Milestones

Fuji Flower/Wisteria

This is a year of milestones for me.  Last month, my first child married.  Today is a milestone birthday.  Next month is a milestone wedding anniversary.  In August, my last child will leave our nest in his first step of adulthood…college.  In some ways, it’s a little sad.  I know this is the way of life, but when I look at young mothers holding their babies it makes me realize how the years have flown by and will continue to do so.  Milestones can be a good thing if we take the time to reflect on the past.  I don’t know where the years have all gone, but one thing I do know is the One Who has been with me each day and will continue to be for all eternity.  I can trust Him to continue to lead me each step of the way, come what may.

And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

 ~I Chronicles 28:20

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Some exciting things are happening around here.  We have a mission team from a university with us.  Will update you as soon as I am able.

Grace

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Thomas Kinkade’s Garden of Grace

Seasons, A Cultural Moment

Japan is a very seasonal country.  The food, merchandise and clothing all change like clockwork as the seasons change.  I love nabe.  It is a soup base that you can just throw whatever meat and veggies you want into.  However, according to the calendar, summer is just around the corner, so no more nabe soup base.  Not.one.single.one.

There are actual dates on the calendar for when the uniforms change from winter to summer and then back again.  It doesn’t matter if it is too hot or too cold.  If the date on the calendar has not arrived, you cannot change your uniform.  Something new started last year called ‘cool biz.’  It replaces the suits, etc. of winter.  Men wear short sleeve cotton dress shirts with no tie.  Women wear skirts with short sleeve cotton dress blouses with no ribbons, etc.  This is worn in July and August so that you can be a little cooler when they set the temps a little higher on the air conditioners to conserve energy.

Merchandise is changing as well.  The last nuclear plant is set to shut down, if it hasn’t already, so we have to conserve, conserve, conserve.  They are now selling gel pads that you can place on top of your mattress and gel pillows to help you keep cool at night so that you won’t run the air conditioning.  It looks pretty cool actually, no pun intended!

And so the seasons turn here in Japan.  We are preparing for a long, hot summer.

Japan without nuclear power for first time in 42 years

The Reception

timeline

The reception was lovely.  It was held in a historical house in Greenville.

Mr. & Mrs.

 There were lots of antiques.  No need for fancy decorations.  There was a time of blessings and memories, along with some of the traditional such as cutting of the cake.  

siblings

The bride forgot to throw the bouquet.  She handed it off to my daughter as she was getting in the car.  We all thought that was great!  R is hoping that means she is next!  HA!

The Wedding Day

It was a beautiful day!

We could not have asked for nicer weather.  There were no major problems.

Friends forever…

Can you guess? Everyone says we look alike. So thankful for my mother!

Everything went smoothly.

family

We have lots of beautiful memories!

The Rehearsal

The rehearsal was a great start to a wonderful weekend.  We had a little set-back getting into the chapel, but after that things went pretty quickly.  

Not the best picture, but the only one I have of the bride.

When the rehearsal was over, we moved over to our home church for the rehearsal dinner.  The church has a lovely atrium that creates a very relaxing atmosphere.  I had lots of help from the ladies in my church.  My sister-in-law did the lovely decorations.

 My friend liked them so much, she borrowed them for her daughter’s wedding coming up in June!  HA!

We had a wonderful time of fun, food and fellowship…

…with family and friends.

We were all looking forward to the next day with eager anticipation.

Young Love/Enduring Love

During our recent trip to the USA, I couldn’t help but see young love between my son and his wife.  It was demonstrated in many acts of kindness, patience during some pressured times and loving the other more than loving self.  In order to protect their privacy, I will not print the details.  I will say that I saw a side of my son that I have not seen before and it thrilled my heart.

While waiting to get my hair done on the wedding day, I saw an example of enduring love.  An older lady was sitting in the chair getting her hair done.  She wasn’t saying much.  Just listening.  Her husband was sitting nearby talking with the receptionist.  Then I noticed the wheelchair.  After the lady was finished, her husband came over and she wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her into the wheelchair.  I noticed how carefully groomed she was:  makeup, jewelry, nice outfit and shoes.  It was obvious to me that he was responsible for all of this.  I do not think she could have done it her self.  It brought tears to my eyes as I watched this demonstration of enduring love in action.

It is my prayer that my son and his wife will grow into this kind of love.  It doesn’t happen overnight.  It takes a lifetime…