Gathering Spot

Loved having the youth of the neighborhood on our patio playing mafia. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

First Shipwreck Trip of the Season!

Michael has brought up the idea of a trip to Shipwreck several times since the weather turned nice...but he wasn't really up to it. Today Stacia, Zander, Michael and I made the trip. The older ones were sleeping off the affects of the PYOC Lock in (stories to follow, I hope). 


We were surprised to find snow on the ground - but the weather was gorgeous, Mutsu Bay was calm, and the sky was clear. Did I say the WEATHER WAS GORGEOUS - so excited SPRING SEEMS TO BE HERE! 

Yuuki spent the whole time trying to break away from the leash. We really weren't sure when she'd come back if we let her off. She is incredibly curious and had to investigate each smell.  

Stacia is a diligent sea glass hunter

Found this and thought the girls may like it for their Coca Cola Kitchen....and if they don't....I know where to put it back. LOL 

We had been beach combing two years before we fully realized THESE stones weren't just "stones" and started collecting agates.

 And here's the sea glass catch of the day. Stacia is SURE she found them all....herself. LOL

It was a lovely day in every way. I was sad to miss a PWOC outing I had planned...but this was needed. Yuuki slept the whole way home. She made friends at the Lawson's on the way out.  Everyone is in bed already...I'd be there too except I need to go pick up Jared in an hour.


Well - one sad thing of the day - we came home and our neighbor's were gone - moved into the Inn. I can't imagine pulling a move off with a two week notice...but they are champs. We'll miss them and their three daughters. 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Great Day - Status Updates

• Malachi - God certainly hates a religion of externals which doesn't seek His face
• Picked up older 3 from PYOC lock in 
• Worked out - two sessions garnered more overall minutes. 
• Shipwreck beach with Michael, Zander and Stacia while the older ones slept off their Lock in effects*
• Yuuki is my travel buddy.
• Dinner cooked, served and cleaned up.
• Baths for Yuuki, Stacia and Zander.
• Whew - we're WIPED around here. Staying up long enough to pick Jared up from work. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Status Updates - 13 April

• They're tilling the fields outside our house. 
• TnT - Mark 11
• v 17 Jesus contrasts an open house with a secretive, dangerous criminal hideout; prayer with profiteering
• v 25 - 26 - Forgiveness is mandatory - look up the word, #863. Jesus said "Forgive them they know not what they do" - why do we think we have the right to let them know all they've done before we forgive? I choose to forgive - as often as I pray and remember and need to.  Jesus showed he forgave by accepting sinners. Why do we so often shun those we say we've forgiven? Things I'm pondering. 
• Hugs are back on the agenda - very good thing!
• I've unpacked my "Just in case Hospital bag!"*
• School - done - not as much as I hoped for but I had mercy. We DID get 3 weeks of Tapestry done. 
• Took Arielle and 3 of her friends to  Shimoda Mall for an hour.*
• Took advantage of the above outing for Mommy and Me time with Stacia.*
• Neighbor's emptying cupboards....we're delivering the stuff to a missionary in a nearby city. 
• Young adults in our house have a lock in at the chapel tonight. 
• Dinner....trip to Hachinohe...and episode #7 in "What's in the Bible".

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

"The" Bag

When this tote arrived about a month ago I hadn't a clue what I would do with it. It was about twice as large as I expected. LOL  After our week in the hospital, when Michael was having such a strange recovery and I was still hearing, "We may have to do another procedure," I packed it as a "just in case hospital bag."   Today I unpacked it. 

I took it to the mall and found all my "stuff" fit in the front pocket and I had LOTS of room for Stacia's coat, our Y100 purchases, stationary purchases AND all our produce. (You bring your own bag in Japan).  This photo doesn't even SHOW how big it REALLY is...I'm picturing beach trips, park trips etc. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Girl's Day Out

Today I took Arielle and three of her friends (Mackenzie, Molly and Gracie) to Shimoda mall. The original plan was lunch and the Y100 store...but one family couldn't leave until after lunch and needed to be home by 2:30 p.m.  I was glad to drive the girls. They seemed to have a good time. I think an hour at the mall is not enough time and will remember that in the future. ::snort::

This provided a great opportunity for Stacia and I to have some Mommy and Me time.

Pepper Lunch - Yum

Good Ole McDonald's ::snort:: 

 Locals - they had that big package of "rejects" that Stacia is holding for Y350....it's TWICE the size of the ones we pay Y598 for at the commissary.  Yum.

 When we met up with the girls they had ice cream comes. Arielle warmed my heart when she gave the rest of her cone to Stacia....

As to her purchases? Things for Stacia and Zander. What a jewel....and Stacia loves the bling. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Good Day

• Interesting thoughts on leadership in Jeremiah 1.
• Biblical Hospitality - Abraham welcomed, served, refreshed his guests...how can I do the same? 
• LOVE that Michael is editing parts of 2007 of Choosing Joy for printing....8 clicks to add each title...
• Always fun to Skype with ministry partners.
• Made onion soup mix - no msg - a whole new world. LOL *
• Whew - slogging through mud today - table school done before lunch. Could be worse. We'll see what we can get done after lunch. 
• Strange things can be found in your kitchen when you home school.*
• New milestones in Michael's recovery - driving and playing.*
• Got most of couch school done before I fell asleep while reading.
• Jared was offered another job at FSS - $1 an hour more. He's decided to stay with Pizza Hut. 
• Why is Nolan climbing into the neighbor's garbage can while Zander tries to close the lid? There is a  reason. 
• Has Arielle broken her elbow....stay tuned.
• When Stacia (6) walks in yelling, "Nothing's ruined, Mom!" I wonder....
• Akikosan surprised us with a visit.*
• Jared picked up an extra hour of work but all are now home.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...