to Scott and sobbed. His wife did the same to me. We have been sweet friends since that moment. His wife is taking the lessons but her biggest set back is smoking. I hate that crazy stuff. I saw what it did to my family. I ate breakfast every morning as far away from my father as I could so I wouldn’t smell like smoke at school---of course my effort were futile, I still smelled like I had hung out behind the gym with the kids that were usually in detention. I heard my father cough and choke hourly. It shortened his life. Well I could go on and on but I will get back to Brother Masuda.

When we arrived at the funeral home Sister Masuda came running over and flung her arms around both of us and started to cry. Japanese people don’t usually put their arms around you. That’s a gaijin (foreigner) thing.

I wanted to share a little about a Japanese funeral. This will be my usual ‘Cultural Tip of the Week’ for this letter: I’ve been to several funerals here. Some strictly Buddhist, some part-member families so it was Buddhist/Mormon. This one however, was strictly Japanese Mormon. I would expect that of Brother Masuda even if some of his family isn’t members. He is devout.

It is tradition to give the family a monetary donation. You use ‘used’ bills for funerals (unlike weddings where you always use ‘unused’ bills and it must always be an amount that cannot be divided equally, that’s bad luck). You put the money in a special sympathy card. It’s folded in a certain way and the ties on the outside of the card must always face up. The money faces to the back of the envelope. You write on the card in gray pen. The men wear black suits and black ties. The women wear all black with maybe a string of pearls. It would be very uncomfortable if you dressed differently. When you arrive at the funeral home there is a counter where people in uniform wearing white gloves take your donation then they give you a little booklet. I think you get different booklets depending on the amount of your donation. You then take it over to another counter and pick from the booklet the gift you would like to receive. We received two tins of delicious cookies, of course wrapped and presented beautifully because that’s how the Japanese do everything. They also give you another gift, a small towel, again wrapped beautifully.

The funeral home was full. So many people there---many members, but mostly his friends and family of the Buddhist religion. We sang LDS hymns. The prayers and talks were given my members with the exceptions of his son-in-law and grandson. The printed program even had a picture of the Salt Lake Temple’s spires and Angel Moroni.

The front of the room was incredible. The photos I’ve attached to this email don't do it justice. I took them after the services and they had taken out many of the flowers and turned off the overhead lights. When I first viewed it, it about took my breath away. It was like a field of flowers with valleys and hills. . Each row was a different variety of flowers. Usually all the flowers for a funeral are white but this time there were purples and yellows woven in.

When his wife met us in the foyer she asked Scott if he would speak. (That’s one thing I’ve learned here, always be prepared to talk whether your on the program or not. Many times we have not been formally asked, they just assume we know we will be speaking. For me who is not a gifted speaker and hyperventilates before every talk, it’s unnerving. We’ve had this happen frequently, including stake conference). Usually after the speakers conclude they have all the guests come up one at a time. Traditional Buddhist funeral goes something like this: You bow to the family, then you clap your hands, then bow to the deceased, then step to the table and take something (looks like salts or ashes) from one bowl with your fingers and put it in another bowl, then step back and bow again to the deceased, then clap again, then bow to the family again, then return to your seat. Whew, I’m not sure I got that right but you get the idea. I’m always nervous I’ll mess up. On one occasion one of our elders went to a funeral and put his fingers in the burning incents instead of the correct bowl and burned his himself. He quickly stuck his fingers in his month to cool. He got a panicked look on his face and asked his companion if he thought it might be the deceased ashes. Comedy of errors. It wasn’t his ashes because the body is there in a beautiful white casket. Everyone is cremated here. It’s a law. There isn’t enough land to bury people. The caskets have a lid that comes all the way off. In the top of the lid there is a little window that folds open where you can view the deceased face.

At Brother Masuda’s services instead of doing the incents ceremony, they gave everyone a white carnation. You still went up one by one and bowed to the family, stepped up to the table, then bowed to his casket and picture, and then you put the flower on a table, stepped back and bowed again to him and then turned and bowed to his family.

When that part was completed they did something I’ve never seen done. It was so beautiful. They brought the casket from in front of the flowers and turned it vertical. They removed the lid. Then they had everyone come up again, one by one. They had taken some of the flowers from the beautiful display and had them on trays. They gave us each another flower (lilies, carnations, Gerber daisies, etc) and one by one we put our flower in the casket with Brother Masuda. It was so beautiful and so touching. He looked like he was in his element. All his life he had worked around, grown, and loved flowers. And there he was in his temple whites, lying in a blanket of beautiful flowers. It made we cry—no, it made me sob.

I was so proud of the four missionaries that were there, Elders Horne, Gathier, Ellsworth and Arrington. They handled themselves so well; I know the Lord was pleased. Pleased with them. Pleased with Brother Masuda’s most amazing spirit and life. His grandson (non member) said in his talk that he knew his grandfather was there, he could feel him. I know he was right.

Love from the land of strength and recovery,

Sister Baird, Bonnie, mom or grandma

11:26 AM | Category: | 0 comments

March 5, 2012

Konichiwa!

Hair Salons: ‘Samson & Delilah’ ‘Dope Hair’

Well sakura season is fast approaching. I’m looking forward to seeing those beautiful pink blossoms popping like pink popcorn on the cherry tree----not exactly the correct words to the song but ohhhhh, they are magnificent!

We’ve had the regular cold and flu season and unfortunately the regular bike accident season as well. We’re ready for a little warmth so, as Cheryl Crow puts it, we can all ‘Soak Up the Sun’. I can’t even begin to tell you how literal that phrase is here in the Nagoya summers. We are soaking wet, not from the rain---that would be our June weather---but from the humidity. I love Japan! I was carrying some things in from the car a couple of days ago and it was raining. I realized how much I am going to miss the rain when we return to Utah. Umbrellas and rain gear are a way of life here.

We have had some wonderful experiences in the last few days. We were invited to come and speak to a group from the International Cultural Center in Nagoya. They wanted us to talk about the beliefs of our church. They asked us to do it in English. No problem with that for me! We had a great discussion. It was such a good experience. They had a lot of thoughtful questions. They had read and heard some of those interesting things that are out there about some of our customs and beliefs. It always amazes me that people believe some of those things. I was grateful this group had the intelligence to ask the source and not listen to rumors and here say. My part was to talk about how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints values the family. We discussed The Proclamation of the Family, For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet, Relief Society, Young Women’s, Young Men’s and FHE. I invited them to a Family Home Evening if they were interested---where they could have an American, Mormon experience. Some were very interested. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

We had the opportunity of attending the baptism of Kyoko, a young woman in Gifu. She’s fifteen and has very good parents, in-fact, incredible parents. Her mother has been attending church with her every week. Both her father and mother sit in on the lessons she has with the missionaries two or three times a week. Scott and I met with her and her mother the week before her baptism. It was a sweet meeting. She is so amazing and so are her parents. They both attended the baptism and both cried---tears of joy, not tears of disappointment. They said that she had been happier and kinder at home. It had made their home a better place. That’s what living the gospel does for all of us. It’s amazing. Maybe someday they will follow her and be baptized. I hope so. Another fun side note—the missionaries that taught her were Elder Anderson and Elder Koesashi. Elder Koesashi’s sister is Whitney’s companion right now in Okayama. We love him! He is wonderful and so is Elder Anderson. We have the most incredible missionaries! They are sugoi! We love each and every one of them. I never could have imagined I could know hundreds of missionaries by name---that I could know them personally and be aware of their individual qualities.

This is such an amazing experience. I can’t even begin to sum it up. I miss everyone at home but the things we are experiencing and learning are priceless. It’s such an honor to be here. I really can’t believe we get to do this.

We love you all and pray for you daily.

Sister Baird, Bonnie, Mom or Grandma

Cultural Tip of the Month: The other evening when Scott and I were driving home we passed our little park. On the sidewalk there was a man carrying his dog. This was not a small dog. It was a dog like Lassie. When we arrived home and got out of our car, there was a nice couple walking up our street with a stroller. As they got closer we smiled and said hello—well---konichiwa. We realized it was a doggy stroller. They had two dogs in it! And I might add, they were enjoying the ride! Now that’s a privileged dog’s life! Japan loves their dogs! I’ve yet to see a stray dog on the street.

11:26 AM | Category: | 0 comments

January 8, 2012

Happy New Year everyone!

Hair salon names: 'Brownie' 'Psych Beauty News'

The other day we saw a nicer toyota car that's model on the back read 'Grand Saloon'.

I love Japan!

Big shout out to Josie Manning for getting baptized! We are so proud of you. We miss you and wish we could have been there, but that's what we're doing here. Helping people learn about Jesus Christ and then they make the decision to be like Him and be baptized just like you did.

Another big shout out to all of you who finished yet another semester of school! Omedito gozaimasu! And you're onto the next! Gambate ne!

We are doing fine. I hope your Christmas was wonderful. I hear it wasn't exactly white. Maybe you'll be lucky and it will start to snow now and continue until June, sort of like last year. Nagoya doesn't get much snow but some of our areas in the Kanazawa and Nagano zones get pounded with it. It's wet, wet snow. It's so heavy I don't know how they shovel it. No central heat in our houses make it feel like the North Pole though. My shampoo and hand soap that are gels, get so cold you can hardly get them out of the bottle. I had a drink of water out of the faucet in the bathroom and got a brain freeze, I'm not joking. The water is so cold when you wash your hands you can't get the soap off. Each room has it's own heater and you only turn on the rooms you go into because of the cost (nuclear power--remember Fukushima), so we run from room to room. I can't quite figure it out. The Japanese people love the heat. Church in the summer is so warm. Everything is so warm. It just doesn't make sense to me.

This is the first year in 34 years that we didn't have at least one of our children with us at Christmas. I really worried that it would be a hard year. It sort of started out that way until I decided I needed a Christmas project---and I found it---a 'Kimono quilt' top. Our office couple the Oldroyd's 50th Wedding Anniversary was on the 15th of December. We decided to have a surprise party for them. Sister Oldroyd and I had seen a beautiful pieced 'Kimono' quilt. We both wanted to make one. Of course when I first saw it I thought I'd make one for everyone I knew. Then I made one of the blocks---I decided maybe I'd just make a pillow instead. Sister Oldroyd kept saying she wondered if Sister Grames in Tokyo would make her one if she paid her. I knew she really wanted one so I decided to take the leap. I have been collecting fabric for it since July, but because I'm a good procrastinator, I started on the blocks around the 10th of December! It made me so happy to sit at my kitchen table with my Christmas music turned up, sewing all day and night. For the first time this season it felt like Christmas at the Baird's. All the time I was sewing (and picking our the mistakes) I could imagine her face when she received it. I knew she would be so happy. I was so excited. She also loves my collection of chopstick rests. I had all the companionships buy one chopstick rest. They had wrapped them up and written notes. Elder Jessop had put together an anniversary video with pictures of their lives and family with the help of their children. I wished you all could have been there for the surprise. Their faces shown with pure joy! It was so incredibly sweet and tender. They loved the quilt top and the chopstick rests and especially the notes and people who attended. I will never forget it.

We visited all of our zones and our district the 21st through the 24th. We had a Christmas devotional in each area. Elder Jessop one of our office Elders put together some great videos and put them on a DVD (I work that poor boy to death. I told him his official title is 'APW' Assistant to the President's wife. He goes home in July and I've threatened to extend him another year). It was a very special time for us all. We have the most incredible missionaries.

We still see amazing things happen almost on a daily basis. I'll share a couple:

Elder Gottfredson is an amazing young man. He literally opens his mouth and talks to everyone he sees. One day in Kanazawa, he was crossing the street at the light and handed a man coming towards him, a pamphlet about the church. He said hello but got no response, the man just grabbed it. Elder Gottfredson thought , "oh well", and went on, like I say, he just keeps going, he's so positive. The next Sunday at church the man showed up. No one knew who he was. Elder G. looked at him and said he thought it was the grumpy guy he'd given a pamphlet to. Sure enough, it was. The man said that he had been praying for 2 years ever since his son had died, for some kind of help and peace. He had read the pamphlet and knew that his prayers had been answered.

Elder Ito, another sugoi missionary (he will totally be a leader in Japan in the future) found a wallet. He called the man and told him he had it and arranged a place and time to return it. Elder Ito met with him and gave him a Book of Mormon along with the wallet. They had a great conversation and the man came to church and is now an investigator.

The Book of Mormon changes lives. I love in Ether 12:41 how Moroni tells us to "Seek this Jesus". I know that Joseph Smith did not make Moroni up. He's real. He lived. He talked with Jesus face to face just like he says in Ether chapter 12. You do get closer to God by reading this book. It's makes us happier, more peaceful, stronger, easier for others to love.... and hopeful. I am so grateful for this opportunity. It has opened my eyes wider to what's important in life.

I love you all.

Happy New Year!

Ja mata ne.

Sister Baird, Bonnie, mom or grandma

2:18 PM | Category: | 0 comments

November 22, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hair salon names: 'Dog Tails' and 'Jet Party Hair'.

I know in America this is a big holiday week. I miss all the bustle of the holidays there. We have a different kind of bustle here. We will have a small gathering of nine at our home, and of course Tommy Turkey will be our featured guest. I had him flown in special. We also have the woman the girls and I met in the fabric store. Thanks to our dendo (proselyting) baby! Good job Nora. Unfortunately, there will be no Bingo again this year, and Weslee, I'm with you on the bingo, it's tradition.

First of all I must apologize to the mountains of Japan. In my last letter I told you they weren't very colorful. I was sorely mistaken, it just happens a little later here. We were in the mountains of Matsumoto, Nagano District last weekend and they were absolutely stunning. Red, yellow, orange and green. No wonder I love fall! Those are all my favorite colors. I decided that the Lord made fall so spectacular as to make up for the bleakness of winter.

We spent last week in Korea for the Asia North Area Seminar. It was wonderful. We learned so much from Elder's Stevenson, Ringwood and Aoyagi. I loved Korea! We saw the most incredible cultural dancing show at the Korea House. At the end of the performance they came down in the audience and pulled three people up on the stage. One of those happened to be Scott. He was a good sport and beat the drum and danced. Everyone took pictures to capture the moment so I'm sure there will be photos to pass on.

Things are going very well here. I love Japan. This is home. It's funny how that happens. I really love it here. I am thankful that the Lord has helped me adjust to everything around me. He has blessed my family---has helped me love everyone of these missionaries, helped me feel their hearts and see their qualities.

We have a very busy few weeks ahead of us with Thanksgiving, Sister's leadership training, traveling to the different branches and wards every Sunday, Elder Stevenson's visit to tour the mission, new missionaries coming and old missionaries leaving (transfers), and Christmas activities in the mission. When I was in Utah it use to take weeks to plan one event, now we're use to two or three events in a week. We clean up one activity to set up for another. I'm amazed how the Lord steps in and helps us keep going. He give us energy to keep everything together. It's an exciting time in our lives. We not only keep on the move, we see miracles almost everyday. Often the miracles we see are these young women and men become better and stronger---more mature and confident--both in themselves and in the Lord. This is amazing!

I give thanks to the Lord for all of you---for the influence you are in my life--- for your love and support.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Sister Baird, Bonnie, mom or grandma

Cultural tip of the month:

They are putting in a new fence and landscaping at the mission home. Right after the workers have a short lunch they all lay down in a row on the grass, cement or wherever and take a little nap. It makes me smile.

2:15 PM | Category: | 0 comments

August 1, 2011

Well Ohayo gozaimasu everyone!

I can't believe that summer is two thirds over! I know that everyone always talks about how the best time in Japan is the Sakura (cherry blossom) season, and it is absolutely beautiful. But my personal favorite is summer. You will all think me crazy with the heat and humidity in Japan- but I love the mountains in the summer. Japan's mountains have so many deciduous trees that in the spring they aren't as full as the summer---- in the summer there is no standing room. They are all smooshed in there together like the Japanese on the trains at rush hour. All silent. All standing at attention. It is breath-taking.

I hope you are all doing well and you've had a summer full of sitting on the porch, sipping tall glasses of lemonade with your sunglasses on. After the cold, wet rainy/snowy, winter/spring you've had, you all deserve a little sunshine.

Important information, hair salon names: Hunky Dory Hair Room Manish Hair

It's been awhile since I've sent an email over the air waves or fiber optics or whatever they are. I have so many things to tell you about but I don't want this to be a 25 page letter so I'll just share a few.

Our mission is back to normal after sending the 54 Tokyo missionaries that were ours for awhile, back to the Tokyo mission. There were many tears in that departure. We had grown to know and love them.

I know many of you are worried about us all because of the earthquakes, nuclear problems, typhoons, and the beef radiation scare. I want you to know we feel very safe here. We know that the church has a crisis committee that keeps it's eye on what's going on in Japan as well as the rest of the places where missionaries are. If things get bad and it's dangerous for us to be here, we will be gone. Life is really normal here. Earthquakes are pretty common, we had one that woke us up last night and shook things pretty good, but the way Japan is built is amazing.

We've had the opportunity of having family here off and on the last few months and it's been wonderful. Together we've seen amazing places and they've met our incredible missionaries and seen them at work. Lonnie even had the opportunity of riding on the 'Women Only" train and it was an experience to remember. Sorry about that Lonnie. Your guide isn't very good at Japanese, even if that was posted really big in English. I tell you, I miss words I can read because I can't read anything 99% of the time.

Cydne and I had the opportunity to go with our Nagano District to Sendai and be part of the churches 'Helping Hands' project. The town we worked in was Rikuzentakata. 80% of the town was literally swept off the earth. Here is a website you can read more about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rikuzentakata,_Iwate

It was a sobering experience to drive in that flattened town and see the piles of what was left. Acres of smashed cars. A levy with a chunk out of it the length of a football field. We were assigned first to what Cydne referred to as 'weeding the forest'. Then we cleared a dirt road. Our final project was to pick through the remains of a leveled house. We sorted glass, pieces of traditional blue roof tiles, inside tiles, wood, and personal belonging into piles--------pieces of peoples lives. We saw purses, children's toys, a smashed ipod, shoes, dishes. But the most unsettling were the photographs that were found. We wondered what had happened to those people. The horror they felt on that day. Everyone at that sight was silent. It might have just been the Japanese way, but I think it was because we felt we were working on sacred ground. I looked at the ocean, it seemed so calm and beautiful. I could only imagine and picture that tsunami pouring upon that village. As I stood on leveled ground, I wondered which route I would have taken to higher ground. I realized that even after that enormous earthquake there were still structures standing. That people had to go through streets to get to the mountains. Too many cars trying to get out. Impossible in 30 minutes. You'd have to ride a bike and even then to get to higher ground, getting through the streets would have been challenging. You would have had to climb through thick trees and up steep slopes. And what if you had children with you? One report in the paper said how bad the coroner had felt when he worked on the bodies of some of the victims. He said that many, in their flight, layered clothing-because it was cold and they wanted to take some of their belongings with them. Some had strapped bags to their bodies and their children's bodies, with items they didn't want to leave behind. It weighed them down, they could not run fast enough----and they were swallowed by the wave. It was a humbling feeling. I'm grateful to know that there is a peaceful, beautiful place on the other side. The comfort of a Heavenly Father and others that are there, that love us. I am grateful that my family is eternal. That I know we help and love each other here----as well as there. I love the comfort the gospel brings.

I wanted to tell you about an 85 year old women that Scott went to do her temple recommend interview with in Suwa. She was so cute (as is everything in Japan). She has two daughters that are both active members. She joined the church five years ago at age 80. They called her to teach primary-she accepted (at age 80!) She's taught over the last few years. When the primary started to memorize the articles of faith she decided she needed to do it with them. She can recite them all perfectly. How many of us can do that? She said that nightly, when she climbs into bed she starts to recite the first one and goes down the list. She said that they put her to sleep every night. What a wonderful thing to be doing just before you drift off. I think my dreams might be better doing that than wondering what I need to do the next day or what I didn't get done that day. She's such an inspiration to me.

Katheryn called me the other day and reported on her week at girls camp as a stake leader. She had the opportunity to go and serve as assistant craft lady. How fun is that? She told me that she had not been particularly excited to go to camp. What??? Can you imagine that???? (sadly I can--once I get there I love it!) She told me that she had emailed Whitney and told her her feelings. She knew Whitney could and would sympathize with her since every time camp was mentioned in their entire teenage life, Whitney sneered. She was totally shocked at Whitney's response. Whitney told her to quit whining, buck up and enjoy it. She said she was amazed that this was coming from the girl who literally tried to do everything in her power to not go to camp----she was actually very successful at 'camp avoidance' and I think maybe only went 2 years. Then Katheryn told me that as she bore her testimony around the ward campfire, she shared how much she admired her sister Whitney. Here she was a stranger in a strange land, speaking a strange language. Approaching people in a culture that it isn't the custom to approach strangers, sharing a message with them. A message that she believes with all her soul. A message that can bring peace, comfort and happiness. A message she hopes they can understand by her spirit, her eyes and her simple Japanese words. It's true everybody. Even as I tell you this, that warmth floods through my entire body. It's true.

Well I will sign off for now and I will try to be better at writing. Our missionaries would be in big trouble if they wrote home like I do.

This is an amazing opportunity. I see it transform lives, literally. It's not easy-----and it's amazing, fulfilling and rewarding. I love these missionaries and members. They do hard things and they are doing them with positive attitudes and unwavering faith. I want to grow up to be just like them.

I love you all.

Sister Baird, Bonnie, mom or grandma

Cultural tip of the week: Calendars here don't have names of months on them, in fact months don't have names. They are month 1, month 2, etc.

2:14 PM | Category: | 0 comments

April 17, 2011

Good Afternoon everyone,

First I must appologize in advance for my poor writing form. My creative juices only flow from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. However, I find myself with some time at the present so I'll seize the moment.

Hair Salon Names: 'Clip Clop' (no horsing around here) and 'Hair Make Antenna', (where your haircut will help people receive you better

.)

I went to a Yakiniku restaurant the other night with Scott. I love Yakiniku. You have a little barbeque grill in the middle of the table and you cook meat and vegetables on it. Then you dip it in a sauce and eat it on top of rice. Yummy!! I ordered a salad with my meal. They brought my salad and I started to eat it. It was delicious! After a while I noticed the people at the next table had the same salad but the man was using smaller bowls to serve everyone at the table. I realized I was eating out of the bowl that was meant for several people. It was like you taking the salad at Olive Garden and eating right out of the big bowl. How embarrassing! I'm sure everyone was thinking, "Wow, those American's, they like things big!". It really wasn't that big, it was a salad like you get at Cafe Rio or Bajio. Just another cultural adventure in the life of Sister Baird.
A big shout out to Janna Holmes who paid to come visit me. Thank you! Thank you! I enjoyed every minute of it! I must say, it was very hard to see you leave. We enjoyed Japan's beautiful scenery, Mountain Villages, Takayama Festival Floats, Sakura (beautiful Sakura) and delicious food. I didn't take her to the Sushi-Ro I'll save that for next time. Of course Janna came serving the people of Sendai. She brought 2 huge suitcases full of coats and blankets that co-workers had donated. She had put them in space bags (bags you take all the air out). When we took them out of the bags, there were 3 huge black garage bags stuffed full. She dragged all of that through the airports and the Shinkansen, bless her heart. But that's nothing out of the ordinary for her, it's a daily thing. She's one of the most service oriented people I have ever met.
I just came down from a small birthday party upstairs in the office. Elder Kyotani who is from Tokyo and serving as one of our office elders, who has the biggest, most beautiful smile you've ever seen, turned 25 today. We learned yesterday that because his family is so big (9 children) that he has never had a birthday or Christmas present. His parents are wonderful parents but economic pressures haven't been good enough for that luxury. The A.P.'s decided he needed a present and a cake. We made a cake and got a few small things so he could unwrap a present or two. Yesterday was his P-Day (preparation day) it's the day they email and read email's from home. He told me that no one had emailed him. I told him to check later to see if they were just late---still no emails. The surprise birthday party the elder's planned was just what he needed. We love him so much it breaks all our hearts to think of sending him back to Tokyo. But I know it's coming---I can feel it.
We have become attached to all these Tokyo missionaries. They are wonderful and we love them. When they first got here it was quite an adjustment for a lot of them, but they went forward and worked hard. In our first meeting the night they came (43 of them), Scott opened up the meeting for questions. One elder asked in a very distressed voice, "Is this permanent?" Scott was inspired. He told them, "I will tell you what Joseph Smith told the Saints when they asked him that question. Build your houses, paint your fences, so if you do leave, you will leave a beautiful legacy behind." I am paraphrasing but that was the idea. I love the prophets. I love the wisdom they receive from God. Most of these Tokyo missionaries are doing exactly that, acting as if this is permanent---- they will leave a wonderful legacy behind---and a lasting impression on us.
We have had some good things happen as a result of the earthquake and tsunami. We have had several people show up to church because they need to find peace in their lives. They needed to know there was a purpose here. What would happen after death and what had happened before life. One 29 year old called his friend because he said he was the happiest, most at peace person he knew. He found out he was a member of the church. He found out where the closest church was and showed up at sacrament meeting. He was just baptized two weeks ago and confirmed this week.
Well Whitney is on her way to Japan!!! Could you hear her shouts when she got her travel plans? She's a little nervous because she's the travel leader for the 22 missionaries that are going to Kobe. Tokyo airport won't be a problem because there are not many there these days, but it's LA she worries about. These missionaries are like her brothers and sisters after 13 weeks. We will receive 22 missionaries as well on the 19th. 10 coming to Nagoya and 12 that are eventually headed to Tokyo. We always love getting new missionaries. That will bring our numbers to around 138.
I was in Suzuka a few Sunday's ago when we met a Korean man there. He is a new member. We visited with him and learned from the elders that he is married but that his wife doesn't show much interest in the church. I found out they have a little girl and were expecting a new baby very soon, a boy. I sent one of the blankets I croquet around the edges, to them. I got a sweet note back, here is a sentence from the letter:
.....frankly speaking last Sunday I got my first fast in my life [fasting on fast sunday]. As you know the last Sunday's lesson title was fast. So I thought maybe I can feel some of God's miracle. That's true. I could feel it. I could feel something grateful and something sacred. My body was so light and my mind was so clear. I couldn't feel any temptation.............I admire you and your family. How do you make your mind to come to this Japan? Deserting your job and leaving your friends? I am still the only church member in my house. One of my dream is to go to church holding my family's arm and spending our whole life for God's work. Please help me to be strong and teach me the God's word and show the way of God......
What a sweet thing, he wants to go to church together with his family holding their arms. I have to tell you the rest of the story--a few weeks after this letter his wife went to the doctor and he couldn't find a heart beat.. they baby had died. I'm grateful he has the peace the gospel brings, the knowledge that families can be together after this life. We will keep loving his wife and someday I pray she will understand the truth of the gospel and eternal families.

Ja mata ne, from the land of earthquakes, tsunami's and nuclear crisis---and we couldn't feel more safe.

Love you all,
Sister Baird, Bonnie, Mom or Grandma

Cultural tip of the week: Women take small blankets everywhere. To church, work, the bus, etc. When I get my hair cut my hair dresser puts a little blanket over me so I won't get cold. If you could experience the 'no central heating' thing, you would understand why they carry blankets around.

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