Farewelling Friends....

This is Susane and family's third assignment in Japan. She arrived the same summer our family arrived. They leave this summer.  Susanne has NEVER gone sea glass hunting. It's a near passion of Twyla's and mine.  Susane served as President the past two years at Misawa's PWOC.  We've traveled together, learned together, grown together, learned each others' strength and weaknesses......it's been good.

Susane looked over her scheduled and had one day before she left in which we could take her sea glass hunting. We went to Shipwreck Beach. We took my family and Twyla's kids with us. God gave us a GORGEOUS day....not too hot, no rain.....simply beautiful!

Two years of working closely together (Susane/Prez, me/Titus 2, retreats, Twyla/outreach)....and we realize we've put in the work to say we're good friends. Great fun yesterday, sharing our hearts and looking for sea glass. I'll miss serving alongside these two. 

Bre found some great pieces of sea glass too.

We found lots of sea glass.....and Mike even found another float. He's the champ! 

A few more shots for Bre's camera

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Rainy Days.....

This rainy started with a wonderful, leisurely chapel staff spouse breakfast. None of us had to be anywhere and it was a treat to sit and relax together.  Breakfast lasted so long I was able to pick Jared up at noon from work. He was thankful not to ride his bike as it was raining. 


Back at home I took a nap. Poor Mike has got to be SO jet lagged...not sure how he survived the day. The kids played a rousing game of Monopoly. 

I DID get a kettle of chicken soup simmering. Michael worked late and got home around 7:45 p.m. We were enjoying a visit with Akiko San when he arrived home. 


Akiko San brought Korean Pomegranate Vinegar in honor of my recent trip. We mixed it with water and it was VERY good. Surprisingly good. 

 She brought a variety of other tastes for us to sample...the left are sour plum delicacies, pizza chips, strawberri mochi (rice cakes)....but the Pretz? WASABI! Wow!

This is a new summer seasonal taste. Not sure how to describe it, but it was good. It is billed as "chocolate" and I'm not sure I would describe it that way.....but it was tasty. LOL 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

New Beachcombing Norm

Ah.....Michael is home and we had a great afternoon with him. We picked him up, ran to the chapel to "work on a few things," came home, picked up Jared and then went beach combing - which means we showed the local tsunami damage to Bre. 

Father's Day Gift 

Road to the Miss Veedol Swim Beach - gone

Mountains of sand has been taken from the harbor - and the work continues 3 months later.

Acres of pine trees along the shoreline are dying....sad.

As debris fields move to shore there is no telling what you'll find....we wonder if some of this will find it's way to OR and WA by next year.  We find less sea glass. 

Pipes used to be buried about 5 feet under

Spot where the sea wall was breached

House beams on the beach

Dresser fronts 

A rice bowl Mike found filled with the glass I found today.

Smiling as I remember, Renee. I wonder if her pedi has lasted....think I'll have to go get a new one soon....but I like looking down and remembering a friendly afternoon. 

Yeah - we'll try ANY road....Bre commented if Homer, AK was the END OF THE ROAD....this must be the BEGINNING OF THE ROAD! 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Field Trip with Friends

Misawa PWOC headed out to Towada Horse Park. Stacia had been wanting to go all summer, this was a treat.  Part of our summer plans are to have Japan 101 one week, followed by an Off Base Adventure the next week. We aim to give women new to Misawa a great introduction to Japan. 

Click for directions. We've visited in the fall without Michael and with Michael,  and winter, but this is our first summer trip. There was so much foliage we couldn't even see the top of the slide. 

Bre's first really big roller slide. 

After lunch - which proved to be an adventure as I simply pushed buttons for tickets and waited to see what we'd be eating - we suggested going to the Gardens. I really wanted to do this while Bre was home. Several families joined us..... Risoukyo Flower Garden and Outdoor Museum - it's worth the trip. I'll post directions soon.

Patiently making getas - wooden sandals. 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

When a Dream is Realized

W.I.L.D. (Women Intent on Leadership Development) is the training arm of PWOCI. I am the regional President of PWOCI for Asia.  The truth is 1 1/2 years ago we "stood up" Asia Region.  This year at W.I.L.D.  I was overwhelmed when I SAW the dream we've all been working towards.  EACH and EVERY installation with a PWOC from Asia was represented at WILD.  We met at the Religious Retreat Center in Seoul, Korea.

I left on the 22nd and returned on the 26th - late.  Here are a few shots of the week.

The Regional Board and International Trainers arrived on Wed. We spent Thursday in meetings (of all sorts - trainers, boards, WILD prep),  finished up WILD details and made beds......still wondering if anyone cared that the back side was NOT tucked in and if we have a definitive answers on which end the pillow should be on........Alicia and I had a good laugh over our different reasoning. I figured the pillows should be close so they could talk....she figured they should be far apart for privacy.  Lauren figured the pillow should be by the ladder - not sure WHY and I figured it should be far from the ladder so your feet don't go over your pillow space....who knows? It was fun - guess you had to be there.

International sends 5 trainers to each WILD. We were blessed to have Alicia, Deb and Audrey....

As well as Lauren and myself for trainers. 

Our Regional Team  - Lauren (Admin Coordinator), myself and Rachelle (training Coordinator)

Juliet and Belenda (Conference Coordinators)

I missed Renee (prayer coordinator) who has moved from Asia....and we are almost ready to announce a Leadership Selection Chair. 

Ch Pace has been a god-send for Asia Region. We are going to miss him. I, personally, am going to miss his wise mentoring and encouragement -  and the fun way in which he dispenses it. 

He's moving and here, in the way we are known to relate, I make a serious presentation and thank him for his leadership in the past 18 months. 

It's always fun to have ladies from Misawa at these events! Friendly faces from home!

Matching glasses and ipad cover - only as old as you feel! Posing as a Megan ::snort::

 During commissioning we prayed with each board.

A region in one room! God is GOOD. 

Next step - regional conference in November...where the baton of leadership will pass to a new board. 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Visiting With Old Friends - Michael

I made one more stop along the way to Coral Springs.  During our time at Goodfellow, we met Tim and Jill.  They retired and moved to Florida.  On my way through, I had the wonderful opportunity to stop in and visit with them.  Tim was my Protestant Advisory Council President and Jill was my Religious Education Coordinator.  They were a huge help in keeping the Chapel program going and on track.
Nowadays, Tim is busy working at the base near them while Jill works at the chapel.  It was great to catch up with them and to hear they are doing well.  Jill is ever the consummate interior decorator, and together they were wonderful hosts to a wandering vagabond such as myself.

We did have an airplane fly overhead as we drove passed the end of the flightline, and according to custom, we made a beeline for DQ.  It was in the line of duty - we had to go, really!  :) 

We made a tour along the coast line.  Just for the record, I put my feet in the Atlantic Ocean.

Their son, Patrick graduated from High School.  He has really grown up.  Their daughter was away for college, but by all accounts, she is doing well in spite of life's up's and down's.  All in all it was wonderful to catch up with them even if it was for just one day.
-- Michael

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

A Real Watermelon - Michael

The main difference between a watermelon in the south and one in Japan is about 30 pounds.   All I can say is, "Viva La Difference!"

-- Michael
Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...