LAZY Wednesday

Wednesday morning confirmed many things for us. We couldn't get moving. We don't do well with evening outings. I know in AK, where we had Bible Study and Youth activities on Tuesday night, Wednesdays were ALWAYS tough for school. We didn't have mid-week activities in TX. I have opted out of the chapel mid-week evening activities because of the drive (I thought I could catch rides to the Language class) ...but after one night of language class....I realize that just being out in the evening does something to us. Hats off to all of you who faithfully pull this off, it's not something we HAVE to do, so we're content to stay home, read and play games in the evenings. LOL

SO...since we weren't motivated to get anything done, we decided to try to hook with the S family (Rodney and Windy's family). We visited.

After lunch I took Windy out to show her the house. They were inside working on their house. As we peeked in an older women said, "Dozo"..... Yeah? ALRIGHT. We got to go inside. As we took off our shoes she said "Dijobo!" Which means "ok". I wanted to be sure and wanted to ask "It's o.k.?" which came out sounding like "Dejavu des ka?" but she laughed and said to come on in, and leave our shoes on (the floor is covered with padded paper). The wall paper is up, the .....we were very concerned about tears and broken drywall all over the house...and in the ceilings!!!! VERY concerned. Last night, as we talked with Mike, we figured out that those must be the spots for the light switches! ::snort::

Dorothy - its us together - I remember praying for Windy as she had their youngest baby and her dh went to Korea for a year - how surreal that we are meeting in real life. I love how God orchestrates our lives!

AND....guess what? If Windy has one, we're sure to have one....

A Techno Potty!

I wonder if the plug means the seat will be heated...maybe it's just for the spraying gadgets.... Winter is so much more livable with heated feet and buns. LOL

Back on base, we grabbed kids and went to the Weasel's Den for a bit of time. They headed for Awana and we continued dragging our lazy way through Wednesday.

OH YES - and Windy is going to Hawaii with me. We filled out registration forms.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

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

Japanese Trucks

Jamin - this is just for you! We think of you and your desire for a pick up every time we see one of these. ::snort::

Look at the tiny tires.... The boys report the backs ARE fun to ride in. We've not seen ONE "full sized Texas truck" over here.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

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

Tuesday

No photos - but I'll take a minute to update....because I LOVE that family and friends like to know what we are up to.

School...the only one who HAS to do school would be Jared's math/science...but the younger ones and I are enjoying a bit of structure and routine to our explorations. LOL

PWOC - I met with the PWOC selection committee for a final time. I think we have an exec board for 2009/10 and I'm EXCITED for some sister fellowship, awesome Bible studies and outreach in the upcoming PWOC year. PRAYING we get into the new chapel by Oct.

Drinking from a fire hydrant - Jared and I joined the B family on a drive to Hachinohe to attend Japanese Language school. I enjoyed myself. I really did. However, about 30 min into the class I began to question our plan, which was for Jared and I to attend the class and later teach the others. I talked to the teacher and asked if she'd be willing to teach one on one in our home. I explained that I have a big family and would love for them to all be able to meet her and receive her instruction. She gave me a quote, and while it is far more than attending in Hachinohe, it is cheaper than any of the other tutors I've looked into. She agreed that she would take us places we want to see and teach us language along the way from time to time. We'd be sure to learn Japanese Culture as we hosted her weekly....and I think she liked the idea of having an inside view of an American family. Hachinohe is a 45 - 60 min drive at night during rush hour.... 20 - 30 min home. The class is 6:30 - 8:30. I jealously guard our nights home.....so the private class may work better. It would be during school time. I wouldn't have to leave the house and all the kids could meet Akiko and learn from her first hand. There is no class next week as it is a national holiday...I have two weeks to consider the angles. It was FUN and I'm easily swayed by fun....but honestly....I do strive to watch the boundaries. LOL

Hawaii - Mike had also been doing some thinking while I was gone last night. He's decided I should go to Hawaii for the PWOC Pacific Region conference. I've spent a couple of weeks convincing myself not to go. Mike is really sure I SHOULD go and WANTS me to go; so I am. At this point, I'll be alone, which stretches me greatly...if I'm going to be lost, I'd like to be lost WITH someone....but it will be good for me. Many of you know that I've worked diligently to hear the voice of God about my schedule/ministry after the insane AK season of our ministry. I've set boundaries, I honestly DO see things as God, Family (In the Home Ministry), Outside Ministry. I am torn because the family isn't settled and this seems awfully quick to go on a trip after receiving our belongings....but Mike says it's for a weekend and I need to have some time to relax....and be refreshed.... AND now I find that two ladies from our first assignment in Montana will be attending...Julie B from Guam and Sarah H from Okinawa. I'm going to have *TWO* "PWOC MOMENTS". ::snort:: I'll get the registration worked out and then figure out how to book the tickets.

CINDY - setting this apart so you are sure to read it, as you'll think it is funny. Mike says I need to get CINDY to plan my trip as she's the pro at this sort of thing. ::snort::

That's the day. The kids are exhausted and I can't seem to get them moving..but it's time. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

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

Finishing up Monday

We spent some time deciding what we wanted to do to welcome Windy and friends. The front desk was rather confusing and for a time it looked like they'd added their two room charges to OUR room charges. ::snort:: We settled on some quick breakfast foods, baked muffins to go with, got some fun balloons and left them. Are you ready for irony?????? They are in the rooms across the hall and down a door from us!!! We briefly met, but they are exhausted and we'll have lots of time to get acquainted.

I made a yummy dinner.

Mike and Jared went running....and met Rodney, Windy and kids when they came back in the lobby. They grabbed Nolan and played basketball.

I've been sent down to check email.

Tomorrow, Jared and I are going to Hachinhohe for Japanese class.

Still looking for prices for the conference trip.

Several have emailed to ask...yes, I did say I was going to go to a Japanese Bath. I'm determined to experience the culture and this is a big part of the culture up here. The familia won't come with me.....but I found some ladies who know what they are doing and I'm going with them. Check back Saturday to see how it went. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

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

Monday Update

I'm here at the library and may not make it back to a computer connection today...so here's the low down on Monday. I really will try not to take another break without some sort of warning.

School is done with the younger ones. We're exchanging books for some new ones.

Home Training Tools can no longer mail out their biology kits. I find this strange. I know they mailed them to me in AK and TX...and I can't figure out why they'd be in an online catalog if you can't mail it. ::snort:: BUT evidently the USPS won't allow them to mail the kit. Which means I need to figure out how we're going to do our biology lab this year. LOL

Still debating about language lessons.

I checked with ITT and their costs are MUCH more than simply buying the ticket from JAL. They agreed that it is CRAZY but that what I discovered is true....it is $800 cheaper for me to book TWO tickets than to book a ticket straight from here to Hawaii. I need to book a round trip to Tokyo and then one from there to Hawaii.....they can't help me and suggested I simply find a Japanese Travel Agent...oh this is going to be fun. ::snort:: I'm still trying to get a cell phone. LOL I'm going to see if I can do this online myself.

Nothing earth shattering planned for the day....laundry is done, dinner will be cooked...We're living on TLF TIME.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

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

CRAZY

Can you believe that Tokyo to Waikiki is $672 plus taxes while Misawa to Waikiki is $1700 plus taxes? And NO ONE flies out of here but JAL....

I'm thinking for THAT much of a savings it would be worth it to drive to Tokyo (alone? I don't know....) or take the train....or

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

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

Sunday

Our RE year began with a carnival/meet and greet teacher time. The kids enjoyed themselves. Jared and Arielle helped out.

Then service.....good....bordering on better than good. ::snort:: Nolan and Zander decided to sit on the front row....I didn't think this was a great plan, but the chance to sit by Mike seemed good. I ended up taking Stacia out when she pulled a WHISTLE out of her treat bag from the carnival. Oy vey! ::snort::

We had lunch with one of my new favorite Sgts. Sgt. S's family is from the Philippines. He told Mike and Jared about a deep sea fishing trip next Saturday. They hope to go.

Mike got called out of the Gospel service on a duty call. It's been raining. I'm fighting a UTI - but have cranberry tablets and lots of water on hand. Debbie, from GAFB, told me to drink some strange concoction to cure them but I can't remember what it IS....maybe vinegar?

I'm praying about going to Hawaii for PWOC's Regional conference. I WANT to be there. Mike encourages me to go...but no one else is going from here. It's $1800 on cheaptickets to fly from here to Waikiki....I'm not sure how fun a conference is if you attend alone....and we'll be moving into our home in October...do I really want to fly out the 22nd? I'm not sure - I'm praying that I'll figure this out soon. I thought the deadline to make up my mind was tomorrow but its the 18th. LOL I'm going to look into taking a hop out to Tokyo and flying from THERE to Hawaii.

I'm determined to get over my American phobias and go to an Onsen this week. Deb at chapel invited me. I told her I might not be able to come back to chapel afterwards...but I was game. ::snort:: Twyla's going too - Twyla, I'll email - but Jared said yes. I told him I needed him to watch the boys so we could go take a bath together. ::snort:: ::gasp::

Here's a photo of the new game...Finger Football....they're enjoying it and learning about football...wonder if this means Mike will have football buddies soon?

Dorothy, I got an email from Windy and they'll be pulling up at lodging tomorrow night. I can't wait to meet this family. We're trying to decide the proper greeting for a family who you don't really know, but is going to be your neighbor, and feels like friends already. ::snort:: I suppose confetti and a band is a bit over the top?

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

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