My 1.7 Seconds with a Famous Person - Michael

We have had more than our fair share of famous people come through here.  We have had Representatives from Congress (lots of them, actually), Senators (yup, lots of them, as well), heads of state (there are over 45 nations represented on the compound), and a few famous and infamous media reporters (Oliver North and that guy from the Rolling Stones).  Sparsely scattered in their midst are a few entertainers.  One such visitor was Nathalie Cole, daughter of the late Nat King Cole.  She came to sing a few songs, promote a movie, and get her picture taken with me.  I was glad to help out.  It took much more time to walk up and turn to face the camera than the actual staging of the photo.  It could not have been much more than 1.7 seconds in total.  After all, there were about a hundred other folks lined up to get their photo with her, too.  So there it is, my moment with a famous person, and she did not even ask for my autograph...

- Michael

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

Care Packages in the Heat of Afghanistan - Michael

I received a great care package from my sweetie and kids, today.  Unfortunately, the weather can play a significant role in the transportation of some items in a care packages.  The granola bars were great, the nuts were excellent, loved the shirt, the watch battery put me back on schedule, but the whoppers took a beating from the elements.  I was so looking forward to them, too.

Thanks y'all.  We will get some whoppers when I get home.  :)

Love you,
Dad, Michael

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

A Sign and a Label - Michael

Went out running the other day and found this sign out by the main entrance to the camp.

It took a little looking and thinking, but I believe it is trying to tell folks that if they support the poppy growing industry, they are bringing flaming skulls of death to their country, but if they support legitimate crops like wheat, their children will be able to eat bread with their mouths open.  Just a rough guess.

This label struck me as a bit, hmmm, alarming, bothersome, humorous...  All my life I thought the fact that toilet paper was "clean" was a given.  I am not so sure that is the case out here.  I guess you learn something new everyday. 

-Michael

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

Twenty Unique flavors xTwo

Twenty flavors of ice cream at the mall - Green Tea, Adzuki (bean), Sweet potato.... 

Ice cream crepes at Baskin Robbins - do they have these in America? I'd not seen them before. 20  days - anyone can do 20.....

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

ANGELS ON ALERT!

Thank you JESUS for your mercy and protective grace!!!!


I nearly splatted a pedestrian on our outing today. I was driving along a rather busy road "highway like" - route 102.....about 60 kph....and on my right someone was swerving into my lane (common). I had to swerve....my focus was on THAT...and I failed to note, from my left an old gentleman had started across the street. I looked up, swerved back into the oncoming lane, and missed him.  Arielle said she saw him casually walking, wondered if I saw, saw him notice our foreign license plate and there was a moment when he panicked.....but I noted him JUST IN TIME. Shew!


So.....other than THAT.... a good day. Always fun to join together with the body of Christ.  Brunch with a deployment buddy and her sons. What am I going to do when I'm no longer a deployment widow....


We dropped Jared at home and the rest of us headed to.....

Towada Horse Park - met up with our neighbors......Before we met them, we explored the MUSEUM.....it's big.....and we found things that interested us...it was free for all under high school....and I got to try my Japanese out....all in all....FUN. 

These are STIRRUPS.....

Mother of Pear inlaid saddle....see the dragon flies....

When they all go interested in a clip I knew they didn't understand....I figured it was time to head for some outside activity. 

Michael, we can't wait to share this outing with you. Maybe the weather will hold out and we can do it when you're home. 


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

Can you spot the mistake?

I was admiring the photography when I saw it.....

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

Twenty-One

Josiah, 21 years old and Lord of the Flames. Josiah is majoring in Business and Marketing at  Angelo State University . He's a "super Junior" this year. He'll be a Senior by next semester and will graduate in December 2011.  We miss you son.  

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