THAT'S NOT WHAT IT MEANT

Thank You God, for such a rich, rich 5 weeks with Janice. It's hard to believe it's already over.  I still remember telling Pastor Ishikawa, when we fellowshipped at his place in Dec, she would probably be going home much too soon.

In the 5 weeks she was here, among other things, the Lord used her to felowship with Eddie, my classmate who had a stroke and heart problems, and his wife Nari who had a bout with cancer, and to prepare meals and plan activities for many home fellowships with especially the two most important men in my life (husband Kinya and son Keima)--oh that they would come back to Him! I know you'll pray with me they will--thank you.

Next week, on the way back to the U.S., she will go to mainland Japan with the person whose farm she visited and make rounds to mainland Japan.

Hurry back Jannie. Next time, it won't be just Joycie's apartment that will look nicer when you leave, but maybe upstairs too. After all, didn't the lyrics to our special music the last Sunday you were here go "As for me and for my House"...oh, that's not what it meant?

That's story for another post. Von Voyage, Jannie!

RIGHT ON TIME

When Janice got on the island on the 18th, we knew the 5 weeks of her stay here would fly by, and it would be Jan. 21 right away--when she'd have to go back to the U.S. again. 

A nearby Okinawan pastor e-mailed, asking if we could come over for dinner on the 19th or 20th. We were a little surprised, not expecting him to treat her visit with that much importance--but he wanted to see her right away! Pastor Ishikawa had a hospitalized wife in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's--he was a terribly busy man--in no way had extra time to spend fellowshipping with us.

But he sounded like he really wanted to see us, so we went. And we had a wonderful time recalling  when we called him our older brother and he taught us Sunday School. We looked through some of his photo albums, chatted, sang with his guitar, prayed, took pictures.

In the course of the evening, something CLICKED. Ishikawa Sensei had been told Janice would be returning to the U.S. on the 21st; but it hadn't registered it was the 21st of JANUARY. So, he'd figured she was coming Dec. 18th and leaving on the 21st; she would have to be invited over for a meal on the 19th or 20th to make it on time!

He really did want you Jannie; only, if he'd gotten the timetable right, he might not have been in such a hurry! (But for some reason, it seems God thought it best you go to his house for fellowship now!) Beep beep! (Hey; what's that photo doing here? That's Rudolph the Reindeer, not the Road Runner!)

GOTTA GET TO THE AIRPORT...

Hurry, Joycie! Actually, I was going to post this on the night of the 18th, but I was so sleepy, I took the photos out of my camera then forgot where I put them and have been looking all over for them. Anyway, it's about the afternoon I wanted to hurry to the airport...

YATTO! Finally! My sister got here on Wed. afternoon. It may not sound like a big deal because I see my sisters quite often, but we thought about it, and well...ALL THREE OF US GETTING TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS...it's been 41 years!

The last time that happened was when we were all single and joined the mission board! After we got married and had families on opposite sides of the ocean, it was virtually impossible to get together. Now that our kids are grown, Joyce, June, and Janice are getting together again!

Sisters. You don't notice how special they are until you think you can't get together for 40 years!

Yeah! The same God that sent the Kawasemi on my walk back from the clinic Mon. and the Blue Rock Thrush after Christmas shopping yesterday sent my sisters and me together for Christmas this year too--He is Great and controls the universe yet so Kind!

No, this photo isn't touched up at all; if you live here a while, you get used to the blue thrushes and don't notice, but God really has endowed them with more light and color than other feathered friends.