Picture Day!

Today we`re having an activity with the Elders at the Suehiro church (the Asahikawa stake center, actually), and they have a computer here we can use. Which means... I can send pictures! A one day special, so I will just send as many as I can with descriptions. Ok? Ok.

First up, the ice sculpture contest they had at Kaimono Koen. I think I sent a pic before? Maybe? Anyways, this was my favorite -- I don`t know if you can tell, but there is like a miniature dragon inside of the middle!

Next up is the Asahikawa winter festival! I think I mentioned this before too, but it`s a lot better with visuals! I think it was the Japanese army that made this huge structure -- it`s a giant transformer! You could climb around on it, and they had slides running the whole length of the thing from the top to the bottom (I think you can see a line of people waiting) that was made out of ice. And then there was a sound stage with ongoing live performances in front. It was way cool!

They also had other little ice and snow sculptures that were cute, and an Anpan Man cave (Anpan Man is a famous children`s character here).

We also did some shopping that day.

For valentines day we made some brownies that my mom sent (but I may have spaced out while making them and added an extra cup of water, and then had to add flour and... let`s just say it was still delicious, but more like a cake, haha).

And Asahikawa is famous for all of it`s rivers, so here is one of the many bridges on a nice day!

And one of the signs that spring is nearing -- being able to locate where there once were children`s parks!

But it is still kind of cold...

But we`re meeting lots of great people and having fun!

Well, the Elders are waiting to start the activity so I had better wrap it up. But I think you are all fabulous!

ah, but the elders can wait one more sec -- forgot these! haha. Kids English class, and a wonderful member family who invited us to lunch.

Love ya!

Picture Time!

New pics from Natalie fresh off the mail truck...

The Asahikawa 2^nd ward singles mochi party.  Lots of Eikaiwa students came too, so it was a lot of fun!

One day when we were walking to church we saw a bunch of guys standing around a huge mound of snow in a parking lot… and when church ended we found a giant snow sculpture of Asappi, Asahikawa’s mascot, and his friend in its place!

Purikura!  After taking some fun photo booth pics that we love.

Shoveling snow on our balcony on cleaning day.  That jump rope you see hanging there is like frozen into the ground.  We couldn’t find the end!

Asahikawa has a ton of rivers (the “kawa” of Asahikawa actually means river) and this is one of the bridges we take every week.  It looks like the middle of nowhere because of the snow, but it is actually right next to the train station.  Sometimes we see people on cross country skis there, in the city, to go shopping or visit friends!

Apparently news of my love of Mini Coopers has spread well through the mission, because right when I became companions with Tsuchida Shimai she excitedly told me about a mini dealership on a road we often take.  They have tons of cute renovated old Minis!  I want one.  And then on another main road close to our apartment there’s a new Mini dealer… this is a good place.

Pictures from when we wore kimonos at the Masudas!  Wearing a kimono is actually complicated, and it took like an hour to get the two of us dressed up.  Masuda shimai was very good at it!  Then we had fun taking pics inside and out.

The front of the Asahikawa train station.  It’s big and pretty and new.

The Suehiro district on p-day in Kaimon Koen (translates to “shopping park”).  We were supposed to go to a museum together but the Elders ran late so we ended up taking pictures and going to MacDonalds instead.

We went out with some members for dinner to a Nepal restaurant.  It was delicious!

After zone conference – a group of all the missionaries who know a family I taught while in Atsubetsu.

The snowboard trick slope at the Sapporo snow festival in Oden Park.

A dragon or something or other with cool lights!

I think this was definitely designed for couples… but all of the missionaries lined up to take pics here, even groups of the Elders!

The moment before I was attacked by Kito Shimai.  (note Elders waiting in line to take her pics in back)

A giant snow sculpture the size of a multi-story building.  The first of many!

The Asahikawa missionaries.

Another cool building.  Thought you’d enjoy an assortment.

The sisters of the Asahikawa and Hakodate zones (minus Atsubetsu, who had English class that night) in front of the character going to Hawaii.  Note the palm trees?

The Suehiro district members from, from right to left, Fukuoka Japan, Utah, Hawaii, Okinawa Japan x2, Oregon.

Some of the cool ice sculptures!

The editing fun of purikura.

That's it until next time!

Asahikawa Fun Continues

So my parents have already figured this out, but Tsuchida Shimai and I will be spending another transfer together in Asahikawa! I am really excited because we just have a ton of fun out on the streets (and everywhere else) together.

The days have been getting longer, and even though it is still snowy and cold... I am secretly hoping for an early spring! There have been a few sunny days and if I just look at the sky (and not down at the ground, where there is a lot of ice) I can totally picture it being spring. We`ve been meeting some great people lately, and even though some of the appointments have been falling through we have high hopes for the next few weeks.

This past p-day we went to the Asahikawa winter festival, which was awesome. I think we totally lucked out being in Asahikawa at this time of year, becauase it meant we got to go to both the Sapporo Snow Festival and Asahikawa Winter festival! They were both a ton of fun, but a little different. At the Asahikawa festival they had a giant, seriously giant, snow sculpture of a transformer that you could walk around on and had a bunch of super long ice slides for kids to ride on (we wanted to try to...). Pictures coming sometime via snail mail!

Ah out of time! Lately everything seems to be going super fast, both regular days of missionary work and 30 minute email sessions! Hope everything is treating you well!

Sneak preview!