Saturday, February 23, 2013

Zander's Birthday Celebration!


Zander (ALEX) has done an exceptional job of waiting for his birthday celebration. We finished eating Nolan's cake last week. We hoped all his gifts would arrive in time to make his cake and enjoy a party tonight. The kids bought him gifts here...only one of our gifts have arrived...but he opted for whatever gifts WERE here and cake tonight. ::grin::



Michael and I got him this. He has vision of taking care of the crows...but we aren't sure our Japanese neighbors would appreciate this as much as he seems to think they will.  He was told he can target practice....and he's adapted and now has plans that involve snowballs and fields. ::snort::

Death By Chocolate - we adapted and used Reeses instead of Twix; Late July cookies instead of Oreo's and Keebler  - so that it was on Zander's eating plan. It was just as good as the original. Every time we eat this I remember the Millers, Rileys and Woolards from San Antonio.  He'll choose his birthday lunch out tomorrow.


We finished the evening with a family circle that involved discussion God as the God who "sees to it" (Provides) - Gen 22.  We discussed the "its" in our lives where we long to watch Him SEE TO IT. We discussed worship being all mixed up with sacrifice and surrender. We discussed WHY God would ask such a thing....we grew...old and young teaching one another. We also read several chapters from Amon's Adventure. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Keeping Warm in Misawa


For the record - the snow is LOVELY, gorgeous, beautiful, fantastic. The cold and ice - not so much. If I could have the heat of TX with the beauty of snow-covered landscape, I would be totally content. ::snort::  I've heard anywhere from 155 in to 159 in of snow so far this winter....I can't find a website to verify. 


BUT I HAVE found a sure fire way to keep WARM in Misawa! 

For those times when running the oven doesn't warm the house quite enough.......

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Spectacular Saturday


We didn't know WHAT to do with Michael home on a Saturday. We could get used to not preaching on Sunday. ::grin::  We did manage to fill the day. 

I sorted through some drawers this a.m.  and did a bit of cleaning. My goal is to get my house clean enough in a month to give the "grand tour" to company. ::snort::  Arielle cleaned. The others played Wii and several read Hiroshima by John Hersey. The book arrived last night and was planned to be used in Unit 4 for Nolan....but he read it all today. 

Stacia and I headed off to a great lunch with a friend and her daughter, at the Organic Buffet by the market down the road. I am committed to using the margin God has provided for finishing strong here - with school, friendships, and exploring (as soon as the roads clear).

While we enjoyed our lunch out, Michael and Arielle made an ice cream cake in anticipation of Zander's birthday celebration. 


Can YOU find the road? 

After lunch, Michael and I headed to the base to check the post office. We picked up on gift for Zander. We stopped at Cafe Aomori for some hot drinks and headed to the ocean. 

  •  Picking up one birthday gift - free
  •  Hot Drinks - $6
  •  Sipping hot drinks on a snow covered beach while talking about the future with my man - PRICELESS.

  A DATE! Mom G we used your gift - thanks! 


Loved watching a gentleman race his radio controlled car along the beach 



This is our van on top of the sea break.....

Looking down the road.....

We have truly been blessed to enjoy  four years living in the farm land of Northern Japan.  I chuckle when I remember how hard we tried to be allowed to live on base - and I acknowledge once again God KNOWS...even when I don't understand.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...