I love being inspired by biographies of Christian leaders and saints — especially women — who have gone before and whose lives are worthy of emulation. (See previous entry on mentors). But I’ve also realized what a privilege it is that sometimes God uses real-life women who are in-the-flesh in our lives to teach and stretch me. This week I’ve had a chance to be with two such women.

ON SUNDAY, I went with Annie and Mary to the airport to say goodbye to Reiko T. She has been serving on our Kansai team for the past three years. She moved to L.A. from Japan when she was 16. She was Buddhist, and while raising her family in the L.A. area saw her family one-by-one becoming believers. She was in her 40s — the last one in her family — when she finally gave her life to Jesus.  Her husband passed away, and when she was able to retire she left her children and grandchildren and came to Japan for three years.  Reiko used a lot of her own funds to minister in Japan, and was  a wonderful encouragement and inspiration to the small church plant that she worked with here. She also was an amazing example to our family and others in how she served — without any regard to her own needs.

What I learned from Reiko:  following Jesus is always worth the costs involved, and that serving Jesus is on His terms, not ours.  Reiko faithfully taught English for three years — and she doesn’t even LIKE teaching English.  But you wouldn’t have known that.  Thanks, Reiko, for your witness among us.

ON TUESDAY,   Eric, Olivia, and I went to a church about 45 minutes away where I had worked as a summer advisor about 18 years ago (eek!).  The senior pastor is a woman — Makiko Shimojo.  She had such a huge impact on me when I had worked with her.  It was wonderful this week to visit her again, and have Eric hear her testimony firsthand.

Pastor Shimojo felt called to the greater Kobe area when she was a young woman.  She moved into a small, ten-foot one room apartment and started a church from there.  One day she went up on a tall mountain to pray for revival in Japan.  She looked over the sprawling cities of the region before her, and saw the huge Koshien baseball stadium.  In her heart, she felt the Lord give her the vision– what if there could be a huge  crusade conducted by a Japanese evangelist  in this region that filled this stadium with people praising God?  There had never been such a thing.  Billy Graham has come to Japan a few times, but never a Japanese evangelist.  This vision was planted in heart as a young woman.

She continued her church planting efforts– the church now has a daughter church, three associate pastors,  and about 240 members!  They prayed for this vision.  And in 1993, through some amazing acts of God,  her vision came to be.  Here’s what one writer said about the Koshien Revival Mission:

The Koshien’s Mission Crusade’s three days of seminars and conferences and three nights of powerful messages by Japanese Evangelists made spiritual history. There was no focus on a “foreign” speaker, and the enormous cost was funded by Japanese believers.  The evening meetings, alternating with 15 minutes of praise and worship, ministered to approximately 124,000 people and 20,000 came forward to register a profession of faith in Christ Jesus.

It absolutely stuns me to think of this happening — in Japan! (I was in the U.S. when this happened).  God is amazing.   Pastor Shimojo held tightly to this vision, trusting God for what is impossible.

It was wonderful to see her, and her assistant pastor Rev. Kanbe again.  She is a hero of the faith for me.  She teaches me to hold onto the dreams God has given me;  and not to be afraid to dream of things even greater.  Her faith reminds me that God is much bigger than the God I worship– I do not need to be afraid to let Him grow larger as I worship and believe.

Who are your in-the-flesh heroes of the faith?  And what dreams has God imbedded in your heart?  Don’t let go…

A fun set of chopsticks and holders are being sent to Sharon Ayabe of Kauai, Hawaii for being the fastest winner of our 2 year blog anniversary challenge quiz.  Nice job, Sharon– Thanks for your loyal friendship to us and reading this blog…

There is also a runner-up set of chopsticks being sent to Dan F. in Anoka, MN- he just sent in his answers – all correct — as I was getting ready to post this.  Thanks for your faithful readership (?) as well….

Here are the quiz questions and the answers, and links to the corresponding blog entries:

1.  When my friend N.’s pet died, it opened the door for ministry.  What kind of pet was it?  (Answer:  A parakeet.  Their family is trying to breed their parakeets right now to give Annie one as a surprise birthday present next month.  Stay tuned).

2.  What kitchen item represented growing friendship for me with Japanese women friends in our neighborhood?  (Correct answers:  Could be crockpots;  or silverware/spoons – with an entry here and here)

3.  What sign did God give me when we were camping that He will provide a new home for us? (We’re still waiting, but still trusting in His sweet promise!)  (Answer: a shooting star – it was awesome.  Owen and Annie both keep talking about looking for one the next time we go camping because they know how God came through two years ago)

4.  What food item birthday cake did I make for two friends’ birthdays because it is their favorite comfort food?  (Answer:  macaroni and cheese cake – one of the funnest cakes I’ve made to date).

5.  Where did Annie hide at Kindergarten her first month or so because she couldn’t understand what was going on?  (Answer:  the bathroom.  She seems to be doing better now- the teacher said that she’s loving their dance practices as their class gears up for a festival next month).

Thanks to all for your guesses, encouragement- for your friendship and partnership with our family.  Just writing these answers has made me stop and thank God for the wonderful ways He has been at work, in our midst, dwelling among us.

Eric’s birthday was on Thursday.  It was a busy school, teaching, ministry day, right up until dinner time.  We went to a special Hawaiian-style hamburger restaurant with our friend Y., who is like family to us.  It was fun…

Before bedtime, all of us gave Eric a massage.  But then Owen said, “But when is Daddy’s REAL birthday?”  “It’s today, buddy.  That’s why we went to the restaurant and sang Happy Birthday.”  Annie:  “No, no.  When is the REAL birthday when people come over and we have cake?”

To our kids, the “real” birthday is the home party.  That was last night.  We always enjoy a family-style party with our nearby family… last night it was the Thomson family and Mary.  I called them in the morning and told them we were having a “backwards” party, and they needed to come somehow backwards.  This was how the Thomson family arrived:

Eric and Owen were waiting for them:

Everyone, and everything, was a little backwards.  So it meant we had to start with dessert first!  We sang happy birthday and brought out the cake.

The kids were thrilled… and then Eric cut the cake – and found it didn’t cut as easily as dessert should cut.

It was a meatloaf/mashed potato cake!  It was fun to surprise everyone but Annie, who helped me with the mashed potatoes earlier.

After “dessert,” we had to have… dinner!

Spaghetti and meatball cupcakes (icing, strawberry jam, ferrer rocher hazelnut chocolates).  The kids reactions were priceless.  But most of all, the whole night was a great time of relaxing and having fun — it was a REAL birthday.

And this weekend, here are 3 things that make me grateful for my husband:

1)  his amazing gift with children — especially ours.  This morning once again during our family worship time before house church he gave a riveting, pithy bible talk on the Tower of Babel.  This passage has never been riveting to me — but he managed to apply it to issues our kids have been dealing with of pride and wanting to be first.

2)  His love for nature and God’s creation.  Our friend Scott has gotten Eric into birdwatching, and he is often coming home, looking up a new bird in the birdbook, and remarking over its uniqueness.  Two weeks ago he led our missionary small group in a worship time– we each went outside, took digital photos of nature that caught our eye, and shared the photos through a cable on the tv.  It was a great time of worship as we were reminded again of God’s splendid imagination.  He points me to God through his love for what God has created.

3)  His humble, sincere desire to serve God.  He often brings perspective to what we are about here.  He serves in a way that is genuine, without guile or pretense.  I love that.  I love this man!  Happy 46th, Eric.  Here’s to looking forward.

‘

Wow- I’ve had three in a row this week!

1)  We found this last week in a store that was finally carrying masks following the shortage created by the flu scare here.  Here is one I bought and dared Eric to wear out (as you’ll see, it’s still in the packaging – he didn’t take the dare.  Chicken.)

It’s a pink frilly mask that you can decorate with stickers, jewels, and all kinds of stuff.  Just what you need to cheer you up if you’re worried about getting swine flu.

2)  While the quarantine has been lifted and our kids are back at school, we continue to see reminders that Japan is more health-conscious (nice wording) than we are used to.  Here are 3 medical exams that I had to conduct on Annie this morning before she left for school:

The bottom yellow one is a form I need to fill out for Annie every morning – did she eat rice or bread for breakfast (circle one), and did she have a bowel movement yet (yes or no)? My Japanese mom friends can’t figure out why we need to do this either…

The pinkish paper is a follow up from the quarantine- we need to take our children’s temperatures every morning and record it, send it with them to school, where the teacher stamps it and returns it for the next day.  Just making sure no one is coming down with something…

The blue round one is an annual test that we need to do on our kids two days in a row by putting the sticky blue round part on (?) a certain part of their body to make sure they haven’t gotten worms in the sandbox.

Finally, 3)

Last night our family was out at a supermarket, and while I was checking out,  the kids (with Eric) were sitting outside eating ice cream.  When I came out, they were all cracking up.  Owen said, “Hey mom!  Look at what’s not allowed in the store!  No cameras.. no cigarettes…. and…

no bombs!  Phew.  Glad we know now.  Only in Japan.

(Try the two year anniversary quiz if you haven’t yet…here)

It has been two years since I first started this blog.  It’s not a huge deal, except that when I hesitantly started blogging I told myself I would just try it for a few months.  I had a number of friends who started and fizzled.  I didn’t want to be a fizzler;  nor did I want to promise something I couldn’t carry through on. 237 entries later, it’s become a new habit that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.

At first it was something I wanted to do for me — it was a learning project and new adventure.  But  I realized it was a neat way I could share about our family’s life as missionaries with people who are with us on this journey.  I have been so touched time and time again by your comments, emails, and words. So often just when I needed them!  We have been surprised by the people who tell us they read this blog faithfully.  And pray for us more specifically.  Thanks.  It has helped us feel closer to you because you have chosen to walk with us as we serve Jesus in Sanda.  Even as the entries reflect, we do not serve as perfect missionaries;  but this blog has helped us to share the ups and the downs, our joys and our dreams, all the realities with you.  And hopefully it has allowed you to know more fully the Hope that we have in our Savior and what He is doing right here in our neck of the woods.

To celebrate two years of blogs and those of you who have been willing to bookmark and read us faithfully, here is a quiz.  The winner will receive in the mail the following fun Japanese gifts (only non-Japan residents, please)…

Here’s the quiz — you’re welcome to research if you have the heart:

1.  When my friend N.’s pet died, it opened the door for ministry.  What kind of pet was it?

2.  What kitchen item represented growing friendship for me with Japanese women friends in our neighborhood?

3.  What sign did God give me when we were camping that He will provide a new home for us? (We’re still waiting, but still trusting in His sweet promise!)

4.  What food item birthday cake did I make for two friends’ birthdays because it is their favorite comfort food?

5.  Where did Annie hide at Kindergarten her first month or so because she couldn’t understand what was going on?

You can post your answers or email me – I’ll post the answers when there is a winner!

Even just reviewing these past two years of blogging has reminded me again of the wonderful faithfulness of our God!  He has traveled many miles, to many places with us;  He has resided with us over many conversations, coffee times, classes, dinner table discussions, and bike trips  to and from school;  He has faithfully shown us more of Himself and more of what He wants to do in our lives;  He has healed, disciplined, taught, transformed.  “I know it is not the sense of His presence, it is the act of His presence that is our strength and stay.”  (Amy Carmiachael in Gold by Moonlight).  This year my theme verse is Exodus 33:14:  “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  Here’s to His presence, my strength and stay.

This was our favorite quote from our lodge-camping weekend away.   It was said at the end of our time.  Our family went with three other families from our neighborhood on a long-planned excursion.  We had rain all weekend (as expected), and so we had changed at the last minute from all four families camping in tents to renting one large lodge in the woods.

We ended our time at lunch with pre-made Japanese curry that we ate in an open pavilion with the rain blowing in. The kids ate quickly, then went to wait for us in the cars, a bit tired and wet (We had already turned in the cabin key before lunch).  While us 4 ladies were getting out the adult curries, Eric went over to the long sink troughs and began washing up some of the dishes.  His friend Masao followed suit.  The third dad looked at both of them, and then walked over and picked up a sponge and a plate, and with a surprised look on his face said the above phrase:  “I’ve never done this before!”  His wife tried not to look shocked, but she clearly was as she watched her husband nervously wash dishes for the first time.

So, this was a camping trip with a number of things some of us have never done before.   Here are a few others:

2. We loved the unloading system the campground had.  It felt like we went back a hundred years or so but it was very useful!

3.  This was a standing-up barbeque!  From the time we started grilling (out in the rain) around 5 pm…

to serving the kids hotdog dinners under the tarp…

to the eight adults cooking, eating, coking, and eating some more…

It was a 3 hour standing up barbeque!

4.  One of the dads, Mr. Asa., had said for weeks how excited he was to experience American camping.  Thanks for the many ideas that came our way through Facebook!  Of course we ended the dinner with s’mores — which were a hit — but we also made our own Japanese version of doughboys.  They were a treat I had made in girl scouts when I was young, and so we gave them a try.  And got REALLY creative.  We made dough in a bread machine and took it with us… rolled it on a stick and put it over the coals, then dipped them in butter, cinnamon and sugar.  Yum!  They were a hit.

5. I got pranked!!  I had made some preparation to do a prank or two in keeping with the hopes of American camping Takamoto-style.  But during dinner, I thought it might be a little bit soon to sew Mr. Asa’s underwear shut… I was planning to wait for the next camping opportunity.

As the evening progressed, the kids had a great time playing indoors in the large room– badmitton, Blockus, DS, dress-up…

Around midnight (boy, did the three families let their kids stay up late!), Mr. Asa went outside for a while, and asked if I would be his assistant when he gave a small magic show.  I said sure.  He came into the room and everyone erupted in laughter at his costume.

He proceeded to do several fun tricks with handkerchiefs and hidden fishing line that delighted the children.  Then he asked me and Eric to come up.  He carefully placed a rolled-up handerchief inside the top of my t-shirt, and he asked Eric to take hold of one end and pull it out.  As he did, a bra tied to the handkerchief came out too!  The children were astounded;  the adults died laughing.  He got me GOOD.  I am ready for our next camping trip!

6.  Being away for 24 hours + in the same room with 3 families gives a great chance to deepen relationships as well as see more into their family life.  We were saddened by the great amount of alcohol consumed by several of the men, and how acceptable it was to drink like this in front of their children.  The next morning, one of the wives talked to me about her husband’s drinking problem, and how much she hates it.  It was the first time she has shared with me a real and personal challenge in their lives.  Through our four years of friendship, we have shared a lot but there has never been an area where she has so openly allowed me into her place of pain.  It was a special time of listening and sharing.  We often find that when people let us into these places they begin to recognize their need for a Savior.  Pray with us for my dear friend N. and her husband that they will see their need.

When we got back home, there was a flood of text messages among the 4 moms about how much fun we had, how tired our children were, and, finally, the discovery of the quarantine that was upcoming.  All of us have been talking about the next camping trip — hopefully in tents with better weather.  Dough boys, pranks, maybe Japanese dads washing dishes even! – will no longer be new– they are now our par for the course…

The last 24 hours have proven somewhat exciting – or at least newsworthy – for our family and all the others who live in our prefecture.  Here are 3 photo “shots” to help describe what has been evolving as we experience influenza hitting Japan:

1.  Since Saturday night, 135 cases of the N1H1 – previously known as  swine flu– have hit Japan- Osaka and Hyogo prefecture (where we live).  These new cases are not from people who had traveled overseas;  and mostly have occurred to high school-aged children.  Japan tends to react in a BIG way to health-related concerns, and this situation has been no different.  Here is the look on our kids’ faces when they woke up this morning and found out that their school (and all others in our prefecture) have been cancelled for a WEEK!

Here are two kids pretty excited…  But they didn’t realize that it is really is like a quarantine — all parents have been instructed not to let their children leave the house this week.  No parks; no playing with friends; no going to the store.  Quarantine.  I don’t think we’ve ever experienced this before!  Our phone and cell phone have been busy with calls about all the extra- curriculum activities being canceled as well.  Most of our english classes are being cancelled (After talking with several moms tonight who are going a bit crazy with their kids home all day, Eric is going to go to a few kids’ homes on Wednesday and give private English lessons!).  We really are home-bound while we wait out this week and see if the flu continues to spread or is able to be contained.

2.  I went to a large home center today for some necessities — pull-ups for Olivia, toothbrushes for the kids, and white face masks.  Eighty-percent of people walking on the streets in nearby Kobe are reportedly wearing them;  we are asked to do so as well whenever we leave the house.  Here is what I found on the shelves for the masks:

They’re all sold out.  Of course.  Some face mask company is making a bundle somewhere.

3.  Japan is amazing in its ability to organize and get people to do things!  This is our favorite “flu shot”:

It is Owen’s teacher when she came to visit our home today.  She was wearing the obligatory mask, of course, and she brought a week’s worth of homework for Owen to do!  She had probably been up half the night pulling together all the homework, making and collating 31 copies, and today she made the rounds to all 31 homes to check on everyone’s health and deliver the work in person.  Is that not impressive? I asked if she will be able to rest the next few days of quarantine and she said, “Of course not!  We have to go to school.  It’s our job.”  We were also given information about not leaving the house, etc., as well as the phone number we should call if anyone in the family begins to exhibit flu-like symptoms.  So far, so good.

It may be a long week.  Tonight we made s’mores in the toaster oven.  I’m trying to think of a few fun projects we can do together tomorrow.  Feel free to send me your favorite indoor ideas…  (I’m still working on a blog entry of our camping experience – coming soon!).

One of the best purchases of our stay in the U.S. was a recommended Dr. Seuss book called, “The Sneeches and other stories.”  One of the other stories has become a favorite of our girls (Owen doesn’t like it because it scares him at night!).  It’s one of my favorites, too.

The other night I was reading it to Annie and Olivia and — trying to get through it quickly to get them into bed (anyone know what that’s like?) and  suddenly the green pants came to life for me.  They became two women at the kids’ school who I have always steered clear of.  Why?  Because they are the two stand-out women at the school- they stand out because they come to pick up their kids fully made up, high heels (walking on a sandy playground!); dressed to the t.  Their children always wear the latest most expensive fashion in Japan.  These kind of women in Japan scare me –perhaps because their lives (and, I pre-supposed, their values) are so different than my own.

Recently I was at a meeting in Annie’s classroom with all the moms.  One of these two young moms, Mrs. N., came in late and had to sit next to me.  The teacher was doing a lottery system to assign moms to help out with different special outings coming up during the year.  When my name was picked, it was for the one event that I had NO IDEA what it meant.  I had no recourse- I had to turn to Mrs. N and ask her if she could help me understand.  To my surprise, she explained it simply with a kind smile (it was going with the class to a cultural play), and said it was a good pick because it is nearby and only lasts half a day.  She was – gasp! – nice.  And helpful.  And down-to-earth.

The other mom came up to my in her high heels on the playground last week and asked about the English class that Eric was starting for first-graders.  She wanted her son M. to participate.  Yesterday was the first day and they both came to the trial lesson.  After the class, I was helping Eric explain how the class works to the nine moms and collect the children’s work.  I commented M. that his handwriting was really nice.  He said in a very grown-up way, “My mom teaches me ABCs at home.”  And then he added, “She sits with me a lot and helps me get better at school.  And my grandfather teaches me kanji (the difficult Chinese writing system).”  We continued for several minutes to have a very adult conversation.

On the way out I passed M.’s mom and told her about the conversation.  She said he loves to talk to adults.  I told her how impressed I was (as a fellow-mom of a first-grade boy who likes to talk about Mario, Star Wars, and underpants!).  She humbly said thank you.  And I walked out even more humbled, thinking about green pants and how they had suddenly become real to me.  Here is the story for those who don’t know it.

well i izzy was walking in the night
and i saw nothing scary
for i have never been afraid of anything.
not very

page 2
then i was deep within the woods
when suddenly i spied them.
i saw a pair of pale green pants
with nobody inside them.
i wasn’t scared but yet i stopped.
what could those pants be there for
what could a pair of pants at night
be standing in there for?

page 3
and then they moved those empty pants!
they kind of started jumping.
and then my heart i must admidt
i kind of started thumping.
so i got out i got out
as fast as i could go sir
i was not scared but pants like that
i do no care for no sir.

page 4
after that a week went by.
then one dark night in gribitch
i had to do an errand there and
fetch some grinitch spinach.
i was starting back through town
when those raced around a corner and
they almost knocked me down.

page 5
i lost my grinitch spinach
but i did nor even care
i ran home believe me
i really had a scare
now bicycles were never made for
pale green pants to ride ’em
especially spooky pale green pants
with no body inside ’em

page 6
and next night i was fishing
for doubt trout on rover river
when those pants came rowing toward me
i really started into shiver
and by now i was so frightened
that i’ll tell you but i hate to
i screamed and rowed away and lost
my hook and line and bait too!

page 7
i ran and found a brickle bush
i hid myself away
i got prickles in my britches
but i stayed there anyway
i stayed all night, the next night too
i’d still be there no doubt
but i had to do an errand
so the next night i went out

page 8
i had to do an errand
had to pick a peck of snide
in a dark and gloomy snide field
that was almost 9 miles wide
i said i do not fear those pants
with nobody inside them
i said and said and said those words
i said them but i lied them

page 9
then i reached inside a snide bush
and the next that i knew
i felt my hand touch someone
and i bet that you know who

page 10
and there i was caught in the snide
and in that dreadful place
those spooky empty pants and i
were standing face to face
i yelled for help i screamed i shriked
i howled i yowled i cried.
oh save me from those pale green pants
with nobody inside them.

page 11
but then a strange thing happened
why those pants began to cry
those pants began to tremble
they were just as scared as i
i never heard such whimpering
and i began to see
that i was just as strange to them
as they were strange to me.

page 12
i put my arm around their waist
and sat right down beside them
i calmed them down
poor empty pants
with nobody inside them

page 13
and now we meet quite often
those empty pants and i
and we never shake or tremble
we both smile and we say
hi

Compared to a typical Saturday morning, today was a busy one.

Owen has a full day of school today.  Twice a year or so, the school has a classroom visitation — all the parents (of 31 children!) go at 9 am  and stand on the outside edge of the class to watch the teacher and children interact for an hour.  After we go home, his class continues like a weekday and he will return around 3 pm.  On Monday, the school will be closed since they went on saturday.

We got Owen off at 7:4..got up the other 2 girls to get them ready; made Owen’s obento lunch; got out the slippers and girls indoor shoes for school, and then I went to Starbucks (yes!) to pick up some of their big cookies for Eric’s men’s english class that was beginning today at 10:30 — immediately after the school visit.  

Coming home, a song was playing  — and it was one of those strange moments where I forgot that I was driving (scary for others on the road)… and I heard a song as if for the very first time.  Maybe it was the first time that I really HEARD the words:

(Everything Glorious by the David Crowder Band)

The day is brighter here with You
The night is lighter than its hue
Would lead me to believe
Which leads me to believe

(chorus)
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And I am Yours
What does that make me?

My eyes are small but they have seen
the beauty of enormous things
Which leads me to believe
there’s light enough to see that

(chorus)
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
You make everything glorious
And I am Yours

From glory to glory
You are glorious You are glorious
From glory to glory
You are glorious. You are glorious
Which leads me to believe
why I can believe that

Here is the song on YouTube:

This truth – that Jesus makes all things glorious – stunned me.  I am His;  He makes all things glorious; What does that mean for me?  It changes everything if I really believe it.  My perspective on going to the classroom visit changed so completely– I realized how amazing it is that in that classroom we would bring the glory of Jesus Christ!  That Jesus has the power to make glorious Owen and Annie’s struggles with Japanese… that even just focusing on the gloriousness of Christ can alter the way that I view this day.  Truly, my eyes have seen the beauty of enormous things.  I continue to be amazed at the graciousness of our Savior in so many ways in our lives.  He make all things glorious.

I found this wonderful Christmas Eve sermon excerpt by Rob Sturdy:

When you think of Bethlehem, you don’t think of a pathetic, one horse town, you think of an idyllic city that was the home of the baby Jesus. When you think of a manger, you don’t think of disease and hay, you think of a beautiful baby, calm, glowing with supernatural splendor. This is because God, in Jesus, can make all things glorious. Even if he’s laid in the most disgusting feeding trough, it is no longer a trough but a manger, more than that. It becomes the fulcrum of songs sung with joy, something to be delighted in! As Spurgeon says of the manger, it was only his presence that could glorify the manger. Anything that comes into contact with Jesus, whether it be Bethlehem, or a manger, or Joseph, or Mary, a leper or paralytic, a thief, all these things are made glorious by his touch.   Most importantly Jesus makes the cross glorious. On the cross, where he takes on the sins of the world and dies upon the tree, that instrument of death is made glorious.   The tomb he is laid in, the place of death is emptied and is made glorious. And the disciples, no longer doubting cowards but brave apostles, come into contact with Jesus and are transformed, made glorious.

And he not only does this with things we read about in books, but he can do this with you. A failing marriage, the savior can make glorious. Fractured relationships with children, the savior can make glorious. A drug addict or alcoholic, touch them to Jesus and he will make them glorious. And you, with thoughts and actions that you are too ashamed to tell anyone about, rotting away in the soul, Jesus can make you glorious as well. Because he makes glorious anything he touches.

This past week marked a string of holidays in Japan that has given these days  the nickname “Golden Week”.  It’s a peak time for travel across Japan — we heard some nightmare stories of the many hours it took to get somewhere by car or bus.  We just laid low–with numerous opportunities to spend time with special friends (thanks Masons for coming here to spend the day), and some neighbors.   It other ways it was, in part, a girl type of week!

1.  One highlight was a girls’ night and boys night that we did with our friends the Thomsons.  Eric and Owen went over to their home for a sleepover with all of their guys;  Wendi and their two girls came and partied with me, Annie, and Olivia.  After a fun dinner out, we did all kinds of girly things… watching a princess movie in our pjs…

doing our nails…

and a special highlight was when Wendi, Olivia and I did facials consisting of raw egg and oatmeal.  Finally Annie insisted that we take it off because it wasn’t a pretty sight…

The next morning after breakfast we made special Mother’s Day purse cards for all of the Grandmas, with the special benefit of glitter that is still sparkling up our home…

We topped off our time with every girl’s favorite place to hang — Starbucks!

It was a really special time for fun, bonding, and sharing.

 2.   Question:  What would make these four girls in our living room smile so big?

Answer:  

Seeing baby Samuel for the first time! Bobby and Claire  had been with us here in Japan for three years are now in England — we had a chance to see their 2-week baby for the first time – on the computer, thanks to Skype.  What could make girls happier than seeing a beautiful baby cooing at them?

3.  Our friend Megumi came from Tokyo for a visit and stayed with us several nights.  Our kids were delighted (and keep asking now where she is and why she had to go back home).  She did makeup and hair with the girls; played Wii with Owen and Eric; and went with us to a fun kids’ park with our neighbor friends.  

4.  The golden week ended with a special treat — watermelon brought by our neighbor friend mrs. I.!  There were a lot of happy girls (and boys too!) enjoying this sweet treat with happy hearts after a special week.