Tamajakushi

Tamajakushi are Tadpoles or Pollywogs depending where you were brought up. Our 9 had all successfully morphed in to frogs. It was amazing to watch each week go by as they grew bigger and then a back leg pops out and then another and then it took what seemed the longest time for them to get their front legs. Soon after the front legs came out they would swim and pinch off their tail. Then they sat on the rocks or mostly stuck to the side of the plastic container. They loved to eat fish flakes, furikake, and cucumber. They didn't like Mellon or bananas or cookies. Lettuce was okay but not a favorite. The Cucumber was the hit of the box.

It was amazing I was having anxiety that because we had them in captivity they would not adapt to the surroundings very well and would starve to death. The first frog that jumped out of the container landed on the big rock whipped out its tongue and caught a bug. Mihoko freaked it was too amazing. They had no problems adapting and fitting in and being good predators. Eat lots of mosquitoes guys we hate them. We hope they won't become prey for some bird or big koi fish. We saw the huge koi devour a dinner roll in one gulp. God's creation is amazing.
I got to thinking about Christian living is a metamorphosis. At Salvation God places in us those mechanisms that given time will automatically occur with a proper diet and safe environment. When we live in risky behaviors we will not develop properly we won't be able to adapt to the surroundings of our environment things will feel foreign. When we don't get a proper diet of spiritual food we are weak and also flounder in a hostile environment. Only when we do those things Jesus tells us to do we grow strong and in due season when we are placed in a hostile environment we flourish. We hope to go back and check on our frog buddies. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:10-12

Who's been playing with the Camera?

I wonder if heaven will be like this where they will be able to play back our life and the very words we say. Busted. When it's your face on the camera you will be left speechless. I know I will. Thank God for the Mercy of Jesus his blood covers and washes away our sin like hitting the delete button on the camera. Yahoo, I love my girls. They are too funny. There were many pictures on my camera. Lots of evidence HA LOL. Aren't they cute?

Free

You are FREE to serve the Lord through his FREE Spirit: "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit." Psalm 51:12
John 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
John 8:36 "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
Romans 6:22 "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."
1 Cor 9:19 "For though I be free from all [men], yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more."

Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

1Peter 2:16 "As free, and not using [your] liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God."

Why should I say anything more when the scripture says it all.

Good times Good friends

Some of the crowd from CC Tokorozawa came by to bless us. It was a great time of fellowship and we got to meet Vivian and Caleb. What a blessing. God bless you all for coming and encouraging us.

Suberi die

Suberidai is a slide in Japanese. But my butt was too big and my ride was not so fun this time. I just went on this thing last fall and I was okay. This time I had friction burns and red paint like racing stripes all down my sides. Needless to say, I sat out the rest of the time. My kids had a blast and went numerous times. The slide is like a conveyor system with those roller trays that take boxes from the back of a warehouse down to the loading docks. We were told it was very dangerous and we shouldn't ride on those things. Here they are at a public park for anyone to get hurt on. This one is about 300 yards like a football field long. There is a great stream in the park and rope swing and hiking trails. I made a pun on the word suberi which is like slippery and die meaning death.

Elephant Dream

I had a dream my nose was being pinched by an elephant and he was blowing air in to my body. I gotta tell you this thing looks funny but I haven't slept this great in years. I actually am beginning to remember things and be able to prioritize again. Yes mom I sleep on the floor in my living room on a Futon (fuu-Toun) (Not FUUTAN). If I loose tons of meat I won't need this machine. Pray I can send the meat packing...HA.

Iruma Yochien (kindergarten)

The Japanese have a slightly different school system here. They have Hoekuens and Yochiens. The Hoekuens are for kids ages 0 to 4 like a day care or preschool. The Yochiens are for kids 4 to 6. They are considered a three year Kindergarten. Then they graduate to elementary school and they begin compulsory education from the first grade. Which is funny because yochiens are almost compulsory here if you want your child to do well. Anyway, God has been gracious to us and we have had Jane in the Iruma Yochien. This is her final year and she is loving the class she has. They had a kind of show-and-tell day to demonstrate for the parents what they do during the day. It was amazing. The kids are perfectly obedient and had so much fun. We got to do some exercise games with the Jane and it was fun. Jane had a very special day and enjoyed the time with her mom and dad. We love you Jane.

Toyooka Elementary Tea Picking

Rachel was able to hook up with her friends at Toyooka Elementary and go out for a afternoon of picking green tea leaves. Home Schooling is great and fun too but Rachel loves to be in a crowd and she loves to be the center of attention. She is blessed with some great friends that love to hang out. Pray for the salvation of these kids and her teacher.

Busted

I was in the Post Office doing some banking. The Japan Post Office is also a bank. I was waiting and behind me I noticed Mihoko outside the PO hanging out so I snapped a picture thinking I got away with it. When I attempted the second without look this is what I got...Busted Ha Ha LOL Mihoko your too funny. You always know what I am doing. It is a wonderful feeling to know my wife still watches me after 19 years of marriage. But I know the truth is she has to watch me closely to keep me from getting her into trouble. Love you sweetie.

Faith

A new book by Pastor Chuck Smith called "Faith". The Book of Hebrews tells us that it is impossible to please God without faith. It sounds great I can't wait to read it. Order it at www.thewordfortoday.org. God bless.

Tuesdays Pastors/Missionaries Breakfast

Every Tuesday the guys all get together for a time of being in the Word and fellowship. It is a great time. Currently we are in the book of Hosea. Each week one of the guys takes a chapter and we have a devotion on it. It is such a blessing to be encouraged in the Word and from like minded men. God bless you guys.