Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Storm at Little House in the Rice Paddies

I mentioned it began to snow 10 min after my plane landed. It was a "good" storm. I was glad I had no where to be yesterday. 


Last night this warning was sent: 

11:30 PM Feb 01, 2012
Aomori Local Meteorological Observatory
Weather WarningsMisawa City
 [Issued Warnings]
Heavy snow warning, High waves warning
[Continuing Warnings]
Snow-storm warning

It was windy, lots of snow - WHITE OUT - Blizzard. I woke several times in the night to the sounds of crashing as massive snow build up slid off our roof. I finally got up at 2:30 a.m. (jet lag). 

I prayed, read the Word, worked on Board Meeting Agendas and PWOC reimbursements....then noticed that my window seemed a bit icy. 
I opened the curtain and discovered a winter wonder land. I also began to suspect I would NOT be driving to base for PWOC. 



I found this online on the Misawa AFN FB page, "Good morning, Misawa! The 35th FW Commander has directed delayed reporting until noon. All schools are cancelled. Further delay information to follow at 10:00 a.m." 

This is an article on the storm. Pray for Tohoku. We can't get seem to catch our breath up here. BEFORE this storm we were already only 20 in below the winter average for snow.

Here's some shots I took this a.m. Can't wait to see the kids reactions...and Yuuki when she tries to go out.....yes...I was in my workout capris and snowboots and it WAS cold.  These were taken early about 6:00 so still sort of dark.

Hmmmm....gonna be a sight

OPENED......wow

Porch steps are gone...

Snowed in - thanks Mr Plowman

Our sledding hill - the kids are going to be EXCITED

Snow about 2/3 of the way from my ankle to knee

Opened the door and decided to leave this for Yuuki to blaze through

Must remind kids not to stand under this window

Stacia is UP and doing school QUICK so she can play outside! Should I tell them all schools in the whole city are cancelled? Nah....

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Vision Summit

Those not involved in the land of  PWOC (pronounce P-WOC ::snort::) may be unfamiliar with Vision Summit.  Protestant Women of the Chapel is a military auxiliary which ministers to women throughout all branches of the military.  The WORLD is literally reached by this ministry. I have been investing in this ministry for the past 14 years...first at the local level in a variety of positions and most recently at the regional level as a Regional President of Asia. 


Vision Summit is a few days each winter when the International PWOCI board, the joint council (includes Regional Presidents) and Regional Vice Presidents meet to share vision, pray, fellowship and TRAIN. This is like WILD (Leadership Development Weekends we do each year at the local level) for regional leadership. Great stuff this year..... 


We met with each other, with GOD and with our Chaplains. I was at the Airlie Conference center and that is what I was doing. ::grin::  I came a couple of days early to avoid jet lag - and visited with Susane. I had a 15 hour layover and was met by cyber friends become real life friends for dinner and the night. 


I left equipped and refreshed - with several new taskings on my plate.  


Here are some random thoughts:

  • At Asia's WILD 2011 I spoke about Following the Heart of our King. I shared a quote from Black Douglas, "Forward brave-heart as ever you were wont to do and Douglas will follow the heart of the King." I've thought about that a lot these past few months. Forward...following wherever my King would lead....FORWARD with BRAVERY....intentionally, joyously following wherever He may lead.... I believe I met with a group of leaders this week whose very heart is to follow the heart of the King as well. It was good. 
  • I was in my zone, thinking and praying, and nearly boarded a flight for LA instead of DFW. Thankful for a gate clerk who really looked at my boarding pass. 
  • This from Michael's Facebook wall, "Well, we had our obligatory "De'Etta's traveling" earthquake. It was 5.6 and located nt too far away from us. Off the coast and north of Morioka and a little south of us. It did rattle things a bit."
  • Met up with two friends and delighted as Kristin rearranged the plane so we could sit together. "This is my friend and she is going to Japan and I won't see her for at least a year. We haven't had time to talk."
  • I had a 15 hour layover in Dallas. Thinking the boys would have to work Monday.....instead I met these gals... I spent the night with Gilda (2nd from left). We've known each other on Facebook, and a homeschool yahoo group.....now Merri, Gilda, Jen and myself met at Olive Gardens! Ladies, if you're ever in Asia, drop by.

The moment Cyber Friends become Real Life Friends
  • I'm becoming quite an old hand at navigating through the Japanese travel system. 
  • In Tokyo they were announcing planes returning from the North. I called Michael and he assured me it was NOT snowing in Misawa. 
  • Mid-way to Misawa the pilot came on and said, "We may have to return to Tokyo due to snow storms." I  promptly fell asleep and woke when we touched down. I wasn't 100% sure where I was.....but was HOME. 
  • The storm began 10 min after our plane landed. Thank you, Jesus. 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...