A Blast from the Past

While finger painting, Bethany  created a mural on the back of her hands.  What do you see? 

Look at all these young faces.

Who is this crazy man?

Our Kyoto Princess

25 Years of Wedding Bliss as of 2007

Sarah or as Bethany gladly calls her now "SaMom"

Ako blessing Bethany with her love

My Juda, what big and hairy hands you have.

 

Andy, Thanks for serving the Navy for 6 years.  God has blessed you in so many ways.  Taking you around the world and allowing you many experiences and to finally find your wife and now your precious Harper.  We are so proud of you.

Bethany always blessing younger children.

These "3 Amigos"...

...and their sweet feet.

Paired up with the kindred spirits.

Rock Star Tomo

Tomo the Giant, storming the Castle Gate....

I have a cold...anyone have a tissue?

So....do you think I should cut or style my hair.   Just trying to fit in with the Smith Boys....

Happy Easter....

Caleb and his new puppy...

Alisha bring over Moko for a greeting...

Bethany's 8th BDay

Tomo doing a trick...

Asia Pacific day....Hula Bethany....

Happy 8th Birthday

Down Syndrome "LOVE" club with our friend Victoria....

Celebrating with friends for the BIG 8

One of our many Okuma visits...

Where Bethany can always be found when on Okuma

Watermelon fun.....whoohoo this is a big one for Japan....

See me off to the mainland to pick up a baby to care for...

Bethany's dream come true...riding in Colorado...

So...what is your name....

Waking up in America...beginning our journey in CO

Our luggage...

Snowboarding for all ages...

Tomo enjoying the science museum...

Bethany too....

Who wears their swimsuit, snow boots, ski cap and housecoat in CO in January.....yep....Bethnay

LOVE that snow....

Cheers!!!

Is this what they call fun....

The smallest skier on the slope...

Having fun in the sun...

 

Love these kiddos....

We have lived in Japan for the past 7 years, but due to serving in the military and now serving the military we have been deprived of Chick-Fil-A for the past 28 years, until we go home to Atlanta for visits occasionally and Chick-Fil-A is one of the first places we go for our "Comfort Food".

We love Chick-Fil-A so much that.....this past June Tom was in Orlando at a conference and the day before his flight back to Japan he purchased 8 Chick-Fil-A sandwiches and purchased a thermal bag to bring them home in his suitcase. He was specific in asking for NO pickles, thinking they might not ride good for the 24+ hours of travel ahead. He strategically separated the chicken from the buns so not to cause any harm to the chicken of course. The thought occurred to us later that we possibly could get sick from eating two day old Chick-Fil-A's, but decided it would be worth it.

Once arriving home  he kept his secret. You see he always brings home a surprise, usually a t-shirt, trinket etc.  Of course the kids are asking, "Daddy, what did you bring home this time", he just smiled. After seeing some pics of his trip and visit with Andy, Jillian and Harper holding Chick-Fil-A cups, I was envious of his meal of Chick-Fil-A but happy for him. 

 "Oh, how I'd LOVE a Chick-Fil-A sandwich" were the words from my envious lips. He gently said, "Well, that is the surprise". "Wwwwaaaaaa".

The next night as I prepared our "Chick-Fil-A" meal to surprise Ben and Alisha, I toasted new buns, (Chick-Fil-A buns didn't travel well and were pretty thinly smashed). I wrapped the now famous 8 pieces of chicken, mind you the ONLY Chick-Fil-A chicken on the island of Okinawa. I dare not announce to the other 50,000+ Chick-Fil-A loving American's who live here what I have in my home. We saved one of the famous foil bags to display on the counter as our son arrived with his lovely wife.

As Ben arrived and saw the famous foil bag, he picked it up and said, "Oh this is mean to tease me", he hasn't had a Chick-Fil-A in 4+ years. It's no wonder any of us have survived this long without them. Imagine his JOY when he saw what we were having for dinner.

Once we placed our reheated to the exact temperature Chick-Fil-A between two butter toasted new buns and prayed, giving thanksgiving for our meal, we dug in and no one said a word. The only sounds coming from the 8 of us were "Mmmmm, mmmmmm, mmmmmm", then "Oh wow, this is GREAT!" We couldn't believe what we were eating. Who would have thought one could enjoy a meal so much.

Chick-Fil-A we love your chicken sandwich and have all of our 50 years of living. We love that you are closed on Sunday to honor God and Family and we love that you love Jesus Christ. We have eaten your famous chicken sandwich across America wherever we have traveled in Dwarf Houses, and even Truett's Diner in Jonesboro. We have enjoyed "Hot Brown", but there is nothing like that Chick-Fil-A sandwich in the foil bag.

We are thankful for all you stand for and that you stand firm on your beliefs having faith in God in all things.

"The Nail that Sticks up Should be Hammered down"

I am very interested in Japanese culture and what they are thinking regarding religion.  I am gathering information along the way in order to equip us in this journey of reaching them with Jesus Christ.

I came across "A Christian's Pocket Guide to The Japanese" published by   OMF International (formerly the China Inland Mission and Overseas Missionary Fellowship), founded by James Hudson Taylor in 1865.  This booklet is a quick read and holds information that we are becoming well aware of and we want to share it with you.  It is helpful for us to know where someone is coming from in order to relate to where they are going and making the decisions that they do.  In a culture that is so old and steeped with customs and refuses change, it is helpful to be a student of the strongholds that keep a people of such a culture in bondage.

Excepts from the booklet:
"One People"
The Japanese are a homogeneous people.  With few exceptions, they have a common ancestry, appearance and culture throughout the four islands.  They consider uniformity a good thing and view non-conformity as a threat to social harmony.  "The nail that sticks up should be hammered down" so the Japanese say.

"Japanese Attitudes Toward Foreigners"
The Japanese people have been borrowing from other nations for centuries.  Much of their language and culture has been borrowed from China, Buddhism, one of their major religions came from India via China.  The constitution was modelled on 19th  century Europe and succeeding waves of Portuguese, Dutch, and latterly North American influence have left their marks on language, foods and customs. 
The Japanese people hold two attitudes simultaneously: a healthy curiosity of foreign things and a strong national pride. 

Order your copy from Amazon today and start gathering a clearer understanding of where you live and how to reach this people group for Christ.

America, short version

Grandpa Tom enjoying his precious Harper!  We had such a great trip to visit her and her momma and daddy and the rest of our families in America. 

 

 This was certainly our motivation for our trip this year to the states.  We spent a whirlwind 3 weeks there and saw many sights, but none compares to this little bundle of precious beauty and intelligence.  

We enjoyed a wonderful visit with the Arnold's.  Can't even remember the last time we saw them, although Michelle and I get to chat on the phone on occasion, emal and FB communication.  But nothing like fellowship with great friends and wonderful food.  As our families grow in size and love for the Lord, it is a pleasure to continue to share a common bond of the love of Jesus with them and to have the pleasure to pray for each other.

Here we are after our personal tour of the Capitol with Jim Ryan.  His lovely bride Anne is taking the picture.  They are parents of friends here in Okinawa Heather and Damon Tiffany.  When the Tiffany's heard we were taking a trip up the East Coast, they insisted we contact her mom and dad who live a block or two away from the Capitol and they were more than happy to feed us a wonderful lunch and take us on a tour.  It was the perfect way to end our 3 week trip to the states.

Statue of Dr. Crawford Long representing one of the two statues that are placed in the Capitol from the state of Georgia. 

The Rotunda in the Capitol. 

 The chapel in the Capitol.  We had the priviledge to pray for our country and our leaders.

 View from the Inaugural Balcony looking toward the Washington Monument.

The absolute center of the Rotunda.

Bethany seems to be saying, "Perhaps I'll run for President one day....and make a speech from here....maybe not!"

The Ryan's home, saying our goodbyes and having a sweet prayer time.

The famous "Occidental Cafe" a block away from the White House.  There have been some major desicions made here regarding our nation over a meal.  The only decisions we made were what to order...

We went out with a BANG.  No kidding, we were leaving the cafe, heading to the White House for a night time pic and the "Fireworks" began to go off to our surprise.  We haven't seen fireworks in America in a while.  They were fabulous.