January 3, 2021 Update
Dear Family and Friends,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Okinawa! We hope you all had a peaceful and light-filled Christmas, and we share our testimony that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World. During 2020 we have “heard Him” in our lives in an increased measure, and we bear witness that His work continues to roll forward in miraculous ways.
This is the 3rdupdate I’ve sent from Japan. Feel free to read on for details of our life here in Okinawa. JHowever, you are also welcome to end this email now and just know that we love and appreciate our family and friends.
My last update was from September, and life has been a whirlwind since then!
Scouting
Mark’s job is busy and fulfilling. He loves serving Scouts throughout Asia, and his zoom calls are always full of international faces and volunteers. December was a miraculous month as many volunteers came together to finish the council 2020 FOS goal…a miracle during this difficult year! As the BSA continues navigating the bankruptcy and lawsuits against them, we feel grateful to be here in Japan and blessed with dedicated families who still believe in Duty to God, country and family.
Each Monday is “Scout night” for us, and we participate in both the girl troop and boy troop at Camp Lester. Avi, Eli and Naomi just earned their Tenderfoot ranks! In October, six of us attended the fall district camporee at the Marine Jungle Warfare Training Center on the north end of the island. We camped right in the jungle (the nighttime stars were amazing!) and then spent the weekend moving from station to station as volunteer marines taught the Scouts about survival skills, pioneering, orienteering, shooting sports, and physical fitness. The Scouts also had the opportunity to rappel down the 70-foot marine training cliff. It was inspiring and invigorating! What a memorable once-in-a-lifetime weekend! And so much fun for Mark to participate with Eli and Baden while I attended with Avi and Naomi. Family Scouting is amazing.
Garden
“You can take the farmer out of the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the farmer.” When we left our little Francis Farm in Kaysville, we thought that our gardening days were over for a while. However, our next-door neighbor here is an Okinawan farmer. He even has four horses, and works every day at his potato farm just up the coast. He and his wife are in their 70s, but they spend each morning harvesting and scrubbing potatoes and making sweet potato chips to sell at local markets. They live in a traditional Japanese wooden house and have become our good friends as we navigate life here in Yomitan.
One day, while visiting over the fence, Mark asked Toma san if there was a small place we could plant a few vegetables. Toma san immediately bequeathed to us a ½ acre of land just a block from our house. Apparently, he is managing many plots for many people, and us growing a garden on one empty plot was actually a blessing to him! The kiddles were stunned when we told them we were planting a garden again. J We went to the local market and purchased seeds for carrots, daikon, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, and onions. We are grateful for this unique opportunity to grow vegetables, especially since fresh food is so expensive on the island.
History
I was invited to participate on the Okinawa Temple groundbreaking historical committee, and have spent much of my time here researching and writing about the Okinawa Military (Serviceman’s) District, which was first organized at the end of the war. It has been so inspiring to learn about this island, and the miracles that have occurred here. For example, Neal A. Maxwell and Boyd K. Packer both served on Okinawa as soldiers and had life-changing experiences—just a few miles from our home. They even attended a church serviceman’s conference together in the fall of 1945, though they didn’t know each other at the time. The first Okinawan converts were taught and baptized by American soldiers, and the first land was purchased miraculously by the church near a military base on the island. Okinawa was its own mission from 1990-1996, and 16 apostles and prophets have visited this island, some multiple times.
There is a rich legacy in Okinawa of cooperation between the Japanese and American Saints. There is also a measure of gratitude from the Japanese people as they acknowledge that the military presence here actually increases Church membership enough to build a temple.
Everyone I work with on the historical committee is Japanese, and it has been a very fun test and challenge to attend virtual meetings and speak in Japanese as we collectively gather and write this history. We are also excited that Okinawa will soon be included in the global Church histories (in the Gospel Library). Currently, there is no mention of Okinawa in the Japan global history. The work is moving forward, and it is a blessing to be involved in writing historical projects again.
Wedding
Our son, Sam, was engaged to Emily Thueson on September 16th! We were so thrilled with the news. Sam and Emily met at BYU last February, and started dating in April. We met Emily twice before we moved to Japan, and were so impressed with her testimony, simplicity, and determined outlook on life. As a Wildlife Management Major, she spends much of her time in the outdoors helping BYU with various research projects. When they announced their engagement, we immediately started purchasing plane tickets for at least Nettie and Naomi to attend the wedding in the States. Later, we added Mark and Nico to the list and arranged for our four “middles” to stay in Japan in the care of our good friends.
However, as busy September and October rolled together, nothing seemed to fit right. Mark also received a personal invitation to the Okinawa Temple Groundbreaking, along with the unpublicized date of December 5th. Because of the quarantine restrictions in Japan, we knew that we couldn’t make it to both the wedding and the groundbreaking unless Sam and Emily changed their wedding date. After much discussion and prayer, we asked them to consider changing, and, thankfully, they did! It was an overwhelming few weeks trying to manage plane tickets (with so many unknowns), schedules, and plans.
One October 26th, Mark and I both had a strong impression: take everyone to the wedding. We had no idea how we could financially or logistically take 8 of us back to the States and somehow get all the way back to Okinawa, but the impression was so clear that we bought tickets for ALL of us (after 15 hours on the phone with Delta…no joke.) Then, five days later, we received word from the military that we “might” be eligible to take a Space Available flight from Okinawa to Seattle on Halloween Day. With less than 24 hours' notice, we hastily packed luggage for 8 people, cleaned and closed up our house, checked the kiddles out of school, planted our garden, and drove to the base terminal. After three hours of waiting and praying at the gate, we were announced as the final accepted passengers on the flight!
We ALL boarded, ALL sat down, and as the plane took off from Okinawa, Mark and I looked at each other and said, “the Lord has ALL power.” He miraculously brought us to Japan, and he miraculously took us all to Sam’s wedding. His grace and love in this personal situation are a tender mercy I will treasure my entire life.
Since we left Japan so suddenly, we didn’t have time to tell our three Provo kids that we were coming! So we decided to surprise them and showed up on their doorsteps unannounced. The tears, shock, thrill and surprise were worth it! ALL of us (without Sister Francis) together again!
We spent 2 ½ wonderful weeks doing as much as possible in Utah as a family: eating, playing, visiting, hiking, and preparing for the wedding. Since the Covid numbers were so high, we faithfully wore our masks everywhere. However, we also took precious time to visit with both of our parents in their homes, attend safe family gatherings, eat early Thanksgiving dinner with most of Nettie’s siblings, visit family from Logan to Payson, and shop, shop, shop at all of the places we miss!
A week before the wedding, the Governor’s orders shut down both our open house and reception plans. However, we decided to move ahead with “drive-by” celebrations at both our Francis Farm (thanks to our flexible renters) and the Thueson’s home. A week before the wedding we miraculously had the chance to celebrate Sam and Emily on our front lawn and greet many beloved Kaysville friends and neighbors. The skies were clear and the air was frozen, but it was a beautiful evening we will always treasure. I kept pinching myself: our whole family at the Francis Farm for another wedding open house!
We also attended church at our ward and Naomi received her patriarchal blessing. (Our district is visited only twice a year by a patriarch from Tokyo.) So many tender mercies during our time in Utah!
Finally, on Wednesday, November 18th, Sam and Emily were married and sealed in the Provo City Center Temple by Emily’s grandpa, Elder Gene R. Cook. As our whole family arrived at the temple that morning (the kiddles waited in the car,) I felt so grateful! It was healing to once again enter the Lord’s house. The entire temple was reserved for us, and we enjoyed a sacred time as Sam and Emily were sealed. As the sealer pronounced the powerful words, Sam broke into the biggest, most joyful smile I have ever seen and looked across the altar at Emily. Sam’s smile was so spontaneous and heartfelt that all of us in the room (including Elder Cook) stopped and caught our breath. JIt was a moment of pure joy.
I also am grateful for Elder Cook’s wonderful advice to the new couple, including his words, “the best way I know to have a happy life and marriage is to keep the commandments. Keep ALL the commandments.”
After the sealing, we left the temple and greeted 7 of Sam’s siblings and 8 of Emily’s siblings. There were no more sealings scheduled for two hours, and so the temple workers were gracious in letting us take photos and visit on the temple grounds alone and unhurried. The weather was cloudy but warm, and we all basked together in the beautiful, glorious day. We also took a few minutes to visit on the phone with Sister Emma Rae in Hungary! Two brothers married during her mission! Wow!
We left the temple and sadly loaded our luggage and said goodbye to my sister, Heidi, and her husband who had graciously let us stay in their home for almost 3 weeks. Then we drove to Cedar Hills and had a lovely wedding dinner at the Thueson’s home. We visited and ate and talked and enjoyed each other’s company in an intimate setting. We watched a movie about Sam and Emily’s lives, and even had a zoom call with many of the many aunts and uncles from each family! We then cut the cake (made by my talented brother, Joseph) and then stood out on the sidewalk to greet friends and family. The weather was warm, the lights were bright, and it felt like a CELEBRATION! Such a perfect way to end our time in Utah. We gave the happy couple a sparkler send-off and then drove away to the Salt Lake Airport.
At 10pm we boarded our flight and then landed in Seattle at 11:30pm. We changed out of wedding clothes and settled the kids and our 27 pieces of luggage on some uncomfortable airport chairs, and then Mark and I stood in a long military line for the next 7 hours. At 6:30am we were told there was NOT room for us on the military flight home. We were devastated, since the flight would have taken us all the way back to Okinawa. However, within an hour, we had flights changed and booked with Delta, and on Friday, November 20th(the original wedding date) we were all safely in Tokyo. This time our entry Covid test was a saliva sample, rather than a nose swab, so the kids were extra grateful!
We miraculously caught a shuttle to Yokota Air Base and spent a comfortable night in a base hotel. The following morning, we arranged military flights to Okinawa, and then set out on a walk across base with a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji in the background. As we returned from our walk, we received the devastating news that Mark had tested positive for Covid at the Tokyo airport. The rest of us tested negative. Within minutes, Mark was contacted by the military and plans were made to quarantine him in a base Covid facility. We were devastated. All of our plans and changes to attend the temple groundbreaking seemed to be crumbling before us.
Mark was taken in a secured vehicle to another part of the base, and the kiddles and I spent a sleepless and troubled night alone. The next morning, we were also taken to the quarantine facility and asked to separate into 2 apartments, since we had been “exposed” to Mark. I was in the depths of despair. However, two tender mercies gave me hope that the Lord was aware of us. First, the Major in command of our facility told us he was also the bishop of the local ward! He immediately set out contacting ward members and coordinating supplies and meals for us for the next two weeks. It was a tender, wonderful, warm, comforting blessing. Second, as we arrived at our quarantine spot, we saw that the local Scout hut was in the basement of our building! We saw the fleur de lis on the window and briefly peeked inside before we were quarantined. It was a comfort to know that we were staying above the Scout hut and being cared for by the local members in our times of trouble.
We spent 14 days separated from Mark and our teens, but we still enjoyed a lovely thanksgiving dinner, watched a Tokyo sunrise every morning, opened our windows for fresh air, and spent many hours catching up on American schooling and reading. We could wave at our teens from our balcony, and Mark joined us virtually every day. He also conducted, presided and spoke at his first district conference from his quarantine room!
Mark’s Covid symptoms were minimal, with one day of chills and fever. The kiddles and I prayed constantly and even fasted that none of us would have any symptoms. On day 10 we were all tested again, and on day 13 our tests came back negative. It was a tremendous miracle!!! We immediately booked flights to Okinawa, and on Day 14 we left the covid base headquarters, took a 3-hour bus ride across Tokyo, and caught a commercial flight to Okinawa (thus avoiding another 2-week mandatory military quarantine). When we landed in Naha on the evening of December 4th, Mark and I looked at each other again and said, “It’s a miracle.”
We arrived back at our little Japanese home after 5 weeks of being away. It felt good to be back in our beds and also to have Sariah with us from BYU to enjoy the Christmas season!
Temple Groundbreaking
On the morning of December 5thMark and I drove together to the district church building. We pulled into the parking lot and met Elder Wada in person for the first time. We walked across the street to the temple lot and watched the final preparations for the groundbreaking, we met in person all of the people we had worked with on the committee! It was so thrilling to see people for the first time that we have only seen on Zoom for months!
We attended a prayer meeting with Elder and Sister Wada, President and Sister Mack, and President and Sister Yoza. We ate a nice lunch provided by the Japanese Relief Society, and then we walked into the chapel and sat on the stand. The congregation was full of cameras and operators, and the doors were shut. For 50 minutes we heard beautiful talks by Elder and Sister Wada, President Yoza, Sister Gushiken, and Mark. Mark was the only English speaker. Everything felt sacred and special. Then Elder Wada gave the groundbreaking prayer. We were all escorted outside. We walked around the chapel and across the street. Due to Covid, we broke ground in two groups of 5, rather than one group of 10.
As we turned the golden shovels in the white sand, the mood of the day turned from sacred and solemn to celebratory and joyful. We all smiled and smiled and smiled! Months of planning had finally come to pass! We turned dirt twice as cameras filmed and videoed. The weather was uncharacteristically windy and cool, and after we broke ground a few raindrops started to fall. We took pictures in many different groups, and the observers from the camera crew and historical committee were also called up to participate. Then, four missionaries came from the district building to turn ground. Everyone was so happy!!! We imagined generations of Okinawans celebrating with us in Spirit.
After the formal proceedings, we went back to the church for more interviews and filming and then finally took President and Sister Mack to their hotel and drove home to our kiddles. Our hearts were full!
The following day, Sunday, was just as inspiring. We attended our branch in person and saw many beloved branch members that we hadn’t seen for weeks! After Sacrament meeting, we went home for a few hours and then went back to the building at 2pm for an island-wide fireside. The kiddles were invited to come with us this time, and Naomi Wada met Naomi Francis. J
Mark conducted and Elder Wada presided. Translators were provided for all in attendance, and the fireside was broadcast in both English and Japanese. There were several English and Japanese speakers. I was invited to speak about the history of the Okinawa Military District, due to my involvement with the historical committee. It was a special thrill to speak in my mission country as we commemorated a temple being built. Elder Rasband and Elder McCune from the Area Presidency also joined us virtually and spoke. About 80 people attended in person, and over 300 households joined on Zoom. People all throughout the military district and Japanese stake celebrated a new temple!
We went home on Sunday night filled and thrilled and had one more miracle: a baptism in Hungary! During the weeks leading up to the groundbreaking, we had also been praying for Emma’s investigator. Her baptism was the fourth miracle in our hearts, and as we came home from the fireside, we turned on Zoom and watched this sweet sister be baptized in Hungary!
ALL of our requests had been filled, and ALL of our prayers had been answered: a wedding, a groundbreaking, health and safety, and a baptism. The Lord knows us and loves us.
District Nativity Display
On Monday morning the kiddles went back to their Japanese schools. Their teachers and friends were happy to see them again, and they took small gifts from America.
That week I spent every day all day back at the district building, helping to prepare for the district nativity display. During the week I prayed constantly (along with our incredible committee) that the military guidelines would not change, and somehow, we could miraculously hold this inspired event. Each day situations on the various military bases changed, but by Friday we were still allowed to proceed! It was another tremendous miracle.
President and Sister Mack flew back to Okinawa on Friday, and on Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday, we welcomed over 800 guests into our building for an open house. Over 150 nativities were displayed, live music was performed, and missionaries talked to guests about the upcoming Okinawa Temple. Visitors were spaced out throughout the weekend, and the live performances were broadcast through the building so that crowds didn’t converge and we stayed within Covid guidelines. The weekend was so beautiful and incredible. Our hearts were FULL! About half of the visitors were Japanese (most had never seen a nativity) and about half were non-members. Some of our dear Scouting and Japanese friends also came.
Christmas
Finally, with the groundbreaking and nativity finished, we put a tree up in our home and took the kiddles to see Christmas lights on the island. We made cookies with Japanese school friends (their eyes were huge!) and went caroling to some of our neighbors (they were slightly stunned…).
We also attended a weekend Scout campout and hike. It rained the entire time, and we were drenched! But we enjoyed a gorgeous 10 mile hike up “Mountain Therapy” trail and saw beautiful jungle and amazing ocean views.
On Christmas Eve the kiddles went to school (we couldn’t pull them out since they had already been absent for 5 weeks!) and then we had Christmas Eve dinner and made cookies with our friends, the Glass family. We came home in time to hang our stockings and tuck into bed.
On Christmas morning we all read the Christmas story from Luke and then went downstairs and opened stockings and ate traditional Japanese Christmas cake. What fun! Then Eli and Nico elected to go to school for a while. All of the Japanese school celebrations happen on Christmas day, since they are in school. Eli enjoyed his class party and also the school lunch, which included Christmas cake. We were impressed with his determination to attend school, so Mark and I took him at 8:30 and then picked him up right as lunch ended. He came home, hopped back into his pajamas, and then we proceeded with opening gifts. We also took Nico to his class party to see Santa and get his stocking on Christmas Day. What memories!
Christmas is an indescribable time to celebrate, relax, and soak in the Spirit of Christ. It felt so good to be all together as a family and also enjoy long phone calls with our college and missionary kiddles far away.
We arranged a family call when we could all be on the phone at once. It was 5am in Japan (on the 26th), 9pm in Hungary, 1pm in Florida, and 3pm in Utah. More memories!
Since we had eaten Christmas Eve dinner with our friends, we held our traditional dinner with our own family on Christmas Day. Emma joined us from Hungary as we ate!
This week Mark is home from work and it is our last week with Sariah. We are taking time every day to see something in Okinawa. Yesterday we visited the Peace Memorial Park, where monuments are placed to commemorate those who died here in World War II. It was a sacred, solemn visit. We walked along the coast and down to a bunker and then up to a beautiful and fun playground. The kiddles enjoyed the day. We also bought ice cream from a cute Japanese lady who came out to sell to us.
If you have read this far, I am impressed and grateful. This year has been full of disappointments, but these changes are outweighed by the rich blessings and sacred guidance we have felt from the Lord. We bear testimony that He knows us and loves us, and as the Savior’s return draws closer, the blessings will be greater than the impending trials.
We love you and wish you a Happy New Year.
Love,
Nettie, Mark and family
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