Gift #69- Rainy Day Chess Lessons

Hank is teaching the kids how to play Chess.  Macy has beat her mom a time or two already!

Gift #68- Homemade Icecream

Hank's mom and dad bought Hank this ice cream maker several years ago.  It has brought a lot of smiles over the years.  You just can't go wrong with milk, sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream!

Gift #67- BLT's!

There is a little restaurant just outside the main gate called Sako's.  Sako's is famous for its BLT's.  I have heard that, once upon a time, the Sako's BLT was ranked in the top ten for World's Best BLT!  I can believe that.  It was delicious.  We tried to go to the restaurant yesterday, but when we arrived, the owner (her name is Misi) sweetly told us that the kitchen was closed.  She was teaching an English class to a group of Japanese ladies when we arrived  and asked if we would come in and converse with her students.  We stayed for a little bit and promised that we would come back today for lunch.   When we arrived today, Misi had a table reserved for us.  When she brought our water, she remembered each one of the kids names!  Before we left, she gave us some tomatoes from her garden.  I think that everyone would agree with me-  BLT's are definitely a blessing.  But it is the kindness that we will remember the most.

Josh, Macy, Misi, Sam, and Jack

Gift #66- America

Happy 4th of July

Gift #65- Twins

It's double the giggles and double the grins, and double the trouble if you're blessed with twins.  ~Author Unknown

Gift #64- Perspective

On Saturday we had the privilege of visiting an orphanage in Hiroshima.  We went with a group from the church that we have been attending.  We made bracelets, played games, and had birthday cupcakes!  Macy played Memory with the children for hours and showed no mercy!  She has a bit of a competitive streak.  :0)    We had a great time playing together and left with some much needed perspective and a renewed sense of gratitude for the many blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon our family.