Farewell to SSgt B - Michael

It is with a happy, sorrow that I said farewell to my Chaplain Assistant from when I first arrived.  SSgt B has been a hard worker, a devoted chapel advocate, and a friend.  It has been a delight to have worked with him. 

Hopefully, our paths will cross again in the future.  Until then, The Lord bless you and keep you...
When I get some photos I will introduce my new Chaplain Assistant.  He is proving to be every bit as proficient and competent as SSgt B.

Michael

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

Look, 38 Roses in Afghanistan - Michael

I was walking past these rose bushes and they are still blooming.  With roses coming and going, there were 38 of them.  I have enjoyed these roses all summer long.  They have been bright red to pink to white. 

It has definitely been nice to see.
Michael

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

Road TRIP

Akikosan took us on an adventure last Saturday. We drove up to Goshogawara, over to Hirosaki, had dinner in Aomori at the Bikuri Donkey (Surprise Donkey), and then drove home to Misawa.

Some general thoughts (tourist photos in future posts):

Fairly early in our trip Akikosan was compelled to give me some driving instruction. ::snort::

"In Japan yellow means go. "

 Red means, "Go cautiously."

Green means, "Go FAST."

This cleared up a lot for me. She also informed me that you drive at least 20 klicks above the limit, but watch for the cameras as they'll send you tickets in the mail. I've never noticed the cameras before. GI Bill Pay pays our bills and so I routinely throw away anything that comes in the mail, looks like a bill and is all in Japanese. She said I may want to let her see those before throwing them away. ::snort::

Akikosan has a cool GPS AP on her cell phone....of course, it was all in Japanese...but I got fairly good at knowing to go straight, turn left or right.....wasn't always sure HOW FAR  before the turns. LOL

There are many long tunnels in Japan. Michael started a family game long ago of holding your breath while in tunnels. Stacia turned blue. This tunnel was over 2 miles long. I'm convincing her that we have a "Japanese by" on this game.  The family also likes to honk in tunnels. I think this is an American thing....as no one but Americans seem compelled to honk in tunnels. 

Ice cream is good on hot days - traditional Japanese isu (slushy in a cone) or modern isu (soft serve). Ice cream by any name may fall off the cone if you attempt to eat it on a teeter totter. ::snort::  Look closely - yes, I DID take a photo....and her tears were short lived. 

This wasn't the funniest moment of the day. That would be when Stacia insisted on going into a stall on her own. We waited and waited......"Mom, how do you make the music start?" We laughed. Waited.....finally....

"MOM! Akikosan! It's blowing hot air and won't stop."

I found this moment fairly funny too. 

From 2010-08-28roadtrip

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

Thirty-nine!

39 shoes in our entry way. YES, 39 and not 40.....shoes have a way of joining socks in adventures around here. 

Topped by 2 essential reminders - "You represent the one true and living God, be a good ambassador" and "Take off your shoes" - it's in our lease that we do not wear shoes in our home. 

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

Forty!

The "y" on our plate designates that we are American. Americans with 40 days left on our countdown to reunification - give or take a few weeks. 

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

Baking Adventures

Baking in Japan is fun. Most often I simply buy ingredients at the commissary. However, when the commissary is closed....or when I'm in a hurry the local market is quicker and always provides a unique experience. 


Now how many of these little bags WILL it take to add up to 12 oz of chocolate chips....

Somehow, I think the directions to "add 1/2 a bag of powdered sugar," didn't have this in mind.

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

Forty-one!

41 surprise blossoms....sent by a great husband and delivered by a wonderful Wing Chaplain and wife. We found these on the door at 10:30 p.m. when we returned from our road trip with Akikosan (which I need to blog).


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