Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Pizza Picnics

It is a JOY to my heart to have Zander and Stacia BEG for school.  We raced through table school to get back to Winne the Pooh and Zoology....and READING their I See Sam books to me. I love snuggling on the couch with these two.

They did seem to be a bit more motivated than usual. Our plan was to finish school quickly so we could meet the MOPS moms and kids at the park for pizza. Many of our MOPS moms left on voluntary evac.....so this was the first time for us to be all together since March. It was great fun to see those who could make it again.

The day was bright and sunny. I thought a quick meeting with Anita and Tara would fit in well at the end of the MOPS picnic....and then I'd take the kids to the Base Beach at  Lake Ogawara for a swim. They  rushed through school, packed the park bag, and Arielle and Nolan even decided to join us. Our spirits were high!
All was going according to plan. Nolan was a hit with the pre-school boys. Arielle was reuniting with some of her MOPS kids....I was having a great time with mommies....

Tara arrived and we set about mapping out our needs for our new Children's Ministry Coordinator.  We got a lot done...but alas, it began to sprinkle. Not much....but heavier and heavier...then THUNDER and lightening. Even *I* had to admit it wouldn't be the best idea to go swimming. I love swimming in the ocean during a storm. We are going to MISS not being able to swim in our ocean this year.

A trip to the library for some rainy day movies provided a bit of consolation.

I found another granola recipe to try...and chicken soup is simmering. I'll go make the dumplings and call it dinner....Arielle's request.

Akiko san is coming over tonight. Always a fun time and we've not been able to connect since coming home from the states.

I have no clue what that photo has to do with anything - except I found it when googling for a pizza photo....can you IMAGINE? What is that? I think I need to try to make one....without the bacon, of course....

With the exception of Tuesday, I've kept to my 1 - 2 hour a day on local PWOC boundary...and I'm getting lots done everywhere...at home AND with local PWOC.  Restructuring has been a grand experiment.

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Unexpected Blessings

Ever had a day which tried to get away from you but ended up holding several unexpected blessings?

Today was that day.

I have firm boundaries in place for time spent on PWOC....I began the day using most that time in one chunk.....I had a great workout. Everyone continues to enjoy the changes we made in school. The younger two now LOVE school and ask to read to me any time I sit down.

I had been praying about a service project I could get Zander and Stacia involved in.  Last night (or way early this a.m. - the sun rises near 4 a.m. I think), I hit on an idea and we had a grand time zipping out after most of school was done to do our deed. We also ran to buy Bre's airplane ticket. Our little blond charmer always seems to bring me luck at the airport and I got another "very special discount" for Bre to fly home from Tokyo.
We came home, did a bit more school at the children' s request - certainly a blessing. I'd forgotten about Arielle's small group so she and I rushed out. Our conversations in transit were a blessing. I had an hour to run to a friend's and visit with her as she baked bread. A treasure.

Mike had to drive to Shirika - on the Western side of Honshu as there had been an American casualty and they requested a team to conduct a memorial service. The station was right on the Sea of Japan and he brought me home three bright green pieces of sea glass. My first from the Sea of Japan - a blessing.
We decided to go for a family walk after dinner clean up - it's been a long winter and the nearly perfect weather is welcome!!!!

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Mostly a Tribute to Friendship ::snort::

This year's PWOC leadership team has come up with a summer schedule  which  allows for a bit of structure while taking advantage of the nice weather and the PCS season. It  allows one Tuesday a month without an activity.  Once a month we'll have a Drop-In Study. We're using Bible Studies on Demand - a variety of speakers, no homework, and great discussion groups.  One Tuesday a month we'll have breakfast and prayer. One week will be Japan 101 - Learning to Thrive in Japan. I"m not sure how attendance will be in  June, but as word gets out I think this will be a hit.  The following week is an Off Base Excursion ...hoping to have same women from Japan 101 join us, they'll be getting familiar with us and Japan at the same time.

Tuesday was the first Drop-In Study. We haven't usually had summer studies and were thrilled for 32 participants.

I rushed from Bible Study to the Parish Advisory Council meeting.

The next stop of the day was the  airport where we had to say goodbye to the BA family.  Rick is a chaplain whose ministry has consistently blessed his squadrons and his service (as well as his fellow staffers).  Ricky is a doll with a smile that lights up a room.  Renee has been my pedicure/ministry/travel/accountability/onsen partner for the past two years. I'm sad  our time together is over. I could rail against military life or realize we'd never have met  if  our husbands weren't military chaplains assigned in Misawa.  I choose joy....and I pray for my dear friend and her family as they move. The fact that so many hearts are feeling a bit bruised is a testament to the lovely friendship Renee offered so many.

We've explored Japan together.... 

She's a pretty good parade dancer....

Wonderful train partner

Served together on the PWOC Asia Region board

We shared many chapel projects, brainstormed women's ministry ideas ...

and planned a few retreats together....I spoke at a couple of them, she at the last one and we were blessed!

 I treasure our friendship. I strive to extend to others the gracious friendship Renee extended to me.  It was a joy to connect on so many different levels. I know God has rich blessings for the BA family and they will continue to bless every chapel community in which they are called to live.

Until we meet again....Godspeed!

Choosing Joy!

©2011 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~

Living all of life before the face of God...