I don't have anything recent or exciting to post; however, Elder G sent out an email two Sundays ago that I actually think is quite "postworthy." Therefore, I am going to add it to our collection. Here are his reflections on our attendance at the Japanese ward here in Nakano with a few comments of my own:
"Dixie is baking this afternoon, and I'm starving (fast Sunday, you know) so I just thought I'd enumerate some of the minor (cultural) differences I've noted here in our ward. (It probably won't be very interesting, but it'll keep my mind off wanting to eat!!!) So, here goes:
During sacrament meeting all the church leaders sit on the stand (instead of with their families); i.e., HP group leader, elders' quorum president, RS & primary presidents, etc.
At least the seats on the stand are utilized!!!
On fast Sunday, extra chairs are placed on the stand, and those wanting to bear testimonies sit on them, and then they "slide over" each time until it's their turn.
Oh, the priests stand throughout the administration and passing of the sacrament; I'd get really tired!
When the translators don't know exactly what the specific translation is, sometimes they just simply say, "I don't know." The sacrament prayers take much longer in Japanese than in English, so when the translators finish, they simply "pause" until Amen is said in Japanese. They have both male and female translators, often employing the male when there is a male speaker and vice versa. Interesting! Some are definitely better than others. These are young adults--most of whom attended BYU Hawaii or Provo. We have about 40 YSA (Young Single Adults, 18-30 years old) and YA ( Young Adults over 30)! We can't figure out why they don't get married! So many of the girls are as cute as can be!
I personally think the guys are "married" to their jobs.
I've often thought that occasionally in priesthood meetings at home one or two members seem to be outspoken. Not here, they all are. If they don't like what's happening, they are not afraid to "speak" their minds. For example, today we were discussing President Albrecht's (Mission President) final fireside in our stake. Apparently, no one has yet scheduled or ordered refreshments; some were really incensed that the stake had not prepared for the light snacks after the presentation. It was quite a meeting. I suggested, through the translator, that perhaps families could simply bring a "covered dish," but I'm not sure what happened with that suggestion either. (A potluck lunch has now been ordered following Sacrament meeting on their last Sunday, not for Saturday night's fireside! Go figure!)
Bottled water is used for the sacrament, too. Two weeks ago, by the way, we had run out of sacrament cups so the bishop announced the decision, after we were all seated and the omission noted, to start with priesthood/RS, then Sunday school, and finally sacrament. What was even more interesting is that a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy was in attendance that Sunday as well.
Dixie has noted that, in RS, the teachers always (key word "always") divide the sisters into groups (after a short introduction to the lesson), and then the groups "report back." It certainly eases the teacher preparation!!! Now she tells me it is not quite always...I'm writing this, so I'm sticking to my story!!
Regardless of the time left in sacrament meeting, we always have a "rest hymn." There are also English hymn books, so we sing in English, and the Japanese sing in their language as well. The Japanese hymnals have the English page numbers listed so we always have a second book nearby. Many of the songs they sing are completely unknown to us; they're simply not songs we sing at home. Furthermore, they always sing ALL verses--even if we've already gone overtime!
There are always three to four speakers in sacrament meeting. At least it keeps the talks short. (Actually, that's not necessarily so. In fact, if a speaker is getting somewhat long winded (as was yesterday's), the Bishop will step up to the podium and hand the speaker a slip of paper.
I'm sure it's a "two-minute warning"! ha!)
We have a family with twin boys who are notoriously wild at Church. Apparently, since Japanese children are often lacking in the "parental discipline" department--and these two certainly are--the "corraling" has become someone else's responsibility. As for these two boys whose parents just sit there and enjoy Sacrament meeting, the ward units (RS, Primary, YM, & YW)
assign someone each week to run after them! Amazing!
In spite of all the mini-differences, we've decided the Church is still true so we're staying...even though I'm still hungry. And my temporary interest in Judaism is now a thing of the past.
I "can't not" have a post without a (decent) picture or two, so here is a shot of our chapel, the first LDS chapel built in Japan, as well as the azaleas in front! The azaleas here are amazing! Some are still in bloom after many weeks! (I guess that helps ease the pain of saying goodbye to all the beautiful sakura blossoms that an early spring storm blew away!) Note all the wires overhead as well as the mirror for those coming upon the blind turn in the road! Sooo Japanese!
