Lovin Japan ~ Sembei (Sembee?)

On the second day of our newcomer's tour of Misawa, the guide offered us a Japanese cookie...and we really thought Japan was a sad, sad place to live.....but over time we must have developed a taste. 

If you think of Senbei as a cracker more than a cookie...and if you buy them FRESH......

from the little shop on the walk to Hirosaki Castle....

They're really quite yummy! 

They're available at most stores, every rest area along the toll road and we've discovered they're great for those who suffer from motion sickness.  As you would expect from this lovely country (think ice cream, Kit Kats, Mentos) you CAN get them in a wide variety of flavors from savory to sweet. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Mindful of the Calendar

I continue to commit to living mindful...of both  the calendar and  my God-given priorities for this season. 

Commitments lead to actions. 

Monday was blessed by a long, leisurely lunch with a friend at a local organic restaurant.  I remembered the wise question of Marvie in January, "How do you want to spend your last months in Misawa?" God's very words to my heart through the lips of a friend. 

Tuesday contained service to the children of the chapel via Protestant Children of the Chapel. There are only four weeks left with these little ones and with the young men who help so wonderfully each week. I've come to appreciate and love them both even more through our time of service....Nolan and Jaycob. 

Today - working out, cuddling, going through THINGS in preparation for our move....

HOW does one family collect so much stuff in four years? I HAVE taken things to the thrift store at least once a quarter since we got here.  What do families who don't move every 2 - 4 years do about the rapid accumulation of "stuff?"

Stacia thinks this is Christmas and wants to play with every item I've stashed in a closet and plan to give away "since we never use it." Zander lobbied for a day off school (Math and reading) as we're "working so hard." Arielle and Nolan are STARS!

Tonight, we'll have  AWANA and Titus 2 Tea  Michael will take the kids to AWANA and I will snuggle in our room and watch Hobbit with Zander.  This afternoon maybe a bit more reading with Zander my first Migraine since July hit. I wonder if thyroid TSH levels have any effect on migraines. In any event it's Thursday a.m. and I was down for the count and still fill "off" this a.m.  

YES! Look what Nolan captured as we drove home yesterday!  It was almost prophetic as I had said, "Would you move already?"

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God

Lovin Japan ~ Tanbo Art

Rice Art...this was a GREAT field trip and I'm sad we won't be in Japan when the fields are harvested this year. Maybe we can go up when they plant the fields...it's a community event.  You can read more about our adventures at the Inakadate Village here and here.
   

 
I find rice fields beautiful and I will miss living near plain old ordinary rice fields...but these rice fields at Inakadate Village are worth the drive to see. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Japan Lovin ~ Fun Ice Cream Flavors

Japan has an INCREDIBLE array of ice cream flavors. Baskin and Robbins 31 flavors is child's play.  We've enjoyed trying out as many flavors as we possibly could....some we've loved; some not so much....

Green Apple, plums, licorice, sesame, green tea, sweet potato....apple ice cream with apple vinegar (below left) nothing is better on a hot  summer festival day! 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Lovin Japan ~ Pedicures

Rachel D via photopin cc

It took well over a year before I was brave enough to get a pedicure. It seemed far too intimate to have someone scrubbing and massaging my feet...until I realized I routinely visited onsens to sit naked with strangers. 

Twyla and Renee became my pedicure partners (as they were onsen partners). I've not taken the time for many pedicures since they both moved.  The last one was at Asia Region's PWOC conference in November 2011.  Lauren, Laurie, Cindy and I stole a few moments before conference began to get a pedicure. 

The girls love pedicures. I must make time for a few more Japanese pedicures before we move in 85 days. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Living Mindful

Our eventful summer caused me to ....evaluate...make changes....and one has been this simple commitment....I will live mindful and not Mind Full....

floating around Facebook in a variety of spots

I want to live fully present in each moment...and clear out the clutter which so often occupied my mind....yes, margin...but more. It's been a good change...and there is more to come, I'm sure. It's led to less time online, less time in group activities, more intentional mentoring, more one on one time with family and friends.... I joke that I've gotten in touch with my inner introvert. Michael assures me I'm still an extrovert. ::snort::

Today  living mindful meant a deliberate choice to set aside the "to do" lists, attend the 0800 chapel service and then head out for a picnic at Shipwreck Beach. Um....COLD RAIN...change of plans.... a WARM lunch at the club followed by bowling.

I wasn't totally blowing the mindful thing...I can't bowl due to weak wrists...I prefer to skip bowling and be able to write without pain....so....I was thrilled when the wifi worked!

Back at home...when the moving mania threatened to overcome....I made a conscious choice to live this day mindful....of family...of fleeting rainy Sunday afternoons in Misawa....and so it led to several hours at the onsen with the girls...followed by several hours playing LIFE as a family.....

LifeSupercharger via photopin cc

THIS led to Michael and I thinking Dave Ramsey needs to create a game where smart financial choices are rewarded, where one can actually choose NOT to do stupid things most of society must do these days and to save...we were surprised to see some of the recent changes to the LIFE game and wish we'd saved our old game where we didn't land on "Share the Wealth" spots every other turn - which by the way - G Rules say you can IGNORE....give to charity, help out one in need  - sure - share the wealth - um go make some yourself.  In any event...I wonder if Dave Ramsey already HAS a game....

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Lovin Japan - Dogs in Costumes

If one looks for it, there is much to smile about in Japan. I love the zest for the...well...bit absurd...and this is seen often in the way small dogs are dressed....I'm not sure where this photo was taken...but I've seen many dogs in a variety of costumes and outfits as cute as these two. The guys in our home won't let us dress up Yuuki.

amy_b via photopin cc

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...