CHERRY PINK

This past week (March 25-29) we spent in Kyotanabe (the suburb of Kyoto). Steve was preaching at KIC on Palm Sunday but on Saturday Becky and her daughter Meg took us on an afternoon tour of Kyoto along the Duck River. Several cherry trees were in full bloom and the walk along the river was beautiful. It was a cold but sunny day and so we had a wonderful time. Everywhere you looked along the river or city streets you could see trees of pink or white. Made me think of the song "Spring is Busting Out All Over".

Just across the river we entered a "market place". Hundreds and hundreds of shops under covered walkways. There were shops just for chopsticks, honey, purses, you name it and it was there. We went into the honey shop and tasted blueberry honey and mango honey, grape honey and some honey flavors I couldn't pronounce. They were all yummy tho. The little shop girl could speak English and was very helpful and a good salesman, we bought some blueberry honey. Don't think I will sweeten my coffee with it but it will be great on toast or pancakes. Well. . .maybe I will try it in my coffee.

Speaking of coffee, there were 2 Starbucks in the market place. I have my Starbucks card with me but don't know if they will honor it here - will have to try sometime. But we did come across a cute little coffee place.It also served ice cream and pastries. I could barely get inside to take the picture. It was packed with people. Good sign!

While walking along the river we watched 5 or 6 hawks soar and dive to the river to grab bits of food people were throwing in the river for the ducks. The hawks would snatch the food, soar upwards only to be dive bombed by other hawks intent on stealing the snack from the
talons. What an exciting game of "steal the bacon". It was impossible to catch it all on film but we did manage to get a picture of one of the hawks as he dipped close to us.

As the clouds began to move in and it was getting to be close to dinner time we headed for the train station for our ride home. We certainly enjoyed the beautiful sights and sounds of Kyoto and yet. . .as we were waiting for the train we learned that someone had committed suicide by throwing themselves in front of a train and so the train was delayed. All the beauty of Spring, all the wonder of nature, all the variety of goods to buy does not bring peace and hope. Our hope, our peace, our joy, our salvation is in nothing else but "Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name."

BITS AND PIECES FROM JAPAN

My little windowsill garden has grown a bit. My pink roses finished blooming - at least for now but there is some new growth coming. My hyacinth has bloomed a beautiful deep purple and we have added a little daisy plant. Don't know if any of you have ever watched "Keeping Up Appearances" on BBC. The three sisters are Rose, Hyacinth & Daisy. So in honor of a show that gave us many laughs, here is my KUA Garden.

Steve and I were out shopping the other day in a large mall. I was on the hunt for some fuzzy yarn and he for tennis shoes. We found both at the AL Plaza Mall in Kyotanabe. While we were wandering around we came across this sign THREE MINUTES HAPPINESS. I have been teaching at the ladies Bible study about true joy found in the Lord. . . and in the book of Philippians so I just had to take a picture of this. I don't know what it was they were selling but I thought "wow, that is about all the world can offer." True and everlasting happiness (joy) is found only in Christ and His sacrifice on Calvary. The knowledge that His great love for me made Him pay for my sins with His life brings me great joy here and now and the fact that I will be "dwelling in the house of the Lord forever" - well, it can't get any better than that.

Graduation at Kyoto International University & Academy

Saturday, March 20, turned out to be a beautiful warm day for the graduation ceremonies for both the KI University and High School. Even tho' I only vaguely knew a few of the kids, the minute I heard Pomp and Circumstance tears came to my eyes. I remembered the past graduations of our girls, sons-in-law and our first granddaughter Allison and I had more than three minutes of happiness. Then I realized that we will miss Allison's graduation from Montana Wilderness School of the Bible this May and my tears of joy became tears of sadness. So I will say "Congratulations" to her now from Papa Steve and Grandma.

We are looking forward to the cherry blossoms that should be coming out in the next week or two. Maybe by Easter there will be pink blossoms everywhere to remind us of the New Birth.

Spring on my Window Sill

When we arrived in Japan on February 9 it was very cold and rainy. This Tuesday (March 9) marks 1 month and we are beginning to see some signs of spring. The plum blossoms are blooming and as we drive along the mountain road between Ikoma and Kyotonabe we see beautiful pink and white trees. On one of our trips we stopped at a little market and there they had some potted plants out front. Steve spied a beautiful salmon colored tea rose for only 196 yen ($1.96 approx). "Oh could I buy it for our little upstairs flat" I said. "Yes, let's get it" said Steve and so we brought it home. The blossoms have turned a lovely soft pink with new buds promising more flowers. It makes our place look more like home and a bit like spring. Then just the other day our cousin Gregg gave me a Hyacinth bulb. The leave that were beginning to grow were pure white from being hidden under a covered area to protect them from the frost. On the drive home from Kyoto Chapel I held the vase with the bulb between my feet so it wouldn't spill. By the time we got home the leaves were already beginning to turn green from the little sunlight it got in the car. I placed it in the window next to the rose and each day the leaves have gotten greener and greener and just today the leaves have begun to open up a bit. Maybe soon there will be a purple blossom at the top. So today as I watch the rain from inside our apartment and I feel the cold off the glass, I have a little bit of Spring on my window sill. The promise of sunny and warmer days. Psalm 84:2b"...my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God."

Since I Knew You Were Coming...I Baked A Cake!

Well, here is the picture of my first attempt at baking here in Japan. We were having company over for games and I thought I had best have some goodies to eat. I couldn't find a 13X9 in pan so I baked it in two small square pans - sorta like our 8 inch round pans. It worked great. The Japanese cocoa is much darker and so the cake was "yummy" rich. As you can see I only served one layer. There isn't any thing like Betty Crocker frosting in a can and boxed powered sugar is unheard of so, I sprinkled chocolate chips (that I brought from the states) on top and put it back in the oven to melt. Everyone seemed to like it.