It's Come to My Attention....

I haven't blogged in over a week. It's been a crazy busy week. 

Sunday -  Michael preached in the 1100 and the 1735 services....Jonah; A Man Like Me. It was a timely word.  A message which God has been working into our lives for about a year.  One question he asked was, "Who are your Ninevites?" and he pointed out  we think God is too easy on others. It was challenging....and I, like several others who have shared, had instant faces in my mind.....and I, like others, have already begun reaching out to those faces.  Thank God for sweet conviction which leads to spiritual growth and transformation. 

Monday - I had tea/coffee with one of the sweet gals from our mentor group. Arielle babysat in the evening. We prepared for PCOC.  We discovered the JCI on my "Joy" had expired and so it's grounded once again. 

Game time at PCOC - several asked where we got the
G size twister board - Krista sewed it! 

Tuesday  - Kick off of the last PWOC/PCOC session of the year.  I am ecstatic that four ladies have joined the PCOC team and we'll be able to have consistent ministry in each room for the rest of the year. YES! 

Someone spends as much time drawing as she does
on the actual math work

Wednesday - we pushed on school. Our goal was to finish this week - and we did. The caveat is I do not want the kids to have  mid-April to Sept off....so we will all read every day, work on a variety of crafts and science projects, and the younger ones will do math review every day. 

Clay projects 

In a SURE sign that spring is HERE my lovely Japanese neighbor brought over a giant bouquet of daffodils picked from the side of the barn.

Wednesday was also the last MOCA meeting I will attend. 

Michael had his last Financial Planning Meeting at Misawa Wednesday night. 

Thursday - MOPS - Arielle helps with moppets and I'm a mentor Mom. We have one more meeting left at MOPS. 

 We rushed home from MOPS to get all ready for April's Mentor Group meeting.  Our topic this month was marriage and we read Sacred Marriage. The conversation was meaningful, a fitting way to cap March's  focus - though we have marriage homework each month. ::wink::   This month we're focusing on Purpose and Priorities - everyone KNOWS I've a lot of mistakes I can share on THIS topic which will help these gals succeed easier than I have. ::snort::  We're reading The Principle of the Path, and I'm enjoying it already.

We were scheduled to have time with Akikosan, when  Arielle began to throw up  we postponed our plans. 

Friday - Michael surprised us and took a day off! He's worked long hours for twelve straight days and has a long meeting today.  We are amazed  we've lived for years with him consistently spending every Saturday preparing for Sunday and no other day off....a saner pace is welcomed...and I was happy to see Michael  also yearning for the saner pace of Feb/March.  Good call.

It snowed - much colder than it has been.

Michael and I took the "Joy" to Big D's to get the JCI done....it will be on the market soon if anyone needs a wonderful second car.  We went to the beach and had a DATE.  Great conversation....contrary to popular opinion talking is NOT my love language. ::snort:: Time and touch are and my tank is filled as Michael took time off to spend time with us.  Evidently we were  observing the BIG waves when the 7.0 quake hit. ::snort::

Nolan had a doctor's appointment and Michael had a quick meeting Friday afternoon.

Summary of the week - DONE! ::snort::

Misc Thoughts:   I'm AMAZED we are done early with school...finished a full year of school...even taking Tuesday's off...it really helped not to be teaching and traveling as I have always done in the past.  God continues to illustrate for me the simple concept that saying No to some things leads to YES in other areas.

My new thyroid dose (lower) seems to be effecting my days.  I'm now waking up at 05:00 instead of 03:00 and I'm tired and sleeping before midnight. Michael assures me that my manic energizer bunny pace is not normal and this is not overly sluggish. We'll see what the labs say May 6th.

I HAVE lots of "Lovin Japan" to catch up - and I will. I've not had any extra time online...and that will be another post... I'm cutting back my time online to be more intentional about how I conduct relationships - both in my family and with others.

Thanking God for THIS...yummy vegetable Yakisoba....Yes I DID say I was thanking God. Lisa's encouragment to find foods I am really thankful  for continues to motivate me....and here...I was thankful for roasted yellow squash, mushrooms, eggplant, onions, zucchini and carrots combined with  yakisoba noodles from Universe. 

Today - Michael is at a big PAC planning meeting. 

Arielle and Nolan are going to the movies with friends.
 I've been tasked to catch up the blog. ::wink::  

Four of us will find something to do when Michael gets home. 

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

Lovin Japan ~ Japanese Neighbors

We will miss our Japanese neighbors. We first "made contact" our first winter when the kids dug out the farmer's wife...then we were told to ignore the "keep out" signs and fish in the pond whenever we'd like...we've exchanged food and small gifts...and been invited to enjoy summer fireworks with the neighbors on other side....

I will miss the first daffodils, grown by the barn and brought over every year.....

I really, really, really will miss our Japanese neighbors. ::sigh:: 

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