Wedding on the Water

Labor Day weekend found us in Placerville, CA visiting old friends and preparing for a wedding. Placerville is the first place we moved to after Steve completed his college education and getting his teaching degree. It is also the place of his first teaching job at Gold Trail School. All of our children were born while living in Placerville and we made some life long friends. Oh, we have been back to Placerville many times since 1968 and each time it is a wonderful trip down memory lane. This trip, however,was for the express purpose of performing the wedding of our dear friends Andy & Eileen at beautiful Lake Tahoe. It was not only at Lake Tahoe but ON Lake Tahoe for you see Andy had reserved a yacht to take us all out to Emerald Cove where we stopped the engines and Steve, the bride and groom and all the witnesses came to the bow and Steve performed ceremony and Andy & Eileen became husband and wife. The day was absolutely perfect - warm but not hot, sunny with clear sky's and the lake was crystal clear and calm so no one got seasick. We felt so honored to be asked to officiate and to be a part of the big day. After motoring back to shore, the reception was held at Andy's family cabin where we enjoyed a wonderful evening with great authentic Irish food. Have you ever had corn beef and cabbage pizza? Really, it is good!

HOME!

Home again, home again, jiggity jig...
We are home in Sonora and this time, hopefully, for longer than 2 or 3 days. After Sugarloaf Camp we headed out to see family up and down the west coast and across to Texas. We put some 6500 miles on our car and it was worth every one of them. We had great times and of course all the grandkids have grown since we had last seen them in December while we, on the other hand, have stayed the same. One of the biggest change was that our middle daughter Heather and family relocated to Texas and so we had a fun time "getting our kicks on route 66" all the way there and back and taking time to visit the Grand Canyon. When we got to Texas, we found our youngest grandson on the run and very verbal. He had turned 2 in July and is now quite the little man. Reconnecting with our daughters and their families really blessed our hearts and souls.

Now we are ready for the next adventure that God has in store for us. We have begun to knock on some ministry doors. Some of those doors have opened and then closed again but we KNOW He is working it all out for us and so we are just trusting. Steve gave our dear Japanese friends and family this little poem - "We must just trust" and that is what we are now practicing.

Since we have come back to the states, Steve and I have both had birthdays and have moved into a whole new phase of our lives. We now carry a little red, white and blue card in our wallets.
Steve gave me a wonderful birthday party, even tho' I kept saying I didn't want a party. We had 12 of our dearest friends over for some late afternoon fun. Steve surprised me with a new playmate for our "old" Daisy dog. He got me a darling black and white 4 month old Ihaso Apso/Bichon mix puppy. Her name is Daphne. So, we are once again in puppy mode but she is smart and has already begun to catch on to some rules of the house. She only weighs 4 lbs so what is you see is all fluff and hair.


Our very good friends, the Sims, came over for the weekend. We always have a hoot when they come and this was no exception. Us gals shopped, had lunch at a Thai restaurant and had a mango facial.

So, no matter what the next step is in our lives, at least my face will be soft.

HOME

WOW, here it is July 19th - Steve's birthday and we have been home from Japan for 13 days. The last month in Japan flew by so fast and suddenly we were landing in Seattle, WA and then on to San Francisco and then home to Sonora. We were home for 3 days, unloaded and reloaded our suitcases and drove to Sugarloaf Art and Music Camp in the Sierra Mountains. Now we are home again for 3 days and then we will be off again to begin our long trip by car to visit family and friends. Are we tired? YES, and at times I don't even know what day it is. In between all of this we are getting our car repaired, getting connected to the internet and checking in with Medicare as we both turn 65. Also we have been wading through 5 months of mail.

I admit that we miss Japan - that is,we miss our friends and family that became so special to us. We miss the beautiful mountain drive that we took each week between Ikoma & Kyotanabe. We don't however miss the summer humidity. Our home here in Sonora has been peaking at 100 degrees but it is a dry heat and our nights have been nice and cool and we are enjoy sitting out on our deck in the evening with a glass of ice tea.

We have been so busy that we haven't had time to think about reverse culture shock. I know I still find myself talking slowly and using my hands and a couple of time I have caught myself saying "arigatoo" or "sumimasen" when I have been in the store.

The Lord went before us and smoothed out some rough spots on our last day in Japan. Traffic was smooth to the airport, the airport wasn't crowded, our luggage, that was overweight, sailed through customs without any hassle or cost, we were granted our reentry permits at the airport so we can go back to Japan anytime in the next 3 years without going through the whole visa process and to top it off, we were bumped up to 1st class. Talk about luxury-sugoi-we had lots of leg room, our seats reclined and so we both got some good sleep. That really helped in jet leg recovery. When we arrived in San Francisco our friends were there at the curb just as we rolled out our luggage. When we got home we found our house aired out, windows open and a cool breeze blowing and food in our refrigerator. All we had to do was bring in our luggage and drop into bed for our first nights sleep in our own bed in 5 months.


During our last days we were given a special gift of a 24 hour get away from and with our dear friend Noriko and her 3 daughters to Kobe's Fruit & Flower Resort. What a wonderful R & R. Here is a picture of the hotel we stayed in. There were so many fun things to do at this hotel from miniature golf to a monkey show.

After our stay at the hotel we went to downtown Kobe and visited the site of the big earthquake and drove down by the water front.

Our last week was filled with ministry as well. We did our last Ladies English Class on Tues, July 6th and I combined an English lesson on recipes with a going away party. It was great fun and the ladies brought some yummy snacks. We talked about what the difference was between cooking and baking and what snacks were cooked and what snacks were baked. I "baked" an apple pie for them. It was a wonderful time tho' sad.

On Wed, July 7th, our departure day, we had our last Ladies Bible Study in the morning. The ladies shared what they had learned from the book of Philippians, we cried, we laughed and yes, we ate. We had a great good-bye party and then they all lined up beside the van and waved good bye as we drove away to the airport at 1:00 pm. Our wonderful "tennis" friend, Mrs. Kiyo Sato stopped by to say good bye as well and to give us a gift she and her husband bought for us in Egypt. They had just arrived back in Japan the day before. Our plane was to leave Kansi Airport at 6:00 pm. Our cousin Gregg Hutton, Jim & Barb Blocksom, our dear house mates, and precious Kana-chan came to the airport with us. They were such a big help to us, getting us through the many steps needed to get us on our way. Our "son" Hiro and his family also came to say good bye. We were thrilled to see them one more time. Nanami, their 3 year old daughter became very solemn when we walked through the checkpoint and she had to stay behind. She held up her hand to the glass panel and we "touched" through the glass.

Our trip was uneventful - and our descent into Seattle was amazing. The Lord gave us a clear day and we could see Mt. Baker, Mt Rainer, the snow covered Canadian Rockies and the San Juan Islands. Even the crew on the plane were looking out the windows. I am glad the captain remained at the controls.

The Merry Merry Month of May

Where has the month of May gone?? It has been a busy spring for us that is for sure but we are now on the last 5+ weeks before we return to the states. So let me try to recap a little of this past month.

It began with Golden Week. A week off for most employees due to the fact that several national holidays fall within the week and so rather than have to close shop every other day or so they just give everyone the week off and a much needed rest (yasumi). Our cousins, the Huttons, took this opportunity to go to the states for their daughter's graduation from The Master's College and to pick up their other daughter from Cederville University. Steve and I house sat and dog sat for them while they were gone for 10 days. So on May 2 we packed our bags and moved over to Kyotanabe. It was nice to be able to spread out a bit and to have the use of a car. While there, we had the opportunity to attend a Jazz Festival with Hiro and family. There were jazz groups playing all over the town of Takatsuki where Hiro lives & works during the week. His company has transferred him there several months ago. His little family still lives in Hitachinaka which is a 9 hour trip by train & bus but he makes the trip home every weekend to be with them. During Golden Week however they traveled to Takatsuki and stayed with him and we got a chance to spend some time with them.

Also during Golden Week there was a church picnic and soft ball game. Steve got a chance to play soft ball for the first time in a very long time. It was a beautiful day for a game.

On Mother's Day Hiro and family came over to Kyotanabe and went to church with us at Kyoto International Church and then after church several young women of our church gave us an Okonomiyaki party. It was both a Mother's Day treat and an appreciation treat for Steve and me.

All during this time of fun and games Steve was nursing a toothache. Finally it got so bad that we had to see a dentist. Barb Blocksom was gracious enough to call her dentist and see if he could get in. He did and the x-ray showed a bad wisdom tooth and the dentist said it would have to come out. So Steve was scheduled for oral surgery at the local hospital for Tues, May 18. What a scary thing, to be in a foreign land, not understanding the language, not sure of the medical practices and not knowing how much it was going to cost. But you know, God knew and He had it all planned out. What was thought to be a rather difficult extraction turned out to be a 10 minute, simple removal. It took us longer to check into the hospital and fill out papers than it did for the dentist to remove the tooth. Then, we went to the lobby to pay our bill. We panicked at first when we saw the cost of 11,270 yen. Then I remembered to move the comma back one place and make it a decimal point. SUGOI - only $112.70 approx in US dollars and that included more x-rays and 2 medications. Isn't God good!!! The following week was his check up and he came away with a clean bill of health for just another 450 yen ($4.50). Maybe we should have his other 3 wisdom teeth out while we are here - no, I don't think so. We certainly praise God for the wonderful care Steve got and how easy on our budget it was.

We also had the sad privilege to attend a Japanese Christian funeral. The mother of one of my ladies in the Wed. Bible Study passed away. It was the first time since we have come to Japan that we didn't understand one word that was said in the service. Church is always bi-lingual but this time there was no need to translate as we were the only ones who didn't understand Japanese. The funeral service was done a bit different than in the US but the message was the same. Pastor Chris Momose, gave a gospel message about the hope of eternal life in Christ. Most of the extended family members were Buddhist and so for some this may have been the first time they have ever heard the gospel.

Finally this past Friday we were blessed with the opportunity to visit a lady who plays the Koto and who give lessons. What a fabulous afternoon we spent with Masako in her apartment, all thanks to Kiyo Sato, our wonderful tennis friend. Masako was amazed that Steve could play a tune on the Koto once he figured out the note structure. So she and Steve had great fun playing together. Then she and her pupil, Hiroyo, sat down and played for us "Moon River" while Hiroyo sang - beautiful. After they retuned their Koto's to the oriental turning they played "Sakura" for us. This was so amazing and beautiful that it took our breath away. Afterwards, Masako showed us the Shamisan - a 3 stringed instrument. It is similar to Steve Strumstick and so he sat down and played some Bluegrass Hillbilly tunes on it. Everyone laughed and Hiroyo said he must be a genius.














What a great month of May we have had. And sandwiched in between all of this we got to visit a tea plantation and see how tea is processed, Steve bought himself a great guitar at a recycle shop (thrift store) and we have enjoyed dinner at a number of friends homes. This adventure will be a part of us for the rest of our lives and no matter what God has in store for us, we will never be the same again.

Japanese - Brazilian - American

Happy May Day! The last week of April was a busy one for us (so what else is new!) We spent the weekend over in Kyotanabe as Steve was preaching Sunday at Kyoto International Chapel. So, as on many other Fridays, we packed up our things and drove over in the morning at 5:00 am. You see, Steve has as men's group called Men's Faternity that meets at 6:00 am and it is at least a 45 minute drive from Ikoma to Kyotanabe over mountain roads. Later that day Steve and I borrowed the Hutton's van and ventured out to the grocery store and the 100yen (Dollar Tree) store for things I would need for my up coming American apple pie class. On Sunday Steve gave his message "Balancing Worship in the Christian Life." It was well received and over lunch of curry beef and rice we had some good discussions. Later Sunday afternoon we went with Gregg & Becky and kids to a Brazilian church near Osaka. Now there is a mix - Japanese Brazilians. Many in the congregation are full blooded Japanese but were raised in Brazil and so speak Portuguese better than Japanese. Gregg was preaching since their pastor was on vacation. He spoke in English, Igor translated into Portuguese and Becky translated into Japanese through head phones (like at the UN) We had a great time. Just about every single person in the small congregation came up and gave Steve and I greetings. One gentleman hugged Steve like he was never going to let go. Another lady told us she loved us - maybe that was the only phrase she knew in English. After the service we went downstairs for dinner - and what a dinner. I must learn how to make deep fried rice balls - yummy. They were also celebrating all the April birthdays and so had a large cake and it was oh so rich and good. What was in it? I don't know but it was sweet and gooey and had to of had a bizillion calories. Church was over around 9:30 pm - that's the Brazilian way they tell me. Then Steve and Igor got together and jammed a bit. He is Japanese/Brazilian but didn't know any Brazilian guitar cords and so Steve showed him some that he had learned. Igor not only translated for Gregg but led the Praise Team. He is a super friendly guy and we really enjoyed getting to know him.

Across the street from the church is a KFC and out front is a statue of Colonel Sanders, although you wouldn't of recognized him. He was dressed as a Samurai warrior. You see Boy's Day is coming up and so all Japanese want their boys to be strong and brave like the Samurai. You can see Samurai images everywhere.

On Tuesday morning Steve and I taught English at Ikoma Chapel. It was the beginning of a new term and we had several new ladies. Steve teaches the advanced gals and I have the intermediate class.
We mainly work on "conversation" English getting them to form complete sentences in English. It is proving to be a lot of fun. Then. .

Psalm 17:8
"Guard me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings."

In the afternoon I held my American Apple Pie class and had 5 ladies come. What a great time we had but I was totally exhausted by the end of the day. Most of the ladies could speak some English and all of them understood English and so I didn't need to have an interpreter. Each lady was able to make a small pie that they could take home to their family plus have some extra dough to make a pie on their own. My recipe that I love and use all the time makes enough pie dough for 2 double crust pies. I also showed them how to use your extra dough to make cinnamon and sugar pinwheels. While the pies and pinwheels were baking, Steve entertained us with his guitar and some fun songs like " In The Shade of the Old Apple Tree" and he wrote new words to "Deep In The Heart of Texas" replacing Texas with Nippon, the Japanese word for Japan (apologies to our daughter Heather and family who just moved to Texas) and using Japan and apples in the lyrics. He also led us in some praise songs. After our song time I served up slices of apple pie that I had made earlier with ice cream plus the cinnamon & sugar pinwheels. Everyone seem to have a wonderful time and the next day I heard from one lady that she had 2 slices of her own apple pie when she got home Tuesday. I laughed and said, "Let's see, one at my place and 2 at home, that makes 3 pieces of apple pie." That's OK they were small. The ladies over in Kyotanabe now want to have a class too so we'll have to see when we can schedule that event. Take a look at their finished product. Aren't they beautiful, my ladies and their pies?

What Happens When You Can't Read The Labels?

Last Monday evening, April 19, we invited some friends over for dinner and games. I thought "since these American's have been here in Japan for 20+ years, I will fix them an American dinner." So, for the main course I fixed Sopa Fideo (not exactly American, more like Mexican but hey very Californian) and for dessert, apple pie. Can't get any more American than apple pie. The meal was a big success for which I was very glad as I always worry that it might not taste good. I cut the pie and served it with vanilla ice cream and coffee. While we were enjoying our pie I went into the kitchen and returned to the table with a green bottle of "vinegar" and asked Nancy to tell me if indeed it was vinegar. You see, my pie crust recipe calls for a tablespoon of vinegar. She began to laugh and said, in her sweet way, "no Karen, that is cooking sake." That is rice wine for those of you who don't know. My face turned a thousand shades of red I am sure. The rest of the evening my "sake" pie crust was blamed for losing at the game of Jokers, wild hits of the ping pong ball or just plain silliness. But as you can see, the pie looks great, the crust was flaky and rich and the pie crust pin wheels were gone by the time the evening was over and we all had fun.

This Tuesday, April 27 I am holding an apple pie making class and I have about 4 or 5 ladies coming. Believe me, I have vinegar for the crust this time. Steve and I went shopping for all the ingredients and I gulped back my embarrassment and asked the clerk at the store to show me vinegar. She spoke a bit of English and understood my request and took me right over to the shelf with several kinds. "Oh no!" I thought. "Which one do I get?" She explained the difference in 2 word sentences and so I got light vinegar. Now I'm all set for giving a lesson in American Apple Pie Making. It should be lots of fun. Steve will be on hand to take pictures and to taste the finished product of course. Each lady will make a small pie to take home to her family.

A DAY OUT IN NARA

Every week finds us doing something new here in Japan and this week is no exception. First off we made a Skype call to our daughter Holly for her birthday. We had to wait until midnight our time on the 13th so that it would be a descent hour in Oregon (8:00 am) for her. It was so great to hear her voice and to share what we had already done on April 13 and to hear what she was going to do for her birthday that day. Her birthday was the first one that we have had to celebrate 1/2 way around the world. There are more to come as we will be here in Japan until July 7.
So, what did we do on Holly's birthday?
We were treated to a wonderful day in the city of Nara by our friends the Satos. Nara is known for their deer. There are literally hundreds of deer that roam the city park and they even venture into the roads and on to the medians. They are considered wild but we found them to be tame, or at least they certainly aren't afraid of people. There are little concession stands around where you can buy deer food but we brought our own - cabbage and they loved it. Here is a video of Steve and the deer bowing to one another. It was so funny and amazing to watch them. They all did it and we don't really know how or why but every time we'd laugh at how cute they were.



In the big park area sit the largest wooden building in the world, the Todaiji Temple. Most buildings that large have steel girders but this is just made of wood. It is 187 ft W X 165 ft D X 160 ft H. It holds the largest Buddha, measuring 49ft H. It was built between 710-794 AD. As you look at the building, notice how little the people are. This will give you some idea of how big this building is. Inside they have a tree trunk that has a hole cut in it that is the same size as the Buddha's nostril and people are allowed to crawl through it.

As you can see, I made it through.

Well, it is pretty much the end of the cherry blossom time. The trees are beginning to lose their blossoms and be replaced by reddish green leaves. As we walked through the park it was like walking through a pink hazy snow storm of drifting petals. The ground was a carpet of pink and a deer or two were snacking on the petals. The trees that still held tight to their blossoms created a canopy over our heads. What a lovely day we have had with our friends Akira & Kiyo Sato but now it is time for dinner. So we stopped off at a restaurant for some Okonomiyaki-Japanese style hotplate pizza made from grated cabbage, flour, egg, meat of your choice, which is all mixed together and fried on a griddle that is built into your table top. Then topped with mayo, a sweet soy sauce and very thin fish flakes. Believe it or not it is very good. Well, Steve didn't like the fish flakes.

What a great way to celebrate our daughters birthday. We were only sorry that she wasn't with us to enjoy it but we know from our earlier phone call with her that her girls had made her breakfast and she was going to have a wonderful dinner out with her husband. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLLY!