Week's Recap

This was the week to be an extrovert!   The week began with a fantastic group of brothers and sisters from Beale AFB Chapel in our home.

Arielle counted it up and I spent 20+ hours this week talking with women....in my home, in their homes, in

Via Google Images

 coffee shops, donuts shops, restaurants and via Skype. We tried a lake and got kicked out. ::snort::

Why all the talking? I wanted to listen to current leaders, past leaders, future leaders in women's ministry. I returned home Thursday at 10:00 p.m. and commented to Michael that after Friday's meetings (2) I would not talk about Women's Ministry for at least 24 hours....maybe 48.  His response?

 "Good."

AND God is gracious! Those final two meetings on Friday were refreshing times to share about JESUS and His work in our lives. Good times.  Now, I'll let all the comments, all the words sit....sit before the Lord and see what the Holy Spirit sifts from all of it.

NEXT, more meetings. More women who are looking to lead in the future.  Women who have a heart and vision for being Jesus through women's ministry.

I'm also looking for another kind of woman who will talk to me. Women who have chosen not to be a part of women's ministry.  I want to know "why?" What have we missed? How do we miss your needs? Our hearts are right. Maybe some simply are able to get all their needs for teaching and community in Sunday meetings.

In between all this talking....throughout and around...the kids continued to school....and the younger two and I continued to read about the build-up to the American Revolution. We skipped Spring Break. We are on a course to finish our 180 days on 30 May.  We decided to keep pushing.  This will give us an extra week to relax before Arielle flies our coop for the Imuris Kid's Kingdom  in Mexico. 

Michael worked a full week at base. I didn't see him much so I'm not quite sure what to report. I know he fought a flu bug most of the week. I know he led us on Wednesday night at the Chapel's Family Study as we discussed a few verses in Galatians. I so enjoy those evenings. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Stacia's Life Work

I couldn't resist. 

During dinner, Stacia informed us she wants to be a fisherwoman - but she wouldn't eat the fish. 

Michael - "Who is going to clean the fish?" 

Stacia - "I am!"

Michael - "I don't think you know what cleaning a fish means."

{Stacia hates blood - the tiniest scratch sends her running for the hills.}

Stacia - "You get a rag and you wash them off and dry them. It's simple."

Helpful Brothers - "Staaaaaassssshhhhhaaaa..."

Me - "Wait! Stacia let me show you. "

{Don't judge me!}

 We found You Tube (Michael grabbed a camera).

The moment she realizes what the man is going to do next. 

Stacia - "There are lots of other things I can do. I don't want to be a fisherwoman!"

She is still leaning towards an artist or a Japanese farmer.


Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Cultural Education

From time to time we run across something that reminds us Stacia has spent half her life in another  country.

There were a couple of things this week...like when she asked about a dime, "Now is that a 10 yen or a 100 yen?" 

We heard music in the neighborhood. 

In Misawa, that was either a political announcement, the sweet potato man or a tsunami warning.  The older kids ran to get their money. 

I tried to figure out WHY the van was parked driving extremely slow outside of our home....

Imagine Stacia's joy! She came running back in and informed me, "MOM, they sell ice cream from VANS in America!" 

We were all happy to have the break in the middle of a hot afternoon. 

I was still perplexed as to how the Ice Cream Man KNEW to wait at our home. It turns out the older two have enjoyed the treats when he comes through on Wednesdays - PWOC day. ::snort:: 

Stacia, looked at us and said, "But I should never, EVER get in the van with an Ice Cream man/woman, right? They might kidnap me." Yeah - she's learning the culture. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Saying Goodbye with Fun

Pastors Johnny and Joretta have served nearly thirteen years here at Beale AFB chapel.  During that time they have loved well. They've invested and poured into the congregations they've served.  I am AMAZED at the tempo they kept up - both working full time jobs; pastoring a congregation, teaching Bible studies and always having people into their homes. They are amazing.

And so....since God has seen fit to move them to another part of His vineyard....we said farewell to them today.  This was the first time we've pulled it together to have the congregation over to our home....and we all had a blast.

Michael, James and Angel got the pinata thing going - we didn't even miss the trees! 

Part of the group playing Bible Taboo...which I need to buy! 

 

So many friends...this extrovert was in heaven! ::grin:: 

There were also at least this many outside and more in the living room. 

After everyone went home, we looked around. Mama Ros, Westlie and another had put food up and cleaned up the kitchen. We had a few other jobs to finish to be ready for Monday.

 Michael and Arielle cleaned the inside of the bounce house

I needed to play....we bounced

 Michael said you could bounce right onto the slide...worked for him
not so well for me. ::snort::

 

We washed down the patio, folded up the bounce house, loaded tables and chairs into the van...all ready for Monday morning.  

Some had ice cream and washed an episode of The Cosby Show. I soaked in the hot tub. ::snort:: It was a great day....something we will need to repeat.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Preparing for Fun

Friday was busy.....Today was busy....we're getting ready to host the chapel here tomorrow.  We're looking forward to it - though the occasion  - a farewell of ministers - is not one we are looking forward to! 

Arielle fills a pinata

The men set up some shade - it's 86* today 

This is scary.....

Fearless wasp killers....

We also shopped, washed windows, made salads, baked muffins and cakes, and beans...... good times ahead.   At this point I asked if the kids slide out of the Dalmatian's - um - exit ramp.

she w- no. Gherkin approved! 

Play break was over and we continued..... It's GOOD I was sick and didn't get to this earlier in the week. Michael did a WAY better job than I would have! 

This girl is SO busted!

Loved all the pressure washing the men did! 

We ended the night sitting in the hot tub - happy in the knowledge that we are ready for Sunday.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Busy Week

We have managed to have a full and busy week - even with me in bed from Sunday - Wednesday. 

We have made up all our time off and our back on schedule with our school. This means our pace is much slower this week and we were able to easily get a week done with school - even with me in bed.  I'm proud of the kids.

Michael's had a crazy week at work - and I haven't a clue what's been so crazy - just know he's been late. LOL

I got my new glasses today. I can't see a blasted thing through them. I tried. I took them off when a migraine started and I'll try more tomorrow.

Stacia and I had fun picking out things for children to enjoy at our  Farewell for Johnny and Joretta on Sunday.  We'll have everyone out to our house. I didn't want the kids to be bored at our home - so we rented a bounce house, bought bubbles, and pinata.... I  need to hit Sam's club tomorrow and get some major meat - but we're getting there. I'm thankful everyone is bringing a side dish.

Michael surprised us by walking in early (5:25 p.m.) and so we had dinner before Arielle went to babysit for a local small group.

As we talked about what would feed a crowd, be flexible enough to accommodate a flexing crowd size,  and be able to pull together after church - we landed on a BBQ...but we didn't have a grill.  We hadn't planned on buying one; because we are in the process of paring down....but in the end.... This one was the best deal and is a nice size.

Honestly, it was WARM today. I'm guessing it will be NICE to be able to cook outside this summer, and I will get much better at cooking on the grill.

Maybe our next challenge will be to "Guess the date we hit 90* or 100*."


Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Jamin Breaks the Record!

Look who did it! He broke the ASU 10K men's record on Saturday....in 30 mph wind.....with a pulled muscle. We are so happy for Jamin. He's worked hard to do this. I believe he'll be running one more 10K this track season - he may break it again! The yellow band Jamin's wearing is a "Vote Jared and Ross" band. 

It was great fun to have friends at the meet and Larissa sending photos as it happened! 

Here are a couple of photos from Doug! Thanks for all the free coaching/mentoring you've given Jamin over the years!  

Do you like Jared's t-shirt below? ASU Student Government  Elections are over. There is a hold up on the results - they are told they'll have them by 15 April. We continue for God's very best in the situation.  In any event, these two smiles make my evening. 

I don't fully understand Cross Country and Track. I know that he broke this record during the Cross Country season but it was important to break it during Track on the TRACK....so there you have it. 
Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...