Celebrate!

Happy Independence Day!

To celebrate after working in the office all day, we were able to go to an all American dinner of prime rib, other meats, corn on the cob, baked beans, salads, corn dogs, corn bread, other delicious American food, and apple pie at the New Sanno hotel which is a US military hotel.  Luckily, the Area Medical Advisor is retired military and could get us in.  Of course, we had to show our passports.  

A beautiful fountain at the hotel.

Saturday, we went to Meji Shrine.  Here's the group that went and, of course, it was raining.

Going to the shrine, there is an outer torrii gate and an inner torrii gate and then one more torrii gate where the shrine is located.  It reminded some of us somewhat of Jerusalem and the gates until you get to the holiest place, in the temple.

Here's the view as we walk on our way to the shrine.  The forest covers 175 acres and is located in Shibuya, Tokyo.  It is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and the Empress Shoken. The evergreen forest around the shrine consists of 125,000 trees of 365 species donated by people from all parts of Japan. It is very beautiful there with many big and beautiful trees.

Here we are with Sister Graham posing for a photo as we go in.

Here is where people write and hang their prayers and wishes at the shrine.

Here are some of the prayers and wishes that were written in English.

He is sweeping around the area with an interesting type of broom that we have seen many people use.

Here are some of the people in their ceremonial clothing who helped to make up many of the wedding processions that were going on that day.

Here are a few photos of those who were getting married.

A bride with her mother.  The mother of the bride usually has a decorated black kimono.

Here's another couple with their procession.

I like the umbrella they carry over the couple.

As we left the shrine, there were so many people walking along the street that we thought you would like to see.  It really is hard to believe how many people are here in the Tokyo area unless you see it your self.

I like the shark in the candy shop we saw as we walked by; it makes you hungry for some sweets, huh?

A great thought for the day from Dieter F. Uchtdorf:
"Being grateful in our circumstances is an act of faith in God.  It requires that we trust God and hope for things we may not see but which are true.  By being grateful, we follow the example of our beloved Savior, who said, "Not my will, but thine, be done."  True gratitude is an expression of hope and testimony.  It comes from acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life but trusting that one day we will."

I also liked this really good video that was put together from parts of videos that people sent about our beautiful earth. You can see if you click on the link below:

http://www.mormonchannel.org/more-videos?v=3641596636001&cid=HPTH070314304