Lots of lasts

This past weekend was filled with goodbyes, see you next year type gatherings. It was also filled with packing, packing, and more packing. I was trying to get my suitcases packed at the same time I am packing boxes. It was going well and looked liked I was actually going to get everything into two suitcases. Then Woykes came to get my shoe closet and I realized that I had not packed any shoes to take on home assignment! So, I will have to repack once I get moved so the weight can be distributed evenly in the suitcases. I may still be able to have two suitcases, but that means my carry on will be super heavy-nothing new there, though.

So here are a few highlights of the weekend in pictures..
Pre-choir singing time

Sharing at Kongo Church

One more potluck at Kongo-always really good food!

Paul took a group picture at Komyo so when I get that from him I will post it, too, if I remember!

And, here is a little glimpse into the state of my apartment...


Last night at a very late hour I realized that the guy was coming to take out the air conditioner units and all the boxes were stacked under the units, in both the office and the dining room! So, I had to move them all to the other side of the room giving the worker a whole 3 feet of work space!

Did you know?

Did you know that you can come to Japan?! Yesterday a team of people from Illinois left after a two week trip here to Japan to help us out. In our NAB conference they are known as Gateway Teams, groups who come for a short time to help out the missionaries as well as get to learn about the work here and find out how God can work in and through them.

Although I have been busy packing, I did get to spend a little time with the team. They came to church last Sunday where Megan gave her testimony and Doug preached. The rest of us listened carefully!






On Monday we went to the elementary school to do an English lesson with the 3rd and 4th graders. The week before the team had been to the school to teach the other grades, too. There was a little lesson on Illinois, Chicago, and Abraham Lincoln, followed by an English conversation introduction, a game and finally the Hokey Pokey!
(We were asked not to take close up pictures of the kids.)

Joy and Paul teaching the conversation

Third graders listening carefully

Fourth graders getting ready to move to smaller groups

The Hokey Pokey!


Some of our bilingual volunteers enjoying lunch with us at Ewings.

AGC Summer Concert

Today we had our annual Gospel choir concert. It was early this year so that I could take part in it before I leave for home assignment. It was a fun day! Here is a recap in pictures:

Getting ready for rehearsal.

Rehearsing "Hallelujah, You're Worthy."

Practicing "You are my All in All."

Rehearsing "Call Him"

Gerber daisies from Yuki chan. How did she know I love them?!

Getting ready to go home after dinner.

Bittersweet

A missionary acquaintance is also going on home assignment this summer and has a blog I read. Recently she had a post about what she was looking forward to doing in her home country, Australia, and what she will miss about Japan. As I run in the mornings and as I am packing up I have been thinking about this topic, too. So, here are a few things on my lists...

Things I am looking forward to in America:
*family
*friends
*sharing at my supporting churches about what God is doing in Japan. Truly, I enjoy doing this!
*Mexican food!!!!!!
*being able to understand and be understood
*Mom's mashed potatoes and Dad's burgers on the grill
*fresh veggies from my sister's garden
*not paying $18 for a movie
*worshipping in my heart language

Things I will miss:
*friends
*church planting
*Gospel choir
*onigiri
*nashi, aka Asian pears
*unintentionally being the center of attention (okay, so maybe I won't miss the constant staring!:)
*summer so hot and humid you can't even move without breaking a sweat
*fall colors
*the challenge of understanding and being understood

These lists are just a quick, off the top of my head list. I will add more as I think of more things. Basically, people and food are the theme of what I am looking forward to and what I will miss!

Thought for the day from Oswald

He Himself has said...So we may boldly say... Hebrews 13:5,6
My assurance is to be built upon God's assurance to me. Take a deep spiritual breath. Take hold of the Father's assurance, and then say with strong courage, "I will not fear."