Easter in May

Our long awaited Easter Program 2011 was tonight. The kids were darling. They all did a great job. I had some favorites who stole the show....but I won't post their photos as I don't have permission. I will say that worship banners and 3 yo are hilarious after about 15 min. LOL 


Here's a shot of Arielle - the middle school drama team wove a drama throughout the songs and such. Arielle is on the far right....

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

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...