Canadians - What a Blessing!

As some of you know, my buddy out here Daniel comes from a multi-cultural family. His father is American and his mother is Canadian. That's right, she hails from Hamilton, Ontario! Well anyways, my pastor and his family came back from California, where Daniel's family resides, and Mrs. S decided to bless me with a couple of sweet gifts! Here they are: an RCMP hat and a "Eh Team" calendar. Awesome! Thanks, I am so psyched by both gifts and your thoughtful heart, Mrs. S!


ダニエル君のお母さんはカナダ人って、みんな知ってた？トム牧師経由、僕に２つの素敵なプレゼントをしました。上の画像のとおり、ＲＣＭＰ（ロイヤル・カナディアン・マウンテッド・ポリス）帽子と、カナディアン・ユーモアのあるカレンダーです！ありがとう、セドタさん！大きな祝福です！

But you know what, the hat couldn't have been timelier, because today I made a mess of my hair. I was buzzing my head, and had it the perfect length. As I was finishing the job, I heard the sound of rain outside. Funny, I thought, it's a beautiful day! But sure enough, it was pouring! So I ran out to my clothesline to remove my stuff. When I got back to the bathroom to put the finishing touches on my hair, I put the clippers to my hair... without any attachment! So I had to buzz myself down fully, and here's the result. Good thing is, hair grows back. It makes for a good story, if nothing else!


カミソリの失敗でこうなっちゃった！やばいね！でも、良いことに髪は自然的に伸びるから一週間後に気づかないかも！これからセドタさんにもらった帽子を毎日かぶりま～す！本当にタイムリーなプレゼントでした！

Bye bye rainy season! 梅雨、さようなら！

数日前に久しぶりに青空を見た。なぜか、その空を見たら、梅雨が明けたってすぐわかる。天候予報を見たら明らかになる。見てよ、沖縄の一週間！ビーチ、日焼け、そして高校野球を楽しみにしてる！皆さんは、夏といえば。。。？


The other day I saw a clear blue sky for the first time in weeks! The contrast between the white, puffy clouds and the cobalt blue sky told me that rainy season is over. And indeed, if you check out the weather forecast, it is obvious: summer is here! Say 'hello' to cicadas, the beach, suntans, and high school baseball! What comes to mind when you hear the words "summer is here"?

Nic and 'Londra - The Update

These past few Sundays, I have been blessed to spend time taking care of the kids downstairs during church service. Well, last week I was actually not doing too much, seeing as how there were no Japanese kids, so I had no one to translate for. Anyways, I still stayed down there and colored with Julia and Justin. (I did the giraffe - I think I've gotten better at coloring lately!)

I also got to see Nic and 'Londra again... well, I do every Sunday, but this time I got to be distracted by them. They are indeed cutie-patooties. Nic has taken to jumping on me whenever I am not looking... he got me good on Sunday. Oh, and today (Wednesday) is his BIRTHDAY! He's 3 years old, which means I'm only 3 decades ahead of him, or 11 times his age! And Alondra, well she has this rule with me that I think is adorable and funny. I'm not allowed to give her a hug until she's 5 and in school. She reminds me of this every time I see her. Quite cute!

That's all for now... just needed an excuse to post a picture about the 2 cutest kids in this hemisphere! (Because my nephew holds the World Crown...)

I feel so loved! 好かれてるね！

昨日は学校に来たらすでにプレゼントが机の上に置いてあった。リヨちゃんがポープリ（プリヨだから？）をくれた。そして、１校時に、『ジュネンパ』あんり が、「机に爆弾置いたよ」と言った。爆弾イコール贈り物。。。お菓子をもらった。そして、２校時の鐘がなる前に、５人のJKに廊下に呼ばれた。そして、素 敵な"I Love Okinawa"コーヒーコップをもらった！ちぃ、円花、あいり、サキサ、ゆか。。。ありがと～！気に入ったよ！

Especially after feeling rather glum last week, yesterday was a big pick-me-up kind of day. Some of my favorite students wished me a belated happy birthday, and even gave me li'l presents! I got: potpourri from Riyo, snacks from Anri and Yuko, and an "I love Okinawa" mug from Chinatsu, Madoka, Airi, Sakisa, and Yuka! AND... the Friday before my birthday, Anan and Akina and Arrrrrisa (巻き過ぎ) got me a heart-shaped box full of candies. And also my colleagues (Kenney, Yukky, Grace and Sayaka) gave me a card with real sweet messages.

I'll tell you, even though I do not get my identity or esteem from any human, sometimes it feels good to feel loved. No... it ALWAYS feels good to be loved! So thanks, to everyone who selflessly thought of me and prayed for me on or near my birthday. You're all wonderful!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yep, I did it! I turned 33! As my church friends have been saying, it's my "Jesus year." Because Jesus was 33 when He did the greatest work ever done by anyone: He died for the sins of the whole world. So what does this year have in store for me? Only time will tell...

Oh, and I got a little haircut... what do you think?

今日は３３歳になりました！実は、年齢はどうでもいいって思うけどね。心はフォーエバーセブンティーン、うふふ（笑）　神様は私を若返ってくださることを信じて前進していきます！

ちなみに髪切っちゃったよ！どう思う？

God's People...

On Wednesday, to my surprise, my buddy Daniel made me a cake, and we celebrated my birthday. I was tired, and I usually don't eat after 8pm, but I made an exception and enjoyed my time with everyone. I have started to realize that my favorite times of the week are the ones I spend in God's House with His people. Thanks, guys and gals... and thank You, Jesus!


水曜日は普通の礼拝だなぁ。。。と思ったら、友達と話した時に後ろからロバートの声が聞こえた。「皆さん、土曜日は。。。」てっきり「ステファニーちゃんがアメリカに帰る」を言うと思ったけど、「トレバーの誕生日です」といってくれてびっくりドンキーだった！びっくりドンキー？びっくりロバーと？なんでもないです、ただのおやじギャグだよ！まぁとにかく、キリストにあって家族、親友はさいこーだぜ！皆さん、ありがとうね！イエス様、ありがとう！

日本語王者－３代目

昨日はカルバリー宜野湾で日本語のメッセージをデビューしたアンドリュー君の通訳をしました。アンドリューは8月に沖縄に来ましたけど、大学で日本語を２年間勉強してきたため、とても上手に話せる。しかし、神様の明らかな導きで沖縄にきて、日本人にイエス様の愛を述べ伝える心を持っている。昨日はハガイ書１章から語ってくれました。神様の使命を慎重に聞き従うことについて、そして神様と近く歩むことについて話してくれた。大きな祝福だった、アンドリュー君！


Last night I was able to translate for Andrew in what was his debut as a Japanese preacher at Calvary Ginowan. Even though he only came here 10 months ago, he speaks Japanese really well because he studied Japanese in college in the States for 2 years. Besides that, God has given him the gift. It has been awesome to see Andrew boldly sharing the love of God with the Japanese people. Last night he shared out of Haggai 1, about listening to and obeying God's calling on our lives.

I have also been blessed to be part of the worship team that Andrew leads. He has asked me to play "the box" (the cajon), and it's been really fun... just keep praying that God's work gets done well and by His Spirit here in Ginowan!

Pray for California

I just heard word that a couple of big guys who slimmed down incredibly in Okinawa are on the loose in California, eating everything in sight. Please pray that they would not bring famine to the land as they devour everything in their path!

Haha, I miss you guys already... God bless you as you spend time with each other and with family and others in the homeland! Hasn't Zach changed a lot since the OCSI days?

トミー、ザック、元気してる？カリフォルニアで食べ過ぎないでね！またこういう体形になって欲しくないからね！まぁ、なっても良いけど、今のほうは全然カッコいいから、向こうでも毎日運動してきてね！