Sasebo

Spencer currently serves as a counselor in the District Young Men's Presidency at church. One of the branches of our military district is in mainland Japan. At the end of August, Justin (the District YM President) told us the church would fund airline tickets and hotel stay for him and one of his counselors to do their district conference in Sasebo. Since it just so happens that they are some of our very best friends, we decided it would be fun to make it a couples weekend! The President and counselor of the Young Women's Presidency went with their husbands as well, so it was basically a party. We hired a couple in our branch to house sit and watch our kids. I had a series of minor panic attacks working up to leaving our kids, and they didn't go away until we were at the airport. And our experience there was a little crazy. We were able to check into our flight, check bags, and go through security without ever having to show our IDs. It felt really bizarre!

We landed in Fukuoka, where we spent one night and got to attend the temple. It was a mini temple set up exactly like the one in Columbus, so just being in it made me feel a little nostalgic. 

Fukuoka Temple- Justin and Spencer were being "hirarious."

Our hotel was strategically located next to a big shopping center with legit stores (H&M!), so we got up bright and early the following morning to shop around before getting on the bus to Sasebo. Turns out we spent ALL of our shopping time at H&M, and it was so fun! It made me excited for the day when I regularly get to go to American stores again.

At the bus station with our loot: Me, Spencer, Justin, Stacey, Heather, Jared, Tyler.

The Branch President's family, the Small's, hosted us while we were in Sasebo. Blythe picked us up from the bus station and took us to the base. It was pretty little, but it had some cool buildings and was right on the water.

Heather, April, Stacey,  & Me.

After we got our rental car and hotel worked out, Blythe took us up to a lookout point that was absolutely incredible!

What you can't see in that picture of Spencer and me is the "behind the scenes" crew responsible for blocking the sun from our faces.

Tyler & April, with Blythe & Heather on sun-blocking duty.

On our way back down the mountain, we stopped to see this statue of a fertility goddess. Stacey and I were coaxed into taking many a cheesy picture near it while flaunting our pregnant bellies.

The next morning we drove down to Nagasaki to visit the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. It was really sobering to be there and learn more about the terrible effects of the war. 

Nagasaki Peace Park

I can't remember exactly what the sign said about this fountain, but it talked about how after the bomb hit many people died searching for water. The fountain was made to look like angel's wings to signify angels carrying water to the souls of those who suffered. Or something like that.

During WWII, local governments had citizens dig tunnels into hillsides to give them protection during air raids. These ones were only a short walk away from ground zero, but for those who were able to make it in there before the bomb hit, it saved them from being burned to death.

Ground zero.

Next to the monument at ground zero was a portion of a Christian church that survived the blast. It had been relocated from its original location.

I certainly left there feeling grateful for my peaceful upbringing!

We met Blythe back in Sasebo, where she took us to some antique pottery shops. It was fun perusing through all the cool dishes and stuff. I got a few of cute little blue dishes… then promptly broke the lid of one like two days after we got home. Blast.

Driving around, we got to appreciate the Japanese countryside complete with "real" Japanese houses. They are definitely more of what I pictured seeing everywhere in Okinawa when we first found out we'd be moving there, until we arrived and quickly learned it was the land of concrete buildings.

"Real" Japanese houses in the background.

Of course the main purpose of our visit was for the district leaders to train local leadership and have fun with the youth in Sasebo. They did a pretty cool angry birds activity, followed by a fireside. 

We all had to speak during Sacrament Meeting on Sunday morning, and I pretty much bawled through my entire 5 minute time slot… typical. We left feeling so impressed by the resilience and faith of the teenagers in their branch. It always gives me hope for my own kids when I see teenagers today choosing to hold onto the gospel of Jesus Christ and testifying of how it has strengthened them.

We had to bail early from church to catch our flight home. It was such a fun trip, and I'm so glad we got to connect with some wonderful people and enjoy a little more a "big Japan."