Happy Birthday Jesus!

If you've read our blog, you know we've been Christmas transition for some years.  We have been convicted about how and why we give on Christmas.  This led to us moving our family gift exchange from "Christmas" and focusing solely on celebrating Jesus and giving gifts to Him on Christmas day. (We realize some use Christmas Eve for this - that's fine - we chose this way).  We've focused on giving to Jesus for years - but it was rather intangible for our littles. 


We hesitate to share much here, not wanting to seem pharisaical. However, this is a family journal and we do try to journal those things which are important to us. We do also share what we've bought for our children's birthdays. In that spirit, here are the tangible gifts we have been honored and blessed to give  to Jesus on His birthday today. Gospel for Asia gives 100% of our donations to the areas we designate.  We have begun brainstorming how we can leverage our donations next year. I think we'll sell something and spend the money on more gifts....we still didn't make the Water Buffalo....but we're happy for these gifts....most will allow a family some relief now as well as provide an income for years to come. Many of these are destined to those in the untouchable castes of India. 

Pair of Pigs

Pair of Rabbits

Fishing Nets

Water Filter for one family

Four Blankets

3 Pairs of Chickens

Embroidery Machine

2 Lambs

1 Rickshaw

1 Radio

1 Pay Telephone (income)

and a CAMEL! 

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

Christmas Eve

I love the candlelight Christmas Eve services we've enjoyed at various military chapels throughout the world.  This service always seems like a wonderful illustration of all the best parts of various church traditions.

Last night we had various passages of Scripture read (Christmas story, John 1:1 - 14 and more), a host of hymns, special music....communion and candles. Lots of candles.

No, not my sweetie, but she IS the doll of one of my gals who said I could post this photo....

After the service we drove around in search of a truly LIGHTED up neighborhood. We were sadly disappointed, but I suppose that makes the ones who DO decorate stand out all the more. LOL

Back at home we baked a Birthday cake, ate pizza,  and played our new game - Don't Say That  (Taboo for the Jr set).

At Stacia's persistent request we even played Candyland.

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

21 Dec - PWOC at Nursing Home

At Misawa PWOC's Fall Rally, we passed out no sew, tie, fleece blankets. Each one said "God Loves Me". Our goal was to tie 100 before Christmas. We received permission to give each of the residents at the nursing home we visit a blanket - as well as the staff. 


Throughout the fall semester of Bible Studies, women took blankets home, brought them back and one study even tied together during their DVD each week. 

100 fleece blankets under the tree of a local nursing home

Mike discovered the doors are a bit short...or he is a bit tall. ::snort:: 

Susane had translated Joy to the World for us into Japanese and we had a good time singing it for the residents. Kilian and Christine provided Christmas music. (No photos as I don't have official permission to use children's images). 

Twyla (Misawa Outreach), Mrs. F and the Nursing Home Director display a blanket. 

This always cracks me up - the great shoe puzzle as we leave. 

This was a great outing. I wish we could have had more interaction with the residents...but we'll take what we are allowed. We met a woman who will be 105 in March. She was here when Miss Veedol made it's flight to WA. 


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

SCORE

 I purchased the very LAST bit of ginger at the Farmer's Market up the road.  I was out of Kim's candied ginger....and need to go find out how to make more. I can't remember what the Japanese say Ginger is good for - but I know they eat a lot of it in winter. Of course, I hadn't a clue what to DO with this to get it ready for the Gyudon.....until I googled.

You really can peel it with a spoon! Very fun. 

Other than we tracked down  various yard furniture, grills, glass floats and OUR SHED. We have had WILD weather last night and today. It's probably because my friend Mary and family are traveling to Tokyo. She said they always get weather when they go on a road trip.  We had WIND, rain, thunder, slush, snow...Tina says it's hormonal weather and I agree. ::snort::

Yep - our shed blew away - but is now set up in the garage and housing the spring planters and kids bikes.  We found all the parts of the grill. The wind chimes will chime no more. All floats are collected....and in the meantime our Japanese neighbor came over to talk to us again. I'll write a separate post about them.

We went on a wonderful winter walk around the neighborhood and saw a white crane.

No, we've still not finished Christmas shopping - but no stress here. We don't exchange gifts until New Years. ::snort::

Ah, the kids need my laptop to watch a movie that was downloaded via itunes. I'm off.

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

School Bits

Bladder Bathroom, Saliva Coaster, Liver Gifts, Mouth Caves....we're going to leave it there.  Can you imagine? We set down to discover a "Digestive System Amusement Park."

Bags, jars and bowls of green, growing things.....in my KITCHEN. WHAT IS THIS? Ah - learning how various foods break down in the stomach....um so what is the tooth in a jar of soda for??????

Arielle and Nolan are working through Human Anatomy on their own. I debated about buying the Notebooking Journal. They love it.  I've informed them I want some warning and input when they hit the Reproductive System.

Zander, Stacia and I are working through Zoology 3 - Land Animals. I've not ordered a notebook kit for Zander yet....debating.  It's enough for now to try to get some sort of a routine established as our Oct and Nov were not typical.  Zander and Stacia were thrilled to get Christmas Greetings from Sam - of their phonics program. I couldn't understand all the words.

The Littles and I finished reading, The Hidden Jewel, about Amy Carmichael and Donhaevur Fellowship, by Dave and Neta Jackson. A good book.

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

Sunday Before Christmas

Chapel

Family Brunch at the Club

Packaged and Attempted Delivery of  goodies to neighbors

Christmas Program and Reception - The Christmas Program combined children's singing, Middle School Drama, Congregation Singing and the Youth Human Video Team.  It was wonderful. 

Sheep in the Making

Cow 

Middle School Drama Team - Arielle in middle

Stacia - the sheep behind the angel's wings

Nolan on left, Zander next to him - struggling with angel's halo

ALIVE - Youth Human Video team - Arielle left corner

Jared as Jesus, on her knees Ashley as Mary, team in back 

Grand Finale

From 2010-12-19_hood_Program

This little sheep did NOT want to be an angel this year....but I think she began to rethink this as the angels were front and center and their wings kept blocking her view of the camera. Mike grabbed this video. By this point she was DONE with being a star....she was far more interested in the pockets of her new pants. She does NOT wear dresses, but I thought pants may be better for being a sheep - in case she did any role playing....obviously the pockets are very interesting on pants. 

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

Menu Plan

Surprise! Making a menu plan worked so well last week, it would appear it has become a feature of our Sunday Night Family Staff Meeting. ::snort::

Monday ~ Nite Out (our schedules just don't mesh with Michael's AT ALL on Monday it's either a meal at home or a bit of time with Dad - we choose Dad)

Tuesday ~ Chili and Cornbread (Nursing Home Visit)

Wednesday ~ Soup - Taco, Potato, Veggie, Cheeseburger..... (Movie @ 4:30) - Remember to shop, plan and bake for Jesus' party on Saturday

Thursday ~ Gyudon (Lunch and Onsen with friend)

Friday - Pizza

Saturday - Lasagna, Italian Bread, Jesus' Party

Sunday - Burger Burn

On the Back Burner (Requests that didn't fit this week)
Chicken Divan
Hawaiian Chicken
BBQ Meatballs 
Big Batch of Spaghetti Sauce (manicotti, spaghetti, lasagna)
Big Batch of Pizza Sauce
BREAD


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