Dendobucho-sama

It will be 10 years ago this August when I left to the Japan Nagoya Mission (what the ?!?!).   I had the priviledge of having two AMAZING mission presidents, each for 8 months.  This is President James Whitesides and his lovely wife Tina.  I love them.  I loved my mission and when I see them, all of those wonderful memories come flooding back.  They live in California, but they came for a mission reunion over General Conference.  Even though I don't see them too often, they are very much a part of my life.  They called me when they found out that I was on bedrest pregnant with Addy.  They called me to wish me congratulations when I had London. They call me to see if I'm coming to mission reunions, (because for sure I was their favorite!) and when I do get the opportunity to see them, it's big hugs and never enough time to chat. 

So, let me share a story.

Summers in Nagoya were horribly hot and humid.  H.O.T.  Combine that with riding a bike 24/7, having to wear nylons, and sporting a stylish bike helmet...I was one foxy lady!  Let's just say my hair was always back in a ponytail (literally did not use a blow dryer for months) and a little mascara was the extent of my make-up.    I knew things were looking pretty bad when my Mom wrote in a letter, "So, what exactly are you doing with your hair?"  Uh...nothing.  To top it off, I always carried a sweat towel to wipe the constant dripping from my face (thus the lack of make-up) You get the picture, right?

When Pres. & Sis. W first came to the mission in July 2001, I was serving in the mission home area, Meito.  I had seen them a lot that month for various things...birthday cake, helping Sis. W read food labels, picking up supplies at the mission office, etc.  

So, my last night in the mission home before I left to go home, Pres. W decided to share this little story with me and all the other missionaries there.

Pres W:  "So, Sis. Carlson, I have to tell you this story because I think it is so funny and I tell everyone this story."

Me:  (nervous...'I tell everyone' mulling around my head)

Pres. W:  I still remember when we first got here in Japan, I don't think we had been here for more than a week and you and Sis. Renfroe came over to help Sis. W.  I opened the door and you two took off your bike helmets and you were standing there all sweaty with your hair all over and I just remember thinking to myself, "We have GOT to do something with the sisters in this mission!"

Me:  (fake laughing...ha, ha, ha...still remembering his 'I tell everyone this story' bit)  You're right President, that is SO funny (sense the sarcasm...a respectful sarcasm if you will)

Pres. W:  It just took a few more days of actually being out in that heat to realize how miserable the summers were in Nagoya and that you really were just doing the best you could.

Nine months later, October 2002, I had the opportunity to go back to Japan and see two families, I taught the gospel to, be sealed in the temple.  A highlight of my life.  I had dinner with Pres & Sis W one night in the mission home.  When I arrived, sans bike helmet, hair done, make-up on...Pres. W just kept saying over and over how nice I looked.  OK, all right all ready, I know, I know...it was bad, I get it.  I've got the pictures to prove it.  We had a great evening discussing life post mission which happened to include blow dryers and a cute boyfriend (Jonny).

So, 2 1/2 years later, Jonathan and I were living in California and were able to attend their homecoming.  Pres. W was talking about Japan and how horrible the summers were when he proceeded to share that exact story over the pulpit then asked a mortified me to stand up for all to see my bright red face.  Afterwards at his house, I had many young returned missionaries let me know that they had heard him tell that story multiple times.  Awesome.

So, under the heading:  "You Only Get One Chance to Make a First Impression"...

looks like I made a doozy!