Easter Practice, Germs, PAC, Shopping

The younger ones have been fighting a the crud I had before our vacation. They are losing the battle. Arielle  has been determined all week NOT to catch any of their germs. She must NOT be sick before the Easter Play tomorrow night. 

This morning was the annual PAC planning session. I think a lot of great things were covered. 


Arielle had Easter Program Practice afterwards. Yes, Easter in May because we had a tsunami and voluntary departure at Easter Time this year. Who says you can't celebrate Easter year round anyway? 


Anna and I found out late last night that Miyako would like us to bring down the remaining kits on Monday. They would also like us to add groceries. She and I spent the afternoon shopping for groceries for 90 families. All in all a fun and productive day. 


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

Buying Produce

In Texas we bought our produce in cases and divided it amongst friends weekly.  Things cost more here....but we DO live in the midst of Japan's farming communities. 


Today we visited our favorite produce market out here by us. We can walk to this. Hyakka Ryousai - not sure if that is the name of the restaurant or the market but it works. This is where we went with Nate to hand pick our strawberries with scissors. Yum. 


Today we stopped in the banana house.......

I'm guessing this is to speed up the ripening process? I know it works in a paper bag with green bananas bought at HEB. ::snort:: 

There were goats 

Bunnies 

Promise of pineapples

This is about as good as it gets here for watermelons

Organic Buffet restaurant - also a bakery and ice cream. 

We discovered that while you CAN pick your own strawberries they frown on picking your own bananas....but yum...those were GREAT...and just the perfect size for a small snack...though it took 6 or 8 in our green smoothie ....

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

Park Day

This is the time of year in Misawa when the feather is TOTALLY fickle.  We jump back and forth from spring, summer and a bit of winter thrown in too. LOL 


Today we took advantage of a beautiful day to head to Swan Park. We knew we were too late for the blossoms, but expected to find nature and a bit of fun too. 


We started the park time off with a walk along the nature path. We immediately noted new benches carved from logs. 

These critters discovered along the path were a pleasant surprise! 

 

We took the time to have a snack in the midst of the water lilies and then we played on the playgrounds and various slides and towers.  

I'm glad we made the time for this as it appears bad weather is moving in. 

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

Day on the Japanese Coast

This afternoon we headed to Statue of Liberty Park. I was 99% sure the blossoms would be gone but really wanted to share this with Michael. They are mostly gone. We did find a tree or too. 

The kids hid their disappointment well 

Jared isn't feeling well. We stopped by the house and dropped him off. We ran to kaikohen (Momoishi) Beach. They've managed to get down to asphalt in the parking lot now. They are cleaning up the area we cleaned . It is interesting to watch. 

Hmm....interesting gardening technique. 

Made dinner and all went to bed. I'm still loving the pressure cooker....Michael said to look for a steel one.  I'm fading too, now. LOL 

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

Prayer Update

Josiah, Jamin and the Japan contingent all flew out of the NW Sunday a.m.

Krista will begin her trek to Turkey Monday a.m.

Bre and Krista are packing their apartment. Bre will have a bunch of friends over to help move things out on Monday or Tuesday.

Bre is renting a room and house sitting for the summer. The girls have found a roommate and will look for a 3 bdr apartment or home in late summer.

Prays for all the moving parts are very welcomed.


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

We Lost Sunday

We spent 10 hours at SEATAC and made it on the Space A flight home! Yes - for all but me - there and back via Space A - the only way to travel internationally. 

I do have a list of suggestions for how they could stream line this process, just in case I'm ever asked. ::snort:: 

We began boarding at 4:20 and flew at 5:20 a.m. on SUNDAY - we arrived home   - 9 hours later at 6 a.m. on MONDAY....we lost Sunday. 

Thus ends this vacation. 

I didn't sleep on the plane. Several of us took naps when we got home.  All but me are now in bed....but soon. I'm trying to get a handle on the waiting projects....feeling a bit disoriented...

We're wondering how long it will be until we have our first post vacation earthquake.....any guesses? 

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

And YOU Wanted to be a Missionary????

Nights like last night when we said goodbye to Dad....and today with so MANY dear ones to say goodbye too: Mom, Bre, Krista, Josiah and Jamin....make me wonder about my childhood dream of being a missionary. ::grin::


I have settled long ago that these are "beneficial leave takings". I have great peace and joy at where God is leading our older Gherkins...but it's always hard to pack up the fun "family together" times and move back to our "normal life".  


This morning......we walked and talked. 

Krista tried Green Tea and Melon Kit Kats

Jamin didn't really like them, I guess. 

We waited....all morning on the front step with our coat and back pack on....

We loaded

The PLAN was to find a rental in Salem but the only one big enough was in Portland. Mom and the kids would drive with us to get the rental van, we'd load suitcases into the rental, grab lunch and then on to SEA TAC. They'd drive back to Eugene. The kids had a 6:00 p.m. dinner appointment.....but nothing ever goes as planned.

It took longer to get to Portland than expected on the google maps route. 

We arrived at Office Depot instead of Hertz rental. 

We found the rental across the river and they didn't have the van they told us  they would have (Toyota Sienna) - we won't fit in a typical mini-van with international travel gear. 

We rented it and headed for the Portland Airport.  This meant I DROVE a RENTAL over a TALL BRIDGE over a big river...first time I've been on a TALL bridge since the earthquake.... the emotions that came back along with the nerves was rather surprising. 

We got the new van. Exchanged bags...said goodbye in the Airport parking garage. 

Rather appropriate place for a Gherkin Family photo! 

Michael and I shared last pieces of advice with the older kids. These will remain highly top secret and confidential.....hmmm....check out those feet....college will do strange things to a young man.

Finally, the unavoidable happened...goodbye had to happen..... We cross to our van and I snapped a last shot.....

Oops....appears Jared is reluctant to stay on OUR side of the parking garage. ::snort:: 

We are now at the airport. We've been told there are 170 "Space A" seats on this flight. We are Cat 2. Good chance of getting our free trip back to Japan.  HOWEVER, now we are told the plane won't leave until 5 a.m. There is no sense in renting hotel rooms for 10 hours.  We staked out a spot to get comfy.....we like it better than the USO with inappropriate movies and discussions...now that we hear we'll be here overnight we may check out the USO in a few hours. ::snort:: 

I've been asking myself all day, "How do you feel about going home to Japan?" I'll let you know what I answer myself.....when I finally answer myself.


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