Gift #281- Chicken on a Stick!

Whenever we found out that we were moving to Japan, everyone told us that we had to eat at The Chicken Shack.  It took us a year, but we finally made it to the shack!  The restaurant is famous for it's Sanzoku Yaki- Chicken on a stick.  I assumed that it would be little pieces of chicken, but it was actually a big giant piece and it was DELICIOUS!  We also ordered Gyoza and noodles.  Sam and Macy were very adventurous and tried everything.  We sat on a little table outside.  We took off our shoes and slid our feet up under the table and under a warming blanket.  It was a fun experience.   We will definitely go back.  As you will probably notice, Jack and Josh have been absent from many of our spring break pictures.  They have reached the age where they would rather hang out at the skate park with their friends than with their dear mother and father!  I was a little sad about this at first, but am so happy that we live in a place where they can safely hang out with their friends and enjoy being kids!  Sam and Macy are still hang very happy to hang out with mom and I will enjoy every minute of our time together.   And when they outgrow me, there will be one more little one to keep me company!

Sam thought that it would be funny to be the "girl".  It was!  :0)

This picture gives a better idea of the tables.  We were sitting on a platform with a table on top.  We sat on the platform and put our legs under the table.  You will find these types of tables in many Japanese homes.  Sometimes the blankets are heated.

Gift #280- An Impeccable Sense of Style

This is what Sam chose to wear to church today.  We let him.  I think that it kind of hurt his feelings when I asked him if I could snap a picture of his outfit.- hence the pouty face.  I told him that tie-dye didn't match well with green plaid.  He said "I know, that is why I am wearing this button-up over the tie-dye shirt."  He obviously gets his sense of fashion from his dad.  Right Hank?

PS- Notice Josh yawning in the background.

Gift #279- Party Time!

This was the morning after the first day of Spring Break!  The kids are so excited to have 10 full days off of school.  We don't have too much planned.  Stay up late.  Watch movies.  Sleep in.  Maybe a few little day trips.  We are looking forward to a relaxing week.

Gift #278- A Picnic in The Park

Our first day of Spring Break!  And it was a beautiful one.

Gift #277- A Successful Hunt!

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday.  Hank returned home late Saturday night and that was a wonderful gift.  We went to church and then to the Easter Brunch at the club.  The kids played with friends most of the afternoon and then we had an egg hunt in our little back yard.  We ended the day by watching the movie HOP.  We didn't get the first picture of the kids in their Easter clothes!  But I can tell you that they all looked very handsome and beautiful!  I will try to recreate the picture next Sunday!

Happy Easter To All!

Gift #276- He is Risen!

I can think of no greater gift!  A Risen Savior!  His resurrection is my freedom and my hope and my life.  We can claim the victory that He won on Calvary and this is THE reason to give thanks!

Gift #275- His Outstretched Arms

My mom used to sing a duet in church with her friend Judy Brock titled Ten Thousand Angels.  I always loved hearing it and I remember being struck by the words of the chorus each time.  It is more than amazing to know that Jesus had the power to call ten thousand angels to set him free.  But he chose to take the pain and the nails and the suffering.  On this Good Friday, I am so thankful for the cross.  If it were not for the cross, we would not have the empty tomb and the forgiveness and hope that it brings.

They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where he prayed

they led him through the street in shame.

They spat upon the Savior so pure and free from sin.

they said crucify him he's to blame.

He could have called ten thousand angels

to destroy the world and set him free.

He could have called ten thousand angels

but He died alone for you and me.

Upon His precious head they placed a crown of thorns

they laughed and said behold the king.

They struck Him and they cursed Him and mocked His holy name

and all alone He suffered everything.

He could have called ten thousand angels

to destroy the world and set him free.

He could have called ten thousand angels

but He died alone for you and me.

Gift #264- Japanese Cherry Blossoms

The Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom!  This is a beautiful time of year in Iwakuni.  My friend Sarah took this picture today down by the Kintai Bridge.

Gift #263- A Japanese Egg Hunt!

Miyu showing me her happy face.

This little guy is new to our class.  His smile melts my heart.  You should have seen his little face when he tried the sour sweet tarts!  

Aoi is one of my favorite students.  He is always quick to give me high fives and hugs!

We had an egg hunt at with my Japanese preschoolers yesterday!  It was so much fun and will make such a wonderful memory of our time here in Iwakuni.

Gift #262- Acorns!

I was out on a walk a few weeks back and found some acorns in a neighbors yard.  For some reason, I felt drawn to pick them up and put them in my pockets!  I don't have the best memory, but I have one very distinct memory from childhood and it involves acorns!  When I was little, I used to sit out in my front yard and wait for my dad to come home for lunch.  We had a big acorn tree right out front and when I wasn't sitting in my little metal framed lawn chair, I was collecting acorns!  I remember getting so excited when I would see my dad drive up!  It has been almost 35 years, but I would still be so excited to see my dad drive up!

Gift #261- Meals delivered to my door from very sweet friends

I think that Macy must have told her piano teacher (who is also our chaplains wife) that I had been a little tired lately and that she had to eat ramen two times last week for dinner.  She also knew that Hank was away and, I guess,  thought that I could use a little help.  She got busy and asked some ladies from the church to make a few meals.  We have had three home-cooked meals from sweet ladies in our church over the last week.  One of the ladies asked me if I had any cravings.  I told her Chick-fil-a!  So on top of the authentic Filipino meal that she made for us, she tried to recreate a Chick-fil-a Sandwich!  It was delicious.  When Rebecca (the organizer) told me that some of the church ladies would be bringing meals, my first instinct was to say "no-thank you".  But Rebecca (the organizer) wouldn't hear of it.  So instead I have just said a very sincere and heartfelt "thank you".  Such kindness is so overwhelming and is such a gift.