Inside the Japan Room

So, in the last post I talked about the World Tour held in Michigan. I thought I'd take you inside the Japan room. The amazing thing is, the church in charge of the Japan room (as well as the ones in charge of the other countries) did all of the decorating. We just showed up and talked! Well, we did give some advice.

Upon entering Japan, the guests entered a Japanese living room. (We had planned to have them put on hospital booties over their shoes to simulate taking off shoes and putting on slippers like we do in Japan. However, after the first group, the groups were so big we didn't want to take time to do that.)
This is one of the little girls who passed out snacks to our guests.

From the living room we headed into the garden...


After listening to Carol and me our guests headed to the calligraphy/anime area. Two gals from the church dressed in beautiful kimonos had made up some anime coloring pages and had been practicing katakana so that they could write the kids' names in Japanese.


Then the guests were then treated to a martial arts demonstration...


And, finally, the guests sampled some delicious sushi!
(FYI: sushi does not equal raw fish!)


Very fun day!

Missions Fun

The weekend of the big football game I was in the Detroit, Michigan area. The NAB churches in the area work together to host a weekend of missions activities each year. This year was my 3rd time to attend (not 4th as I mistakenly said at the closing service) and each time has been a unique and great event. I am going to post pictures of activities because a picture is worth a thousand words!

I got to attend a school field trip to a saw mill and learn all about the life of lumberjacks.


The missionary guests posing for a picture after the Friday evening opening service which was preceded by an amazing meal.


Saturday's big event, the NAB world tour, Japan stop.


The "in-country" tour guides, Shan and Carol.
Each group that arrived had a tour guide traveling with them from Cameroon to Japan and finally to Nigeria. Then the missionaries were the in-country tour guides.


The Nigerian tour guides, Dave and Mary June Burgess.


The Cameroonian guides, Lori Hiller and Debi and Lance Rundus.


Saturday afternoon/evening was spent with the youth, bowling, eating pizza and sharing testimonies.
Sunday morning we each got to share at a different church in various capacities. Then Sunday late afternoon we had a closing service sharing prayer requests and teaching the children about our countries.
The weekend ended watching the big game:)

Love these churches' heart for missions! Thanks, y'all!

Winter Happenings

I have been doing a lot of traveling the past month. During that time my parents have also been remodeling the kitchen. Last week one section got done! Here is a picture of what it looks like...

They took off all of the cupboard doors, painted them, put on new knobs, took off countertops, ordered new ones as well as new appliances and painted the walls. Thankfully, the new microwave is here since we have been without since before Christmas. Today Mom is painting the closet door. They are waiting for a friend to help with the texturing of one wall and to help put in the long counter. Then the new stove and fridge will be installed. It is looking nice!



Saturday I was sitting in the computer room (my old bedroom) and noticed a hungry critter eating the red berries off the bush outside the window. Isn't it cool how God planned nature to take care of the animals even during the winter?!



Saturday night I was privileged to have dinner with 3 wonderful couples. The men in my dad's Wednesday noon Bible study decided to take their wives out for dinner, and included me, too. We were planning to go to Sioux Falls for dinner, however, the weather was terrible. Therefore, the couple who live in Sioux Falls did not get to join us. We had a great time, good food and conversation. The evening finished with us watching the SDSU/NDSU basketball game which went into double overtime.

Dad also surprised Mom and me with lovely flowers!