True Confessions

I'd love to say family circle/devotions always goes swimmingly. It usually doesn't. It usually goes, "ok"....but tonight....we were all tired. 

Stacia talks - a lot. She talks a lot first thing in the morning, in PCOC, at lunch with Mommy's friends, when Mommy is trying to Skype, through dinner and then throughout family circle. She drives me to desperately seek solitude every once in awhile. ::grin:: Seriously, though, this is the gal who loves to go with me to the commissary to see how many of Mom's friends we will meet. I love it!

Zander makes noises....he  loves to make noises. Tonight he combined the noises with sword play using an empty Christmas paper roll.  While I continued to lead a discussion on Jesus being our King. He also loves to quote movie lines, and there is nothing better than YOU knowing the next line and responding....he and Jared could do this for hours. He continually tells us he misses this with Jared. He does this in public and most don't realize he's quoted a movie line. ::snort:: I believe quoting movie lines is his love language.  I digress.

Several times, I stopped and calmly corrected both my rabble rousers... I kept trying to make it easy enough for a 7 yo and meaningful enough for a 15 yo as we discussed what it means to have a King etc....and then right there in the middle of devotions....it happened....it wasn't an outburst, I wasn't yelling.... I just stopped mid-sentence and said, "Zander if you don't stop  I'm going to kill you!"

He was taken aback. I was taken aback.

Stacia, never at a loss for words, replied, "Well, Zander you'll get to see Jesus faster!"

We all laughed. I apologized. I don't make it a habit to tell my children I am going to do them bodily harm - and certainly not in the middle of family devotions!

But we weren't done. It gets better.

It was time to pray. I asked someone else to PLEASE start us and I'd finish. Stacia jumped to the task. Then she wasn't sure how to start...and as we waited..... Zander remembered the perfect line from a silly youtube clip. A movie line that he deemed appropriate!

"Jeeeesus"

Without a moment's hesitation I added, "Oh, Jesus!"

Zander rebounded, "We thank you and your Dad, Santa Claus!"

We lost it. We laughed until we cried. The older two joined us in laughing. Stacia remained very pious.

We pulled ourselves back together and finished our prayer with a light heart.

What was he quoting? Well - be warned you may find this offensive. I found this when I was looking for clips for a workshop. Some of his episodes are very funny, some are inappropriate...but this one cracked us up...and we used it to talk about how people think of God in a previous family circle.


There you have it - don't imagine we're a stellar family with all of this figured out. We muddle along. We are blessed to find humor along the way.

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

Day 4 - Is it a Habit Yet?

We read Zech 9:9 and discussed the role of a King, prophecy and how it all pertains to Jesus. 

Arielle picked Clue number 4, "Where monsters sleep!" I'll have to talk with the cluemiester....this one was not our best clue...Three of the kids had never worried about monsters and had no clue where they would sleep....one of them is now worried about where ELSE monsters may sleep. ::snort:: After checking out various closets, nooks and crannies -  they finally found it!

Excuse the room - at least I blurred the background

 I was going to skip the following photo and possibly use it if I blog our devotions...but I want to be authentic...it's only fair.  Yes, we have days like this.   "I don't know where monsters sleep! I don't know what thermal pletion is!"  Humph. After a quick hug, encouragement and parenting on the fly.....

Smiles are back - tonight's gift...Guesstures. 

Of course the point of these gifts are making time for family....and so we played...I have no clue how THIS is supposed to say "burp" but there you have it!

Hoola Hoop

Tail 

Winner

We ended the night with a round of pick up sticks. Stacia loves this game....all in all a good night...you just take the ruffled feathers, deal with them, repent where necessary and move on. 

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

Very Full Day

Yes, today is Tuesday - PWOC/PCOC day. We love to see what the kids will do each week with the nativity. We had all boys and one girl today....no sweet cuddly family for Baby Jesus, no extra panda bears or dolls....TRUCKS in Bethlehem - lots of em...and a DINOSAUR...and Baby Jesus? Did you spot him? One moved him to the top of the roof to be safe from the trucks. Another added the dinosaur. 

This was an incredibly full day. Michael is working the night shift in the exercise. We snuck out of the house for PWOC early. The kids were full of energy today - and I wasn't so much. The kids and I had lunch with Mary and Marvie. Mary and her family just returned from a trip to the Philippines. Marvie and her family are planning to go over Christmas. Fun talk, fun memories. 

We managed a flying trip to the commissary.

I got home just in time for a 1 1/2 hour ministry Skype. Good things afoot in PWOC Japan/Guam Region. 

We got dinner on the table, tried to get the older Gherkins Christmas packages ready (forgot to put in the gift cards and have to re-do tomorrow), and then it was time for family circle....um....that is another post. 

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

Christmas in Japan

Godzilla....is he worshiping? Is there a baby there? Has he already devoured the nativity characters?  I have no idea....but it IS Christmas in Japan.  This was taken at Aqua City in Odaiba. Apparently, Godzilla blows smoke as well.

This, our fourth Christmas in Japan, I continue to reflect on how strange it is to celebrate the birth of Christ in a nation with little understanding of the incarnation of Christ as savior. BUT - they love the cultural aspects of Americanism.....and so are very friendly and willing to hear about why WE celebrate Christmas.

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

Third Day of Advent 2012

We got a late start on family circle as I was trying to get all the laminating done so the girls could help me cut and punch for our pre-schoolers tomorrow while I read. ::grin:: Michael is working noon - midnight for the current exercise. 

Yuuki loves family circle

We had a great discussion as we continued our look at names - why they are significant and specifically the names of Jesus. Tonight....

We discussed what we look for in a friend, what makes a good friend and a not-so-good friend...and how Jesus is the perfect friend...in fact Matt. 11 says he was the "friend of sinners"... we love that. Isn't it comforting to know that even if you really blow it with Jesus, He is a friend who will forgive and stick close by, He's there when you move and there is no one nearby to befriend....

Nolan pulled out clue number 3, "Let sleeping dogs lie." How did Michael KNOW Yuuki would be sleeping there as we read the clue.  Arielle and Nolan wanted to go right for Yuuki's chair....but I wouldn't let them and so the younger two raced up the stairs to check out all of Yuuki's favorite sleeping spots..... They finally zeroed in on the princess chair in the living room - but Yuuki didn't really want to get up for them! 

Pick Up Sticks

 We had a fun time playing "just two" games....I have never seen such concentration during this game.....I promised to play again tomorrow.

The kids are in bed. Michael will be home in 3 hours. I've got my PCOC stuff all together. I think it's time to read...or maybe watch an episode of Monk - but then what will I do when I run out of them for workout entertainment. ::snort:: 

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

Messiest Dinner Ever

I've been limiting grains, but today I was in Universe on a search for Chocolate Pocky for Jared,  and I picked up the fixins.....for the messiest meal I make.

Easy dinner to make, everyone loves it and there is NEVER leftovers....but I always make a huge mess!!!!

This is AFTER I cleaned up the majority of the mess

All the burners were this bad

The floor, the dinner table....all a huge mess...but so worth it. One of these days I WILL find a quality WOK to purchase. But it was worth it to have Yakisoba for dinner.

Chicken Yakisoba 

All Vegan, All Vegetables and WONDERFUL

Last time I made this I used 3 packs and we had more people eating (Jared, Michael and me). Tonight I made 3 Chicken and 1 veggie....and still they ate all theirs and came after mine! It's a great way to get cabbage into them. LOL

Our dinner entertainment was trying to figure out how to get the lid off the "Roasted Nuts Dressing" I found at Universe. We finally got the whole plastic part off and then realized maybe it was supposed to stay on. ::snort::

This is my favorite dressing. I think it's as popular as Ranch is in the states. It's at every Salad Buffet and is always a choice at restaurants.

What's the messiest meal you cook?

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

Kokeshi Nativity Set

I've seen this set in the homes of those who have been assigned at Yokota. I was thrilled to find this online at Kokeshi Designs. I've been in contact with the founder of the company - Sharon.  When Sharon lived in Tokyo she contracted with a local artist and Kokeshi doll dealer to create this set for herself. Others saw it - the rest is history. Naomi lives in Japan and is the vendor you see around Tokyo. 

The set is $245. I know that seems spendy but small Kokeshi dolls do sell for $25 - 50 and this IS a 9 piece set. It is also very unique; Japan is not a Christian nation and I've not seen any other complete nativity set in the country. I've looked for over three years. The price is already reasonable for what you get and they will not offer a group discount. Also, she is sorry they've not made it to Misawa, but at this time there are no plans to do so. 

Your current buying options are the Yokota Bazaars and the Lester Navy Gift Shop in Okinawa. You can also order this set, many other dolls and Christmas dolls at Kokeshi Designs.  I have ordered the set. Michael said to do it as he knows I've been looking since we arrived.   If you live in the states they will ship to you via USPS. They DO ship priority to APO/FPO etc. If you live in Japan, they will ship via Japan Postal system. 

From the website:  Kokeshi dolls are handcrafted wooden folk art dolls made by Kokeshi artists in Japan. We know the artists and their families and share their passion for the beauty and uniqueness of the Japanese craft of Kokeshi dolls. Each kokeshi doll comes in its own box with the artist’s information in Japanese on the box. The package makes a lovely presentation and can be gift wrapped. Let us do the work for you!

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