I've decided there are four things that I want to be sure to incorporate into my day:
- Quality time with God
- Be a good wife by spending quality time with James and taking care of the household
- Work
- Fitness
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Striking a Balance
This last year has been an interesting challenge as we've adjusted to having two working people in the house. Now that I'm so busy, it's difficult for me to balance my time use and make sure that I'm devoting myself to what's morst important. We noticed that when I was working a lot, things started mysteriously piling up around the house and I was too tired to spend good quality time with my husband. But when I made sure to have good quiet times with God in the morning, work out and clean the house, I never get around to working. It's not that I don't have time to do everything that needs to be done... I'm just not organized or disciplined enough to make it happen. So this winter I've been working on getting my priorities in order.
I've decided there are four things that I want to be sure to incorporate into my day:
I've decided there are four things that I want to be sure to incorporate into my day:
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Coping with a Cold & Grey Misawa "Summer"
As you can imagine, after reading through all of my posts talking about the never ending snowfall this winter, we could not WAIT for springtime to arrive. Hawaii was a welcome reprieve from the cold, grey weather we've endured for months. But unfortunately, Japan just wasn't quite ready for us to enjoy the sun.
A couple of typhoons rolled through from the south Pacific and so we had days and days of rain. Even when it wasn't raining, we had an oppressive cloud hanging over us at all times that seemed to sap the life and energy out of people. (I'm learning that Vitamin D deficiency is a serious issue! Driving at night was really eerie because the sea fog rolled in so thick I could barely see the road five feet in front of my car. Misawa just wasn't a cheerful place to be that month.
The worst part was that we could not escape the chill by going inside. The base shut off our heat at the beginning of the month and so we were forced to bundle up in two or three layers just to walk around in our houses (IN JUNE!) At night I was so cold that I folded our heavy down comforter in two and slept underneath this tall but narrow stack of blankets. I heard that some people who just moved in and didn't have any of their own belongings pulled their temporary couches up in front of their ovens, cracked the door, turned on the heat and slept there just to keep from freezing.
This week (end of June) is the first time it has finally felt like summer time. We've all been joking that it's SO HOT OUT even though it's only in the mid 70's. We know that pretty soon it's going to be far too hot and we're going to be complaining about the heat and humidity. But for now, we are oh so thankful to FINALLY be able to go out and play in the sun!
A couple of typhoons rolled through from the south Pacific and so we had days and days of rain. Even when it wasn't raining, we had an oppressive cloud hanging over us at all times that seemed to sap the life and energy out of people. (I'm learning that Vitamin D deficiency is a serious issue! Driving at night was really eerie because the sea fog rolled in so thick I could barely see the road five feet in front of my car. Misawa just wasn't a cheerful place to be that month.
The worst part was that we could not escape the chill by going inside. The base shut off our heat at the beginning of the month and so we were forced to bundle up in two or three layers just to walk around in our houses (IN JUNE!) At night I was so cold that I folded our heavy down comforter in two and slept underneath this tall but narrow stack of blankets. I heard that some people who just moved in and didn't have any of their own belongings pulled their temporary couches up in front of their ovens, cracked the door, turned on the heat and slept there just to keep from freezing.
This week (end of June) is the first time it has finally felt like summer time. We've all been joking that it's SO HOT OUT even though it's only in the mid 70's. We know that pretty soon it's going to be far too hot and we're going to be complaining about the heat and humidity. But for now, we are oh so thankful to FINALLY be able to go out and play in the sun!
Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival
Since this is my last summer in Misawa, I've been trying to experience as much of Japan as possible. So when I heard about the Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival down in Morioka, I jumped at the opportunity to check it out. The festival was established to honor the horses that have been working so hard in the rice planting. Japanese families deck their horses out in elaborate coverings with ribbons and bells and parade them from a shrine in the mountains through the streets of Morioka to another shrine in the center of the city. We figured it would be a great opportunity to snap some amazing photos. Plus, the guys had just taken off for Vegas so I looked forward to a day away with friends.
The only down side to this festival was that it starts early in the morning and we had to drive two hours to get there. So we planned to get up early and leave Misawa around 7:00 am. Unfortunately, the day didn't start as planned. It was raining. I accidentally slept through my alarm so we got a much later start than we intended. (The other girls didn't mind because they were out late the night before and needed the extra time to get ready.) But because we were running late, we didn't make it to the first shrine in time for the start of the parade.
Normally, running late to a festival wouldn't matter. But this was a moving festival in a city we've never visited before. So we were lost without a clue of how to find the horses again. Thankfully, Shelley has taken some Japanese and knew the word for horse. So we found a hotel with pictures of the festival posted on the outside and were able to ask a man there "Where are the horses?" He provided a very handy map with the parade route and times that they would be passing by each point on the map. So we chose to park by the Morioka train station and found a spot on the side of the street just in time for them to pass by.
It was still cold and wet outside, but that didn't detract from the beauty of these Japanese horses. The colors were so bright and their bells jingled merrily as they walked. The little children riding on their backs tried to smile and wave at the crowd in spite of the weather. I was surprised how young some of the kids were that they had mounted on those horses. But the Japanese people must really respect and trust their horses to put an 18 month old child on their backs.
We got some good shots during the five minutes that the horses walked past. But once the parade was over, we had a moment of indecision. We spent three hours and a lot of toll money trying to find these horses, so we wanted to get a good return on our investment! Just as we took off down the sidewalk trying to catch up with the parade, we noticed that there was some sort of performance going on in the plaza in front of the train station. I glanced over to check it out and, thankfully, noticed that they had a couple of horses in full Chagu Chagu gear on display that you could take pictures with! So we were doubly blessed with a display of traditional Japanese dancing and some one-on-one time with the horses.
By this time we were pretty hungry and needed something to warm us up. So we stopped for lunch at one of my favorite restaurants: CoCo Curry! The nearest one to us is in Hachinohe (which is a 45 minute drive). So this was a real treat! I don't think they get many Americans in their shop down in Morioka so the staff seemed amused by our antics. It took us forever to decide which type of curry we wanted, so they were concerned that we couldn't read the menu and went through a lot of effort to dig up an english menu. Then they thought it was funny that we wanted to take pictures of our food. But CoCo curry is a big deal and I wanted a photo!
After lunch, we rounded out our trip with a visit to the mall. Our original intention was to get some Starbucks since they have a REAL Starbucks there. But we were so stuffed from lunch that we were satisfied with some accessory shopping instead. Definitely a great girls day out!
The only down side to this festival was that it starts early in the morning and we had to drive two hours to get there. So we planned to get up early and leave Misawa around 7:00 am. Unfortunately, the day didn't start as planned. It was raining. I accidentally slept through my alarm so we got a much later start than we intended. (The other girls didn't mind because they were out late the night before and needed the extra time to get ready.) But because we were running late, we didn't make it to the first shrine in time for the start of the parade.
Normally, running late to a festival wouldn't matter. But this was a moving festival in a city we've never visited before. So we were lost without a clue of how to find the horses again. Thankfully, Shelley has taken some Japanese and knew the word for horse. So we found a hotel with pictures of the festival posted on the outside and were able to ask a man there "Where are the horses?" He provided a very handy map with the parade route and times that they would be passing by each point on the map. So we chose to park by the Morioka train station and found a spot on the side of the street just in time for them to pass by.
It was still cold and wet outside, but that didn't detract from the beauty of these Japanese horses. The colors were so bright and their bells jingled merrily as they walked. The little children riding on their backs tried to smile and wave at the crowd in spite of the weather. I was surprised how young some of the kids were that they had mounted on those horses. But the Japanese people must really respect and trust their horses to put an 18 month old child on their backs.
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| Even the ponies got special treatment! |
We got some good shots during the five minutes that the horses walked past. But once the parade was over, we had a moment of indecision. We spent three hours and a lot of toll money trying to find these horses, so we wanted to get a good return on our investment! Just as we took off down the sidewalk trying to catch up with the parade, we noticed that there was some sort of performance going on in the plaza in front of the train station. I glanced over to check it out and, thankfully, noticed that they had a couple of horses in full Chagu Chagu gear on display that you could take pictures with! So we were doubly blessed with a display of traditional Japanese dancing and some one-on-one time with the horses.
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| Incredible detail! |
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| This little girl sitting on the back of the horse did not seem to be enjoying sitting in the rain |
By this time we were pretty hungry and needed something to warm us up. So we stopped for lunch at one of my favorite restaurants: CoCo Curry! The nearest one to us is in Hachinohe (which is a 45 minute drive). So this was a real treat! I don't think they get many Americans in their shop down in Morioka so the staff seemed amused by our antics. It took us forever to decide which type of curry we wanted, so they were concerned that we couldn't read the menu and went through a lot of effort to dig up an english menu. Then they thought it was funny that we wanted to take pictures of our food. But CoCo curry is a big deal and I wanted a photo!
After lunch, we rounded out our trip with a visit to the mall. Our original intention was to get some Starbucks since they have a REAL Starbucks there. But we were so stuffed from lunch that we were satisfied with some accessory shopping instead. Definitely a great girls day out!
Graduation Season
It's that bittersweet time of year again. In the Air Force, summer equals transition. People you love leave, and new friends move in. It's hard enough to handle within our pilot community. But now I've grown attached to several students in our youth group too.
As this year of ministry draws to a close, I'm torn between a fierce pride in all these students have accomplished, and a sad wish for more time with them. We had four seniors who remained active members of PYOC right up till the end, and I'd say that they were some of the students I'm closest to. They're all in different phases of spiritual development, but I've seen major growth and transformation take place in each of them over the last year. I'm humbled to have played a part in the Spirit's work within them. I've treasured the conversations, the laughter, those little moments when I see the proverbial light bulb click on in their brains after we've talked through some tough stuff... It's SO rewarding and I will really miss having these students around after they leave for college (or - in one boy's case - after he enlists in the AF and leaves for basic training.)
I'm so glad I was able to celebrate with them at the chapel's baccalaureate service as well as the Edgren High School graduation. The service was nice - complete with prayer, worship and a message for the students about not being afraid of failure but striving for true greatness. But my favorite parts were the personal touches that showcased the students themselves. Ashley Mazi (one of our PYOC seniors) will be studying music in hopes of becoming a band teacher, so it was fun finally hearing her play the clarinet. Then Cody Laurent played drums as our youth group worship band graced us with some special music before the message. At the end, each student had an opportunity to stand up and share a little bit about where they're headed in the future. Then they presented their families with a flower and a hug. I'm not a parent, but I feel like they're all my kids in some sense and so I was happy they allowed me to indulge in some photos, not only of them but with them! Sweet memories. =^)
The Edgren High School graduation took place inside the Misawa Civic Center downtown and was definitely the most creative and meaningful graduation ceremony I've ever attended. It started out like any other. The students processed in to pomp and circumstance, and the principal and several other dignitaries made speeches that I'm sure the students have already forgotten (I have.) But then the attention shifted from the wisdom the teachers hoped to impart to celebrating each individual student and their families and the mood shifted palpably from boredom to laughter and tears of joy.
The salutatorian and valedictorian were introduced by their favorite teachers who took five minutes to help everyone in the audience understand why those students earned their titles. When the students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, they asked us all to be quiet so we could hear the soundbites they had worked into the slideshow playing on the big screen behind them. As each student's name was called, a collage of their family photos popped up behind them and we got to hear a recording of them thanking their families and friends for supporting them through school.
After that, the staff surprised the students whose parents are deployed by reading or playing recorded messages of from that parents who is away. (I assure you, there was no dry eye in the place.) After that, the class speaker came up and read a poem that reflects on how little kids often make things like lanyards (woven keychains) for their mothers at camp, and what a small token that is compared to all our parents have done for us. It was a sweet sentiment made much more impressive when she read it in Japanese for all the host country nationals in the audience. But the best part about this segment of the ceremony was how each of the students then pulled a lanyard out from underneath their gowns and went out into the audience to give it to their mothers as the choir sang the senior song. ADORABLE!
Finally, it was time to play the obligatory senior slideshow set to sappy songs about growing up. But they surprised us again! Half way through the slidshow was interrupted with the loud sound of a record scratching. The lights went out, black lights came on, and loud, upbeat music started playing. All of the seniors took off their cap and gowns, put on some shades and started dancing in sync. THEY PULLED OFF A DANCE MOB AT GRADUATION!! And none of the teachers or parents knew about it ahead of time except the one staff person who helped them put it together. INCREDIBLE!
I'm so proud of all of these students, and I'm SO glad I could be there to witness that special celebration. Congrats, class of 2012!!!
As this year of ministry draws to a close, I'm torn between a fierce pride in all these students have accomplished, and a sad wish for more time with them. We had four seniors who remained active members of PYOC right up till the end, and I'd say that they were some of the students I'm closest to. They're all in different phases of spiritual development, but I've seen major growth and transformation take place in each of them over the last year. I'm humbled to have played a part in the Spirit's work within them. I've treasured the conversations, the laughter, those little moments when I see the proverbial light bulb click on in their brains after we've talked through some tough stuff... It's SO rewarding and I will really miss having these students around after they leave for college (or - in one boy's case - after he enlists in the AF and leaves for basic training.)
I'm so glad I was able to celebrate with them at the chapel's baccalaureate service as well as the Edgren High School graduation. The service was nice - complete with prayer, worship and a message for the students about not being afraid of failure but striving for true greatness. But my favorite parts were the personal touches that showcased the students themselves. Ashley Mazi (one of our PYOC seniors) will be studying music in hopes of becoming a band teacher, so it was fun finally hearing her play the clarinet. Then Cody Laurent played drums as our youth group worship band graced us with some special music before the message. At the end, each student had an opportunity to stand up and share a little bit about where they're headed in the future. Then they presented their families with a flower and a hug. I'm not a parent, but I feel like they're all my kids in some sense and so I was happy they allowed me to indulge in some photos, not only of them but with them! Sweet memories. =^)
 |
| haha. Jared cracks me up. |
 |
| Younger students in attendance making faces behind the stone-faced "adult" graduates. |
The salutatorian and valedictorian were introduced by their favorite teachers who took five minutes to help everyone in the audience understand why those students earned their titles. When the students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, they asked us all to be quiet so we could hear the soundbites they had worked into the slideshow playing on the big screen behind them. As each student's name was called, a collage of their family photos popped up behind them and we got to hear a recording of them thanking their families and friends for supporting them through school.
After that, the staff surprised the students whose parents are deployed by reading or playing recorded messages of from that parents who is away. (I assure you, there was no dry eye in the place.) After that, the class speaker came up and read a poem that reflects on how little kids often make things like lanyards (woven keychains) for their mothers at camp, and what a small token that is compared to all our parents have done for us. It was a sweet sentiment made much more impressive when she read it in Japanese for all the host country nationals in the audience. But the best part about this segment of the ceremony was how each of the students then pulled a lanyard out from underneath their gowns and went out into the audience to give it to their mothers as the choir sang the senior song. ADORABLE!
Finally, it was time to play the obligatory senior slideshow set to sappy songs about growing up. But they surprised us again! Half way through the slidshow was interrupted with the loud sound of a record scratching. The lights went out, black lights came on, and loud, upbeat music started playing. All of the seniors took off their cap and gowns, put on some shades and started dancing in sync. THEY PULLED OFF A DANCE MOB AT GRADUATION!! And none of the teachers or parents knew about it ahead of time except the one staff person who helped them put it together. INCREDIBLE!
I'm so proud of all of these students, and I'm SO glad I could be there to witness that special celebration. Congrats, class of 2012!!!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
1,000 Gifts
I really wanted our time in Hawaii to feel like a retreat, so I spent some time before we left researching books that might be inspiring or challenging. Several women I know have been raving about the book 1,000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp. They said it's similar to Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist, which is one of my favorite books ever, so I figured it would do the trick and added it to my kindle library.
Here's the description of the book from Ann's website:
The truth is, an attitude of grattitude is difficult to come by these days. Like many of the spiritual disciplines, a lifestyle of celebration takes practice. So she started recording all of the little things that she found to be thankful for throughout the day. She swore to keep going until she reached 1,000 gifts. It wasn't long until she had surpassed that goal, and gained a whole new lifestyle that brought her the peace and joy she'd been lacking all her life.
She has so many wonderful insights, and I found myself constantly writing down quotes that I wanted to remember and meditate on in the future. I haven't started yet, but I think I should take the challenge and start a running list of 1,000 gifts in my own life. I have a tendency to get burned out and overwhelmed when things get hectic. I think that if I were disciplined enough to stop and think about how truly blessed I am and how good God is every day, it would help improve my attitude and - consequently - my marriage and my work. When I'm humble enough to get over myself and focus on praising and serving God instead, everyone will benefit!
For as she says, "This work - the thousand endless jobs - they each give the opportunity for one to become the gift, a thousand times over! Because with every one of the thousand, endless jobs, I become the gift to God and to others because this work is the public God-serving, the daily liturgy of thanks, the completing of the communion service with my service" (200).
I wish I would have sat down to blog about all I learned from this book right after I finished it. I know I would have had so much more to share - so many thoughts, so many convictions, so many blessings. But you'll either have to take my word for it, or try reading the book yourself: this is a fantastic book and will change your life!
Kim's Gift List:
1) God speaks through the written word.
Here's the description of the book from Ann's website:
Ann Voskamp’s story is not happily ever after. As a child, her sister was crushed under a truck in front of her and her mother. Consequently, her mother checked herself into a psychiatric hospital and her father couldn’t find God. As an adult, she stood beside her brother-in-law as he buried his first two sons. Voskamp is a wife and mother who does not grin through the pain but battles to believe that in God is joy, and that there are as many gifts amid the grittiness of life as in the moments of celebration.
In One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, Ann strives to find the meaning of life and fully embrace the surprising truth from the final scenes of Jesus’ earthly life. In the hours before Jesus’ execution, he took bread and gave thanks. This fresh, heart-wrenching book unveils the long forgotten wonder that through the imitation of Christ’s thankfulness, we too can experience a life of joy.I'll admit that I didn't like the book at the beginning. It was kind of a downer as she talked graphically about how hard her childhood was and how much she struggled with her faith. But once she starts working through what God had to teach her through the last supper, the book took a turn for the best.
With startling lyrical power, Voskamp writes the answers to universal questions:
The laundry keeps piling up, dishes never end, kids fight and people die. But regardless of circumstances, the dare of the “gift list” shows Voskamp a way to live even through the dullness and hurts of life. Through the aches and triumphs, she finally sees what she’s been missing, something that so many women can’t seem to find in their everyday lives.
- Where is joy in the midst of cruelty and chaos, duties and despair?
- How does one slow down enough for the soul and God to live in synch?
- How in the world do we learn to find God and live fully?
The truth is, an attitude of grattitude is difficult to come by these days. Like many of the spiritual disciplines, a lifestyle of celebration takes practice. So she started recording all of the little things that she found to be thankful for throughout the day. She swore to keep going until she reached 1,000 gifts. It wasn't long until she had surpassed that goal, and gained a whole new lifestyle that brought her the peace and joy she'd been lacking all her life.
She has so many wonderful insights, and I found myself constantly writing down quotes that I wanted to remember and meditate on in the future. I haven't started yet, but I think I should take the challenge and start a running list of 1,000 gifts in my own life. I have a tendency to get burned out and overwhelmed when things get hectic. I think that if I were disciplined enough to stop and think about how truly blessed I am and how good God is every day, it would help improve my attitude and - consequently - my marriage and my work. When I'm humble enough to get over myself and focus on praising and serving God instead, everyone will benefit!
For as she says, "This work - the thousand endless jobs - they each give the opportunity for one to become the gift, a thousand times over! Because with every one of the thousand, endless jobs, I become the gift to God and to others because this work is the public God-serving, the daily liturgy of thanks, the completing of the communion service with my service" (200).
I wish I would have sat down to blog about all I learned from this book right after I finished it. I know I would have had so much more to share - so many thoughts, so many convictions, so many blessings. But you'll either have to take my word for it, or try reading the book yourself: this is a fantastic book and will change your life!
Kim's Gift List:
1) God speaks through the written word.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Farewell Luau
We saved one of our most quintessential Hawaiian experiences for our final night on the island. Melissa, Bobby and Savannah joined us for a luau at Paradise Cove on Friday night. When we arrived, we each received a shell lei and a free tropical drink. Then we had plenty of time to wander around enjoying the view, refreshments, games and Hawaiian music while we waited for dinner to be ready.
At sunset, we took some fun family photos by the water.
When it was time for the official events to begin, they called us to the firepit by winding a long note on the conch. After some explanation of historical Hawaiian tradition, they unveiled the pig that had been burried and slow cooked under the sand. They call it kalua pork and it's SO good. It smelled so good it made our mouths water. We had to wait a while longer till they were finished preparing the food. But they kept us well entertained with some hula dancing.
The sunset was stunning that night! I couldn't get enough pictures. I stayed over by the water with my lens pointed at the view until it was too dark to continue and dinner was served. The Lord definitely saved His greatest finale for our last night in paradise!
After dinner, they put on a spectacular show complete with dances and music from many different Polynesian nations. My favorite was the fire dance!
To say that we had a great time on our Hawaiian vacation would be a major understatement. It was beautiful, memorable, relaxing, rejuvenating, a much needed retreat from our busy lives, and a valuable opportunity to catch up with old friends. Thank you, Bobby and Melissa, for showing us a wonderful time. We are truly blessed to have celebrated our anniversary in such a remarkable place.
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| Trying his hand at spear-throwing. |
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| The guys in their Hawaiian shirts |
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| Melissa and I got "Hawaiian tattoos" |
At sunset, we took some fun family photos by the water.
When it was time for the official events to begin, they called us to the firepit by winding a long note on the conch. After some explanation of historical Hawaiian tradition, they unveiled the pig that had been burried and slow cooked under the sand. They call it kalua pork and it's SO good. It smelled so good it made our mouths water. We had to wait a while longer till they were finished preparing the food. But they kept us well entertained with some hula dancing. 
The sunset was stunning that night! I couldn't get enough pictures. I stayed over by the water with my lens pointed at the view until it was too dark to continue and dinner was served. The Lord definitely saved His greatest finale for our last night in paradise!
After dinner, they put on a spectacular show complete with dances and music from many different Polynesian nations. My favorite was the fire dance!
To say that we had a great time on our Hawaiian vacation would be a major understatement. It was beautiful, memorable, relaxing, rejuvenating, a much needed retreat from our busy lives, and a valuable opportunity to catch up with old friends. Thank you, Bobby and Melissa, for showing us a wonderful time. We are truly blessed to have celebrated our anniversary in such a remarkable place.
Final Days in Hawaii
Getting sick on the dolphin excursion really took it out of me. So that afternoon and all of the next day were devoted to pure R&R. We read, sunned ourselves by the pool, took long naps between shopping trips and enjoyed some more delicious food.
As much as we enjoyed kicking-back and doing nothing, we wanted to make our final day in Hawaii count. So we got up early and drove back up the Windward side and hiked the popular Maunawili Falls trail. It was just challenging enough to make us sweat but not so much that I didn't enjoy it. Under the lush green trees we were nice and cool, and the surrounding views were beautiful. There were a couple of difficult stream crossings, but working as a team we were able to navigate our way across without falling in. The falls were a bit of a let-down at the end but I'm still glad we went. Lord knows we needed the exercise!
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| I'm so thankful to have visited Hawaii in springtime because all the trees were in bloom! |
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| One of many decadent treats we indulged in. Oh, Cheesecake Factory - you define the phrase "guilty pleasure". |
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| City lights - Hawaiian style. =^) |
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| Views on the way to the hiking trail |
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| Starting out on our jungle hike |
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| Me next to a moderate sized banyan tree. They were huge! |
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| The most challenging part of the hike was walking on roots like this the whole way. |
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| Half way there. |
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| Beginning the stairs. OH so many stairs... |
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| The falls. Others swam in the watering hole, but I was content to take pictures. |
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