Manna Bags

Tonight at Connection group John O. gave a lesson on Matthew 25 talking about how when we give food and drinks to the poor and needy we in turn are serving God. After the lesson all the children made Manna bags to give to those they see who are in need! It was a great lesson!

The kiddos filling their Manna Bags... meat, fruit cups, water, pudding, granola bars... all non-perishable and sure to be a blessing to someone!

The kids put a special note in the bag after they were filled!

Sydney wrote a very special message or her Manna bag..."Just remember God loves you for who you are... rich or poor"! The wisdom of a sweet child!

Stone and his Manna bag!

It is such a wonderful blessing to our family to be part of such a fabulous connection group!

God had a purpose...

10 years ago, as we stood by a young Japanese girls hospital bedside we could have never guessed the deep and meaningful relationship that God had in store for us. Over the years that young girl, Reiko, became like a daughter to us! We watched as she studied the Word and with persistence was allowed to become a Christian, she was there soon after Stone was born and when we tearfully returned to the states from Japan, we joyfully welcomed her as she began her studies at OC, and we now had the privilege to be part of the next stage of her life; her wedding. Lj had the honor of walking the bride down the aisle while I got to share with her many special moments of the week leading up to her big day. Reiko is very dear to us and it was such a pleasure to be so involved in her special day. It has been such a wonderful blessing and experience to watch her grow into such a beautiful christian woman.

Reiko and I hanging out before the wedding!

Reiko pinning a rose on Lj; he had the honor of walking her down the aisle!

High fives for the "kids".

A family shot before the wedding.

Family shot after the wedding with the newlyweds!

The big family shot; American family, Japanese family and the new in-laws!

Day 95- Lj's Photo Tour of Japan?

Well, since Lj was the one who was in Japan the pictures are lacking... he only took 41 pictures in 8 days... I think I took over 200 the last time we went for 8 days!  So, without further ado...

Anpan Man arrived safely at Narita... it was a tiring flight but Anpan Man and Lj had 5 seats between them... so no complaints! 

Anpan Man got to hang out at IC in 5100 for a day or two... 

The main reason Lj went to Japan was to have meeting with IC... everything went well but the highlight of the trip was hanging out with Pat and Yumi

Lj got to meet baby Ayano and Maki... Maki was a lifesaver to us when we lived in Japan and I am so happy she has a sweet little baby now... she is just so precious! 

Yamato and his family visited Lj in the Hotel one morning.. it was an arranged meeting for a gift exchange hand off... Yamato keeps Stone up-to-date on all the new fun stuff out in Japan  while Stone keeps Yamato up-to-date on all the fun holiday stuff here!

Lj stayed at a hotel right outside the Southside exit of Mito station... It has changed so much since when we first moved to Japan... this is a hopping little station now!  Lj showed us this view every morning and night... Stone now understands that when we are awake Japan is sleeping and vise versa- gotta love technology so we can concretely teach him concepts that are hard for even adults to grasp.  

Daytime

Nighttime

Another view

Lj's last day in Japan was spent at Mito Churches 60th anniversary celebration... these ladies are an anchor of the church in Japan.  

Day 36- Faith and Freedom!

Last Sunday night our church and the church next door had wonderful evening of food fellowship and fun... complete with inflatables, a petting zoo, music and fireworks!   We invited our friends the Kelly's to join us and I was so glad they were able to make it on such short notice.  It was a blessed time for everyone there... it is so wonderful to belong to a wonderful family of God!

Stone enjoy petting the animals... he liked the goat but was scared of the camel! 

Sand castles are fun to make even if there is no beach in sight.  

Stone enjoyed building castles with his little buddy, Joe.  

While Jake, Joe's brother, enjoyed playing in the puddles.  

Even Lj found something fun to do... man the grill for an hour!