Lessons I've Learned as a Regional President

In a little over a week we will begin the inaugural Asia Region Conference.  The pace is a bit frenzied…nevertheless, I find myself in a reflective frame of mind.  I’m in awe of the way Abba Father has gently led our leadership team. We’ve been challenged as we established procedures, navigated “natural disasters,” dealt with life changes, we’ve seen God provide every need – we’ve grown closer to our Father.

In this last Presidential Blog of 2009-2011, I bring you “Lessons I’ve Learned as a Regional  President.”

14.  All women snore; a true friend will comment on your “feminine snore” and offer to room with you at the next event.

13.   Even deployments are better when savoring a rich, chocolaty molten lava cake with friends! This pleasure can be enjoyed around the world and is truly board bonding at its best!

12.   PWOCI conferences are planned to coincide with the Asian Typhoon Season – plan accordingly.

11.  Three minutes of animated Japanese can be translated to three short words, “SIT DOWN IMMEDIATELY."

10.   Noise reduction headphones are essential on long flights – and may possibly help with the snoring thing as well.

9.  Sisters of the heart are priceless – especially when facing a Korean gate guard.

8. Wear your passport around your neck at all times, you never know when you’ll need it!

7. Apple juice and Airborne are essential tools in fighting jet lag.

6.  ALWAYS slide the vacant/occupied lock on airplane bathroom doors. It’s wise to double check this. Seriously.

5.  It’s nice to have a friend screaming at your side when you encounter Korean snakes in the dark. Sadly, you may not be able to count on PWOC sisters to race to your rescue.

4. Molten Lava cakes can travel from Tokyo to Seoul on dry ice.

3. Earthquakes, tsunamis, life changes, surprise pcs’…happen. God can be trusted. ALWAYS – even with children whom you can’t get home to.  Semper Gumby.

2.   It is possible to fervently love women you’ve only met via email.

1.  God always provides others to come alongside as you wait on Him for His provision in leadership.  

The lessons learned and personal growth in my life as your President has been priceless. Thank you for your gracious acceptance and love.

As we look to the next two years in Asia Region, I am convinced God is calling ladies to step out and experience the adventure of regional leadership . If you suspect you may be one of these ladies, please read the letter from Cathy..... 

It’s my heart that we each continue to Love God Wholeheartedly and Love Others Deeply!

Asia Region Rocks!

First shared at pwoc.org on Asia Region's page 

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

Face Mask

I fell on the ice again as we were loading into the van to go to the commissary. After assisting me up, Stacia (6) helpfully suggested, "Mom, we need to get you a FACE MASK so you don't get hurt when you keep falling on your face!" 

What ALL the cool moms are wearing

It's official....I now ache all over...front and back. I really think I'll find an onsen tomorrow.....even if I have to go alone.  Missing my onsen buds. 

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

Winter Workout

While probably not the best total body workout; shoveling all this snow certainly did get my heart rate up. I can tell it also worked my back and shoulder muscles.  The added bonus being the kids loved their extra long recess. 

No, I didn't get all the way down to the asphalt....basically got all the loose snow moved over to form the sled hill....the packed stuff was there to greet us when we got back from TX. I figure it needs Michael, Jared and Nolan's touch. 


After all, I'd hate to deprive them of THEIR chance for a winter workout.  Now it's back to Ancient Mesopotamia and and Land Animals. 


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

Sourdough Mania

For years the whole sourdough starter, waiting and waiting four dough thing....intimidated me. I've ground wheat and baked bread for nearly 20 years.....but somehow it seemed to scary and time consuming to try sourdough. But sourdough is Michael's favorite. I had planned to conquer this last year...and didn't....so I was on a mission this year! 

Latest in living room deco - dough souring

I got a starter on Sunday (has it only been 5 days? WOW). I've fed the thing, babied it, emptied it and made 9 batches of English muffins, two loaves of bread (I shortened the wait by 5 hours and so they are flattish...but when you need a sandwich you need one!), and this a.m. a batch of sourdough pancakes.  I've discovered if the dough sours 8 hours most my family will be happy. If it sours for 24 hours Michael and Jared will LOVE them.  


By making English Muffins two times a day for a couple of days, I've managed to get 6 muffins in the freezer....and by baking daily for a bit longer I should get a bit more...so when life is too busy to make them they'll have a couple days' supply in the freezer.  I plan to post all the recipes...but time is short during the week.  Here's the recipe I'm using most for English Muffins.  I've tweaked it to work for me (using Bill's method of cutting so I have uniform muffins because I'm THAT way), and I find the process is easier for me than the baking process of my Uncle's. I use Uncle Bill's recipe and the process from the above link when we don't want sourdough.  Michael and Jared really like sourdough. Though the whole wheat muffins from Uncle Bill were gone within a morning too. 

Haste makes flat - wish that worked on ME as well as the bread! 

This is the recipe I used for Sourdough Pancakes. 

Left made in cast iron, right made on electric griddle

The verdict from the kids....they like THIN best. My suspicion is because the sourdough taste is new and on thin the syrup/sourdough ratio is more in favor of sweet....and you taste the graininess of the, well, GRAIN, more in the fluffier pancake. Both kinds have disappeared.....


I started dough souring to make more English Muffins tonight...so most of my starter is gone....I'm feeding it throughout the day and we'll try bread or pancakes again tomorrow. I'm working to get enough in the freezer to see the kids through my trip to Tokyo next weekend. LOL 

Starter resting and growing in the living room - just like us! 

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

Yuuki Photo of the Day

I hope this love of soft, furry, squeaky things does NOT transfer to gifts of mice in the spring and summer. 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~

Living all of life before the face of God...

We're Staying......

Our big news of the day came via email. Michael was informed that our DEROS (Date Expected to Return from Over Seas) has been changed from July 2012 to July 2013!  This means that we will be staying in Japan for one more year. 


We are very excited and yes, it is an answer to prayer. We were by no means sure that our request would be approved as it was first denied. 


I suppose anything could happen and it could change again...but as of today we are staying an extra year. We've simply not had enough time to explore Japan.....We are not worried about our safety. Remember, I WAS raised in the Philippines and during the days when the military wasn't allowed to travel to the south - I lived there. We've always believed we are safest in the spot where God has called us....and through much prayer we've felt Japan is just where He's put us for the time being.

We have given our hearts to Japan and we are blessed God is allowing us to stay one more year.  To date 2012 is proving to be a vast improvement over 2011. ::snort::

Michael told me today after MOPS and PWOC board meetings.  We told the kids tonight that we needed to have family circle early because Akikso san was coming tonight. Which was true. We read our chapter. We let all talk about what they were thankful for from the day.....then Michael said, "Tonight I'm thankful for four numbers 2-0-1-3. Jared figured it out immediately, followed by Arielle and Nolan in quick succession.


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

Yuuki Photo of the Day

Yes, she has her own chair....she wasn't thrilled with Stacia's grooming.....