We Gotta Eat???###?!!!???

In an effort to subdue our schedule and make it submit to our eating lifestyle.....I will be using menu plans again for a few weeks. (These fit in nicely with the newly instituted, weekly, G Family Staff Meetings). ::snort::  Assume that all dinners are complimented by fresh salad, cut up veggie sticks and fruit. 


Monday - Are you KIDDING ME?  Mentor meetings, Human Vid Practice, youth group and teaching a PWOC seminar tonight - we'll eat at the Food Court. 


Tuesday - Oven Baked Chicken (PWOC Seminar/Drama Team Practice for both Jared & Arielle)


Wednesday - Shepherd's Pie (Orthodontist), Cornbread 


Thursday - Beef Strogonoff, Biscuits


Friday - Pizza?  (Nursing Home visit)


Saturday  - Chicken Divan (Play practice 1 - 3:30)
                   Bake for tomorrow


Sunday - Roast, Popovers (Chapel, Play practice 5:00, Christmas Play)


For more recipes, click the tab above. 


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

Few Shots

Sharing a few shots this early December morn.... There is nothing better than being the first one up or the last one to bed, and sitting in front of the tree for a bit of Christmas Peace. (Personally 3 a.m. is a bit much - but that's o.k. too! ::snort:: God knows I need LOTS of Christmas Peace this year). 

Children were SO excited to see this unpacked! The playing has begun!

This wise-man was separated from his peers and spent the year in a kitchen cupboard, he's happy to be reunited with the rest of the gang! ::snort:: 

These early a.m. quiet hours really ARE precious. I've decided not to fight it....today I have a mentor meeting at 9 a.m., we'll do school, and I teach a seminar at PWOC this evening.....as well as get the children to various activities throughout the day....I will quit worrying about waking up early and accept the extra hours as a gift of solitude. 

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

Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I've previously shared on the blog my thoughts about "home". As we decorated our Christmas Tree (yes, the elliptical was spared), I was glad we had all these photo ornaments from past Christmas' to bring our older ones home.  The tree is decorated solely with photos of the nine children and a few special ornaments from places we've lived. Unfortunately, the tree photos are blurry. I'll take some more tomorrow. 

Happy to see the Christmas books and movies again!

We followed our decorating spree with our traditional debut showing of The Muppet's Christmas Carol. It wouldn't be Christmas without the movie. ::snort:: 

Michael has decided we'll start having weekly "G Family Staff Meetings." Tonight was the first. I showed one of the Gospel for Asia video clips. I shared the two jobs that I'd like to see become a priority around here. We coordinated calendars.  Then......we had ice cream.

Mike will end the night by hiding the "Christmas Pickle"  in our tree - a German tradition (or so we were told, though there is controversy about this on the Internet. Surprised? ::snort:: ). Do your families do this? Last names in old Germany tell your family's occupation. Mike's family - the G's - were pickle makers. Many German families have a tradition of hiding a pickle ornament and the child who finds it in the tree on Christmas Morn is said to be blessed for the upcoming year and receives a  prize. Sort of like the Afikomen at Passover. I've seen sites that say this is a myth, sites that say it was a custom started by German Americans, and sites still claiming it is an "old German tradition". I can say without a doubt it is a G Family Tradition. ::snort::

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

Christmas Shopping - Bring it On

Yes, we love Advent....the four weeks before 25 Dec when we celebrate the advent of God into history, into our daily lives, and into our future.  IF you're interested in our Christmas saga, feel free to click All Things Advent in the sidebar (btw this is listed year round on the "musings" page under holiday musings"). Here you will find all sorts of activities, traditions, curriculum ideas..... We shamelessly use every bit of this season to point our children to Christ.

A friend posted this on FB - and it sums up what we experienced last year: "When old traditions have run their course, find joy in the new." 

Last year we dedicated December 25th, Christmas Day, as Jesus' Day. We celebrated ONLY His birthday that day. We ate a birthday cake, sang songs, played pin the star on the stable and "opened"  His gifts. It was a blessed day.

We had a family gift exchange on 1 January. This worked great for us as all our children were home on 1 Jan. It allowed our focus to be where we wanted it on 25 Dec, and it also puts us in rhythm with our host country - which celebrates New Year's in a big way with gift giving and fireworks. LOL  We liked this. It was the "next step" in our Christmas Celebration Odyssey. Psssttt....some of the men types around here note it also allows them to shopping the day after Christmas for family gifts. ::snort::

When I mentioned being "behind" in Christmas Preps due to our recent travels, many encouraged me it's not about the decorations etc...but that isn't what I was thinking.

Last year we printed four catalogs and gave the children a daily shopping budget. They poured over the catalogs to find the BEST deals for their shopping $. These were special catalogs....catalogs to buy rabbits, chickens, cows, bikes, lights, water, food, Bibles, tracts for those in poverty stricken countries. These are some of the gifts we gave to Jesus on Christmas Day. I felt bad that I didn't' have those ready to go 2 weeks ago.....but yesterday.....I chose to print one catalog. We went with Gospel For Asia because 100% of our gift budget will go to gifts - no money saved for admin or publicity at all. We like that. You can check out the video in the sidebar if you are interested or here for many more videos. We plan to watch these as a family throughout the rest of Advent.

Catalog printed and ready for family shopping....We all mark what we want to buy and put in one big order on 25 Dec. 

I'm sure some decorations will go up....we are American after all. ::snort:: We like the excitement, lights and nativities.....but the focus of our year will be this bit of shopping and giving to Him.  This year I, personally, am looking for gifts to  provide an income for a family.....and it was fun to hear discussions last night about the various merits of pigs, chickens, goats, rickshaws, sewing machines or water buffaloes.

Finally, It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here....

Other Shopping Catalogs we've used....Samaritan's Purse,  Compassion International, and Harvest of Hope. I'm sure there are many more wonderful options. I'm sure there are options in your local area. We currently live outside of America, therefore, our focus is  Misawa and Asia. 

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

Settling In to Home

This week has "flown" by. ::snort:: 


We arrived home on Tuesday evening. 


Zander and I continue to wake up at 2 or 3 a.m. each morning. 


We've been unpacking, doing laundry, catching up on responsibilities and settling back into our lives. The kids have enjoyed the down time to play with friends a bit more. 


Mike went back to work Thursday.  We at least accomplished Math and Language Arts. 


I planned to go to MOPS and an onsen on Thursday - but alas my car keys are missing. If they show up stateside, please let me know. The key-chain has a band that says "Pray for China" on it and an Asia Region PWOC key-chain attached as well.  


Thursday night we enjoyed a chapel staff Christmas Party. We miss the B family who are deployed and stateside (member and family respectively), but rejoice in the addition of a new Navy chaplain family to our staff. 


Friday found Zander sick. We stayed home another day. 


Mike, Jared and Arielle went to base on Saturday. Jared and Arielle had human video practice. Michael was preparing for today.  The littles and I cuddled inside and played games and watched movies...and I slept. Evidently, I sleep walk. I let the rest of the family inside, and woke up 20 minutes later to ask when they'd gotten home.

The kids were excited for fat, fluffy snow flakes on Friday. Nothing stuck...that may change shortly...it's certainly cold enough...maybe too cold...who knows?

Nolan & Stacia preform their famous BAREFOOT, WELCOME WINTER DANCE!

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

Vacation Photos - Part 4

We had planned to leave Crescent City Thursday morning and spend the afternoon, evening with family, have all day Friday with family and fly out Saturday. That was not to be. By the time we arrived back in Eugene on Thursday night we only had time to check in, find dinner and let everyone know we were in town. 

Friday morning Michael and I shared in a Senior Class at New Hope Christian College. The class is "Ministry Integration" and we were to share how all we learned in college integrates with our current ministry. Michael had the bulk of that - my job was comic relief. "I'm a 1986 graduate," says Mike.....to which I added,"...and I'm a 1986 drop out." We shared the classes and such that we found most beneficial. I shared about the passion of Professors and how THAT impacts my current ministry. They asked questions and it was a fun time in all. 

Krista had a two hour window without classes. Michael left for lunch with his endorser (and I hated to miss that visit but Krista tops John on my list ::blush::) and to run a variety of errands he had in mind. The younger set and I hung out with Krista. Then Arielle and Jared spent the afternoon in classes  Krista (Biblical Foundations) and BreAnne (Drama). 

The littles (who aren't so little any longer.....::sigh::) and I went shopping for some Newman O's, Annie's treats and such to bring back to Japan. Yes, we tried to bring a suitcase of organic food again - praying THIS time it wouldn't be stolen in Seattle. ::snort::  Then we headed over to my Mom and Dad's for a final, afternoon visit. It was a good visit. Eventually, Bre, Jared, Arielle and Michael joined us. Then we had to zip back to campus to pick Krista up when she was off work. 

We went to dinner at Carl's Jr. This was Nolan's dream and one we'd avoided...but what a shock! That chain has changed. There were giant salads, hand breaded chicken, awesome shakes, waffle fries...it sounds like Chick Fil A. They even brought us food and drink refills. Josiah assures me they have not merged the companies. LOL 

We come home and played games, tried to think of what was to come next, circled up and prayed. The girls had a field trip at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. We were leaving to pick up a rental car and head to Seattle to catch the airplane Saturday night. 

Ever played Big Doggies? It's a great game. 

Taboo was fun too - and all kept their competitive sides in check. 

Mom and Dad met Mike Saturday a.m.  at my brother Will's. We stored the van and they drove him over to the hotel to pick me up. Mom stayed with the kids and Dad drove us to pick up our two full sized cars. At the shop the Hertz man told he he was really sure we'd fit in a mini-van he had. Toyota Sienna. I like these things......7 passengers (it can fit 8), 8 suitcases and 7 back packs....fit....

It did take Dad and Mike a bit of work to get the jump seat set up front. 

We all fit.....

When the gray clouds clear the Pacific NW really is breathtaking.

We sat at the airport from 5:30 p.m. to 12:23 a.m. when we were told that you really CAN'T fit 80 people in 20 seats. Not sure why it took this long to figure this out.....and the plane was broken down again any way and wouldn't be flying for 14 - 24 hours - though we didn't have a seat. 

We networked with the W family, who shared our plight. We all ended up at the Clarion Inn - $65 a night.... around 1:30 a.m. We then had to book flights - chose the same flights through Vancouver and on to Tokyo and Misawa. I recommend One Travel for your quick, online, travel needs.  We hit bed around 3:00 a.m. The boys slept in Sunday - until around noon.  The girls and I were ready to go find a Denny's but had no car etc. When we opened the curtains at noon we discovered a Denny's across the parking lot. ::snort::

We jumped on the free shuttle and went to South Center Mall for a couple of hours, ordered pizza in and then played games. Michael and I both bought travel games at the mall.

Outta Gas - like Rush Hour

Monday a.m. we headed for the airport again. They weren't so sure that they'd let Mike travel. They did. Then at the gate the boarding agents weren't so sure Mike should fly - we educated - he did. In Canada the flight attendants sent us all to the wrong immigration - continuing flights do NOT have to go through the one spot. This lady  informed us they should have given us JAL boarding passes in SEA (but we were on AK Airlines).....we talked our way through....went to the counter and got boarding passes. Mike had to talk his way on to the plane again without a passport. Military men on orders fly on ID.....as we went to board the plane they stopped us. This time they were concerned that the kids and I didn't have visas to stay longer than 3 months in Japan. We explained, again, about SOFA....we don't need visas - showed them the stamps from Japan....showed them my nifty multiple re-entry stamp.....they still made us wait to get final approval...now I wondered if Mike would make it and we'd stay in Canada.  We all got on. In Tokyo we had NO TROUBLE AT ALL with Mike's lack of passport or our lack of VISAS - they UNDERSTAND SOFA (status of forces agreement). LOL 

We left at 9 a.m. on Monday and arrived in Misawa at 7 p.m. Tuesday night. Shew.....Was space A worth it? Yes!!! Even with the added night in the hotel and paying one way home...it saved us $5,000.00. We couldn't afford to go home without it. It hurts to have to pay that $5,600 for tickets....but it sure is better than 10K. LOL 

One mishap on the trip home is my ipad. Stacia was playing games with it, hit turbulence, she dropped it and the power button was sheared off. Apple is sending a new ipad to the girls. I sent my old ipad to them and we'll swap. I'm praying I can get all my kindle ap books to load on the new one.....

I find myself really glad to be home. I feel like I lost October and November - not really lost them - just lost my normal routine and connections. Hard to explain...but I'm looking forward to being home, reconnecting with friends, school and decorating for Advent/Christmas. 

Yesterday, we picked up mail, groceries and Michael and I went on a date. Today, I was supposed to be at MOPS - but we can't find my car keys. We're stranded...so we're doing laundry, catching up on some regional PWOC stuff I need to do, playing games and relaxing another day. Actually, I've been up since 1 a.m. and I'm going to go to take nap. It's good to be home. 

I loved Kristine's comment when this posted on FB and thought I'd add it here, "Whirlwind trip, whirlwind travel, your life is a whirlwind of blessings!" 

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

Vacation Photos - Part 3

Did we say Nolan was taller than the girls?

Check out the heels on those shoes. 

The Sunday after Thanksgiving, we picked up our trailer and headed to CA to visit with Michael's folks. 

We had a trailer tire problem on the way and arrived to late to find a restaurant....we made do with popcorn we found in the trailer. 

We spent our time in CA visiting and doing odd jobs that the folks needed done. The first job was one the kids relished. They build a wagon for Grandma and Grandpa to haul wood. 

Early risers...watching Sean the Sheep on the laptop. 

Rained a lot while we were in CA. 

Rain didn't stop these two and Michael from exploring the CA coast. They even found a piece of sea glass. In 28 years of beach-combing at this spot,  I've never seen a piece. 

This dog loved to play with the kids.....

Trip home...not feeling well....really should remember to pack appropriate barf bags. 

The Check Engine light came on, the trailer tire needed fixed and so spent a few hours in Grants Pass, OR. The youngers ones and I window shopped in the rain, Jared guarded the trailer and Michael dealt with repair shops. 

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