We drove to Shipwreck Beach this morning. It wasn't our destination, but was on the way. It was nice to stretch our legs and look around. The thing crazier than the shipwrecks was this enormous pile of shells. I don't know why they pile shells there, but as we were leaving we did see a dump truck on top of the shell pile adding to the shells.
Marie
Marie by the shell pile
Shell pile from far away
Marie & Maysen
Marie, Brett, Mike, Maysen
Maysen, Stephanie, Mike
Maysen
Marie
Mina
Random glass you can find
Maysen waded in the cold water for a bigger piece!
Marie getting ready to wade in the water.
Stephanie, Mike, Maysen
Marie, Maysen, Stephanie by the shells
Stephanie enjoying a show
Stephanie, Mike, Maysen
We drove for awhile longer until we decided to find somewhere to stop for lunch. Mike's favorite thing about Japanese restaurants is they bring out your food one by one. That way his food is hot! I was adventurous and ordered I don't know what. I was actually adventurous for a couple bites, then Brett traded me. Thank you Brett!
My meal. Not sure what it is.
Marie at Baskin Robbins
Marie chose Cream Soda ice cream
Mina eating a Pop Rocks ice cream
Maysen stuck with good old mint chocolate chip.
We finally made it to our destination. We traveled to Osorezan, the third most holiest site in Japan. It sits on a volcano, so the sulfur smell is awful! The Entsu-ji Temple was founded in the 9th century. Someone had a dream to spread Buddhism in Japan. He walked all the way from Kyoto looking for this place. The pamphlet said he walked it in 30 days, but that seems impossible. Kyoto is south of Tokyo and we are practically at the Northern most part of Japan. That is a lot of walking! The Entsu-ji Temple is dedicated to souls of unborn babies and dead children that the Mizukojizo Buddha images are supposed to sooth. (That's what I found when I googled it, although Rachel was told that some of the rock piles were for the little children that died as they were being born. They were unable to pay their debt to their parents, so they are chased by demons throwing rocks at them for eternity.)
Osorezan
I'm guessing this is the Entsu-ji Temple.
It is beautiful inside, but I didn't want to take a picture.
It was so weird how there was gorgeous scenery and dead scenery right next to each other. We were wondering if it is a depiction of Heaven & Hell? I heard this place called the Gateway to Heaven and also Hell's Gate.
Mina loved pulling Brett's ears so he would look at her.
Rachel
Stephanie
Rachel & Brett
Brett & Rachel
Mina & Marie
Maysen, Stephanie, Mike
Marie
There is a bridge just a bit away from the shrine. It is suppose to be like the river Styx.
Stephanie, Mike
Stephanie & Mike
Brett, Marie, Rachel
We had to hurry back from Osorezan. Brett and Rachel had an appointment with the District President at 5:30. We were able to make it on time, but had to go straight there. Brett was a little embarrassed to go in his Hang Loose shirt, but Mike gave him his black hoodie to wear instead. Brett knew they were making his branch into a ward and his district into a stake. Oh boy. While Brett & Rachel were inside, we waited by the car. Someone from the district presidency was talking to us. I told them how we had tickets on the bullet train to Tokyo tomorrow and were planning to sneak out after the sacrament. His eyes got real big and he said, "I hope you can make it to church." That was when I knew for sure Brett was being called into the bishopric.
When Brett & Rachel got back in the car I said, "I'm guessing a counselor in the Bishopric." Yep. That's what it was. Brett is going to be the 1st counselor in the Bishopric. I don't feel bad about writing this now, because I am posting late and it has already happened. Brett is going to do great in this calling. (The guy I was talking to outside is the new Bishop.)
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