SNOW!

Woot!! Yes! It DOES snow in Japan contrary to some popular thoughts. This is what we woke up to this morning, and things are covered even more now. It probably won't last through the day... but it's still pretty exciting since we were lead to believe it only happens once or twice a year, and usually only in January or February.







*UPDATE*
The kids were so cute today at work! They were all giggly and giddy because of the snow. Many of them made snowmen (and a few snowbears) and started a snowball fight on the porch. A few had Asami keep their snowballs in the freezer while they were in class so they could continue to use them when class let out, haha! Some snow was still hiding out in flower beds and on the corners of buildings while we were heading home. It's snowing again now. Brrr!!! Our house is freezing, obviously. We finally turned the heat on in the living room when we realized we could see our breath inside our house!

Testimonies

Hmm... I don't see why we can't just post them here for those of you who are interested! We had to type them up for the translation, so they were on the computer (still, I hope!). I'll search for them later and see about posting them here - or possibly email them instead. So check back soon!

Update: Ok... so they're pretty long... haha. I just got Jeremy's off the school computer and mine is just as long! If you're interested in reading them, leave a comment and I'll send you an e-mail. :-)

Thanksgiving 2008 (Part 2)

We went to Akiko's for Thanksgiving lunch today! It was only five of us friends this time, BUT it was a 'real' Thanksgiving meal too (compared to last night - the turkey was the only traditional Thanksgiving food we had)! Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, and homemade baked mac-n-cheese... mmm!!

Jeremy carving the second turkey...


The dessert spread! Chocolate fondue!!


Akiko wanted a picture of us with our forks ready, so I took one too :-)


Carla dipped some turkey ?!?


I don't know WHAT the dog was thinking when she fell asleep in Jeremy's lap like this! It could have been deadly! LOL


Akari - one of the cutest little girls on the planet - the one who calls me 'Kuriskin'.

Thanksgiving 2008 (Part 1a)

We gave our testimonies in the service today. It went well! I shared some experiences in my life that challenged my faith and grew my trust in the Lord, and Jeremy shared about his experience in China. After the service was over, we decorated the church for Christmas. Here we are decorating the tree.


Shogo (sp?) decided the little tree needed decorating too...


Just a view inside the church


Guess who hung the bells in the background?


I just thought it was cute!

Thanksgiving 2008 (Part 1b)

Later in the day, 5-5:30ish, guests started showing up for our Thanksgiving party. We invited 30+ people, but only 20 came. Before eating, Carla handed out a paper that briefly described an American Thanksgiving and had everyone write their thanks on the back.


The 'first' table (more food came later as other guests arrived)!


The tasty salads:


Jeremy 'butchering' the turkey:


Eating (guests on the left side only - no picture from the right side!):


Aftermath plus more food AND.... cheesecake!!! :-)


They all really enjoyed looking through our wedding album!


Our friend, Eriko, Carla, and I:

Thanksgiving and Gifts

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with all your friends and family. We wish we could be there to join you all!!! I'd just like to say again how thankful we are for you! You're fabulous! The best! We love you and are sooo very appreciative for all your support, prayers, letters, updates, and friendship. A special thanks to Jesus for loving us and providing for us, Aunt Becky, Sam, Marissa, Ben, Andrew, and Jesse for their help and support with our wedding in June, Dad Harry for allowing Jeremy to marry me, Mom Knapp for all the amazing things she's done/is doing for us, Panasonic for their encouragement and gifts, and Asami for being our friend, translator, and 'Japanese mom'.

As for the Christmas gifts... I'll give you our deadline so you can hold us to it, especially since we are so horrible at following through. :-p We plan to have our gifts mailed out in four separate packages to the Harrys, Knapps, cousins, and Grandparents, to send out/divide among other friends and family in their areas, and we plan to do this no later than December 6th and have online gifts sent out by December 13th to make sure you receive them by Christmas. Oyi - so soon!! We have a list of things, just need to pick them up and get to the post office. ;-)

I've also been thinking of family traditions around the holidays... I'd like to start a new one this year! ...but what?! :-)

Holiday preparations

Not much new to report here. I'm sick again as I mentioned before - I don't think my sinuses like Japan very much... We are planning a Thanksgiving potluck with some friends, students, and staff members at our house on Nov. 30th. Also, earlier that day we will each be sharing our testimonies at church - so we've been busy planning for both. After church, they'll be decorating the church for Christmas, then, the next day, we're having a get together with some of our friends at their house for Thanksgiving again. The weather is starting to warm up a LITTLE bit, but definitely not as nice as it was before the cold snap... as would be expected. We still have to do all of our Christmas shopping (minus Jeanette's). We're thinking Japanese-ish gifts and gift cards for the majority of the family, but of course, there's always online shopping, haha. We planned to go to Yamaguchi City today to do some shopping, but it's very rainy, so we'll see! I've been making a yummy chicken vegetable soup lately... I think it's quickly becoming one of our favorite meals, especially on colder days. We still plan on making Sam's jumbalaya soon though!