Date Night - New Toy (10-30)

Mike seemed a bit hesitant for me to venture to the big city of Hachinohe alone (about 40 min away). I'm not sure if he worried about the chaotic traffic or the specific errand I was on: to buy a keyboard so the kids can begin lessons. ::snort::

After he got home from his day off (::snort::) we headed out. Jared and the kids were armed with movies, pizza and Rodney and Windy's number.

We started with Toys R Us first as Christine, our teacher, had seen a keyboard she thought was o.k. there for $300. They only keyboards in stock were $200….Mike didn't like them. We went to Pia Do mall….no keyboards. We found Tech World….lots of keyboards and digital pianos but they had to be ordered. They directed us to a store that started with the letter K and promptly switched to kanji. They had the digital piano Mike wanted IN STOCK.

By this time the restaurants were closing. We grabbed dinner at KFC and headed home. We stopped for a moonlit look at Momoishi beach and counted it good.

The kids were suitably surprised to see the "keyboard". Arielle has been practicing. Stacia found the "demo" button and is convinced SHE is playing the amazingly complicated classical music that is ringing throughout the house. ::snort::

We left our piano in storage as we expected to be in a tiny base house. We also worried about tuning it again after the shipment and storage….I think we made a good decision. This may well be our "travel piano" until we retire from the military.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Cohesiveness (10-30)

I've been praying for cohesiveness in our new neighborhood. I'll spare you details. ::snort:: Today I felt like it was starting with the children. Our kids were playing in the street with Windy's kids. They were having a great time and attracted other children. The kids drew 4 square, hop scotch and such on the ground and played games. They rode bikes. They skated.

Eventually another mother came out and I introduced her to Windy. She looked at the ground and said, "Chalk," in such a way that we KNEW she doesn't approve of sidewalk chalk in the street outside her home. ::sigh::

BUT the evidence of the seeds of neighborhood cohesiveness linger on this afternoon….may it spread as we seek to put on display the love of Christ.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Newst Birth Story

{I've decided to remove names of those who may want more privacy than my blog provides.}

I've got a birth story to share today. This is LONG and most of you will not read it to the end, but I need to get it all captured. I need to share what God has done and the new adventure He is leading me (and our family) on.

Five years ago a dear saint in the Gospel service at Elmendorf AFB, Sister S, prophesied to me that I was pregnant with a new work that God desired to birth into the kingdom. I was to obey - rather than sacrifice. I was to be aware that I had conceived something that would be birthed into the Kingdom. FIVE YEARS AGO! At the time, I waited and wondered. We were busy with ministry - too busy. We saw fruit from our ministry, but nothing that I would consider a "birth".

When we moved to San Angelo four years ago, God clearly chastised me for being so busy with outside ministry; ministry inside our home had suffered. I apologized to my children, repeatedly. I cried more than a few tears over the time I'd lost with our older children due to out of balance ministry. He clearly told me that now was not the season for me to speak at retreats. I quit. I was also to teach no more than ONE weekly study. I was to "get my house in order". Longtime blog readers and friends will remember this season.

It was tough. There were tears. I knew I was doing what I needed to do. God opened new avenues of ministry that were birthed from home. Our family grew, I kept track of volunteer hours until I got a feel for what "balance" and "boundaries" looked like. Our home was in order….and we knew that a move would be coming in the summer of 09.

God taught me much about surrender and contentment in 2005 - 2009. I had to surrender ministry, my good health, the twins we lost and the pregnancies that didn't follow…..and I grew ever more dependent on intimacy with God.

As summer 09 approached, I sensed God speaking to me. I KNEW I was NOT to get as involved in local women's ministry as I have been for the past 10 years. This confused me. I knew that I had ministry in balance….I knew that God was pleased. Through times of prayer, and with advice of mentors, I became certain God wanted me to broaden my "sight". He was about to release me to serve again, but I wasn't going to be serving on the local level. In fact, I was certain I was to request consideration to be a PWOCI Region President. I was shocked when word of our move came and it was NOT in Central Region. I must have heard God wrong, or maybe He only wanted me to surrender and be willing, but wasn't going to require it of me. Believe me, I was fine with this. ::snort::

When we heard we were to move to Misawa, Japan….I was excited. God continued to speak to me during our intimate trysts. (Alright, B, I know…stay with me here. ::snort:) I became convinced that God was answering my prayers over the years for Asia. It's been my hope God would move us to Asia as missionaries when Mike retires. We had no idea God was going to move us to Asia while we were IN the military. We became convinced that God had good things for our family, for those we'd minister to at Misawa AB, and for our neighbors, through our move to Japan. This resolve was tested through the spring and summer. We knew even more that God was on the move. I continued to hear God say to pull back from local PWOC (women's ministry) leadership. When asked about serving in PWOC at Misawa I communicated that I wouldn't be a President…but that I desired to be a strong support of the local board.

What a PCS we had. Only NOW are we starting to feel like the move is over…..and then God reminded me He had TOLD ME TO SUBMIT MY NAME FOR CONSIDERATION FOR REGIONAL WOMEN'S MINISTRY LEADERSHIP. I decided it was a simple matter of obedience. I didn't expect to be selected, but knew I had to obey. I would let nothing keep me from obeying after the lessons of the past five years.

Change is afoot in PWOC Pacific Region. The decision had been made for the Pacific Region to birth a new region. Asia Region consists of Japan and Korea and Pacific Region now includes Guam and Hawaii. I got to the region late in the process. I heard packages were already being considered. God wouldn't let me off the hook. I submitted my request for consideration and made it clear that I was willing to be a cheerleader or serve in any position, as well as the position I submitted my name for (not President; that seemed to presumptious).

Tuesday, 20 Oct, I had a telephone interview/conference call. By the questions and discussion I began to realize that I was being considered for a different position than I'd 'applied' for. I told Mike I thought they were considering me for President. He confirmed that he'd thought this may happen and was supportive of all it would mean for our family.

Tuesday night I had a dream. I dreamed that I was giving birth. My heart has questioned why we've not had babies since the loss of our twins. We've desired children. I dreamed I gave birth to a beautiful daughter. I woke up praying, "Father, she's beautiful. She could only have come from the hand of God." I KNEW that this was a prophetic dream (and I don't claim having had a prophetic dream before) but I KNEW the dream was telling me that I was going to be involved in the birthing of Asia Region and that she was from the hand of God. I also knew that THIS was what Sister S had prophesied five years ago.

Wednesday, 21 Oct, I was walking in the fields when Mike called. He told me that there was an email there from the Leadership Selection Team and wanted to know if I'd like him to read it to me. They invited me to consider accepting the role of Asia Region President. I was overwhelmed, terrified, stunned; yet my spirit was leaping! I can't describe it. I was stunned…and yet pieces began to fall into place….the insistence on getting my home in order, the lessons of the past five or six years, the lessons on balance and boundary, the times of intimacy with God these past months, the spiritual warfare to ARRIVE in Asia, the firm conviction that I was not to lead at our new base. I hung up with tears streaming down my face.

Friday, 23 Oct we left for Hawaii. I was still stunned and had a bad case of nerves. I realized that this new position would involve a lot of travel. It's not that I don't like to travel. I get motion sick….bad. It was a sacrifice I would need to make. I was willing to (excuse me) puke for Jesus if need be. I only knew that I WAS obeying. Windy prayed me out the door of our home. Thanks, friend.

Saturday, 24 Oct. It felt like a hug from God that the two women who introduced me to PWOC, over 12 years ago at Malmstrom AFB, MT, were both at this conference in Hawaii. I hope it brought joy for them to see the seed they'd planted bear fruit.

Sunday, 25 Oct I was installed as President. Later, as T (new VP) and I met with the new Pacific President and the International President and International Titus 2, more pieces fell into place. R shared that she felt that this was a birth. That for four or five years she'd had dreams of birth and babies and is past having babies….but that THIS is what she was waiting for. I shared the word I was given five years ago and my dream….and we all sat in awe of what God had worked. T shared her story and it also confirmed that God had laid the birth of this new region on hearts years ago. AND He faithfully led each of us to the right spot, at the right time.

That afternoon I went out on a Catamaran with the Misawa ladies and proceeded to get sick over and over….and I knew that I could handle the travel with this position because I managed to get off that boat and walk to my bed. ::snort:: Of course, I had four other women helping me…maybe I need a travel team. LOL

And now? I'm still stunned…but in a good way. God whispers to me that He led me to this place and that He will continue to lead me. I've determined to wait for Him to clarify His vision for this new region, to wait for Him to clarify who I should invite to join the leadership team, and to build a prayer team as I wait. This region has been conceived and birthed in prayer….it's o.k. for us to bathe these early decisions in prayer. The position I've accepted is a two year commitment.

I'm still in awe and humbled that God has led me to this spot….I was terrified that I'd blow the whole boundary/balance thing but Mike tells me we've learned lessons since Alaska…

This is my latest birth story. I'm able, now, to see one reason I may not be blessed with an infant….it seems God is truly moving me into new seasons…..and I still struggle at times, but I've learned it's much more of an adventure to surrender.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Glimpses from a Morning Walk (10-27)

The air is getting nippy. I'm not sure how much longer we'll be taking early morning walks. Here are some shots from a recent walk…..









Bundles of rice have been stacked on these frames...








This field is covered with straw and ready for the winter.














The garbage culprit....fence beside our home.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Thankful Tree

It feels like HOME to have our Thankful Tree up and ready for new leaves. Arielle, Stacia and I had fun creating this years tree....certainly smaller than previous years....but this will work. LOL

First Night...


Can the Holidays really be upon us already??????

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Let the Lessons Begin (10-28)

Wednesday afternoon was the start of our family Japanese Language Lessons with Akiko. She relates well with the children. I had hoped she would. They loved the interaction with her. She followed their lead to teach them words to say what they wanted to tell her.

She has told Arielle, Jared and I to get busy and learn Hiragana so that we can read the text book she brought. ::snort:: The littles have picture books and a Japanese Children dictionary to work with. Jared took notes of the words we learned and typed them up into a review sheet for us.

We'll continue with our Pimsleur CD's and I'll probably buy a few more things, but having an expert to correct our pronunciation and answer all our questions is invaluable. I had expected to pay Y5,000 a week for our lessons. She gave us the first one free and said that she'll only take Y3,000 a week.

I'm going to venture to Hachinohe this week in search of a keyboard so that Piano lessons can begin next week.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Hawaii!!!!

I doubt that I can do justice to our trip - but photos will go along way. By the time we left Japan, I knew that my life was about to make some big changes in Hawaii. I was hit with NERVES big time and Windy had to pray me out the door and on to the plane. Poor thing, she must have wondered what sort of psycho she was traveling with. ::snort::

Here we are - looking refreshed and excited to begin our really BIG ADVENTURE - bigger than our night out at the library! ::snort:: BTW - that's me on the left.
Two plane trips, one bus ride and a day later we were well welcomed in Honolulu.

Windy and I shared a room. Here's the view from our room.



Our group - and the brunette behind us on the left is from our first assignment. A highlight for me was seeing Julie and Sarah (both from Malmstrom AFB) again.
Sunday Morning, Brenda Marlin, PWOCI President, prayed for the next generation of women.


After the conference our group went out on a Catamaran. This couple touched a deep chord in me.
Ah - sailing....
Windy enjoys the ride....

and then....I got "violently ill"! Really. I threw up seven times on the Catamaran. The conference had concluded on a high point for me (and I'll blog that later), and this was a low point! ::snort:: I told God if he really loved me, He'd calm the waves like He did for the disciples...but He didn't.....Windy got ill too. Susane felt ill but held it together. I wasn't sure I'd make it back to the hotel when we landed. I figured God was helping me face my fear of motion sickness....afterall it can't get much more humiliating than what I went through on this trip. I'll spare you lots of the details. I was thankful that He was showing me that I could handle the worse and not fear flying and motion sickness. We made it back to the hotel. I slept. Everyone slept. We got up and went in search of a baked potatoe. I got sick again.

We got up early to fly back to Japan....I was sick. I got sick a couple of times before boarding the plane....slept most the way home....Susane had to go to the hospital in Hawaii. We chatted yesterday and I discovered that six women from Hickam and she and I seem to have contacted some sort of food poisioning...so it wasn't all motion sickness.

It really was a great trip. My traveling companions were precious. The time away was about right. I was able to see old friends.....the very ladies who introduced me to PWOC. There will be lots more photos as they are sent to me...but these give you the idea.

I'll have more to say in the next day or so. I need time to write it well. LOL If a picture is worth a thousand words, THIS one is worth a few million.

For those who recognize some of the ladies, yes, I'm the new PWOC Asia Region President...and I'm more humbled and more exhilerated than I can remember being in a very long time.

Time to run....Prot News is done and I'd like to get home to my babies.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

This can only mean one thing!

INTERNET....

Mike met me at the airport with the news that we will have Interent installed next Tuesday (3rd). This is way before DECEMBER and I'm thankful! It's also on a day when both Mike and I have meetings. Mike, however, is determined that we are getting Internet on the 3rd. LOL

No, I've not been continually griping...but he knows that life will be normal, easier and such with communication at home. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Today's Adventure

On base AGAIN and must get home.

I needed to check email and will send a quick blog post.

Had a dr appt today. I think I'm going to like our doc. He's a Mormon and LISTENED to me. I will have bunch of labs done when I get home from Hawaii. It appears that many of my strange symptoms could be the diabetes back again...We shall see. I also had my first EKG. MUCH better than a mammogram, that. They said that things are fine. I'll see the doc again in a month. He had lots to say about lots of things...and now we have lots to consider and pray about. ::snort::

THEN I had my beauty adventure. I knew it was time to do something about my hair and my eyebrows.

Hair - I'm going to go gray...but the blonde highlights and the brunette/gray was driving me nuts. I decided to go back to my "original" and then let the gray grow in from there. SO....I went to a local shop I'd heard about. As they applied the color I remember being warned NOT to let them color my hair...but all is well. They are so NICE and relaxing and CAREFUL...wow. It took 20 minutes to wash my hair and the massage was oh so nice. My hair is dark...but it's the lightest of the two that they said were my "original".

Eyebrows....when she came at me with scissors and a razor I decided we'd had enough cultural exchange for the day. ::snort:: She said, "De'Ettasan, waxing hurts!"

I stopped at the BX and got my eyebrows waxed...but she used scissors and a razor too...and she kept apologizing for the pain of waxing. ::snort::

Now - time to run home and pack. I really do need to find all my paperwork and pack for Hawaii.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Amusing Car Makes

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Random Things of Some Significance

I can't find my camera battery charger.

I can't take photos until I find a new battery charger somewhere.

I can't buy printer ink for my printer here.

I can't find computer paper or file folders.

I'm surprised to enjoy serving our local PWOC as an Interim Children's Ministry Coordinator….I'm gleaning lots of great new teaching illustrations for down the road. ::snort:: Yes, gals who've served with me in the past, you read that right. It's not ME - it's GOT TO BE a work of GOD in my life, as teaching groups of others' little children has not been my thing in the past.

There are big birds that honk like geese flying over our home. This happened last night and this a.m. They always head in the same direction - away from this northern tip of Honshu. Can this be a sign that winter is coming? I wonder what the birds are….big ducks, geese, cranes….

FIVE women from our base are flying to Hawaii on Friday (We are also flying away from the Northern tip of Honshu ::snort::). Please pray for our travels, our relationships, our families at home, and our time away with Jesus. We will be attending the Pacific Region's PWOC (women's ministry) conference. The new Asia Region of PWOC will be birthed at this conference. God is moving.

I put a roast and veggies in my crock pot on low at 6:40 a.m. At 6:00 p.m., the veggies were still crunchy. I suspect voltage and the low setting….maybe I need to use the high setting while we are here - what will that do to yogurt making?

I can't find a live yogurt culture, but Deja reminded me of yogamet or some such thing.

I've been blessed with good friends….both in TX, in Japan, in cyber land and all over the world.

However, calling good friends at 1 a.m. is not advisable. ::snort:: Sorry, Deja, Beth, and Julie….I can only rejoice that no one picked up the phone and I'm being much more careful this week.

I plan to order a "few" things I NEED from the TX co-op and have them shipped here….my way of working around a commissary that seems content to say, "We're the end of the AFES line, we get what the other bases don't want". Humph….

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Misawa Air Show 2009 (Sunday)

This is a HUGE gathering. The estimates from yesterday are nearly 1/2 a million spectators. Folks drive from all over Northern Japan to attend. There were even visitors from other islands and Tokyo.

We ended up with a strange dynamic at this Air Show - we divided. We had trouble finding info on times, routes etc….Mike went in at 6 a.m. His HOPE was to beat the crowds and then call us with the time for the Thunderbirds. He didn't beat the traffic.

The traffic was WILD. When the kids and I drove in it took us 1 hour and 40 minutes to drive about 2 miles. ::snort:: Jared tried to find wifi connections while the rest occupied themselves playing the alphabet game…which is challenging in Japan. ::snort:: I occupied myself with driving.

We did finally meet up with Mike. I loved this air show. What I have least liked at recent air shows is HEAT, long lines, the inability to bring our own food and drinks….I was shocked that there was NO checkpoint to get on to the base or the flight line. BUT I was happy. The weather was gorgeous. No chance of heat stroke (Jared at the San Antonio Air Show). AND everyone had coolers and had brought food in. I'll remember this for next year.

There was only one big demo team - the Thunderbirds. What fun to watch them with a Japanese audience who isn't jaded about such things. They ohed and ahhed…and clapped….and WOW the cameras they pulled out. Jared especially loved being able to see over the crowd to the flight line. ::snort::

The food was eclectic. Many Japanese families stocked up on "American Pizzas", baked good and hotdogs. We enjoyed yakiniku, yakisoba, "French fries", and Cadinimun (????). This latest was ALMOST Sio Pao (childhood favorite from the Philippine Islands). I discovered it by stalking a nice Japanese gentleman who had some. It took a bit of pantomime to explain that I'd like to know where he got it and what it was called. LOL I was thrilled. It's the same dough/dumpling thing….with meat in the middle (not sure what type). Instead of an enclosed dumpling, it looked like a folded taco on steroids…but tasted oh so good.



This view cracked us up.



Can you tell what it is? Whenever the planes flew over all eyes and hands went up. Here's a closer view.



Here’s a great view.




A few shots of other spectators and eating offerings.







After the air show we had dinner at the Mokuteki (or the kids did), then a joint chapel service (the last before we move in to our new chapel YeHAW!), and headed home.

Jared was thrilled that he got about an hour online. All in all it was a splendid day.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Intimacy Revisited (Tuesday)

I've shared; previously, God seems to reveal "words" - memorial stones - to me annually. These words are little clues to where God may take me and what He may teach me in the upcoming year. Listing them in the sidebar serves to remind me of the works of grace He's manifested in my life over the "recent" past. Yes, I've already sensed the word for next year. The last few months have not gone as planned (::snort::). I need to capture a few thoughts…without a lot of flowery speech. If I don't do it now, I fear I won't have life lessons captured anywhere (remember my journal and Bible were stolen).

This year, truths I've known "forever" have been made "real". Sometimes being real/authenticity hurts. Here are a few thoughts…..

Intimacy requires privacy, trust and vulnerability.

Intimacy with Christ, a daily, extravagant, genuine love relationship, is what God wants most from me and for me.

Often times of great intimacy follow times of great turmoil, unrest, instability or suffering.

Intimacy requires solitude. Luke portrays Jesus, Himself, consistently seeking out solitude. I must cultivate, set aside, time for SILENCE. Too much noise and activity in my life is the enemy of intimacy.

God wants me to pursue Him.

He pursues me and will go to great lengths to arrange my life so that I have times of solitude with Him (revisit a stolen van, a husband on a separate continent….).

Nothing else in my life is as vital as intimacy with Christ. NOTHING!

Intimacy often leads to a pruning of outside activities and relationships…as THIS relationship grows and takes over more of my attention.

We must choose carefully what/who we will become intimate with. Intimacy, of all kinds, leads to places we may not envision.

Intimacy often leads to fruitfulness….in His way and in His time.

Intimacy's heart cry, is the cry of the apostle Paul. "I count all things to be loss in view of (or comparison with) the SURPASSING VALUE OF KNOWING (being intimate with) Christ Jesus my Lord. " (Phil 3:8)

The above are a few life lessons that God has lovingly shared with me this year. I have read, rather hit and miss, Oswald Chamber's, "My Utmost for His Highest" for decades. I try to find new devotionals and always come back to this one….but as I say…rather hit and miss.

This past week, I unpacked this gem and set it by the toilet (hmmmm…. What's with this recurring toilet theme?). The last few days' readings have eloquently stated the cry of my heart in recent weeks.

"A Christian is called to be Jesus Christ's own…someone who does not dictate to Jesus Christ what he intends to do. Our Lord calls us to no special work. He calls us to Himself. 'Pray the Lord of the harvest,' and He will engineer your circumstances to send you out as His laborer." (Based on Matt 9:38)16 Oct.

"The greatest enemy of Christ is "work"…This work insists upon endless energy and activities, but no private life with God…..The central point of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is a personal relationship with Him, not public usefulness to others."

Mr. Chambers goes on to write that the great benefit of the Bible Training College (where he taught) was not in its many Christian activities…but in allowing its students the opportunity to be "immersed in the truths of God, to soak in them before Him." (Based on Luke 17:20-21) 19 Oct.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Rice Revisited (Saturday)

I have previously blogged about the rice fields near our home.

This is harvest season. We've been following the progress with great interest during our morning walks and runs. Peeee-EWWWWW….. when the fields are clear they burn and put really rank smelling manure down….

This has yet to happen directly across from us, but I'm sure it is coming. We've seen it in fields on our drive to base and back.

Across from us the fields have turned from green to yellow. The paddies have been allowed to dry out for a few weeks.





Saturday a man and woman turned up to cut the rice.




After the field is cut, they tie it into bundles and leave it standing in the field to dry. What happens if it rains? Hmmm…



Jared read the next step is threshing the rice from these dried stalks. FINALLY, it is sent to a shop to be polished and bagged.

I was excited to find big bags of rice at the Farmer's Market. YOWZER the price was incredible. It was the equivalent of a bit more than $90 for 25 - 30 lbs. I suppose I'd best keep buying it in the 1lb bags from the commissary. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Toilet Slippers (Friday)

Our lease says we will not wear shoes in our home.

I love this, really. The idea is not to mar the carpet or the wood floor. For me, I've discovered that there is something truly symbolic about leaving your "work" shoes at the door and donning fuzzy slippers.

Our entry

We have very slick wood floors (and steep stairs). I have been on the look out for slippers. Mike and I and the older two were able to find great slippers at the BX. We could find nothing for the little ones.

The other day while at Sanwado (think Wal-Mart), I was able to find 98 yen slippers. What a STEAL. I picked up three pairs for the little ones.

I was rewarded with squeals of delight at home. "Mine have Minnie on them!"

"Mine have angels on them!"

"Mine have a boy going to the toilet on them!"

"WHAT?"



::snort:: Ah…toilet slippers. Many homes here have slippers that are housed outside of the bathroom and used only to go into the toilet….I unintentionally bought the kids toilet slippers…. But they work.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

My Roaster (Saturday)

I've been a bit sad to find that I only brought one teapot and two teacups. WHAT was I thinking? I also didn't bring a lot dishes. I remember that Bobbie Jo suggested I leave everything I didn't need in storage and buy things in Japan. GREAT idea….I plan to buy some teapots and tea cups here.

I NEED a roaster. I've had my eye on the Pampered Chef roaster for years but would never spend the $.

I was in Homac Saturday, looking for shelves and a roaster, and found THIS. I'm not sure what it's meant to cook. I had to figure out how to ask if it could go in the oven, because I couldn't read the box, and the ladies said it would be o.k.



Isn't it great? It's big, worked great and is Japanese….and cheaper than what I was looking at in America. I'm satisfied. There are matching small dishes I can buy to go with it….maybe they're for rice or ramen? I could do a whole post about the great dishes around here.

Kim, I'll be emailing you the box so you and Ryu can tell me if there are any special care instructions I should know about. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

First Contact with OUR Farmer (Monday)

I'm excited. Every morning as I walk, I pray. I've asked God to give me His heart for our Japanese neighbors. I've spent some days in tears at the realization that less than 1% of the people in this country know Jesus. It's breathtaking. It's heartbreaking. It's unfathomable. We so badly want to make contact with the few Japanese neighbors in the area. One is the farmer who has horses behind our home. He has "posted" signs in ENGLISH, rope barricades and fences. I have been trying to find someone Japanese to ask if it would be culturally brutish to ignore the ropes to take them something baked and a note.

Last week Zander began to walk with me. I'm working to teach him a bit of tact with his zeal. He told one sweet lady, "I'm sorry that you are wrong about God. There is one true and living God and His name is Jesus, you have to know Him so that you can go to heaven." I'm fairly sure she didn't understand his conversation, and Zander is now determined to learn Japanese. Anyway, his theology is fairly sound….but I want to find a gentler way to communicate Christ's love. I've had quite a few thoughts, I'd love to dialog and blog about….but no Internet. ::snort::

ANYWHO….last week one farmer and his wife (?) fell in love with Zander. Oh, it's a trial for a boy with his particular alphabet labels to have strangers talking to him, rubbing his hair and such…Social situations are difficult for him when he can understand the language. He's doing great. He did pull his hood tight at one point and said, "I think she may steal me if she sees much more of my blonde hair." ::snort:: ::gasp:: ::chortle:: He's done well….and tried out his few phrases several times.

We are always careful not to broach the farmer's ropes etc. We HAVE discovered a pond behind us. We can reach it without crossing his boundaries….and we are careful not to approach any closer than the fence allows. I was nervous today to see the farmer out during our walk. His wife, earlier, had made it clear that they are leery of all the new Americans. He stayed out while we watched ducks and talked. As we headed back to our home, he stepped into the road.

I said, "Ohiyogozaimasu". He responded. He motioned us close.

He told us to "touch" the ponies he had. We communicated…as best we could. I learned the ponies are 4 years old, he KNEW where we lived, he owns the horses behind us, he invited us to walk to the corral with the ponies…AND :::drum roll::: he told us we can fish for "big BASS" in his pond…but "caution". I think he told us he is the landlord…but we may not have communicated that word right. I KNOW that he owned the land that has been built upon.

He said much more and I said, "Summimasen, Nihongo ga wakarimassen "."Excuse me, I'm sorry, I don't understand Japanese." He smiled big, laughed and said, "skoshi anatawa wakarimasu!" You understand a little. I laughed. I told him (in English) that we are trying to learn Japanese.

Zander yelled, "Sayonara," as we left…when we turned the corner our farmer was waving at us.

I was so excited that we called Mike, on the cell I carry since spraining my ankle last week. We also stopped to share with Windy on the way home. We've been praying to broach the silence. We have three years to live Jesus before our farmer. I pray we are an accurate example of His life and love. I'll bake something to take over. I've been composing a letter in my mind…..I need to get out the dictionary and try to get into Japanese what we want to say to go with the baked goods. Better yet, I'm trying to make contact with Akiko to begin our one on one language lessons. I bet she would translate it.

Still, God gently reminds me that though my less polite American neighbors have had the advantage of hearing of Him…I need the same zeal to live Him out before them.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Vacation Blogging

I've decided to practice "vacation blogging".

I'll capture my thoughts daily in Word, and post all the qued entries when I'm around a connection….instead of dreaming of a connection to post daily and losing our first thoughts and impressions of our new home. This seems the best way to keep the family journal current with the present Internet limitations.

We were told last week it will be another 3 - 4 weeks until phone and Internet are installed. All our others neighbors have been told late November/December. I'm guessing they didn't want to tell us how much longer it would be. I was a bit desperate when they called last week to tell me they had no idea how long it would be. "PLEASE find out why the telephone company isn't calling us. I need to talk to my babies in America." ::snort::

I have found a few wifi connections out in this area….but I don't want to make over use of them. I WAS able to finally talk to the girls, Mom and Dad G and my parents this weekend. It was good.

~Today is Tuesday. I'm up here for PWOC, a conference call, compliling this week's Protestant News and Middle school drama. I have six blog posts to upload...We've also tried to buy printer ink, a camera battery charger, a CD player and printer paper - but ALL WERE OUT OF STOCK! ::snort:: On with my work and I'll upload posts in between.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Quick blurb

We found wifi out by us....so I can check email and skype. It was fun to finally reach the girls, my parents and Mom and Dad G. I can't do it often but it beats a 25 min drive to TRY to reach folks....I've discovered that the hours that work for driving to base are the hours that most are sleeping.

We kept working on the house yesterday....and went to the beach.

They began harvesting the rice fields across from us. We're very interested in the process...and taking photos....I'll blog when I can upload photos.

Neighbors have been told it will be December until we have phone or internet....

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Funnies

This is a nice bit of positve affirmation. It's a used car lot on our drive to base. ::snort::

See the Christmas Decorations? These are the only ones I've seen so far around town....but they do sell some....can you see the banner across the top? Happy Halloween. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...