Yuuki Photo of the Day

19 inches of NEW snow overnight and Yuuki was DETERMINED to go outside with the kids.....She wouldn't turn around. 

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

Storm at Little House in the Rice Paddies

I mentioned it began to snow 10 min after my plane landed. It was a "good" storm. I was glad I had no where to be yesterday. 


Last night this warning was sent: 

11:30 PM Feb 01, 2012

Aomori Local Meteorological Observatory

Weather Warnings（Misawa City）

 [Issued Warnings]

Heavy snow warning, High waves warning

[Continuing Warnings]

Snow-storm warning

It was windy, lots of snow - WHITE OUT - Blizzard. I woke several times in the night to the sounds of crashing as massive snow build up slid off our roof. I finally got up at 2:30 a.m. (jet lag). 

I prayed, read the Word, worked on Board Meeting Agendas and PWOC reimbursements....then noticed that my window seemed a bit icy. 

I opened the curtain and discovered a winter wonder land. I also began to suspect I would NOT be driving to base for PWOC. 

I found this online on the Misawa AFN FB page, "Good morning, Misawa! The 35th FW Commander has directed delayed reporting until noon. All schools are cancelled. Further delay information to follow at 10:00 a.m." 

This is an article on the storm. Pray for Tohoku. We can't get seem to catch our breath up here. BEFORE this storm we were already only 20 in below the winter average for snow.

Here's some shots I took this a.m. Can't wait to see the kids reactions...and Yuuki when she tries to go out.....yes...I was in my workout capris and snowboots and it WAS cold.  These were taken early about 6:00 so still sort of dark.

Hmmmm....gonna be a sight

OPENED......wow

Porch steps are gone...

Snowed in - thanks Mr Plowman

Our sledding hill - the kids are going to be EXCITED

Snow about 2/3 of the way from my ankle to knee

Opened the door and decided to leave this for Yuuki to blaze through

Must remind kids not to stand under this window

Stacia is UP and doing school QUICK so she can play outside! Should I tell them all schools in the whole city are cancelled? Nah....

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

Vision Summit

Those not involved in the land of  PWOC (pronounce P-WOC ::snort::) may be unfamiliar with Vision Summit.  Protestant Women of the Chapel is a military auxiliary which ministers to women throughout all branches of the military.  The WORLD is literally reached by this ministry. I have been investing in this ministry for the past 14 years...first at the local level in a variety of positions and most recently at the regional level as a Regional President of Asia. 


Vision Summit is a few days each winter when the International PWOCI board, the joint council (includes Regional Presidents) and Regional Vice Presidents meet to share vision, pray, fellowship and TRAIN. This is like WILD (Leadership Development Weekends we do each year at the local level) for regional leadership. Great stuff this year..... 


We met with each other, with GOD and with our Chaplains. I was at the Airlie Conference center and that is what I was doing. ::grin::  I came a couple of days early to avoid jet lag - and visited with Susane. I had a 15 hour layover and was met by cyber friends become real life friends for dinner and the night. 


I left equipped and refreshed - with several new taskings on my plate.  


Here are some random thoughts:

• At Asia's WILD 2011 I spoke about Following the Heart of our King. I shared a quote from Black Douglas, "Forward brave-heart as ever you were wont to do and Douglas will follow the heart of the King." I've thought about that a lot these past few months. Forward...following wherever my King would lead....FORWARD with BRAVERY....intentionally, joyously following wherever He may lead.... I believe I met with a group of leaders this week whose very heart is to follow the heart of the King as well. It was good. 
• I was in my zone, thinking and praying, and nearly boarded a flight for LA instead of DFW. Thankful for a gate clerk who really looked at my boarding pass. 
• This from Michael's Facebook wall, "Well, we had our obligatory "De'Etta's traveling" earthquake. It was 5.6 and located nt too far away from us. Off the coast and north of Morioka and a little south of us. It did rattle things a bit."
• Met up with two friends and delighted as Kristin rearranged the plane so we could sit together. "This is my friend and she is going to Japan and I won't see her for at least a year. We haven't had time to talk."
• I had a 15 hour layover in Dallas. Thinking the boys would have to work Monday.....instead I met these gals... I spent the night with Gilda (2nd from left). We've known each other on Facebook, and a homeschool yahoo group.....now Merri, Gilda, Jen and myself met at Olive Gardens! Ladies, if you're ever in Asia, drop by.

The moment Cyber Friends become Real Life Friends

• I'm becoming quite an old hand at navigating through the Japanese travel system. 
• In Tokyo they were announcing planes returning from the North. I called Michael and he assured me it was NOT snowing in Misawa. 
• Mid-way to Misawa the pilot came on and said, "We may have to return to Tokyo due to snow storms." I  promptly fell asleep and woke when we touched down. I wasn't 100% sure where I was.....but was HOME. 
• The storm began 10 min after our plane landed. Thank you, Jesus. 

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

Touring Manassas

Yesterday, Susane and I toured Manassas and learned about First Manassas (Battle of the Bull Run) and Second Manassas.  The weather was gorgeous and it was a great day for walking around and imagining. We did a walking tour, watched a movie, did a driving tour and visited with a gentleman who was a civil war buff and overheard our conversation at one spot. 

Henry house in the background

Judith Henry (85) was the only civilian casualty

A legend is made - Stonewall Jackson

Stonehouse served as a Union Field Hospital in both battles

Stone Bridge - see the old and new on the arches

We also stopped by a Family Christian book store. Alas, I have very little room in my carry on....but it was fun to make a list to order online. LOL  And just because I snap photos of amusing things in Japan - check this out. 

Seriously?

Because nothing says grace and peace like chocolate

We also ate at Ruby Tuesdays and visited Target. Came back to the hotel to talk, snack and watch Anita Renfroe. 


Off on another day. 


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

Yuuki Photo of the Day

Just in case you think yesterday's photo was a fluke....here is Yuuki last week evidently doing Arielle's homework....a new twist on the dog ate my homework? ::grin::

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

Missing De'Etta and Yuuki Pic of the day.

It has only been a day, but we are all missing De'Etta/Mom muchly.  Looking forward to having her home.

In the meantime, the kids did school, scholarships, SAT, cleaned out the fish tank, and played in the snow. 

Yuuki used the opportunity to get on facebook and do a little internet surfing - well we think she did; OK, maybe she did; alright, it looks like she could have...  Anyway here is the Yuuki photo of the day.

Michael

Choosing Joy!

©2012 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~

Living all of life before the face of God...

Happy Medium

I really must work to find the balance between a running escort through immigration up to the gate and a 15 hour layover. 

Narita EX was late....but I ran through ticketing, security and immigration - and on to the plane...amazing really how fast that CAN be done if you have airport employees with walkie talkies by your side.

Fun day of people watching

Safe in Dallas and waiting to board for the last leg of this trip. I think I'm home free now. lol


Edit - Susane picked me up as I walked to the baggage area....successful completion of travel day. 


We spent the evening talking, went to dinner, and enjoyed an American onsen (aka hot tub).

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