Stacia's Grand Adventure

Stacia was given a new bike....

From 2010-06-01

While it appears fine for Jared, it's a bit big for her.....so Jared set out to attach training wheels.

From 2010-06-01

A bit of instruction....

From 2010-06-01

...she's off!

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

Lodeo Drive

We've noticed that the Japanese LOVE TEXAS....and they seem to think TX is all rodeo and cowboys.....things like this are painted on several brands of cars....

"If you drive around a magnificient wildness in a 4 wheel Drive car, you will encounter series of nervous tensions, and excitements far from your imagination just a cowboy who was bravely riding a horse. 4 wheel drive reminds you of heated breath of Rodeo, Great nautre will comfortably hold the spirits of drivers who boldly challenge to the great west. "

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

Prayer, Rest, Sun, Play....

Wise friends suggested....prayer, rest, sun, play and we've done them all....

I started the day digging into the Word as I determined what I want to share at W.I.L.D. later this week.

After we played on base (see below)....we decided we HAD to get out in the sun. The sun is precious around here....and I was NOT going to stay home and clean, pack and prepare.

We asked the S family if they'd like to follow us to Shimoda Swan Park. I knew Windy wanted to discover it. Off we went.

I, peronally, don't see the appeal in STONE slides.

Love the Japanese care for their trees

Shrines are everywhere

Being out in nature today - WITH THE SUN and a friend renewed my spirit.


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

Deployment's Silver Lining....

I have NEVER had this much support for any deployment. Of course, we have a lot of deployments and the families are in a foreign country. Our FSS shines.  We have the deplayment tags that is an Air Force wide program. We've not been able to use any of the things on that yet.  We've still got time.

Locally, we have key spouses and each month the FSS mails out a "passport" to those of us who have spouses that have been deployed 30 days or more. Local base shops pitch in....I've been sharing the things we are doing. TODAY....we had a FREE large pizza from a cafe on base.  We chose to eat it outside in the SUN.....outside the bowling ally.

Then - yes we bowled a game for all - FREE and FREE shoes and FREE Wings....

Zander and Nolan were quick to help Stacia with the cheater...

...and the celebrating for hitting pins never ended.

A strike.....

Stacia got fancy....turned around backwards and shot the ball down the cheater...

Maybe she got the idea from Jared's style...

Final Score - Arielle & Jared tied...despite the dramatic style exhibited by a certain 16 yo.

Yes, this base rocks!

I mentioned my upcoming travels at chapel today. I had the rides worked out, but the baby sitting was boggling my mind. A friend heard, came over, changed all the plans...she'll come get my kids, drive them to base, the older ones will walk to the High School Talent Show practice and she will keep the younger ones. She's even going to FEED them and bring them home.  Another friend is picking them up and taking them to dinner on Thursday night. Talent Show on Friday night, same friend will come get the kids and make sure they all make it to the show. Another friend and her kids are coming over to spend the weekend at the house with ours (her husband is TDY).....It's AMAZING to me.
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Cultural Moment

Please excuse the grammar...I was driving and such you know....

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

Busy Saturday

Joel and Mary called this morning to see if we'd like to go to Hachinohe to the planetarium. I would have loved to. They'd arranged an English show. Jared and Arielle had human video practice....at the same time. This reminded them that Alicia did too. SO....they dropped Alicia off here and took Nolan and Zander with them.

We dropped the three youth off for practice. Stacia and I then went to the Arts and Crafts store where we were allowed to pick ANY piece we wanted to paint for FREE. We were also allowed free paint, glaze and firing. I'm not sure how our pieces will turn out, but it was relaxing. We are still out to use as many free perks on the May "Deployment passport" that we can. LOL

When we dropped Alicia off at home, we were invited to come back for dinner. They'd stopped at the fish market and had a nice salmon. We agreed...as did another family. What fun. The majority of my family liked the grilled salmon....and so I have another grill meal.

We also walked over to see if we could catch the newest addition to our neighborhood...born while I was at retreat.  They weren't in...

There are a field of these on the other side of our fence...and no Weed and Feed in sight.

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

Thursday's Adventures

Would you believe I ordered a "large print" Bible and THIS is what I got? It's tiny and compact...and says LARGE PRINT right on the spine. ::snort::

Who says PWOC Installation services can't be fun?

A PWOC Installation service is when we affirm last year's leaders and encourage and pledge support to the upcoming year's leaders.  Thursday evening I took Twyla, a friend who was an invaluable help in retreat planning, out to dinner and an onsen to thank her (and just enjoy time together).  WOW - a lot of food for Y800....can't beat that...New Delhi....Indian food is fast becoming my new favorite.

After dinner we went to the Grand Komaki resort. I've heard of this hotel since before we arrived. Evidently, we are famous up here in the North for our Hot Springs - which is why we have so many Onsens.  Komaki hosts travelers from around Japan to our little town.

The main attraction for US - was the ONSEN!!!! And what an Onsen it is. After the experience I wrote this on Facebook. "Ah - I'm spoiled for any other Onsen: outside waterfalls, birds swooping into pond (other side of rock barrier). I swear the onsens are helping me get better. Really. I had several mamasans "help" spray all sorts of suspicious things on my face & body....joined about 50 Japanese in robes sitting on benches, not sure what we were waiting for....but hey....I was too relaxed to move anyway."

This is a spa! All the other onsens I've been to have been "every day" onsens. This one....Ah... the shower spot....see the rail in the background...that's one of two inside tubs.

From the tubs looking back at the showers....as in any onsen, each person has their own stool, faucet, shower head...but also soap etc.

There is also an outside tub/in the midst of a pond, you soak in the circle part of the tub. 

It was magical when it lit up.

We enjoyed our visit. It was cold and rainy - but I was warm and content in the tub. On the other side of the wall you see about mid-way on the left in the photo is the men's side. I did happen to look up and note that there are dining rooms and hotel rooms that seem to overlook the onsen....this gave me new insight into how Bathsheba could have POSSIBLY taken a bath and been seen from the roof without being aware. ::snort::

The Onsen is in the basement of the hotel. It is HUGE and full of shops, concert stages and massage areas. There really WAS a lot of hotel guests wandering the halls in their onsen attire.

This was twice the price of my "every day onsen" - at Y700 (a bit more than $7) but it was SOOO worth it. The sign seemed to be saying that some days of the month are Y500 yen...but we couldn't confirm that.

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