Making Memories

OK! So I got back to Japan 2 weeks ago today. 24 hours later than scheduled :-(. I think I'm ahead of my norm getting this up after only 2 weeks ;-}
For the record, in case you ever wonder, short visits are awesome compared to no visits :-)

After clearing customs in L.A., first stop was Mesa (Phoenix),AZ. I had a wonderful visit with John's Mom, sister and her husband. We went to dinner at Garcia's and my first restaurant meal stateside was great! Missed seeing his other sister and her son but just can't always get everything we want..
                                                               




                                                               
Next stop - TEXAS!
Dear Davis family, THANK YOU!
for picking me up at the airport, taking me to further satisfy my hunger for Mexican food, spoiling me, giving me a room in your home and a car to drive and just generally showering me with your sweet love!

In Boerne I was able to see dear friends and visit two services and a few Sunday School classes at St. Johns Lutheran Church. Always a blessing to meet with the folks there and have the chance to personally hug necks and thank them for their grace, prayers, love and blessings of many kinds that help keep us going for God in Japan.
From Boerne I headed to Seguin and more family. Thought I was just gonna meet my Momma and head to their place... but was very happily surprised that my Daddy was there, too! Then to find that my sweet niece and her family had driven out to meet me as well! We said 'See ya later!' to the Davis' and headed to a nearby spot for a little visit and a cold drink... and that's where my brother and his wife showed up! WOW!!! it was so great!!!!
Got to my folks place where a life long
friend had dinner waiting on us and a nice evening of catching up.


This is my Mom, Dad, brother, his wife and their son. They came for dinner and another good visit. Dinner....aaahhhh...my Daddy took me to his local meat market and let me pick out steaks that they cut just for us and he grilled to perfection.....aaaahhhhh.......  !
OK! I'm back.





My Mom and I headed off to Houston to see the Manuels. In all the years we've spent in Japan I've never made a trip back that Ginger hasn't found a way (usually meaning she drives many miles, often to other states!) to see me. We've been buds since our babies...were babies!


Always a special time together <3






Not only did they open their hearts and home to Mom and I, they welcomed in 8 of my extended family members from as far away as Louisiana! Haven't seen most of these folks in many years and it was a very special time of reunion and renewal. Two of Mom's brothers (a third had planned to be there but last minute circumstances prevented their attendance), their wives, three cousins and a second cousin. Shannon had to head out early so missed the group pic :(


Then it was on to Tennessee and the White's house!
Alayna.. just shy of her first birthday, at long last get her own 'Baba blanket'. Big sis was actually much more excited about this since she would no longer need to share hers ;-)
Though cutting four teeth and suffering an ear infection and then a nasty looking rash from the meds for the ear....Alayna was still pretty much all smiles and laughter<3







Kaelyn got to skip school and spend the week at home with Alayna and me - YAY!! Among many things, she reacquainted me with CandyLand... and beat me without mercy.

Daddy was pretty overwhelmed the week I was there with setting up his classroom and starting the new school year changing from 3rd graders to kindergarten!
Still always made time to spend with his princesses when he got home.










Nothing like having Mommy share a good story book with you!






It was a great week of reminding those sweet little girls who their Baba is.

And sharing time with their Mommy and Daddy.


Last stop.... Mississippi..
the Hefners, the T.Baranskis and many
friends from BUMC and our time spent living there. We have friends that are like family that continue to bless and support us and what a joy to get the chance to reconnect with them and meet some of the new faces that God has touched to bless us as well.

Daeon and her girls drove me there and got to stay a couple of nights so we had some wonderful family time together and made some sweet memories.











The Hefners took me to the Tupelo Buffalo Park the day before I had to head back. We'd had a full week with lots of going yet lots of family time shared just being together.

Tony and family fixed a delicious steak dinner with all the sides and then some to help fatten me up while they had the chance... I loved every bite! But mostly the time with them.









The cousins got to spend some time together while we were all in close proximity and I got to savor the moments of watching them and hearing their sweet voices and just being there with them.




You have no idea how many shots were snapped trying to get the elusive 'perfect' group shot...

something to strive for next time around
 ;-)

It was awesome! Thank you God!!!

 YYY

They are the CHAMPIONS!!!!!!

OK... this my third time to try this post...
But the thrill of the victory is worth the effort!

The Tokai Seagulls are the Champions
of the 52nd Annual Kanto Rookie Tournament!!!!
They beat out the three years running champs in the semi-final game on Saturday by 16 points to secure their spot in the final game.  On Sunday they faced the team they lost out by one point to in last years games to keep them out of the top four, so they were ready for redemption. Redeem they did!!!!
We are so happy for and very proud of them all, naturally most of all Zack.
 

Stats are kept for the final four games and awards are presented for several categories' top players. Zack received an MVP award for his team!

AND...
he was awarded the trophy for the Top Rebounder of the tournament!!!
In four games he had 67 rebounds!!!
26 Offense, 41 Defense
(he was #1 in those two categories as well)

In addition he came in 6th in Assists, 5th in Total Points & Points per Game, and 3rd in Field Goals. WOOHOO!!!
Following are some action shots from some of the games. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh yea, this was the cover of the tournament program... we like it! 

 

Still here!

No doubt you who may still actually look here had decided I gave up blogging for Lent... and then forgot it was past! I really want to do better at this! Just haven't quite figured out how yet. A continuous work in progress... thank you Lord that you don't give up on us!
I can't even remember most of whatever it is I haven't blogged about for the past two and half months! There have been birthdays, anniversaries, a wedding, school graduations, school entrance ceremonies, music events, basketball games, church, classes, visa applications...and lots of hurry up and wait ...!
The snow has at last all but disappeared from view and most days are getting warmer, though there is still that occasional chill day that makes me a little wary of putting away all the long sleeved wear.
The cherry blossoms, as well as plum, apricot, peach and a few others, have come and gone. There are still other things blooming and the colors all around do brighten things up nicely.
Monday morning we experienced the first solar eclipse to pass directly over the area in some 932 years!!! Different parts of Japan saw it differently, of course. In Nagano it was bright and clear before so it got that eery shadowy look, but not dark. All the kids around had their special glasses to view with. In some areas it was pretty cloudy so got much darker. Lots of really amazing pictures popped up in all the media.
The March for Jesus that our area churches hold will be this coming Sunday afternoon. As always, we pray for a good turnout and nice weather, and mostly that some who see us and hear our hymns will be led to Jesus.
There is still so much to be done in  the areas that were affected by last years earthquake and tsunami. Thousands are still living in temporary housing with no idea of their future. Thankfully there are still many groups that continue to reach out in those areas and do so much to encourage and help those living there and still trying to put their lives back together.
Every time I have one of those moments, or moods, where I realize I'm not feeling joyful in my heart, I have to just make myself stop and very consciously begin to list things that I have so much to be joyful over and thankful for. Of course I never finish listing them all.... God is so amazing and so wonderful in His grace, gifts and blessings. I'm working to be more aware of the opportunities He offers me every day and to listen for how He wants me to respond to them. I admit far too many likely go by unnoticed or not acted upon. Thankfully He is still there when I do snap out of myself.
Our lives here are nothing like I ever would have imagined to be. We are blessed beyond measure in ways and by means that only God can create. This doesn't mean we are constantly joyful and without daily concerns. Thank God for His love and all that it means and for each one of you that touch lives like ours for Him by your prayers, love and gifts of every kind - in ways that you may never comprehend. Your every act of kindness is a seed planted, and though you may never view the blossom it is beautiful none the less.
Always in His love and service!

Time...

I just saw a notice to remember that this coming Sunday, March 11th, time in much of the U.S. will "spring forward" one hour. That had really not crossed my mind recently. What has occupied much of my thoughts this week is how time has moved forward... March 11th, 2012 will mark one year since the earthquake/tsunami disasters struck Japan's Tohoku region. So much remains unresolved. Still God has worked mightily throughout this time. There are countless reminders of the loss and devastation. And there are many unheard stories. In the midst of it all, is God. He is changing lives across the globe through the events that took place here on March 11th, 2011. Individuals and groups from around the world have come to help in whatever ways they could. Some Christian, some not. Whether they realize, or intend to, or not, each is showing and sharing the message of God's love.
Throughout the past year I've read numerous articles and accounts of those touched by the events that day. In one, the wife of a pastor in Sendai whose church building disappeared, said this, "Please pray that a ‘Holy Spirit tsunami’ will come and wash over us so more people will be saved." It hasn't quite reached 'tsunami' status yet, but there are certainly many showers of the Holy Spirit falling on people in Japan. How humbling and wonderful it is to hear, read and see lives being given over to God in the wake of such things.
This past weekend there was a huge event in Sendai. Franklin Graham spoke... and some 12,000!!! Japanese people attended! There are articles on the event itself, the preparation leading up to it, and many others related to how lives have been touched in the past year in Japan. I encourage you to take the time to read many of these, watch some of the video and most of all to continue to pray for God to become known to the lost.
The link will open to an article of the event and has links to many others; http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=8521

Iiyama Snow Fest 2012

This year was the 30th anniversary of the Iiyama Snow Fest. As you entered the town this greeted you and the kids were enjoying the snow slide.
Once you reached the ground where the festival was there were 8 huge snow sculptures!

This one features Mario Cart Racers.

This was the grand prize winner - created by a group of high school students. This marked their 4th consecutive year as the grand pize sculptors. Annually the grand prize is 200,000yen - but this year they added an additional 100,000yen to mark the 30th anniversary! Of course the kids don't get the money... the school does - but they say it all is used for the kids!



Not sure who did the other creations but there was lots of time and effort put forth in freezing temperatures!






This one looks like the seven budda gods.











2012 is the year of the dragon on the Chinese calendar so naturally...










Not sure but perhaps this is the one done by the elementary school.

Another dragon - pretty impressive with the teeth and the tongue curling inside the mouth!











We somehow missed this one on the way in... these guys are very popular at entrance gates as the guards.




There were a couple of different sled activities for the young...or young at heart - to enjoy.








As you can see - snow and freezing temps are no excuse for staying in and missing the fun!









Yatai - or food booths - are very popular at festivals in Japan, and the season makes no difference.

Even live entertainment on stage!

Then we drove a little way to the "Kamakura" -snow hut- grounds.








There were 100 snow huts built! Not counting the small ones lining the walkway that were lit up with candles after dark. Sorry we weren't there that late to get a picture.










The doorways weren't too big but once inside even John could stand up!
Several of the huts were set up with table, fire pot and benches so that you could have a meal inside - out of the cold ;-)!

Every year I've wanted to go so I'm glad we made it this year! It was really fun, and believe it or not, doesn't feel nearly as cold there in all that snow as it is in Nagano City where we live!!!!

God bless and stay warm!