update

Just a few random things that have been going on:

Eric had a great time in Nojiri (the mountains) with our teammate, Isaac, and 2 college guys.  I’m so thankful for their protection as they drove so many kilometers and were skiing/snowboarding. I’m so thankful that they had such a great time building those relationships and growing closer.

On Sunday we enjoyed an exciting worship service, that was also the installation service for the first national Japanese pastor in our church.  Having a Japanese pastor has been a goal/prayer in this church plant for so long, and it was incredibly sweet to watch about 20 years of prayers answered in that ceremony.  We had a sweet time of fellowship afterwards, and there was truly an atmosphere of celebration in the air as we ate together.  It was such a blessing to my heart and I just felt so thankful for the Japanese believers that God has put in our lives here to challenge us and be an example to us.  We are always encouraged by their faith and love for God and their love for each other and us. It’s so hard to imagine leaving this body that has become our family…

Starting Sunday night we had our team retreat.  We didn’t retreat to anywhere, but we retreated from ministry.  We had 5 sessions (Sunday night through Tuesday evening), with baby sitting provided from 9 to 5, and MTW’s pastor for missionaries, Ron Shaw, was here to teach us.  It was a great time of learning, being challenged in many ways, and mostly being reminded of the incredible love of the God we serve.  It was a sweet time and I was reminded of how thankful I am to work for an organization that takes missionary care very seriously.  We had ladies night last night (dads at home with the kids) and the guys are out tonight.  I am really looking forward to more conversations with Eric about things we learned and areas where we were convicted and want to see growth.

On a family note – I don’t think I mentioned this earlier – we are in the throws of potty-training and it has gone great.  Granted, it wasn’t a “potty-train in a day”, but it has been better than I expected and a very positive experience.  I will try to keep you posted on our progress.  I hope this is not too much information, but my favorite quote in this time of our life is when Noa jumps up from what she’s doing and starts running for the restroom while yelling, “OH Mommy… the pee-pee’s comin’!”

Another big milestone is that Martha went to bed without her paci tonight.  The paci getting dropped and lost and dirty (with so many germs at this time of year! yuck!) has really been grossing me out and making me think that it was about time.  Plus, as with Noa, I felt the longer we keep it, the harder it would be to do away with it.  I am not much for having accessories that the girls can’t live without so I am happy to see it go (though, if you know me, you know I have a special place in my heart for paci-mouth-smiles…sweetness…).  Anyway, when I took her to bed, I had forgotten to bring one up so, since it had been on my mind anyway to do away with it, I decided to see how she would do.  NOT A PEEP! The girl curled right into her normal snuggled up sleepy time position and went to bed!   I can only hope this is it and it was this easy (Noa took about 3 nights to be ok with it all…).  Here’s to hoping!

So that’s what’s going on with us.  Eric is on spring break from school, which just means we have time to do other ministry during these two weeks.  We are excited but already overwhelmed with the busyness.   We’re also due for a marriage retreat and are hoping to sneak away for a day or two in this time, but we’ll just wait and see if we can make it happen.  Again, here’s to hoping!

Thanks for checking in with us! Sorry there are no photos, but hopefully soon.

Tags: Japan, Martha, milestone, ministry, Noa