We are really really excited that we will have Lydia Smith, from our home church in VA staying with us for the next several months while she serves on the team here. Lydia is an amazing girl, from an awesome family, and we are thrilled to get to know her better and see what God will do in her and through her in her time here.
Lydia came for about 10 days for CPI in November of 2007. Here’s a photo of us with the team from our church (Lydia is standing to the left of Eric).
I am not quite sure what Eric is doing in this photo...
Ah man, I really miss these guys! I wish they were all coming back to live with us with Lydia… 
Anyway, would you all join us in praying for her as she is flying even now and will be here shortly? Pray that her time here would be fruitful personally and for God’s work in Japan. Pray that God would lead her for the future as she has college ahead of her after this. Pray that God would give her good friends, and that he would use us in even a small way to be a comfort to her as I am sure she will miss her big, fun family. And pray for her parents as they have just sent their oldest across the world for several months. I can imagine that must be hard but exhilarating (you know, being excited for her and for how God has led her and been faithful to them as parents). Thank you!
I am sure you will hear a lot about Lydia on here from now on. We’ve been working on her room this last week (the room that used to be our “office/throw-everything-that-doesn’t-have-a-place-room”) so Noa has been showing everyone who comes over “Leeeya’s” room. I know we will all love having her around!
We had an eventful day on Tuesday. The girls and I were in Toke (about 25 minutes from home) to do Moms’ and Kids’ club and we had a wonderful time. At the end, Noa and Mikuni were eating their lunches and playing together while the moms talked and visited a bit. Noa was running and her foot caught on a carpet and she flew… several feet… and hit her face on a low table. Amidst all the blood and tears, it was hard to figure out what had happened, but I soon realized that she had bitten through the skin beneath her bottom lip. She had a good 1.5 cm gash and a ton of blood coming out. 
God really had his hand over us, though. Noa hardley cried after the initial shock, and I really think having her little friend Mikuni there, who immediately started talking to Noa and then drawing pictures for her, was a good distraction for Noa. Also, Mikako was able to call our family doctor and get the number of the hospital that we should go to, and then call that hospital to let them know we were coming. Eric was at school and wasn’t able to go home with Martha (it was nap time and she was a mess from already missing her morning nap) but my friend Rebecca was there picking up her kindergartener so she just took Martha back to her house for her nap. Also, Chizuka – dear, wonderful, such-an-amazing-friend Chizuka – had the day off and was ready and willing to jump in the car and come with me to the hospital to help with translating. All of these little things together helped in a big way to comfort me and bring peace amidst a scary situation.
In hour between when she hit and when we finally got to the doctor, Noa did great. She was chatting up a storm, so excited to see a doctor for her boo-boo, and really excited that “Chi-chan” could come with us. We were able to see the doctor almost immediately and she was super sweet with a two-year-old of her own. Thankfully, Noa didn’t need stitches and the doctor thinks it will heal with minimal scarring. I didn’t realize it, but with bite wounds, they rarely stitch because of the risk bacteria. Thinking about it now, it makes a lot of sense, and I am so thankful we didn’t have to go through the stitching. She gave us a prescription for some ointment to keep on it to help with the scarring, and told us to come back in a week so that she can check on the healing. It was one of the better, easier doctor’s visits we’ve had and I am so thankful.
Noa is definitely her normal self. Her lip is still a bit swollen and and actual wound is still a little raw looking, but all in all, I think it is healing well. It doesn’t seem to bother her at all, and she only talks about it if someone asks her. Here she is showing off a 1-day-old boo-boo for “Mimi and Gampa”:
Noa showing off her wound
I am so thankful for God’s protection and care through the whole experience. I know he had his hand in every little part and we praise him for his care.
On to other fun things… Here are some recent photos:
Noa sporting a ponytail (doesn't it make her look so grown-up??) and having dinner with Aunt Hannah, one of her favorite people EVER.
Martha is learning to sit in chair which makes her big sister happy, as that means Noa can now make her do "church" with her
the girls with Uncle Isaac during family devotions one night last week. They sure do love him!
the girls with Chizuka: amazing friend, prayer partner, sweet Auntie, and wonder medical translator
Bath Time! This was particularly special because Martha actually got to stay in the bath for a while. Because she is so wiggly, we usually just put her in, holding her the whole time as we washed and rinsed her and then took her out. We felt bad that she wasn't having fun play time in the bath, and we always tried to not be the one who had to have the tiring job of holding her wiggly little self. So, Eric and I put our heads together and came up with using this old plastic high chair top that was given to us. WOW! This has revolutionized bath time in our house and everyone is excited. Can't you tell?
On Saturday we celebrated the engagement ceremony of our dear friend Ai-chan to Jason Kueh. The whole day was such a joyful experience of God’s love poured out onto his children, especially these two precious people as they prepare to reflect Him in their marriage. We were so thankful to get to be a part of the day, and that we will still be in Japan for their wedding in July.
Engagement ceremonies are ceremonies to announce and celebrate a couple’s intention of marriage. In the Christian church it is a worship service including the couple’s “vows” of intention. Eric and I also had an engagement ceremony when we came to visit Japan together the winter that we were engaged. It was nostalgic and special to be at one again.
I had a great morning with two of my closest friends here, Ai and Chi-chan, at the beauty parlor where she had her hair done and her Kimoni put on (Yes, you have to have it professionally put on, or at least put on by someone who is certified in putting them on. It takes a lot of work!)
Beautiful Ai:
Ai-chan wore a beautiful kimono with the long sleeves that indicate she is an unmarried woman. This was the last time she could wear one like that. She looked absolutely stunning in it.
The soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Jason Kueh:
During the ceremony:
Stating their intentions of marriage:
They sat with Ai’s parents who came down from Nagoya for the ceremony. It was fun because Jason had a few people planning this and her parents ready to come down a few weeks ago without Ai knowing. When he proposed and she said yes at the beginning of this month, everything was well on the way to being ready for this special day.
The food and decorations were wonderful!
Ai’s parents and her older brother who was also able to make it:
Look at this fun couple! I pray that they have many many years of laughter together!
Some of the cutest girls ever: The Yonemoto sisters and their “adopted sister”:
The Tsuka-Yone-moto families
Would you pray with us for these dear friends as they prepare for the awesome adventure of marriage. Jason will head back to seminary in Philly at the end of this month, and they will be apart for almost the rest of their engagement. They plan to live in Japan for a bit after they are married in July and then live in the states while Jason finishes school. After that, I believe they hope and plan to be in Japan. Would you pray that God would use them mightily for his kingdom here, especially as they become one and begin their covenant family.
Jason and Ai~ We love you two and are so thrilled for you! Know that you are in our prayers and we look with anticipation to what the Lord will continue to do in and through you, as individuals and as a couple. May he be glorified and you be blessed! “Gambate” these next months of being apart and preparing for your marriage!
I have mentioned that Noa has named her favorite baby doll “baby Selah” after our friends, Liz and Yuya’s new baby. Selah Kaye Kuwahara was born in November and is just as cute as can be. I wanted to post a photo of her preciousness. Isn’t she perfect??
We are so thankful for her life and the family she has been born into. Yuya and Liz are a fabulous couple who have such a heart for seeing God’s kingdom grow here in Japan. They are already great parents and Selah is so blessed to have them for her mom and dad.
And we are so blessed to have them as friends. I especially, am so thankful for God placing Liz in my life and the friendship and accountability and companionship that He has provided through her. Even though we may not live in Japan together for much longer, I pray that God keeps us close and continues to bless both of us through this friendship in years to come. And I am so glad that we get to be moms together now.
Noa, who is obsessed with both baby Selahs, is also really enjoying be a mom with us. After I took the above picture, Noa wanted the doll baby Selah in on the photo shoot too. Here is the picture she had me take of her doll:
(yes, i just took up precious internet space to post a photo of a doll… I did it for Noa, who takes great pride in her baby
I have been meaning to post this for a while but just haven’t gotten around to it. We had a blast celebrating Christmas here in Japan and it was so exciting to see the ways that God was working. He is so good. Here are some photos and highlights from the season:
Translation Appreciation Dinner
The school threw a dinner to show appreciation for the many people who translated an Astronomy textbook for the elementary classes. It has been wonderful for all the elementary kids (in both the English and Japanese tracks) to get to take this class together this year. We are so thankful for the many people who used their time and gifts to make it possible. It was a festive night of celebrating, and even getting to hear a talk by a visiting professor of Astronomy. We had a great time helping to prepare and serve the dinner, as well as enjoying the festive atmosphere with friends.
Elementary Kids’ Christmas Party
We really had fun one Friday after school, having all the elementary students over for a Christmas party. We are so thankful that God has not only called these children’s parents into ministry here in Japan, but that he has called each one them too. Eric really enjoys getting to teach these kids, and the girls and I always have a great time when we get to hang out too. Noa LOVES going to the school over lunch break. We actually watched the movie (the Polar Express) in Japanese since most of the kids are bilingual or trilingual anyway. It was such a fun afternoon.
Toke Kids’ Christmas Party
It was so fun to help our friends, the Nagata’s throw a Christmas party one Sunday morning for the kids in their neighborhood. We sang, played games, made crafts, they heard the Christmas story, and Santa Clause even showed up again this year (but Eric made me promise not to post photos of that part).
Sumodon Christmas Party
We had a great time at the Sumodon (our Church’s young adults group) Christmas party. Me and several friends made homemade pizza for the evening and had a ton of fun getting ready. The party was a blast and we met so many new people, many who came to the church building for the first time.
Other fun stuff
We had our last Moms’ and Kids’ club of the year and I was so encouraged to realize what a great community of moms we have who come regularly. I am so excited for our meetings in this new year. This is Noa with her friend Mirai whose mom helps to run Moms’ and Kids’.Noa calls him “Rai Rai” and they are good friends.
My friend Chizuka teaches hip hop dance classes and her students had their first recital on the 23rd. It was so exciting to finally get to watch these kids who we pray for together and to see them dancing their little hearts out to worship music. I am so excited that they have Chizuka in their lives and I can’t wait to see how the Lord continues to use her gifts and love for kids for His kingdom here in Japan.
I got to visit with my dear childhood friend, Sayaka, and her mom on the 26th. She is an airline stewardess so we don’t get to see eachother often, but it was such a treat to get together for coffee at my mom’s on the 26th.
And some Sister Sweetness (for good measure):
A Little Lady Bug and a Bumble Bee
Last week, for Isaac’s birthday, we had a costume party.
Noa and Martha were bugs. Really cute little bugs!
Sarah Pfeil, cake decorator extraordinaire, let me help her make this fabulous ramen cake. It’s not ramen, it’s cake, but it sure looks like ramen, huh?
One of our favorite things about “Uncle Isaac” is his “idol status” with the young ladies here in Japan. Especially these young ladies:
(His status was elevated even further when he let them help him blow out the candles)
All of the characters (minus princesses and bugs and train-conductor-baby-Calvin who had already gone to bed) who came out to celebrate Isaac. Happy 27th Birthday!
