I'm back home, such as it is - Michael

We just arrived back home. It was a pleasant enough trip all things considered. Anytime you travel in theater, there are some oddities and some adventure. For this trip the oddity was arriving at the pax (passenger) terminal when we thought we were supposed to only to discover that the actual time we were supposed to arrive was in Zulu - 3 hours later. So, we ended up spending the night trying to get a nap - nearly impossible - in the pax terminal. We actually flew out at around 0600 instead of the 0300 we expected - better than being three hours late.

The adventure part was going up to the flight deck with the aircrew. It was what is known as a glass cockpit - all of the instrumentation runs through computers to LCD screens. It definitely makes my old Piper Cherokee (actually my High School's Cherokee) look absolutely medieval. This is the way of the future though.

All in all a great trip. I will blog more about the conference, meeting old friends and life in the desert at a later time. Right now, I am needing sleep. I have been running since about 0830 yesterday, and it is now about 1400.

Blessings
Michael

Choosing Joy!

©2010 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~

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

It's FRIDAY

Messages are prayed through, studied through, written out, practiced and packed.

Clothes are packed.

Retreat supplies for sessions are organized and  packed.

Instructions have gone out to assistants and small group leaders.

I'm packed.

I made the World Vision Porridge that we'll use in one session this a.m.  Whew - packs a wallop!

Windy and Twyla will meet me in 2 hours and we'll go up to set up registration, hospitality and a supply room. We'll then pray for our ladies, relax and greet our women.

Pray for health. The virus is still wreaking havoc. Fever's gone.

Off to do a bit of couch school with the youngers.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

We Saw the Sun

From 2010-05-20

Yep, finally saw the sun for 10 minutes today.... this evening as it set. LOL

 The kids have informed me that they are going to have a "point system" for the family, while I'm gone. They have to earn so many points to get the ice cream cake on Sunday.

They've graciously decided that my ice cream fate will rest on how well I speak this weekend. What support! They've been listening to Krista too long. It appears that in order to get a full slice, I have to cry and make someone else cry sometime during the retreat. Nuts.

Seriously, join us in petitioning on behalf of the women of Misawa PWOC.

Choosing Joy!
 ©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sound of Contentment

From 2010-05-17

Hunting sea glass with Stacia.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

The Week

Wow - it's been a week if I've not blogged since Saturday.

Sunday, Jared rode in to chapel with Rodney. I stayed home with sick and contagious children.

Monday was BEAUTIFUL. I went to hang a load of laundry and HAD to go to the beach. I came inside, grabbed the three youngers and we headed for Momoishi Beach or Kaikinkoen. I reasoned that good weather doesn't last long...we'd be on the beach and it's unlikely the kids would contaminate anyone. They needed to get out of the house.





They appreciated the respite from quarantine at home!

From 2010-05-17

From 2010-05-17

PE

From 2010-05-17

From 2010-05-17

Play Pooh Shells (like Pooh Sticks with clam shells)  

From 2010-05-17

From 2010-05-17

 The kids collected various shells to bring home and compare with their science notebooks....This is a clam that Windy and kids found. They'd had the same idea during their early morning lessons. It was too nice a day to stay home.

From 2010-05-17

The farmers are flooding the fields...

From 2010-05-17

From 2010-05-20

From 2010-05-20

From 2010-05-20

Japanese Farmers have to be some of the hardest working folks I've seen. Rain, snow....

From 2010-05-20

You can't see all the women in the fields too....but I'll find a way to discreetly snap some shots.

Tuesday, I woke with the crud. We headed to the Doctor. Officially it's aedonovirus....so more scrubbing, washing, puking, fevers, sore throats, goopy eyes...NASTY stuff.  I went to bed. Friends brought food.  I stayed in bed.

 

Wednesday, I stayed in bed...did some school with the youngers.

 

Today, I got up, baked for the retreat, made a birthday cake for Arielle and took the youngers shopping for Arielle's birthday. She'll turn 13 on Sunday.

Now, I'm going back to bed. LOL Thank you for the continued prayers. I know that this weekend is going to be good. I know that. Praying through to the finish line. ::grin::

 

We'll leave tomorrow morning to go set up for the retreat. First session Friday night at 7:00 pm our time....Sessions Saturday morning.....and evening. Home Sunday. 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

I Am Fine! - Michael

Thank you all for your prayers.  I am actually away at a conference.  Please do keep the people who are there in your prayers.  Pray for safety for all of our troops - US and NATO forces.  Pray for the families of those grieving as well as for those whose loved ones are still in harm's way.  And please remember to pray for the Spirit of God to do a work in the hearts and minds of these evil men because with God all things are possible.

By Grace
Michael

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Quick Update

You all are so sweet to be concerned. Thanks for the emails.

I've caught the aednovirus that the kids have. I'll be fine. I'm feeling much better today - just a sore throat and headache, fever.

In other news, yes, the news is alarming...but I did get a brief email today, "Can't share details. I'm OK"....so y'all he's fine.

We continue to appreciate your prayers for not only my chaplain, but all our troops, in all our branches, from every NATO country, and for their families.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...