Farewell Party

Tuesday night we had a farewell party for one of the gals from Gospel Choir. Well, more like a see you again soon, we all hope. Her husband is being transferred but they are keeping their house here and planning to return. We will miss Mori san while she is gone!
















The owner of the restaurant gave us permission to sing a few songs. Someone kindly brought a few instruments! Mori san has a donut-shaped instrument (I can't remember how to spell it:)

A Walk Around Karuizawa

Today I had a chance to just walk and enjoy some alone time for a few hours. I walked to the outlet mall from Yuko's house. The walk is really nice through the woods and next to a golf course. I noticed a river I knew was there but had never really looked at before. Since there has been a bit of rain in the past few days it was running nicely over the rocks making a beautiful sound.

Then I shopped the west half of the mall (I know it is the west side because that is what is written on the sign!) and had a rest at Starbucks with my iced cocoa and book.

I shopped the east half of the mall finding that Eddie Bauer was having a sale! Next I walked through part of the town into another part of the woods to Megumi Chalet and the Woodshed coffee shop (pictured at the top). I had another rest with chocolate cake and my book.

Following this rest I walked through more woods enjoying the green and cool air. I ended up on the main street walking toward Natural Leaf and dinner with the candle shop couple at one of my favorite restaurants.

It was a lovely day! God and I had some good talks. I enjoyed His beautiful nature. I enjoyed time with friends. And I got a couple of good bargains.

Driving

Yesterday I drove from Mie Ken, where I used to live, to Karuizawa, where I also have lived. This week is about the busiest travel week in Japan besides New Year's. I knew that going in and expected delays but only had a 10km traffic jam to sit through. It was a beautiful drive from the sea to the mountains. As evening approached I watched the moon rise over the mountains and the thunderstorm developing off in the distance. Every once in a while I also saw some fireworks flying.

I have been taking the train every where for a while and had sort of forgotten how much I like to drive. Of course, Garrison Keillor helps make the drive more entertaining! I don't have any pictures from the drive but just wanted to share a little about my drive. There will be more info on what's been going on in Mie Ken for the past three weeks in a future post.

While here in Karuizawa I hope to see several friends as well as sit and read for a while in the comfortable mountain air, still humid like Osaka, just not as hot.

More later...

To make you go 'hmm...'

Oswald Chambers flip calendar from August 4 entitled "The Brave Friendship of God"...
Luke 18:31 He took the twelve aside...
Oh, the bravery of God in trusting us! Do you say, "But He has been unwise to choose me, because there is nothing good in me and I have no value"? That is exactly why He chose you.