MOPS, SKYPE, BIBLE, BEACH

We seem to be back into the "fall swing" - sort of. Our school books are still not here - but we had such a "short" summer that we are combining our "rolling start of school" (in other words we only took a break while in the states anyway) with late afternoon trips to the beach etc. 

Monday morning found me racing out of the house for a MOPS steering meeting. I've still not updated my calendar with all the new meeting times et al - and barely remembered this one. I really LOVE the MOPS theme this year. I won't share now - because our first MOPS meeting is coming up shortly - and I bet Carrie will reveal it. 

Monday afternoon I had a couple of PWOC meetings....and took care of some International Conference tidbits....mainly found a ticket from Tokyo to Nashville which will work with my need to have 24 hour travel days instead of 36 - 48 hour days. LOL  PWOC International Conference will be Nashville, TN this year. Mary Kassian  (Girls Gone Wise) will speak, Laura Story will lead worship....God will be welcomed to be in and through all. 

Via Google Images

This morning began with a regional Skype Prayer meeting at 06:30. It's always a joy to connect with our board and to pray for the ladies in Japan and Guam. I am constantly reminded that each of these women are direct answers to prayer in my life. 

Via Google Images

Today was the first Bible study of the local PWOC year. We had a great turn out with lots of new ladies. This year's board did a great job! We had a few last minute changes and our leadership team flexed like pros - semper gumby!!! continues to be my personal motto.  I chose to attend the group which will be digging into I Timothy - no curriculum...just 12 women, the word and a few tools Becky will share with us along the way. It promises to be fun. I heard good things about each of the other groups as well. 

I attended a meeting after PWOC...ran to the BX....then....

She took Liz' tip about the Ziploc bag

Stacia loves her brothers

Today's fun conversation with Stacia: 

Stacia: Mom I need a new swim suit. 

Me: OK. 

Stacia: Really, Mom can I get any type I want?

Me: (Hmmm.....be careful, think before answering!) What kind do you want? 

Stacia: A swimsuit with a hole in it? 

Me: Huh? 

Stacia: You know - a swimsuit with a hole in the tummy. 

Me: A bikini - no, you may not have a bikini. What other kind would you like? 

Stacia: One of those with the long sleeves and skirts? 

Me: Wild laughter......I don't think she quite knows what she wants yet. LOL We talked. 

Well, Michael left at 06:30 this a.m. It's nearing 20:00 now and I don't see him. I think I'll turn off the computer and go read. The kids are down....this fall schedule can be a killer the first week or two, can't it? ::grin:: 

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

Beach Baptisms (and Parish Picnic)

This was a great day celebrating with those who make up the Misawa Protestant Parish. We had a join service, a baptism, BBQ, canoes, paddle boats, motor boats (and all the fun that comes with that), two bouncy castles and lots of fun.

The setting was beautiful. Michael spoke from I Peter (the goal is to make it through I Peter before we PCS - we're about done with Chapter One) about a sincere, fervent love of the brethren. This is a repeated theme of recent sermons in our various services. I love it when the Holy Spirit weaves a theme through a parish.

At the end of the service Michael and Ch. C called those who were to be baptized to the lake.....we all crowded around the shore. There are a variety of doctrinal views of baptism represented at our parish - but many commented on how special it was to have these three take this step with the whole faith community present. 

They made their professions of faith and were each baptized. What a joy it was to watch Arielle be baptized. She'd always refused the whole notion due to her dislike of being front and center.... When the timing was right, God impressed the desire to obey the Word and she followed.

Nolan was next. There is simply no greater joy than watching your children follow God, take these milestones of the faith.

Terribly fun to be connected to Randy and Tina forever now as our children shared their baptism site and date. 

 I do think three youth choosing to be baptized today is a tribute to not only parents, God's wooing....but the mentoring of our AMAZING youth staff. 

Love this photo I snagged during prayer....I couldn't help it.

I have seventy photos - I won't share all - but I'll share the ones which I think the subjects wouldn't mind being on our blog. Now that we print the blog and it's our only photo album....I really want to capture some of our friends.  Love this family and am so glad they'll PCS the same summer we do. ::snort:: Samson and Reba are delightful and Reba can always be counted on to deliver HUGS. 

Love Susi, Richard and Ricky - Our Yuuki benefactors

The kids loved tubing and canoeing around the lake....funny thing happened when Michael, Stacia and I went out. We discovered Alecia and Arielle in the water beside their canoe. ::snort:: Alecia jumped in, Arielle jumped in to help her get back into the canoe....and there you have it. 

It was a great day!

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

Grieving the End of Summer....

For the first time in many years I am GRIEVING the end of this summer. It just doesn't feel like it ever really started.

I left the above comment on a blog and realized I had tears running down my face. Time to stop and spend some quiet time with God. Yes, I'm grieving. The end of summer - yes - but so much more. The end of a season, the end of a loved one's life, the end of a son's childhood (YES THIS ONE IS SWEET TOO), the unexpected loss of "final trips," those days of youth when you take you and your husband's health for granted....I am  not ready for the fall schedule to begin again....with Bible studies, church activities, schools and fall conferences....I want a summer vacation....mostly I need time to rest, to breathe, to feel ready to jump back into my busy life.

I often find myself attempting to be "strong."  Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is to enforce boundaries, to rest, to wait, to be still.  I'm not sure what I'm trying to say - other than I'm not ready for the fall. ::snort:: AND I committed again this morning to take the time I need to grieve well; Not wallowing - but not stuffing.

Michael asked me if I'd hit anger yet. Maybe. I'm not sure. I know I hit denial.  Maybe the tears are about negotiation....maybe that's what I'm doing....or maybe acceptance...who knows...I only know for a time....I will rest, I will sit quietly, I will take things slowly, I will enforce boundaries, I will walk out the priorities my husband and I set.....and that is enough.

No, grieving isn't all I'm doing. God has given me some clear-cut direction, I'm fighting battles He's called me to fight, I'm investing in lives and relationships and running the race with Him.

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

Sea of Japan

Friday is Michael's day off ~ though he usually does not take a day off and typically works all day Saturday. Imagine our surprise when he told us Thursday he wanted to drive to the Sea of Japan today.  We left town with an atlas, a few spots we'd like to find and plenty of snacks and lunch. 

We DID find the Sea of Japan. We didn't make it to any of our other spots....but that's o.k. We think we'll make an overnight camping trip of it in the near future. 

Picnic on a rock out in the Sea of Japan 

Actually USED my 31 cooler.....

Stacia found thrones with steps leading up to them

Have no idea what the sign says, but check out the cool rock formations

This "scenic rocky coast" is full of tide pools which we had fun exploring.....We saw this sign as we walked along. 

We happened upon a strange, walled-off area. While the others explored to figure out what it was....I determined a "sea water pool" must be a pool we could swim in and not a tide pool.  There was no one else in, but it made since to me. I took the photo below from IN the water while the debate continued. 

This little spot in the wall let fresh sea water in and out.....love the sky in the photo above.

The kids enjoyed a dip in the sea water pool...Michael continued to explore... we drove a bit further and realized it was time to head back to Misawa to pick up Arielle and Nolan from their mission trip.

No matter how late you are, one simply can't resist farm fresh watermelon - not pictured....Michael bought the OKI (BIGGEST), I bought one of these green-melon things (which are sort of like a cross between a honey dew and a cantaloupe). The lady gave me a presento and we now have melons, melons, melons coming out of our ears.

Psst....Gotta love a country when a "stretch-and-reach-5-4" type person can be a giant.....and I'm not scowling - I'm concentrating, trying to remember the numbers to know how much I owe. LOL 

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

Mission, Beach, Museum FUN

Arielle and Nolan left today for a mission's trip to Iwate. This is an area which was hit hard by the 3-11 earthquake/tsunami.  They will have a VBS type program at two or three schools, distribute rice, help with a project, visit those still in shelters....and grow and learn and be changed.  This is the third trip PYOC has taken since 3-11-11. Kim and her volunteers are amazing.

Sam (left) used to be our neighbor. She's one of the youth we take to PYOC on Monday. She's moved now, but her mom still drops her off to go with us to PYOC and we drop her off at night. They're laughing as this I'd just told her to stay in the photo - she's part of the family.

Stacia and Zander were THRILLED when they found we'd be watching John today. His parents are both on the trip. Mom will be back tonight.....so 07:00 found us heading home....where we immediately had a HUGE water fight - like water in the house. ::snort:: That's what I get for taking care of one pressing PWOC regional issue.

I decided Bible study would be out of the question with these three in tow....so we went to the beach. They really wanted to go and I thought early a.m. would be best. We were at the beach from 10:00 - 12:00.....we used a TON of sun screen....but I didn't realize 10 - 12 is the HOTTEST time of the day here as the sun rises earlier.....so....several of us are quite burned and won't be going tomorrow. Bummer. It's fine I have a couple of inside events planned tomorrow. ::grin:: But we ARE trying to get every moment we can at the beach.

We came home and had lunch. Then headed to another favorite spot - The Air and Space Museum.  Below is the moment John said in surprise to Stacia, "You're STRONG!" ::grin::

Directly from here I dropped the boys off with Becky so they could play with her son for an hour and Stacia and I went to get our first hair cut since JUNE. Michael called and was going home early so he picked up the boys. We finished our haircuts and ran through the commissary. Dinner, clean up, a run for Michael and the kids are watching Chicken Run.....full day.

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

Little Bit o work/ Little Bit o play

I was blessed to be able to spend time this morning with Kristin and Alesia, two of  PWOC Japan's regional board members.  We prayed around the region....what an honor to be able to serve these women.

I was  REALLY determined to get a work out in and then get to the beach...... But first...a project.....

We moved the plastic stuff down low - hoping this will avert the cascading lids and such when an unsuspecting cook opens the cupboard in which they were previously housed.

I'm looking for a curtain to cover the mess....but at least it's reachable.....and it worked well for sorting leftovers tonight.

I moved the spices to the former attack cupboard.....and it worked well to have them closer when cooking. Only took me 3 years to figure THIS one out....good thing we extended for an extra year. LOL

MICHAEL bought the Lawrys for BBQ  - which we've not done much of this summer. 

I began to contemplate Facebook again. I thought about pulling out completely for a time...but I really DO keep up with my PWOC gals and my family that way.....so I can't totally pull back...still evaluating boundaries of all sorts. ::snort::

Yes, we did make it to the beach......and it was a lot of fun.  I plan to spend every possible moment we can because I know winter is coming. Any locals are welcome to join me. LOL

Arielle's photo was blurry.....but...

Zander fought a losing battle with the ocean

Nolan checked out the fish - not many

Stacia loves to float - is there anything better than floating in the OCEAN? 

I SAID she's been growing.... ::snort:: 

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

Roasted Ratatouille with Basic Aioli

Ashley said they eat this once a week....skip the aioli and just toss it with olive oil over pasta.....I plan to make it once a week so I have the left overs for pizza on Friday night....or....YUMMY! The recipe is from "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Cooking."  And evidently....since I didn't know if you EAT the skin of eggplant...or what a yellow summer squash would be I need a whole new line of cookbooks written for me. ::snort:: Thanks, Ashley. 

Prep time: 10 - 15 min 
Cook time: 35-40 min 
Serving Size: 1 1/2 Cups - makes 6 servings

Now - before I share the recipe....I learned not all squash sold in the summer (even yellow) is "summer squash". ::snort:: 

1 large eggplant cut into 1 in cubes
2 med yellow summer squash; cut in 1/2 lengthwise and into 1/2 in chick slices
2 med zucchini, cut in 1/2 lengthwise and cut into 1/2 in slices
1 green bell pepper - cut into 1 in pieces
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1 in pieces
1 yellow bell pepper - cut into 1 in pieces
1 large red onion cut into 1/2 moons 1/4 in thick

1/4 C Olive Oil
2 T garlic, minced
2 T FRESH rosemary or 2 tsp dried - crush a bit with fingers
1 Tb chipped FRESH thyme or 1 tsp dried
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 C cherry tomatoes, cut in half

Basil Aioli - didn't use as I didn't have many of the ingredients
1/2 C  loosely packed basil leaves
2 large garlic cloves
2/3 C Tofu Mayo
1 TB nutritional yeast flakes
1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Preheat oven to 450*. 

In a large bowl combine vegetables, olive oil and spices. 

Transfer to a cookie sheet - spread in single layer. 

Bake for 15 min. Stir, spread out again, bake another 15 min. 

Stir, scatter tomatoes on top. Bake another 8 - 10 min until veggies are tender and lightly browned around edges. 

If you are making aioli - mix spices in food processor and process 1 min until finely chopped. Add Tofu mayo , yeast flakes and lemon and process 1 min. Serve ratatouille hot with aioli on the side. 

Variation: use ratatouille and aioli as filling for split rolls.....

De'Etta's Variations: mix with spaghetti sauce and pasta for lunch the next day, use left over veggies and make a Roasted Veggie Pizza with the Sourdough English Muffin recipe as the crust, mix it in a tortilla....

Michael REQUESTED I send this for lunch tomorrow! 

Michael, Zander and Arielle ATE this....Michael suggest mushrooms and artichokes added next time..... 

And that yellow Squash? It allowed me to pretend I had cheese on top....and I'll mix it with beans and rice or the bit of left over veggies I squirreled away for lunch tomorrow.  LOL 

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