See Ya Later Suitcase!

Marie got a new suitcase.  She loves it.  It is her favorite suitcase. (Marie loves everything and everything is her favorite.  Just imagine the cutest little voice saying, I love my ______, it is my favorite.)  Seriously no way to describe it, but it is adorable.

Today was CRAZY!  We had planned to go to church and then take the bullet train to Tokyo.  When Rachel picked us up from the train station a few days ago, they got tickets for today.  Almost every train was sold out.  We ended up getting tickets, but would miss most of church. Rachel really wanted to go to church.  When it looked like we would miss it she pinned her hopes on taking the sacrament and then dashing to the train station across the street.  The plan was to park at church and take the train to the bullet train stop and then take that train into Tokyo.  But, plans had to change when Brett needed to be at church.

What ended up happening was Mike, Maysen, Rachel, Marie and Mina took the train liked planned.  Brett and I went to church.  I really wanted to see Brett set apart in the Bishopric.  I figured that the chance was so slim for me to be there, I didn't want to miss it.  Brett asked a friend from work to drive us to the bullet train station about an hour away.  If we missed the train, we were told we could still get there, we would just have to stand for the three hour trip.  (That was the reason we sent the girls ahead.)

Anyway, I was able to see Brett get sustained as the 1st Counselor.  I loved it.  They had the new Bishopric bear their testimonies and Brett did an excellent job.  He is going to do so well in this new calling.  The Branch President was aware that we were trying to catch a train, so after sacrament meeting we hustled to a room to get Brett set apart.  (It wasn't a super fast hustle, but more of a Mormon style hustle.)  They set Brett apart first and then let us leave.  He actually got set apart as the 1st Counselor in their Branch.  Next week they are creating a new stake and Brett's branch will be turned into a ward.  He will then be set apart as the 1st Counselor in their ward.

Luckily when we left the church Brett's friend was waiting for us.  We drove straight to the train station.  We ran up the stairs, to the ticket counter, down the stairs, found the right platform and got to the others with three minutes to spare.  That was cutting it close!  Brett did not think we would make the train.  We wouldn't if we had the little ones with us, but I'm sure glad we made it!

Marie & Mina

Stephanie & Brett

The trip to Tokyo was uneventful.  Except we got separated from Brett & Rachel for a little while in Tokyo station.  That was a little scary. Rachel said, "Do you know how hard it is to look for you here?  I'm looking for a short skinny girl with dark hair."  Anyway, we made it to the hotel just fine.  We are staying at the New Sanno Hotel.  It is beautiful.  When the porter was taking our luggage up to our room, Marie called out, "See you later suitcase!"  So cute!

Maysen

I'm going to hurry and finish up the post from today.  The Internet is very finicky here.  I have already lost this post once . . . .