Amakusa Conference

We are safely back from our conference. It was a wonderful mix of Japanese culture, spiritual feast and relaxation. Our committee, made up mostly of members from our outreach center, worked non-stop to make the conference a success. The dance party, which had everyone worried, was probably the greatest success of all. Our seminar on marriage went well also and had good questions to answer. The other senior couple, the Art Healeys from East Millcreek, attended with us. They are new to the mission and are the new couple in Fukuoka. Sister Healey and I, with the help of a wonderful translator, answered the questions.
Elder and Sister Kikuchi (he is an area authority seventy and a very distant relative of Elder Kikuchi, from the First Quorum of the Seventy) was the featured speaker. He and his wife explained how to be married and also attend school even when you live in Japan. They answered many questions and asked us to help answer also. Elder Kikuchi kept helping everyone. He would be the one bringing in the extra chairs or hauling water so that everyone could wipe off their shoes before they walked on the dance floor. Or any number of other little service actions. We were very impressed--at his scripture knowledge and humility and confidence and strong spirituality. Japan has some wonderful leaders.
We will write more later, just wanted you to know that our presentation went well, the food was good and our GPS unit "Navi" got us there and back safely. And we slept well on the futons and are not even a bit sunburned, even though we spent several hours at the beach. (good sunscreen and good hats).
Love to you all,
Mom/Kandie