Jared on Narcotics

Will he remember? Maybe not...so I'd best blog it. I'm sure he'll be fine with that as HE was snapping photos of himself. ::snort:: Yes, HE took these photos.

On the way to the clinic, he seemed remarkably calm and in good spirits. I think talking to Dad for 30 min last night helped.

We checked him in. I went to wait....and pick up meds....and do Bible study...and make retreat lists....and read a new book.....and then the nurse came out sporting a big smile.

We were told when Jared had his tonsils out to remember that he is a "violent drunk".  Well - something HAPPENED. I'd warned them, they were prepared.  I worried  a bit about his actions under the drugs, given Michael's recent post on sanctification.

BUT....this kid was happy, friendly, cracking jokes, making expansive gestures....the nurse put him in the wheelchair and he was raising his arms high and pretending to be on  a roller coaster, complete with noises. They had a great time with him. I said, "OK, Jared, settle down!"

I was  told to keep him quiet and not let him talk. Yeah. RIGHT. He was cracking one joke after another. He did wake up a couple of times during the surgery. NONE of the older four wanted to socialize after they had their wisdom teeth pulled. I HAD to go check Michael's office one more time. I left Jared in the car with a stern warning, "Don't get out, don't talk, don't sing, don't move...just stay".  He did...but took pictures.

I promised him he'll look worse on Day 2 - swelling and such. I think he wanted a terrible photo. It will come. He's upstairs. I MADE him take the Percocet....I've got to knock him out or he will NOT sit still. ::snort::  I love this kid.  (Yes, dears, I love you all!)

We're keeping a quiet house, working on school, drugging Jared and hoping that he recovers quickly.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Prayers for Jared etc

We're heading to the clinic in an hour for Jared to have his wisdom teeth removed.  Prayers for a smooth extraction and recovery are appreciated.

Yesterday was full. School. We're studying the early 1800's now and loving it. We've spent last week and this week looking at William Wilberforce! What a hero.

I was able to move the big "car tax event" from Tuesday to Friday, as I'll be busy with Jared today.

My laundry has not blown over for four days.

We spent a considerable amount of time looking for Michael's "Medal Dec" from GAFB. It would appear that it was lost somewhere between being awarded and showing up in Michael's official record. He goes up for a promotion board "soon", July, I think.  It's important to have it in there. I'm looking...not finding at this point, but diligently looking. This whole situation could be a matter for prayer too. One that God would have His will with the promotion board. Our heart is always to minister...we won't be crushed if our time in the military is over....but we want to know that GOD is the deciding factor and not heartburn from a promotion board. KWIM?  When Michael was promoted to Major, our Command Chaplain told me I was the most "unhappy looking" spouse he'd ever given the news too. I shared that we had a Plan B and Plan B looked very promising to me......Plan B still looks good, though I've come to love Plan A - the Military. LOL

I have been blessed to work with a wonderful group of local ladies as they plan their upcoming spring retreat. Specifically, Windy, has stepped in to handle many of the registration details. She is also graciously helping me however she can as I work to get details off my plate now that I'm the speaker. LOL 

I met with Twyla, our retreat supply guru, last night. We helped each other get a clear picture of what my session assistants will be responsible for and what supplies she will buy and organize. We topped it off with a quick trip to the BX to start looking for goodies.

Then it was time to pick up Jared and Arielle at chapel. They'd been to Human Video Team practice and then Cross Training (youth).
Since the day was going to be busy I made Nikujaga for lunch...and that worked well to have our main meal at noon. Again, the comment was made that it would be best with "all beef"...and again I explained that in Japan the meat is a condiment. The photo just doesn't do justice for how good this tastes.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Dutch Babies/German Pancakes

Arielle made these Saturday for breakfast, and reminded me the recipe is not on the blog. A terrible oversight indeed. ::grin::

1/3 C butter
5 large eggs
1 C milk
1 C flour

Place butter in a 9 x 13 or giant cast iron skillet (above); set in 425* oven to melt.

While butter is melting, put eggs in blender and blend 1 minute on high.

Gradually add milk, the flour; blend 30 seconds.

Remove the baking dish from the oven and pour the batter into the hot, melted butter.

Return to oven and bake until puffy and browned, 20 - 25 minutes.

This REALLY puffs with bleached flour -but doesn't do bad at all with whole wheat. It deflates quickly so have the kids gather around for the great unveiling.

Top with butter and syrup; jam; fruit (strawberries, blueberries...all kinds really); powdered sugar;almond butter and maple syrup. Maria, our friend from Puerto Rico prefers salt, pepper and avocado on hers.

More yummy eats are indexed here.

Quick Glimpses of the Week

We HAVE been double pacing our school. We thought this would be a hard week as it is spring break for those in the DOD schools. It really wasn't. We didn't see much of the neighborhood kids outside (snow and such probably had something to do with that ::grin::).  But....do not think we're SLAVING away....this is a fun way to drill phonetic sounds.....

Our goal is for "Michael" to have a gift here for the kids each Family Night - Friday. I picked up a bunch of dvd's on my trip - visited walmart. Unfortunately, this one is a bit cruder than I'd like.  The kids were thrilled and we'll not make it a "daily view".

You can't see them all but all our children and the older girls of Rodney and Windy are in this shot - a rip roaring game of Red Rover. I love it.

Choosing Joy!
© 2010 D.R.G.
~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God ...

Photos from Michael

Some photos from Michael. We are maintaining our picasa albums and he can see all the photos we take each day and we can see his photos. Very nice.

Now THIS is what "market" means to me  - if you click and enlarge you'll see the hanging meat.

The best photo! Michael and his assistant are the only Chaplain/CA team on location.

Choosing Joy!
© 2010 D.R.G.
~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God ...

Words from Michael....

Y'all know this is a family journal. Michael wanted to send some thoughts via Facebook but finds it "confining"...I guess. ::snort::  I'm thrilled to share "my pastor" with you tonight.

I may well add Michael as an author so that he can pop in with updates for our "family posterity" ...so from time to time if I sound like a 6'4" male....I probably am. LOL

I have been thinking about sanctification lately. The reason for this is I have been confronted with a few instances where someone close to me who has been a Christian a long time but has had some rather unchristian things explode from his mouth and life. We each (OK, most of us) have those things which we govern by our inhibitions, and we restrain from coming out beause we easily acknowledge they are inappropriate and do not lend themselves to the nature and character of God. The question is what happens when I lose that ability to restrain, squelch, silence, censor those things which are inapproprate? What happens when this gatekeeper is no longer able to control what is passing out of the gate of my life? This brings me back to the importance of sanctification.


If I put on a facade of sanctification and manage to suppress the garbage hiding it from every one's eyes and ears and nose, what happens when I am no longer able to maintain the facade. Perhaps this is through old age, or sickness or even pain. What will come out of me when the gatekeeper has either fallen asleep or is distracted by other issues? That which I have held within will flow out. So what do I want to flow out of me in those times?

I have next to me an orange. On the outside it has all of the characteristics of an orange. The color is right. The texture is right. Even the smell is right. What do I expect to find when I peel the outer shell off of this orange? I expect to find the fruit of an orange in all of its richness and sweetness. What would I do if it is rotted and putrid inside? I would toss it into the trash. Which again brings me back to the importance of sanctification.

I want to be the man that does not even need a gatekeeper because that which is within and that which is without is the same - a perfect reflection, representation of Jesus. I want it so that when I speak it is as though Jesus is speaking through me. I want it so that when I act I am doing that which is pleasing to my heavenly father without even a concern. I want it so that the the thoughts I think are identical to those of my Lord's. In short, I want to be transformed into the very image and character of Jesus.

So where to from here? I am not perfect. I am not at that place of being "Christ-like" in all I say and do and think. I still keep discovering pockets rot and places of putridness in my life. Sanctification is indeed a road, a journey, a pursuit. I will stay on the road. I will continue the journey. I will pursue sanctification and holiness as a runner pursues the finish line. I have set myself to become holy, to be like Christ so that in all times, in any circumstance and in all places the only thing that comes out of me is the sweetness of Jesus. -Mike

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Just a Day

The laundry stayed put!

Bible study was refreshing and fellowship was sweet.

Added two new members to the Asia Region Team (Board).

Talked with John S (Michael's endorser), did not talk with Michael. Tomorrow.

Worked on some details for the local retreat. I do like building teams and growing closer to each other as we work towards the goal.

Still brainstorming on retreat outlines....coming together.

Met Jim, Twyla and boys at the Food Court and then on to see, "How to Train a Dragon". Good movie, nice to visit with friends. Nice to see lots of friends there....starting to feel at home here in Misawa.

Did I mention school? We've finished two solid weeks of school this week. We'll probably get at least another 1/2 done tomorrow. We're pressing.
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...