Overkill?

While on a hospital call today visiting someone we saw this huge floral arrangement. It was shocking to see how big it was the rooms are tiny so it wouldn't fit. Mihoko says this thing has to cost in the high hundreds of dollars to a thousand. It was as big as me and that's big. Mihoko said there must be a politician or a family of one in that section of the hospital. I thought to my self talk about over kill and then I had to laugh about the implications of people in a hospital dying and the floral arrangement is what finishes you off trying to pick the thing up and smell it. The pot is clay and must be close to a hundred pounds itself. I tell Mihoko if I am ever in the hospital just have people donate to the church so it can be fixed up. I will be bummed at expensive flowers dying in front of me while the church has so many needs. But I am not intending on going to the hospital any time soon except for my constant eating of this Costco bread.

Calvary Chapel Men's ministry

It actually wasn't meant to be a Men's Ministry event. We were having after church fellowship together and the guys asked about Mihoko's blanket ministry. So showing them what they do the men soon found themselves tying knots and giggling just like the ladies and then they were having serious talking about home making. I was kind of freaked out to see this side of the men here. Mark and Ted were watching with indifference and no desire to get into this. But they had fun just the same cracking jokes and enjoying the fellowship. Pray that we could do more men's ministry stuff. What a blessing.

CAJ Home School Meeting

CAJ or Christian Academy of Japan had a meeting for home schooling families. The kids were treated to elective classes like art, pottery, cooking, crafts and such like. It was a fun day and the kids got to hang out with many friends. They also got to participate in a talent show. Rachel went up on stage and got to participate in a group song. What a blessing. Thank you CAJ staff and volunteers it was a blessed day. It would be nice to send our kids to CAJ but the cost is very expensive. They have about 472 kids 40% are missionary kids. Instruction is mostly in English. We have joined a Home Schooling Group of CAJ and they occasionally get together for teaching assistance and ministry. There is a great support staff that helps everyone out so much. God bless the SSS family. Thanks for a great day and fellowship.

It snowed

Over night and this morning it snowed a few inches of fresh light powder. It was a very perfect snow not too wet and not too icy but great for a snowball fight. We built a small snowman. But by noon it was all melted and the sun began to shine. It was fun for a day but I am glad it's not for a few months. I got the kids good with tree shaking and allowing the snow to fall on them. It only works once and then you can't get them after that.

Blanket ministry

Kikuchi San loves to do the blanket making ministry. Mihoko got together with her and invited some other ladies to hang out at church and make these blankets. There is a orphanage locally that they want to give the blankets to. We are praying about going to minister to the kids at the Orphanage. Pray that God would open a door for this. Pray for more materials and hands to get busy making the blankets.

Home Schoolers Fellowship

Not offical but some of the families from Ome that home school their kids got together. We were invited to hang out with them. It actually started as a Bible study for mom's and then we entertained the kids and well now it is a blast with crafts and snacks and things to do. Most of the families come from Grace Christian Fellowship and they are so much fun to hang out with. We have been inviting some of the other mom's in our city that we know are home schooling but there is a little timidity and in time we can see it growing. May God use it for his glory.

The Winston Pillow

While back in the states the kids got to visit their favorite dog Winston. They have loved him since he was a puppy. Jane was wishing she could take Winston back to Japan and use him for a pillow. It was nice visiting you Winston say hi to your parents and Isabelle.

New Map of the church

Working on a website with a friend I am the content manager and He is the designer. I made a map to the church. I will be announcing the website soon.

First Bloom

I have seen some early blooms of the blossoms and here is a First Bloom on this tree for 2010. I felt this was appropriate as I went to a hospital call to a man who was told he may die from a sickness. He has attended church for 20 some years had Christmas parties in his home and yet he never received Christ into his heart. I asked if he wanted to now? He cried yes. It was a first fruit to see the salvation of God given to this man. I was just the harvester of years of others watering and sowing and caring for him. Glory and praise to God.

Guess who?

If you can guess who this is I will send you something. Only certain folks will recognize the coconut. But who is behind the nut?

Corona Del Mar Tide Pools

One of our favorite places to visit in California is the Corona Del Mar Tide Pools. It is a great place to walk among the rocks and see the sea life in the tide pools. Mihoko's parents and her cousin Yurika came with us and we had fun. I think my father-in-law killed a few creatures with his stick but he won't admitt it. I am pleased to announce that this time I didn't fall in getting my cell phone wet like I did a few years ago. The weather was in the 70's on this day and it was beautiful. This kind of a day made it hard to come back to cold wintery Japan.

He is 13 years old

Our oldest son Caleb 1997-2000 turned 13 on January 31st. As a family we took a last look at his head stone in the pacific view memorial park in New Port Beach. We sure miss him a lot but we know that we will join him in time and spend eternity together fellowshipping with the Lord. I love the head stone as it is fun and not just another typical marker. It was beautiful weather that from the hillside we could see the Ocean and make out the outline of Catalina. It was a great place to bury him in.

The Calvary Dove 2

From its blueprint to it's foot print the Calvary Dove is everywhere on campus. It was fun with the kids to look for all the doves. I didn't get the pict of the railings on stage where the mounting plates are steel doves that bolt the hand rails of the steps to the wall. My kids found the one in the water fountain cool eh?

Scott Cunningham's daughter Madison -- WOW

Scott Cunningham is an awesome muscian and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has a daughter Madison who has excelled also in music writing. I love this song. We were privlidged to hear it at the Saturday night service when we were there. Pray for God to use this young lady for glorifying himself. Great song and wonderful family. Love you Scott you are welcomed to come to Japan anytime you want. God bless.

Pastor Chuck Smith

Every Century since the beginning of the Church there has been those men that God has chosen to put his favor upon. Pastor Chuck will tell you himself he is not worthy of the things that has happened. God has just chosen to be gracious. Yet I also can testify to the integrity and dedication to the purity of the Word that Pastor Chuck has had for more than 44 years at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. The first time I heard Chuck was when I was in Jr. High (79) and attending a Friday Night Concert with the Sweet Comfort Band. I was raised Baptist and my parents were not particularly happy my sisters would play this loud rock music by Love Song. Still my Mom did say it was better than the world and the Beatles. So I was able to see Darrell Mansfield, Parable, Keith Green, and even Undercover an 80's Christian Punk band that was shocking to the rest of Christianity at that time. We sure have come a long way in the church. Pastor Chuck has had the priviledge of standing on the helm of ship directed by the power of the Holy Spirit in its sails and the Bible as its ruder steering through dangerous waters. Some may feel in the later years the Ship has become a Love Boat with a lot of pleasure seeking on deck. I can tell you there is an element that is enjoying the ride. But I also can tell you there is an Army of rock solid soldiers for Christ on the lower decks unseen keeping the ship in order and running in peak performance ready for battle.

The Captain of the Ship Pastor Chuck took a physical hit with a small stroke back in Dec. His mind not affected and he has been on a fast track to recovery. Thousands of people have been praying for Pastor Chuck. Our first Sunday there in Southern California at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa was Pastor Chuck's first Sunday back preaching in the pulpit. He preached on the Passover and the need for the Lamb and about our need to come to the Lamb for redemption and eternal life and Grace. He is a great if not one of the greater expositors on the Word of God for our time. I love him very much. He has set an example of humility before God and transparency before the people. Over the years in the School of Ministry and at the Bible College he has remained steadfast to teach the Calvary Distinctives as he challenges the students to the reason for why we exist. It is a pleasure to be able to sit under his teaching. God bless Pastor Chuck and Calvary Chapel. Pray for Him to fully recovery and able to get back to the things he loves to do...teach the Word.