Courageous Joy

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Park Day

This is the time of year in Misawa when the feather is TOTALLY fickle. We jump back and forth from spring, summer and a bit of winter thrown in too. LOL

Today we took advantage of a beautiful day to head to Swan Park. We knew we were too late for the blossoms, but expected to find nature and a bit of fun too.

We started the park time off with a walk along the nature path. We immediately noted new benches carved from logs.

These critters discovered along the path were a pleasant surprise!

We took the time to have a snack in the midst of the water lilies and then we played on the playgrounds and various slides and towers.

I'm glad we made the time for this as it appears bad weather is moving in.

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Monday, May 16, 2011

Day on the Japanese Coast

This afternoon we headed to Statue of Liberty Park. I was 99% sure the blossoms would be gone but really wanted to share this with Michael. They are mostly gone. We did find a tree or too.

The kids hid their disappointment well

Jared isn't feeling well. We stopped by the house and dropped him off. We ran to kaikohen (Momoishi) Beach. They've managed to get down to asphalt in the parking lot now. They are cleaning up the area we cleaned . It is interesting to watch.

Hmm....interesting gardening technique.

Made dinner and all went to bed. I'm still loving the pressure cooker....Michael said to look for a steel one. I'm fading too, now. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Prayer Update

Josiah, Jamin and the Japan contingent all flew out of the NW Sunday a.m.

Krista will begin her trek to Turkey Monday a.m.

Bre and Krista are packing their apartment. Bre will have a bunch of friends over to help move things out on Monday or Tuesday.

Bre is renting a room and house sitting for the summer. The girls have found a roommate and will look for a 3 bdr apartment or home in late summer.

Prays for all the moving parts are very welcomed.

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

We Lost Sunday

We spent 10 hours at SEATAC and made it on the Space A flight home! Yes - for all but me - there and back via Space A - the only way to travel internationally.

I do have a list of suggestions for how they could stream line this process, just in case I'm ever asked. ::snort::

We began boarding at 4:20 and flew at 5:20 a.m. on SUNDAY - we arrived home - 9 hours later at 6 a.m. on MONDAY....we lost Sunday.

Thus ends this vacation.

I didn't sleep on the plane. Several of us took naps when we got home. All but me are now in bed....but soon. I'm trying to get a handle on the waiting projects....feeling a bit disoriented...

We're wondering how long it will be until we have our first post vacation earthquake.....any guesses?

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Saturday, May 14, 2011

And YOU Wanted to be a Missionary????

Nights like last night when we said goodbye to Dad....and today with so MANY dear ones to say goodbye too: Mom, Bre, Krista, Josiah and Jamin....make me wonder about my childhood dream of being a missionary. ::grin::

I have settled long ago that these are "beneficial leave takings". I have great peace and joy at where God is leading our older Gherkins...but it's always hard to pack up the fun "family together" times and move back to our "normal life".

This morning......we walked and talked.

Krista tried Green Tea and Melon Kit Kats

Jamin didn't really like them, I guess.

We waited....all morning on the front step with our coat and back pack on....

We loaded

The PLAN was to find a rental in Salem but the only one big enough was in Portland. Mom and the kids would drive with us to get the rental van, we'd load suitcases into the rental, grab lunch and then on to SEA TAC. They'd drive back to Eugene. The kids had a 6:00 p.m. dinner appointment.....but nothing ever goes as planned.

It took longer to get to Portland than expected on the google maps route.

We arrived at Office Depot instead of Hertz rental.

We found the rental across the river and they didn't have the van they told us they would have (Toyota Sienna) - we won't fit in a typical mini-van with international travel gear.

We rented it and headed for the Portland Airport. This meant I DROVE a RENTAL over a TALL BRIDGE over a big river...first time I've been on a TALL bridge since the earthquake.... the emotions that came back along with the nerves was rather surprising.

We got the new van. Exchanged bags...said goodbye in the Airport parking garage.

Rather appropriate place for a Gherkin Family photo!

Michael and I shared last pieces of advice with the older kids. These will remain highly top secret and confidential.....hmmm....check out those feet....college will do strange things to a young man.

Finally, the unavoidable happened...goodbye had to happen..... We cross to our van and I snapped a last shot.....

Oops....appears Jared is reluctant to stay on OUR side of the parking garage. ::snort::

We are now at the airport. We've been told there are 170 "Space A" seats on this flight. We are Cat 2. Good chance of getting our free trip back to Japan. HOWEVER, now we are told the plane won't leave until 5 a.m. There is no sense in renting hotel rooms for 10 hours. We staked out a spot to get comfy.....we like it better than the USO with inappropriate movies and discussions...now that we hear we'll be here overnight we may check out the USO in a few hours. ::snort::

I've been asking myself all day, "How do you feel about going home to Japan?" I'll let you know what I answer myself.....when I finally answer myself.

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Thursday, May 12, 2011

SURPRISE

We had a few goals for this day. ENJOY our last day together to the fullest. Pull off a SURPRISE birthday party for Arielle. We knew she wouldn't suspect as her birthday is 23 May - IF we could be discreet....and with 10 of us trying to be discreet....there was a tad bit of fun.

Krista, Stacia, Mom and I left for Newport and Walmart. I made a general announcement.... "Is Bre still asleep? C'mon Krista, you've been wanting to buy stuff for your trip - this is a great time to do it." She and I began to rush out of the house. Mom and Stacia asked to come....and we rushed out. ::snort:: We had a list of things to find both for a birthday and for an international trip. We found it all.

We called back to the house and found out that Michael had taken the kids to Depoe Bay to shop a bit. They headed out to pick up Grandpa (Dad) and met us at Mo's in Newport. We've all agreed we like the Lincoln City or Florence Mo's much better than the Newport.

Ewwww.....shrimp

IRONY - we've spent many days at the Japanese beach and said, "The only thing missing is Mo's clam chowder and onion rings instead of a Ramen shop." Look at the new addition to Newport. Looks suspiciously like a Ramen shop to me. ::snort::

Lovely murals all around the bay front area

We'd never allowed the kids to waste .51 to get .01....but after reading Jen G's comment about .51 being the best, cheap souvenir she's let her kids get everywhere through the years....hey - GREAT idea.

We ate. We shopped. I found a GREAT tie-dyed hoodie. Then I decided I did NOT want to be the only person in Japan wearing one - so I bought one for Akiko San. Not sure how it will go over - but she has made several trips to the states and can probably get away with it by saying her nutty American friend bought it for her. We shall see. Josiah and Jared found great leather jackets....CHEAP..... Then Arielle mentioned she'd like to do some tie dying but all her dyes were gone. PERFECT. I told Mike I was sure Arielle would appreciate it if they'd stop at Walmart so she could buy die as we fly tomorrow.

Josiah, Jamin and I got in Krista's car. The rest piled in the van. As we drove, Josiah wasn't sure Michael caught the hint and had Jamin call Bre to be SURE he understood....stop at Walmart, stall, make sure Arielle is the last one in the house. Meanwhile, the older boys and I stopped and bought an ice cream cake. Then we high-tailed it to the house so we could decorate and set out presents.

Arielle was the last one in. Her look was precious - though hard to see here. She looked like a stunned dear in a headlight.

Josiah (top) has Arielle guessing if the balloon is filled with water or air.

Krista came up with a "party animal" hat since we left the pig across the ocean.

Stacia had picked this out and we changed out when Arielle opened it.

Gradma got her this - which will remind her of OR and will also pull Jared's chain just a bit when she wears it.

Dad left after the party. He had an appointment this a.m. The rest of us did all we could to make the night last longer.....

Happy Birthday to You

Another Great Day at the Beach

Our flying trips home NEVER give us time to reconnect with everyone whom we'd like to see. Never. I've been blessed, however, to reconnect with Becky, a childhood friend at Christmas. This trip we were able to see Uncle Oli and Jim (see posts on graduation) and today Julia and children met us at the coast.