Choosing to be bald

Caleb is modeling his latest hair doo, or is it hairless doo. Seems to me that shaving your legs is enough work without having to shave your head too, however, I don't suppose Caleb has both problems to deal with.

Home Again, Home Again, Jigity Jig

This little piggy did not go to market, he stayed at Chubu Hospital for a week and got well and received full service with a smile and alot of questions in japanese/english.

Mom tried to redecorate my room, she was not pleased with all the white everywhere, and I agreed to enjoy the bright colorful accessories she brought to brighten my day.

Dad says I think I'm a scuba diver, all I want is this thing off my face.

We are so glad to have Tomoyuki back home and tube/cord free. When he had multiple monitors on him, it was a challenge to keep him untangled from the web of cords, then when he woke up and began feeling more himself, he decided he could remove what was left of all the tubing and was successful many times. Now the battle of keeping him germ free of colds and viruses that most likely will make their way straight to his lungs in no time. Pray that he will stay well. The relationships that we have began with the many pediatricians at Chubu will prove to be very valuable in the future. We will continue to have them doctor on Tomoyuki, we have a follow up appt in two weeks to dicuss his hearing and a visit to the cardiologist to have his heart checked out thoroughly. Thank you for all your prayer support.

Do I have something on my mouth?????

My first taste of "Rice Cereal". Not sure if I like it or not. It doesn't look like rice, taste like rice and I'm not using chopsticks to eat it. I don't think it is rice. As far as the cereal part. From what I see around the Smith House, Bethany and Juda's cereal don't look like this.

Okay, so maybe I do like it, just keep it coming girlfriend. The waitresses at this eatery are so pretty and will even feed you, especially if you act like you can't do it yourself. I think I'm on to something that could last a while.

Mt. Fuji

Tom left yesterday for Mt. Fuji. He will be there for 10 days. Me and the little ones were supposed to go along, but go onto Shizuoka and spend time with the Gordon's and pick up Tomoyuki's paperwork, however, the Gordon's are busier beyond busy and we had to postpone our trip. We hope to head that way in a week or two. Of course when Tom is away somebody always gets sick and it is Tomoyuki, the chest cold he has had for a week is escalating into croup/asthma???...... I am still trying to self diagnose him and doing home therapy at the same time.

Books, Books and more Books

I started a listing of some of my favorite, most recent books I've read. It is over to the right of the screen. I will keep adding as I have time. If you have any questions regarding any of the books, please write and let me know, I'd be glad to give my opinion of them to entice your reading pleasure. If you have a favorite you'd like to recommend me to read, please let me know. I'm currently working on "A Chance to Die" the life and legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot.

Feeding the Ducks, Fish, Birds and Turtles

We save our old bread and keep the fish, bird and turtle population at the park healthy.

Peace in the East

Note that Juda's "Peace" sign is a bit different and Tomoyuki's looks more like a foot in the air.

Our Sat morning english class is growing and Tom is loving it.

What a view!

Tom took this pic from the window of Bethany's yochien, which is Goya Baptist Church, next door to Koza Baptist Church, our church. The city is buying property to cut a new road through our churches. We have sold to the city and will be moving to a temporary location in Sept while the new Koza Church is being built. Goya has not sold yet, they have two more years to do so. This view is certainly one to be had. Somewhere to the right of the pic, far in the horizon, nearer to the beautiful Pacific Ocean is our house.

Nakajin Camping Trip

Bethany with her yochien class returning from their one night/two day camping trip to Nakajin Baptist Camp, on the north end of the island. Last year as a family we were able to attend and help out with the camp. All the boys went along too and guided the children on sea kayaks, and helped in planting the yearly tree. But when it is your childs turn to go, you aren't allowed to attend, to give them a chance to be totally independant. Bethany did great being a way from us for a night. Tom drew her a card that she took with her. Tom loves to draw silly pictures for all the kids, even the big ones, he'll leave them notes in the morning with silly little drawings on them, so nothing new for us. When the class returned, Tom's card to Bethany was the talk of the teachers. "How sweet, Daddy", "What a wonderful father you are", they said, they are hopeless romantics at heart, ha h aha It certainly seemed to help Bethany when it was time to fall asleep.

Bethany and Reikosensei, the head teacher of the yochien. She has been teaching at AiSei for many many many years.

Finally.....

After trying to get together with Junko, Rika and Shoko for nearly 4 months, between all of our schedules being so full, we did it and we were able to use our Grand Mer Dinner Coupon we won for the "Christmas Tree" contest. I am so blessed to have such a valuable friendship with each of these ladies.

Sunday School Class

Here are a few of the ladies who are in my Sunday School Class. L to R, Tomo, Kieko and Hiromi. I think you recognize Tomoyuki and Bethany. Bethany is not in my class but always joins us at the end. The ladies not pictured are Yuka, Saya, Su, Hiroko and another Hiromi. One Sunday recently everyone showed up and we hardly had enough room to sit everyone. That is a good problem to overcome. Most of the ladies are new believers.

Monthly YaYa Sister Meeting

This month was at my house and we made "No Bake Cheesecake's". Takako was not able to make it this time. This dessert turned out to be just perfect, not too sweet and no need for an oven, which Takako does not have, so she can make this at home.

Hey, look who we saw today....

Not in person. That would have been a real treat. So, the next best thing is pics on the computer. Thanks Andy, you made our day. We sure enjoyed seeing you and your friends enjoying sunny southern california.

Andy is awaiting his orders to corpsman school in Great Lakes. Hopefully a few more weeks then he will be there for a few months, then we'll come to America and have a great family reunion in the Fall.

Uemura Clinic "Mommy and Me" Class

Tomasan reads a story to the children and has many more activities planned for them.

One very talented mom. Kind of scary food, but nonetheless, this is what excites the japanese and causes them to want to eat healthy.

I tuckered out. Too much socializing will cause narcolepsy. We have accussed Tomoyuki more than once of suffering from that sleeping disorder. He'll be in the game then boom, he's out cold.

Family Picture Op

You'll need to use your imagination and add Andy into the pic, then it will be a complete "Smith Family Picture". Check out Juda's short shorts, he he he

What do you think, do they look like brothers?????

Bethany on her way to the planetarium

Bethany is in the middle of the pac and can you spot Tom holding Tomoyuki in the back of the crowd and Juda leaning against the wall to the left of the pic. Bethany is a bit nervous to go on this field trip.

They gather for announcements and prayer before heading off to the planetarium.

Bethany and her yochien class off to the planetarium in Naha, another bus ride experience for them.

The Three Jamigo's

Juda loves to hold Tomoyuki and asks all day long to do so, only second best thing to do in his world. First being to KISS Tomoyuki.

Yes, I will admit that adding another one to the crew has turned us a little upside down at times.

Here we are again, see I told you that is what Juda wants to do all day long. He and Juda have their own language already. Juda greets him always with "Heyyyyyyyy" then plants a wet one on him.

During the rainy season when it rains for several days in a row, the snails head for the high ground. This guy is working hard, thinking that the rainbow promise is not so true after all and is planning for the flood. He is at the top of the door on the second floor. What a determined slimy guy he is.

Bethany did some "Finger" painting while at her friends birthday party and we captured this "Bird in Flight" on her hand. What do you think.....can you see the forest below and the blue sky above with the "Bird in Flight". All in the hands eh.... Let us know if you see something else that we didn't see.

Tomoyuki is getting stronger holding his head up more and more while on his tummy.

These feet are made for walking.......I didn't include all the family feet because at some point and age, they aren't so cute anymore.

I'm in position but getting nowhere fast. Tomoyuki is rolling over from his back to his front, but not from front to back yet.

Ya Ya Sisters, Japanese style

Candi and Michiko, two of my Ya Ya Sisters. The three of us have been to a school and community center to read the "Three Little Pigs" in our native languages. Candi is Taiwanese, Michiko is Japanese and I'm not sure what I am anymore, ha haha. We have added to our readings of late the "Hungry, Hungry, Caterpillar". It is such a hoot to see how children/adults speak english and understand english. For instance in the Hungry Hungry Caterpillar when we got to the days of the week, the children call Friday, Flyday and relate Saturday to "Saturday night Fever" movie. Obviously their parents have been teaching them english.

This is Candi again, with Takako and Tomoyuki. These are my three lady friends/neighbors that have joined together to meet once a month at each others houses to visit and learn to bake, cook or a craft/hobby. This meeting was at Takako's and she taught us how to prepare body oil from sesame oil and fragrance oils from India. The oil has helped Bethany's egzema like nothing has helped before, waalaa! Last month was at Michiko's and she taught us how to deep fry "Okinawa Donuts". The month before was at Candi's and she taught us how to make Ichigodaifuku. Have you figured out what that is yet. It is a mochi (pounded to smooth rice) covered strawberry with sweet bean paste. It is oishi (delicious). My favorite dessert. While at Candi's I taught them how to bake brownies, but too much chocolate for the japanese. So we cut them in small pieces and nibbled. There kids love them. Next month they will come to my house and we will make "Cool Whip Jello Pies". That should go over much lighter and not so sweet for their taste buds. While together we also share our photo albums of wedding pictures and families. I just love getting to know these ladies and the culture through them. They always have so many questions regarding our family and now many more since our adopting Tomoyuki.

Bethany is so busy!

All lined up and ready to go catch the local bus!!!!

Bethany is in the older class at the yochien this year and get's opportunities to go on many field trips. For the past month she has been earning yen doing chores at home to pay for her bus fair to Naha and back. While in Naha, they would visit the fresh meat market, including whole pigs, many kinds of local fish etc....they would visit a kimono museum and enjoy traditional Okinawa Soup Soba, which Bethany loves and can slurp like a local.

Ai no Kesshin Volunteer Phone Counselors

Here are my faithful Ai no Kesshin Phone Counselors. These ladies are such a blessing to me in so many ways. They faithfully answer the free dial at 12 hour shifts a few times a month, sharing this responsibility with about 15 ladies in all, from Okinawa to Japan. They are also mighty prayer warriors. On this particular day we had met for prayer and praises. Please continue to keep Ai no Kesshin in your prayers as God continues to bless this ministry here and in Japan.

"Now I lay me down to sleep...."

Goes something like this....."Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, Angles watch me through the night, until I wake in morning light, Amen".....

Well....Bethany prayed it this way the another night..."Now I lay be down to sleep. I pray the Lord whose supposed to keep Angels watching me through the night, til' I wake in morning light, Amen". I'm sure there is some theological lesson in that misinterpretation of that age old prayer, of what exactly we do expect the Lord to do, or what He is supposed to do. Why don't you ponder it on your own and have your own bible study with it, all I do is report the news from this end, ha ha ha.