Blessing #34- Our Cozy Little Back Yard

This is our little yard.  It is small, but cozy.  My dad made the little potting table for me several years ago.  He made it out of an old fence that stood in our backyard when I was kid.  It has my brothers name white washed into the underside of it.  I just love it.  My Grandma gave me the white rabbit that is sitting on the bottom shelf.  She said that her mother painted it when she was a little girl.   The ear has a chip out of it where my Great uncle Pete shot it with a BB gun.  Check out the squash and zucchini bed!!  Just yesterday I noticed a few buds on the bell peppers and jalapeños.  The watermelon vines are growing like crazy and the tomatoes are too!  We look forward to spending some evenings out here on our little porch before it gets too warm.  

Blessing #33- Refrigerator Art

Our fridge is covered in Priceless Masterpieces.  And now we are officially HOME!

Blessing #32- Fifth Grade Field Trips

Today I had the pleasure of accompanying Jack's 5th grade class to the Miyajima Public Aquarium.  We had such a great time together.  It thrilled my heart that he still wanted mom to go on a field trip with him. I know that there will come a day when that will not be so cool.  Miyajima is about 30 minutes north of Iwakuni.  It is a tiny island with lots of shops, restaurants, shrines and deer!  The deer are very tame and walk around freely all over the island.      

 Jack and I on the ferry ride to the island.

 The deer are everywhere and love to be petted.

 Petting a penguin!

 Jack with two of his classmates- Jeremiah and Cyrus.

Miyajima is most famous for its giant torii gate, which at high tide seems to float on top of the water. The sight is ranked as one of Japan's three best views.

Blessing #31- Our Sweet New Ride!

The Monster Van

That is what the kids have named her.  Hank purchased this van for us a few weeks before we arrived.  He sent pictures and I was not quite sure what to think.  The kids loved it right away.  The seats inside can come out or swivel around and face each other.  They loved the pusher bar on the front and loved that it is 4-Wheel Drive.  Now that I have met the Monster Van in person, I will admit, I like her too.  There are actually quite a few of them driving around here on base.  The kids saw a newer one yesterday that had a ladder that went up the back.  They were quite envious.  Not sure why they would need to get on the roof of the van, but I am sure they had good reason.  :0)  They usually do.  The parking spaces in Japan are generally quite small, so I have had to do my fair share of 30 point turns to get her in and out of places.  I just need to practice my backing in techniques.  When I sent this picture to my dad, he said "It says that you are both passive and aggressive".  I thought that was a great description.  The Monster van seats 8 so we can throw a few extra neighbor kids in the car and go on all sorts of adventures. 

Blessing #30- The Color Pink!

Pink is my all-time favorite color. I just bought Macy a new box of crayons (the big box!) and I loved seeing all of the pinks! There is Tickle Me Pink, Fuschia, Jazzberry Jam, Cotton Candy, Pink Flamingo, Razzmatazz, Piggy Pink, Pink Sherbet and MORE! Here in Japan, pink is not just for girls! The men who work at our local hardware store wear pink uniforms. It is also very common to drive a pink car! I love that! Macy and I truly want one, but the boys have protested loudly!

Blessing #29- Sacrifice of Others

Happy Memorial Day

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."   ― Ronald Reagan

Blessing #28- Women's Conference at Calvary Chapel Iwakuni

Amy, Heather, and Michelle.

Friends from Beaufort, SC.

Michelle invited Heather and I to a women's conference at her church this weekend.  It was one of the biggest blessings that I have received since we have arrived.  Michelle shared her testimony and it was so very encouraging to hear how the Lord worked in her life.  She has an amazing story and we were all so blessed that God placed it on her heart to share.  My friend Heather (in the middle) is from Alabama.  Heathers mom is coming from Destin, FL in two weeks to be here for the birth of their new baby.  She is bringing along with her donuts from the DONUT HOLE!!!!!   If you are from the Destin, Panama City, Pensecola area.  You know what I am talking about and you know how big of a blessing that is!!!  Heather said that she would share and I felt like crying!  :0)

Blessing #27- A Yard Full of Kids

This is our front yard at any given time of day!  Kids Everywhere!  I love the sounds of their laughter.   I love that Jack, Josh, Sam, and Macy can walk out of our front door and play kick ball or have friends to slip and slide with!  Josh wants to know if you put soap on a slip and slide, does it count as your bath?  Randall Kids, Did mom count slip and sliding with Palmolive or Tide as a bath for us?  

I am thinking yes!  :0)

Blessing# 26- Hank

One of the greatest blessings the Lord has given me. 

Home is wherever he is-  even if it is across the ocean.  :)

"Hold onto me as we go.  As we roll down this unfamiliar road.  

And although this wave is stringing us along.  Just know you're not alone.  

Because I'm gonna make this place your home."  Philip Phillips 

http://youtu.be/bfRya-P4ffk  

Blessing #25- My New English Students

My friend Valerie is moving in a few weeks and is allowing me to take over her English class.  I do not feel qualified to teach such amazing women, but will give it my best shot.  What a wonderful opportunity and blessing this will be!  From Left to Right-  Yoko, Keiko, Amy, Mariko, and Atsuko.  I met these beautiful ladies today and can not wait to get to know them over the next 3 years.

Blessing #24- Mister Donut

Look what we found within just a few miles from the front gate!  
You know that verse in Ephesians 3 that says 
"Unto Him that is able to do exceedingly above all that we can ask or imagine?"  

I think this is the kind of thing that the writer was talking about!  ;0)