Celebrating in Yokota!

We had the joy of driving to Tokyo so that my husband could preside at the retirement ceremony of Chaplain Dan Morey yesterday. Tracy has served on  both Asia Region's and Yokota's  PWOC boards.  Ch. Morey has been a PWOC Chaplain here in Yokota. I was struck (as were several others who commented) at the fun and excitement displayed during this retirement ceremony.  Of course, it was a blast to reconnect with some of our Yokota PWOC members....but it was more. This was a true celebration of a family walking out a season of ministry faithfully! Twist and turns...but still walking faithfully....that example ministered to those of us who were privileged to hear the story.

Ch. Goecker, Tracy Morey, Ch. Morey

I woke up this morning wondering what it will be like to wake up retired...knowing that a season of service is over....Whatever God puts in my path to do, I want to execute faithfully and well for His glory. May we all wake at the end of our "season of service" - be that in the home, at PWOC, on a spouses group, at the end of a military career - and rest in the fact that we've been "good and faithful servants".  We may not accomplish all we "could," but we can certainly do well and faithfully all HE gives us to do, which in the end is all we "should" do.

Well-lived Chaplain Dan, Tracy and Melody...our hats are off to you!

PSssstt.....Ch. G did an awesome job at conducting his first retirement ceremony. Well-done!

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

Today's Adventure

Shew - that was a long 12 hours...but we're here.  We went to bed last night to a winter snow advisory in our area and the thought that we had to drive the roads this a.m. 


We left home and it was snowing....and more was predicted. It was COLD too.   I wouldn't have wanted to drive on the roads, but Michael was fine. We weren't making great time...but we were safe. 

Houses to the left of middle are ours....little house in the paddies? 

We stopped and enjoyed the great rest areas pretty regularly.  We couldn't resist this picture......there was a 5.9 earthquake shortly after we passed through. I have amazing stories about my trips to Tokyo. LOL  We actually didn't feel this one at all as we were driving. 

I thought this sign to help you locate a vacant toilet was very helpful....

The GPS led us on a unique route....we eventually did end up right in front of Yokota....we'll have to remember to tell the men at the Auto Hobby shop that the man who told them "this thing led me all over town before it took me to Yokota," is RIGHT. ::snort:: Who would guess they'd have NO maps to YOKOTA AIR BASE in the Air Force rental van....directions to Army and Naval installations. ::snort::

We missed our planned entertainment for the night...but we're so tired it's probably best to get some sleep. LOL  It took us 4 1/2 hours longer than we expected..... It's a warm 40* tonight down here....crops are still in the fields....totally different than Misawa. We'll have to remember this when the winter gets long.

OH - and for two years I asked for the bathroom with the wrong pronunciation....I was asking "Excuse me, Where's the chicken please?" Today I got to try the phrase with the RIGHT pronunciation....and it worked. ::snort:: No perplexing looks and instant help. LOL

We are in the same TLF that the regional board shared two years ago at WILD. Fun memories....sharing molten lava...sweet laughter and confidences. Making new memories with Michael and the youngest two Gherkins.

I found myself reflecting on the fateful drive to Tokyo last March....and the memories of FB messages, "Has anyone heard from my family. Are they ok?" And the fellowship with two dear friends as we tried to get back home...both of them moved on now....new memories to make.


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

Yuuki Photo of the Day

Evidently neither of them are captivated by Pride and Prejudice

Yuuki and Jared take a bit of a school break. Jared cracked us up by writing that Jane Austin's works are "steeped in estrogen." ::snort:: 

Yuuki is JEALOUS of our pet FISH! Can you believe that? She was sitting nicely in the dining room. We finished dinner and kept talking. Arielle reached over and fed the fish and Yuuki began whining and whimpering. What a hoot! 

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

Productive Day

BUSY day - ALL DAY AT HOME TYPE OF BUSY. The best kind of busy there is. 


I took care of a few ministry things - researching an upcoming trip for the end of March, getting ready for a trip tomorrow, SCHOOL, baking, laundry...lots and lots of school. In fact, Zander, Stacia and I got a whole week of school done today. Everything just clicked!  They've even asked if we can bring the school books with us to Tokyo. We will. 


I have discovered it is much harder to arrange the details of a trip when you live this far off base, have an 18 yo that works ON base (but can't drive off base) and a new dog. LOL But I think we have a workable plan now. All the pieces are working together. We had envisioned a family trip to Tokyo - and it won't be...but those of us who go will enjoy the drive time to catch up with each other. 


Rice is steaming, salad and fruit ready to go, Chicken Divan will pop in the over at 6:30 p.m. or when we get notice that Michael is on his way home.....

I just need to pack. Oh yeah.


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

Cream of....substitute

Make a white sauce and substitute for "condensed cream of  soups" in recipes... (Making Chicken Divan tonight). 

Basic:
3 T Butter 
4 T Flour
*1 C Milk (or 1/2 broth/1/2 milk)
Salt
Pepper


Melt butter
Add flour
Whisk in milk, salt and pepper


Stir until thickens. 


*I think it tastes better with 1/2 chicken broth and 1/2 milk.....(which makes Cream of Chicken soup). 


* I hear you can make big batches and freeze - I've not done so.

*Add sauteed mushrooms, veggies, chicken, bouillon to vary the types of soup.

This will make about 1 C of thickened soup - so I'd use it for a can. Eyeball it. It's an art not a science. The above photo is a double recipe and substituted fairly well for "2 cans of cream of chicken soup".


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

Yuuki Photo of the Day

Don't touch my rawhide! 

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

Recap

We're back in the swing of life....full force. LOL 


Friday we got an incredible amount of school done. 


Saturday I had a spouse's breakfast - sweet time together. 


Michael had some suspenses he was working on both Saturday and Sunday. So...the kids and I got more school done. I also moved some posts over here that I wanted to have in our family journal. 


Sunday we were back at Sunday School...we'd been off for the Christmas/New Year's Break.  Michael spent the day at chapel and we puttered. 


I moved Asia Region's off-site blog from wordpress to blogspot...not seamless but I've got the majority of things moved or linked. Maybe. 


I'm trying to learn how to do a few new techie tricks....booked some airplane trips. 


LOTS more school today.  We're moving at a rapid clip....trying to make up for the long Christmas break we had as well as get ahead for some spring fun. 


Nothing earth-shattering or a lot of fun....but needful. LOL

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