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.

Gift #260- An After-School Surprise

Check out the fun Easter surprise that the kids will find after school.  They will be so excited!  Tony Hawk and Hello Kitty T-shirts, Nerds, Peeps, Jelly Beans, and Reese's!  Does it get any better?  I think not!  Even better than the gifts themselves is being thought of!  Thank you Mimi for thinking of us.  Thanks for remembering your son's love for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and sending two bags!  We will do our best to follow your instructions in the card to "please share".   Since you know that I am having some cravings, you were probably talking to me huh?  :)  Thanks again.  The kids will be in heaven when they get home today!

Gift #259- My Karate Kid

Just when I thought this little girl couldn't get any cuter- she puts on a karate belt and does it again!

Gift #258- Finding the Perfect Match

Sorry Ladies.  As of today, my brother Pat, is officially off the market.  He tied the knot this morning.  He is now the Mr. in Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Randall.  Congratulations Pat and Jennifer.  May God bless you as you begin your wonderful new life together as a family!

Gift #257- My Birthday Boy Nephews

Happy 4th Birthday Little Tyler and 7th Birthday Big Noah!  We love you so much and miss you so much!  The two of you are such amazing and perfect gifts! 

Gift #256- A Cuddly Kid

One is never lonely if they have a Sam!

Gift #255- Having my very own Yard Guy!

Gift #254- My Little Slugger

Jack got into a little altercation at school today.  Actually he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  The kid next to him at the lunch table did not want to share his skittles with a kid across the table.  The kid across the table got mad.  Jack noticed that the principal was approaching and told the mad kid to calm down.  The kid didn't like Jack telling him what to do and decked him right between the eyes!  The principal sent Jack to the nurse and the kid to the office!

So Jack getting punched in the face is clearly not a gift.  But his calm reactions and his kind demeanor have always been two of Jack's most admirable qualities.  He is such a great kid and I am so proud of him.  So while it might be a stretch to count this occurrence as one of my 1000 gifts, it is not a stretch to  count Jack and his kindness as one.

PS-  Jack is just fine.  Just a little red mark.  He said that now he can say that he got punched in the face and that it didn't hurt!