Tim gets raise, May and Lincoln come over, Luke's team win's 1st place at the basketball tournament, Todd gets transferred, celebrating 27 years since the day Tim and I met!!!

Tim has been teaching some extra classes, working as the Foreign Language Department Chair and has been teaching several extra independent study students, so he asked for a stipend and got it-hooray!  We celebrated by going out to Asa Ramen for Japanese food.  It was delicious!

Tim and LaNae celebrated 27 years since the day we met by going to Skippers for some yummy fish.  Tim also got LaNae these beautiful flowers :)

May and Lincoln came over on Monday and we got some cute pictures of them...

Lincoln will turn ONE next week.  How do these kids keep growing so fast!?!

Luke's adaptive basketball team participated in a tournament for all the adaptive high school teams in the county and they won first place! The coach has obviously been working hard with these kids to help them make baskets because they were all amazing and Luke also made two baskets during the games!  So proud of him!!!

Cosmo and the BYU basketball players came and put on a fun show during half time...AMAZING!!!

Luke had an awesome shadow who helped him pass the ball, etc...

First place trophy....

Elder Stout was transferred to Chiba!  He has been out exactly one year. The date is easy to remember because it's Grandpa and Grandma Stout's wedding anniversary. They loved Todd, and they loved the Japanese people. I still think it's a tender mercy that he was able to travel to Japan on this special date. 

From Tim:

The hardest part about meeting and caring for people is saying goodbye. God is always trying to teach us something. What do you think he is trying to teach us through this experience? I think it might have to do with understanding the temporary nature of things, especially as a missionary, and the things that should matter most. 

As missionaries and member missionaries, if we have lived the gospel and testified of Christ, then we have left something of lasting value with those we have come in contact with. Even if we say goodbye, they will always have that witness, which never fades. And if we all hold out faithful then someday, through Christ, we can be reunited again in Heavenly Father's presence "to go no more out." (Helaman 3:30) 

This week I have been reminded several times of my reliance on my Savior. Particularly as I seek Heavenly Father's help in the support and teaching of my family. I found myself in tears of gratitude many times for the mercy that comes only through Jesus Christ, and how because of that mercy, I can repent, be forgiven for sins, and seek to improve in my life. To me, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is all about that improvement and growth. And I am so grateful for the Lord's many blessings in my own life! 

I love you Elder Stout, and am so glad you are in Japan serving Heavenly Father's children, laboring to bring them to Jesus Christ. There is no other work that can bring greater blessings to them or to you or to our family! But, your time is limited. Later, in 2018 you will be returning to your home, and busying yourself with other matters related to schooling, marriage, and career. So, enjoy this time. Let yourself be completely immersed in the work. You will never do a more important work than you are doing right now. 

Chiba! Wow, that's very cool. Chiba Prefecture is famous in Japan for Chiba University, Narita Airport, and Tokyo Disneyland/Disney Sea. Are you right in the City? It's got the longest suspended monorail in the world. Also, sounds like you've already met some wonderful people.

We are extra proud of our missionary!!!