A Lixy Life

Sweet Elena

2010-04-28T19:31:00.000-07:00

As splendidly as I've been doing at not blogging I can't NOT blog on this day because I have to say...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the sweetest, loving, happy, spunky, clever, silly, generous, sexy, darling, babe of a sister, ELENA!
I love you absolutely and completely. You are my rainbow, always colorful and beautiful and shinning to light up my rainy days. You have a special gift of simple cheer and having you around is like a lucky charm. I love the way you love life, you love people, and you love animals. You are a genuinely good and lovely person, one of the best and I don't know anyone that could not like you even if they had their heart set on it. You are a love potion...even a sex bomb some times, dangerous and potent heheh. But no matter what you are or where you are or how you are, I love you so much and I'm so glad you are my sister. I love all the crazy happy memories and moments we've shared together and the ones we still are making. I love that you're always up to accompany me on any mad rampage my mood demands even if it ends up taking us out at midnight lying on the freezing pavement stargazing on the bridge in the middle of the road, I love knowing that you are with me :) I hope we have many many more years together and I also pray that the Lord will also fill them up with good happy lovely things that will fulfill all the desires of your heart.

I Love You--Today, Tomorrow, and Forever

2010-02-14T08:40:00.001-08:00

"Valentines Day"...

I asked someone yesterday 'So what are you doing tomorrow for valentines?' to which I got the reply, 'I can't celebrate valentines day cause I don't have anyone'.

I was a little worried if I also, being someone-less, was doomed to be left out of this day.

I googled valentines day definitions, and I got every definition from a day for romantic lovers to exchange gifts, to celebration of those you love, to Saints, and martyrs, and even something about wolves and pagans and yadayadayada.

So what is valentines day? And what makes it different from any other day?

I DON'T KNOW!

But I'll tell you what I do know--whether I can celebrate valentines day or not, I can celebrate love today and when I celebrate love I celebrate God and when I celebrate God I find myself filled with thankfulness for life, for love, and for you! I'm thankful for the love of family, for the love of friends, for the love of strangers, for the countless forms of love that make life a precious priceless richly blessed and splendid place.

So CHEERS to another wonderful day where love surrounds us all. Long Live Love!!

I love you!...and Happy Valentines Day.

The Cha

2010-02-12T16:29:00.000-08:00

All I can say is "The Cha is Great!"

Cha is everything good and strong and kind and beautiful

It's kind of funny and so very true, that I've always looked up to Cha...and no, not just because she's taller then me. She's always been the kind of person that makes you realize how blessed you are to have honor of being able to call her a friend much less a sister. I was thinking about Cha the other day and admiring her gentle strength, her indefinable yet indestructible confidence, her crazy loudness and serious silence, her fun childish nature seesawing with her practical paranoid side--she is truly a force to be reckoned with and I can't imagine a life without a Cha in it. And it was then that the thought struck me, "What if she weren't my sister? What if we weren't bound as what God has joined together?"
For a moment I saw my life pass before my eyes with Cha the beautiful stranger, one which I admired from a distance with awe but no bond, no silly sister memories and petty sister moments that you can remember at an instant and laugh together over like crazy mad women while the world looks from a far off and shake their heads in sane sadness. And THAT, I have to honestly say that was one of the scariest feeling I've felt in a long time (and believe me, I freak myself out fairly regularly so "scariest" ranks waaay high in the markings).

I'm so so so thankful Cha was born in MY life and is MY sister--for richer or poorer, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live!! She is stuck with me forever and I'll always be stuck to her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE SISTER!!

The Ant and the Grasshopper —Retold

2010-02-07T14:33:00.000-08:00

At a certain primary school during their weekly class on morals, a group of first-grade students were asked to finish the story of the hardworking ant and the lazy grasshopper in the way they thought would be best.
Most of us know this story—one of Aesop’s fables—how the Grasshopper wasted the summer months playing his fiddle while the Ant labored hard storing food for the winter. When cold finally came, the industrious Ant and his friends were all safely tucked away with all that they would need, while the Grasshopper was left to search for food and found himself dying of hunger.

The six-year-olds were asked to draw a picture of and rewrite the ending of the story in any way they would like, but it needed to involve the Grasshopper asking the Ant for help. About half of the first-graders took the general view that since the Grasshopper was undeserving, the Ant refused to help him. The other half changed the end to say that the Ant told the Grasshopper to learn his lesson, and then he gave the Grasshopper half of what he had.
Then a little boy stood up and gave this version of the tale: After the Grasshopper came to the Ant and begged for food, the Ant unhesitatingly gave all the food he had. Not half or most, but everything. The boy was not finished, however, and he cheerfully continued: “The Ant didn’t have any food left, so he died. But then the Grasshopper was so sad that the Ant had died that he told everyone what the Ant had done to save his life. And the Grasshopper became a good Grasshopper.”

Two things came to mind when this story was related to me. First it reminded me what giving meant to Jesus. He didn’t go halfway for us, and He didn’t say we were “undeserving,” but He gave His all so that we could learn to be good. It was only through Him totally sacrificing His life that we were able to receive the gift of eternal life. It was just the way the Ant died for the Grasshopper in the six-year-old’s retelling of the classic tale. And for us it should also not end there. In gratitude, we should follow His example and give our all to tell of the wonderful thing He did for us.
Second, I learned what it means to give your all. It is not true giving unless it hurts, but when you do truly give it will be multiplied many times over. “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone.” But it doesn’t end there. Here is the bittersweet promise that makes it all worthwhile: “But if it die it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:24 KJV).

A Perfect Heart

2010-01-27T10:13:00.000-08:00

Daddy

2010-01-22T19:35:00.000-08:00

Aaaaaand, I’m going to have to start with…Daaaddy.

Ever since the world turn white with snow and frost and all that cold wet-ish winter stuff, Dad has truly been like a big kid in his very own winter wonderland. Dad is an authentic Canadian boy and having a real Canadian winter has that part of him alive and kicking—literally!

In our Gi-normous back yard we have a large swampish area in the trees which makes up the outside of our property, and that has all frozen over nice and solid. Dad got out there with his snow blower as soon as it turned to ice to claim it as his very own skating rink. The next day he was gone working and didn’t get back till late at night. I hear him come in the front door shuffle around a bit and then I hear him walk straight back out the back door. I don’t think anything of it. Even when I start hearing some random war hoops coming from the distant darkness I foolishly don’t connect it with Dad until he walks in through the back door red faced and covered with white….”Uh huh!?” You gotta love that about dad, he’s got energy, enthusiasm and craziness that can put most people to shame and what he does he does with all his heart.

Course something he can’t understand is when others don’t always share that same enthusiasm and it breaks his heart. He’s been trying to get me out on the ice from day one but I’m just not an icy person.

Now something you have to understand about dad is, that no matter what, he is usually, occasionally, mostly, always right. And when he thinks you should do something you probably should but you don’t always want to; when he tells you something is good it probably is but you still might not like it. I’ll give an example that has kind of become a family joke. Dad has excellent taste in wine. He can look at a bottle and make those intellectual, deep sounding grunts and appropriate facial expressions and “wine lingo", and he can daintily swirl the wine in the glass and inhale with the perfect snort, telling you just how ‘good’ or ‘bad’ a wine is—My confession…I like “bad” wine (aka cheap wine). So when dad brings wine home he warns me now “You won’t like this wine, I paid a little extra for it” or “You’ll love this wine tonight, I got the cheap stuff”…har har. So you get the picture, it is the same with skating.

Okay so tonight Dad and Mom took us all you can eat Chinese food (our new years family treat)! So so so so good and bad and bad and good in all those wonderful ways. Completely stuffed, we get home groaning about how “we’re so going to have to work this off” with absolutely no intention of doing anything tonight…except for dad who heads straight to the back door again. Oooooh the words we are all dreading “Come on guys, we need to go for a skate!” I'm getting ready to do battle with dad to yet again to defend my right to NOT do the "good" thing but instead I found myself having to argue with my full tummy which told me "Get out there" and I obeyed. I bundled up in a big fat snowsuit jacket which just happens to be dad's (another thing he had to force me to wear a couple weeks back, which from since I have happily adopted into my don't-wanna-freeze-my-butt-off wardrobe) and stuffed my feet into some skates, nearly slid to my death walking through the snow, and stepped out onto the ice---and I Loved IT!

It was beautiful, the night was perfectly black and the stars perfectly white and the moon just made the ice light up like silver. Gliding along the ice, breathing in the crisp night air, the beauty of God's creation and the love of family...it was heaven. Dad was right, it was GOOD and I could see for a moment why he loves it so much out there.

And then my toes froze and I started feeling like a lollipop so I ran back to safety before it was too late and when dad asked me "So NOW are you going to start coming out here more?!" I had to honestly say "No. But it was perfect for tonight and you WERE right. Thanks Dad." He huffed at me and probably is huffing at me now as he reads this, but I don't mind. He's right and I love my right to be different and we are both stubborn and crazy about each other:)

I love you Daddy. I love the life and brilliance you bring to each day and the way you enjoy life to the full and make sure we always have the opportunity to do the same--even if we don't always take it--and we love you for it. I don't know where we'd be without you. We wouldn't want to be anywhere without you!!

The Lives in a Life

2010-01-22T19:31:00.000-08:00

A Lixy life wouldn’t be a life at all without all the lives that fill it that make it a life worth living. As you might have already noticed I’m not so good at writing about myself nor am I all that interesting—but I do have a interesting life and a good one because I have so many incredibly good people in it. So rather then trying to make myself interesting, which I’m already doomed to fail miserably at, I’m going to share with you the people that fill my life with love and happiness and hope and smiles and laughter (heheh Laura gets leading points in that department).

It's A New Year

2010-01-14T15:39:00.000-08:00

It's a New Year! It's a Happy Year. It's 2010 and it's going to be grand.

Now I don't know what this year is going to bring me--like really really no clue at all, one single bit, no idea kind of don't know.

I never thought I'd be starting a new year in a new country, yet here I am, in the last place I thought I'd be, not quite as accomplished as I'd hoped to be, not as strong, as wise, as beautiful, as "wow" as I could dream, and yet still happy. So I think of that and know that no matter where this year is going to take me, all the hopes and promises I might make and might break, the one thing I am taking with me the promise of happiness and that is found in this promise...

I Am The New Year

I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.

All that you sought and didn't find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn't achiever is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith you claimed but did not have--these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."

The Quilt of Love

2010-01-06T20:22:00.000-08:00

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An Angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, The challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth.

The others rose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.

I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and death, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you." May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through.

-- Author Unknown --

Christmas Time

2009-12-30T14:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas has come and gone, but all it stands for--family, friendship, giving, sharing, loving--remains, and it's my prayer that we never ever lose that for even one day of this coming year.

I heard the statement "It doesn't feel like Christmas time!" a lot this year, and half of it was probably me whinning soomewhere in my own head. But maybe that's what makes it time for Christmas--the ending of a long year, too much stress, a haywire household, too much to do, too little time to do it, low on finances, low on patience, losing hope. But isn't that where it all started? As the darkness sets a light appears, " a ray of hope, the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."

Christmas is the setting, the dawning of the New Year! And so regardless of whether our Christmas is white, or green, or gray, and bright, or gloomy, or even messy, and whether we get all the gifts we had wanted or not, we will always have the greatest gift and setting of all...A NEW YEAR and a FRESH BEGINNING and CHANCE to spend time with family, make new friends, give what we have to make our dreams come true, share our time, moments, experiences and love with a world full of opportunities and love living!

So that's my wish, my hope, my prayer for you all who I love and care for so dearly. I pray that God will give you these opportunities and then help you see them all around you and take them and claim them as your own so you will truly have a Merry Christmas every day and a Happy New Year all year!

And by the way, I had a lovely Christmas despite it being less white and more gray, and less frosty and more sloppy. I spent it with all my family, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins and there is nothing else in the world that could have taken the place of that. Check out all the pictures at A Family Christmas.

Once in a blue moon ...

2009-12-29T08:09:00.000-08:00

THERE will be a blue moon on Thursday as New Year's Eve revellers welcome in 2010--the first time since 1990 that a blue moon has coincided with the end of the year. A blue moon--the second full moon in a calendar month--happens only every 2½ years on average. This month, full moons occur on December 2 and December 31. Astronomer David Reneke from Australasian Science magazine said it was rare for the event to happen on New Year's Eve--another blue moon will not fall on the last day of the year until 2028. "While everyone's celebrating they should also take a moment and look up into the night sky"

Merry Christmas

2009-12-23T18:41:00.000-08:00

I just want to say thank you, for everyone that helped to make my year a merry and fill it with so much love and laughter and happiness. It wouldn't have been the same without you and that's why it's my prayer that the Lord will give all these things back to you this Christmas and in the coming year. Cheers to you!!! I love you lots and lots!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Wake Up

2009-12-22T06:25:00.000-08:00

For tons of people, the hardest part of the day is getting up in the morning. This causes a natural and passionate hatred of alarm clocks. But check out these new and original ones.

1. Flying Alarm Clock. Evil genius at work here. A propeller-thingy on top goes flying away and the alarm won't stop until you find the propeller-thingy and put it back on the clock.

2. Puzzle Alarm Clock--That's right, put the puzzle together and the darned thing will quit buzzing at you.

3. Bombs Away! Plug in the wires correctly or the sound of a bomb blowing up will wake you. And the neighbors.

4. Donate. For those financially motivated folks, this wi-fi enabled clock takes money out of your bank account and transfers it to random charities every time you hit the snooze button.

5. Shag-a-licious--Yup, you have to stand up on the carpet to get this one to be quiet.

So, rise and shine to another beautiful day.

Happy Birthday Joanie

2009-12-21T19:12:00.000-08:00

"So this is Christmas...

2009-12-20T21:49:00.000-08:00

...and what have you done. Another year over, and a new ones just begun."

I think we all have heard that song a bit too often that our mind goes into retreat mode when we hear it playing, but today somehow it got through and got good and stuck in my brain.

On Saturday we visited our last retirement home for the season, and though one part of me heaves a small sigh of "freeeeeee...dom" another sigh is a bit more regretful. As hard as it is preparing and having to actually move out the door, once your out there everything is possible and beautiful, and having that honor and blessing of being a part of another one's life--there really is no better gift or feeling.

There are so many wonderful people out there, so many stories, so many friends, so many memories, so many special miracles that could happen, that could be yours. It can be so easy to get caught up in your own little world, the little problems, worries, limitations, responsibilities, expectations. But then you meet someone else, you see their lives, you feel what they are going through and suddenly you realize the world is a great big place and there is a part for you, not just in your own story, but in other stories, in a story that started thousands of years ago when someone realized by stepping out of His own world, He could create a new one and fill it with life and love.

And that is freedom, and so THIS is Christmas!

In Everything Give Thanks

2009-12-19T19:11:00.000-08:00

Thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food to eat.

Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of nice
clothes to wear. And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade
beds; they were so warm and comfortable last night.
I know that many have no bed.

My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the
splattered mess, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory; they are so
convenient. Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs
defrosting so badly; it has served us faithfully for many years. It is full
of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.
Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today;
It has baked so many things over the years.

The whole family is grateful for that tall grass
that needs mowing, the lawn that needs raking; we all enjoy the yard.
Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door.
My kids are healthy and able to run and play.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me
says You have richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I
shall do them gratefully. Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when
the alarm rings, Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are
deaf. Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as
possible, Thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising,
Thank you, Lord, that I have the
strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.
Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost,
Toast is burned and tempers are short, my children are so loud,
Thank you, Lord, for my family. There
are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like
the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times not balanced, Thank you,
Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry. Even though the
routine of my job is often monotonous, Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity
to work. There are many who have no job.
Even though I grumble and bemoan my
fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest,
Thank you, Lord, for life. LORD, THANK YOU !!!!

In ALL things, praise Him…

A Lixy Post

2009-12-08T16:26:00.000-08:00

Last week I read a quote that went like this...

“Our family pushes buttons that cast us in roles we felt sure we had let go of long ago; the baby, the peacekeeper, the general, the golden child, the villain, the caretaker, the avoider--it doesn’t seem to matter how much time has elapsed or how far we’ve traveled.”

Reading that had to keep from jumping up and down while wildly waving my hand to make sure I could be counted as a part of that statement. Since moving away from my family 5 years ago I've been to different countries, lived with different people, taken on new cultures, interests, lifestyles, and roles, and eventually you think you're a different person then you were-older, wiser, confident, in control, useful and respectable. But then throw me back in with family and I'm just "that sister" again, surrounded by those who wanna dog your every footstep, wanna know more then you know yourself about what your doing, wanna pick sissy fights and eat your food and talk constantly and touch your stuff and aaaaaagh...they just wanna be a part of everything.

At the time I was feeling a little overwhelmed not knowing how to react and deal with everything. One of the reasons I had in praying about coming home for awhile was to help my family find and set up their home and mission, and here I was feeling lost and crumbling--just a little bit terrifying. Humble, uncertain, desperate and needy, I took sanctuary in the one place I've always been able to find peace, strength, and hope--Jesus' arms. He showed me that I wasn't lost, I was right in His hands, I wasn't crumbling, I was just falling into place, I hadn't failed Him, only my own pride. He showed me that together we could do anything and when I felt I could do nothing, it was only because I needed to let Him do more. This isn't about me. Sometimes to help others you have to let them be the one that helps you. And that is what family is about. It's not about who's better or worse, good or bad, it's not about who has more or less or is lower or higher. It's about being together, sharing the good and the bad times so you can have a great time, sharing the lows and highs so you can keep a steady ballance, it's about love--a love that covers everything and wraps it up into one big beautiful package, a gift from heaven, a family.

That's the kind of love that is God and that's the kind of love I want to have, not just for my own family but for others. After all that what I've commited my life to, and where better to start then with the special people that Jesus has place there right from the very first moment we were put on earth. So today when I read this prayer, I knew it was for me and this is my way of raising my hand way up high so others will know that this is what I wanted to be counted a part of...

Help me, Lord, to be like Your love, not knowing any hour or time. Help me, Lord, to be like Your love, that gives and expects nothing in return. Help me, Lord, to be like Your love, that just loves to give and give. Help me, Lord, to be like Your love, that is meek and kind and sincere.
Help me, Lord, to be like Your love,

for faults are lost in Your love's sea. Help me, Lord, to be like Your love, to laugh with those who laugh, and to weep with those who weep. Help me, Lord, to be like Your love, never-ending and never too busy to stop. Help me, Lord, to be like Your love, to give my life that others may live. —Maria Fontaine

Christmas Gifts: To Cha

2009-12-07T18:48:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Don't Forget...

2009-12-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

My Christmas Discovery
by Norman Vincent Peale
One Christmas Eve when I was 12, I was out with my minister father doing some late Christmas shopping. He had me loaded down with packages and I was tired and cross. I was thinking how good it would be to get home when a beggar-a bleary-eyed, unshaven, dirty old man-came up to me, touched my arm with a hand like a claw, and asked for money. He was so repulsive that instinctively I recoiled.
Softly my father said, "Norman, it's Christmas Eve. You shouldn't treat a man that way."
I was unrepentant. "Dad," I said, "he's nothing but a bum."
My father stopped. "Maybe he hasn't made much of himself, but he's still a child of God." He then handed me a dollar-a lot of money for those days and for a preacher's income. "I want you to take this and give it to that man," he said. "Speak to him respectfully. Tell him you are giving it to him in Christ's name."
"Oh, Dad!" I protested. "I can't do anything like that."
My father's voice was firm. "Go and do as I tell you."
So, reluctant and resisting, I ran after the old man and said, "Excuse me, sir. I give you this money in the name of Christ."
He stared at the dollar bill, then looked at me in utter amazement. A wonderful smile came to his face, a smile so full of life and beauty that I forgot that he was dirty and unshaven. I forgot that he was ragged and old. With a gesture that was almost courtly, he took off his hat. Graciously he said, "And I thank you, young sir, in the name of Christ."
All my irritation, all my annoyance faded away. The street, the houses, everything around me suddenly seemed beautiful because I had been part of a miracle that I have seen many times since-the transformation that comes over people when you think of them as children of God, when you offer them love in the name of a Baby born two thousand years ago in a stable in Bethlehem, a Person who still lives and walks with us and makes His presence known.
That was my Christmas discovery that year-the gold of human dignity that lies hidden in every living soul, waiting to shine through if only we'll give it a chance.

A little bit of love goes a long, long way.
by David Brandt Berg

So many people are tired, weary with life, discouraged with pushing on, lacking the energy or enthusiasm that it takes to get anywhere in life, or even the peace that it takes to enjoy simple things. But if you give them a word, a smile or a look of sympathy and understanding, if you give them the respect that they deserve just for keeping on, then it can change them completely.
So give people the respect they deserve-Jesus did! He died for that person, just like He died for you, and He’ll be mighty glad if you show His love to them, too. Won’t you? Will you let that be your Christmas gift to those around you? Just show His love, even if only in small ways, to those you meet, those on your path each day, and see if it doesn’t make a great difference-not only to them, but to you!

The Many Faces of Love

2009-12-03T21:12:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Laura

2009-11-29T18:50:00.000-08:00

I love Laura so so much.

I love Laura's laugh, the way it bubbles out like pure sparkles of joy and drowns you right in it.

I love Laura's smile, that way it lights up her eyes and makes you feel like you're blessed to at that moment be in the most beautiful spot in the world.

I love Laura's courage, the way she stands in the face of danger and darkness and still walks forward believing there is hope and light within.

I love Laura's generosity, the way she gives her whole heart so completely to life, to love, to others, to the Lord, not ever measuring it or holding back.

I love Laura's love, the way she hugs you and you know everything will be alright, and when she's with you you know you are loved and that Jesus is near too.

I love You Laura!
I'm so thankful for you and the part you have in my heart and in my life.
I haven't had much time getting to know you, but what I know made the
time worth all the time in the world. You are special, delightful, and perfect, with
just enough craziness to make me absolutely crazy about you.
I will always be praying for you and loving you and cheering you on!

You Just Gotta Love Mom

2009-11-24T19:16:00.000-08:00

So last night I'm in bed, I just turned off the lights and snuggled deep down under my blankets, I'm just about lost in sleep and my door creeks open. I consider staying lost in my covers but curiosity gets the better of me and a crack one eye open just encase it's some boogie monster I need to scare away. Nope. Not a boogie monster standing there. It is Mommy--with a computer in her hands. Oh no! It was too late to change my mind, she already saw I was awake so she bounded in and jumped on my bed. What in the world was she doing up so late and with a computer!

Now dear sweet mother was worried because we hadn't updated our blog for two days and people would look and not have anything new to read so she couldn't sleep until she posted something. Dad had started helping her and put the pictures up for her, but somehow she managed to erase them and he had fallen asleep and couldn't be woken up. So she ventured out fearlessly, down the dark hallways and staircase to seek me out so I could rescue her post. A little grouchy and brain dead, I still had to admire her dedication and care, so we got the blog updated and she skipped happily off to bed leaving a very convicted Lixy behind. Before I could fall asleep I promised myself I would update my blog the next day, so here I am. I don't really have anything to say, but thankfully mom gave me something to write about.

Mom is always rescuing me. She has the answer to everything in my life, from giving me beauty tips on how keeping my mouth closed can at times make me prettier, to knowing even all the brainier things that I'd have to carry around an encyclopedia for if I didn't have her, she remembers all my dates and passwords that I've long forgotten, and on top of that she always hangs up my laundry and gets me "shiner prizes" and she likes doing girly frivolous things with me--and I'm only one of 8 children! Everyone needs a Mommy like mine.

What else can I say, I just GOTTA love Mom!

Lixy News

2009-11-20T09:43:00.000-08:00

Sooooo, it's been awhile since I've actually written anything up here about myself. Course we've all been taught that nobody wants to hear someone talk on and on about themselves, but as this is "A lixy life" I suppose it should contain some of my life.
Hehe, I'm just now I'm just making excuses and killing space. Well, I am doing well and good. I've been here 3 weeks now, on my way onto my 4 week which would make it a month...woohoo. Time does fly. Last week I finally made it into "the city"!! We went through Toronto where I saw buildings for the first time since being home! Granted, trees are much more beautiful, but I thought the buildings looked pretty nice too, ha. I stayed with my parents and two youngest sibblings at my Grandparents house over the weekend, and also got to see my relatives. I really really enjoyed it, I have such an awesome family. I had remembered most of them from the perspective of a 12 year old, so it was nice being able to update my memory banks. (For pictures check out Weekend with the Relatives)

This week I started working on my Cooking and Catering course. The first module arrived in the mail with my first set of books and exams. I had some problems with registering for my online testing, so I had to call into Stratford for asistence--ALL BY MYSELF! I know it sounds pathetic, but I was scared. I'm not used to making business related calls because in Japan my japanese was not quite good enough to understand all that would be said on the other end and I'd miss quite a lot of information. So I had a bit of a stare down with the phone till I finally dialed up and got put on the line with a super nice lady who explained everything and helped me get it all worked out. Yay, I felt so grown up. *ok a little embarassed now* Anyhew, I completed my first exam yesterday and got 100%!! I love my studies. Jesus is taking good care of me. I still don't know a lot of things, there's still a lot of things in my life to do and not do, but as I take it one step at a time with him, I always find myself in a good place surrounded by good things wherever I go.

Last night my family had a special Japanese dinner. It was nothing super spectacular--I made some temakizushi and dashi soup, and mom made potato salad and tempura--but for Canada it is a rare treat. A lot of family friends back in Japan sent different japanese snacks and foods and tea with me for my family, so we were able to treat ourselves. Check out Treasures From Japan.
Lately I spend most of my time working on our new family blog with my mom so my own is sadly dull and lacking--I'm sorry. But I'm rather proud to be working with mommy on our blog as she is quite talented, and smart of course, and even though she fought it and whined constantly when I first forced her into it, she loves it now and she'll come bounding into my room at the oddest times telling me her new inspiration for something to post or something she wants to take pictures of to show everyone. You gotta love mom:) I want to be just like her when I become an older young lady too...but for now while I'm still just a younger old lady, I'm happy to be working and learning from the best. I love you Mom...and Dad too--He trained her too, heh. Will do my best to keep you all updated. Love you lots!

Bear Your Cross Cheerfully

2009-11-17T17:50:00.000-08:00

We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot.

Whatever your cross,
whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain...
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call....
He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light...
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love.

May God fill your day with blessings!!

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle!

New Blog

2009-11-11T05:49:00.000-08:00

I started a new family blog with mom to keep all our family and friends back in Japan and also here updated with all the goings on in the life of the Hatano Wallaces. Check it out at http://hatanowallacefamily.blogspot.com/

My Brother In-Law

2009-11-05T18:18:00.001-08:00

There could never be a more wonderful brother in-law in the world than Joey. I am proud to call him family and more than that, I'm so so thankful that he is a part of us.

The first I ever knew of him was after Cha met when she was 12 at her first camp. I was a little doubtful of this small punk and of course being so much older and wiser at the age of 16, I thought their "love" would fade out. But I was the foolish one.

Joey was the best guy I could ever wish for for my sister, and he was just what she needed which was just what we all needed. He brought his own uniqueness and liveliness and touch to our lives. He was a good boyfriend to Cha, the best friend to Greg, and big brother to Lainy and pal to the little ones, and though me and Cha were going through a phase at the time that we would find every flaw and joke possible to make about eachother's love interests, deep inside I always really admired and respected and liked Joe...and I try to believe Cha felt the same sometimes, heh.

It hasn't been easy over the years. I suppose I should have been the first to have to break a man into the family, but as I always thankfully shirked and avoided that responsibility it fell to Joey and Cha. But Joey was the best man for the job, he has the right measure of pride and humilty, craziness and calm, strength and weakness, and though he's come through a lot, the difficulties and things he faced only made him better and his love for Cha grow more and more. So I have to say I trust and love and honor Joey as a true brother, friend, and family, forever and always.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

The Country Girl

2009-11-03T19:13:00.001-08:00

It's been a week now, and here I am, still alive, and still kicking, and becoming more and more of a country girl by the day. For the last three years I've been quite the city girl, living in Tokyo amid the rush of life, fashion, trends, attitudes and business, and it's easy to, without even realizing it, get pulled along somewhat by the whirl of the world around you. I have to admit, I rather like the crazy life, as inside my hopelessly gemini mind I have too many random modes and cravings and I like to be in a place where I can find what I like when I like. But this can also be a danger for me I suppose, as like with most cravings, when is enough enough?

Thankfully I have a good God who knows me better then I do myself and loves me as I am, as well as for what I can be. These past years I've learned a lot on having to pace myself, to go slow when things are moving fast, to be at peace when stress builds up, to stay bright on gloomy days, and to smile when I feel a frown drooping to the floor. That's not to say I've mastered these things--considering I probably started with a bigger minus to my score then the average--but I'd like to think I was bad enough to have made good enough progress, heh. I had the honor of living with good people, really truly genuinely good people that I would have to say are more heroes to me then any super man or wonder woman. Some people take vitamins and health supplements to fill in for the needs that their body is lacking. Well my home, my partners, my friends, my family, my hero's, they filled in all those parts in my life and will always be a part of me and my future for ever.

Now the time came for me to move on--to go on to give to others all that others gave to me. And so I move, I change, I go on. The city girl once again becomes a country girl.

I love it out here. It's different. It's quieter. It's slower. It's big, and green, and with less people there is a greater feeling of God's presence. Last time I was in a place like this was four years ago when I lived in Brazil. It scared me. I took the lack of people as a lack of life, the lack of busyness as a lack of living. I had to learn to find Jesus' within myself, to hear his voice in the silence, to see his face in nature, to feel his love in my heart and mind. It's not until I learned this that I could really have faith which gave me hope which gave me love which gave me peace. And so I'm here in again, in the boonies, away from most of "civilization" and yet surrounded by life, and I am happy. I'm still having to adjust, to find my pace in body and mind and spirit, and I do miss Japan. I miss the people, I miss my people, my Matsuoka family and especially my Eiko and my girls, my Chiba family, my June-san and Noel, my favorite neighbors of all time, Yasu and Dawn, my most loved big sisters Celeste and Grace, my bestest friends, Mike and Joanie and my godbaby Kayden. I miss my friends, I miss my Laura, my knightly big brothers, and my too many precious priceless friends that have given me love and joy and life. But I love that I'm here with my family, my big papa bear, my crazy beautiful best friend mom, my favorite role model and awesomest Cha, and her Joe and Jason who are my pride and joy, my prince charming big little brother Greg, my darling life loving Lainy, handsome Boo, smart cutie Chris, cuddly lovable willy bug, and pretty princess Annie.

No matter where I go or what I do or who I am with I've come to know and trust that God will always be there to fill my life with lessons, with love, with family, with faith, hope, and love. And so whether I'm a city girl, a country girl, or just a girl, I am a happy girl.

Because God Loves Me

2009-11-02T18:23:00.000-08:00

It's so amazing, no matter what the question, if you believe it in your heart you will always be able to answer "Because God loves me" and know that because that is true everything makes sense and everything will be okay. I know God loves you, and so I know wherever you are, whatever you're doing, however your doing, you will be okay too.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Because God loves me He is slow to lose patience with me.

Because God loves me He takes the circumstances of my life and uses them in a constructive way for my growth.

Because God loves me He has no need to impress me with how great and powerful He is because He is God, nor does He belittle me as His child in order to show me how important He is.

Because god loves me He is for me. He wants to see me mature and develop in His love.

Because God loves me He does not send down His wrath on every little mistake I make, of which there are many.

Because God loves me, He does not keep score of all my sins and then beat me over the head with them whenever He gets the chance.

Because God loves me He is deeply grieved when I do not walk in the ways that please Him because He sees this as evidence that I don't trust Him and His love as I should.

Because God loves me He rejoices when I experience His power and strength and stand up under the pressures of life for His Name's sake.

Because God loves me He keeps on working patiently with me even when I feel like giving up and can't see why He doesn't give up with me, too.

Because God loves me He keeps on trusting me when at times I don't even trust myself.

Because God loves me He never says there is no hope for me; rather, He patiently works with me, loves me and disciplines me in such a way that it is hard for me to understand the depth of His concern for me.

Because God loves me He never forsakes me even though many of my friends might. Because God loves me He stands with me when I have reached the rock bottom of despair when I see the real me and compare that with His beauty and love. It is at a moment like this that I can really believe that God loves me.

Yes, the greatest of all gifts is God's perfect love!

The Fairest of Them All

2009-11-02T09:51:00.000-08:00

The little princess of the Hatano Wallace family has turned 7 years old at last--seven wonderful years we've had together, each and every day filled with more love and laughter then the day before. Annie is the queen of smiles and cuddles and we'll always love her and honor her in our hearts and lives.

I love you Angelina, our little angel, our little princess forever.

A Canadian Life

2009-10-21T02:58:00.000-07:00

After spending the last three years in Japan, the time has come for me to continue on into the world, and my lixy life is now one that is now a life that will be living in Canada. One thing I've found in my 23 years of living is that all things change, but truly, Jesus never does. It's amazing how you can be in one country one day, and in another just hours later, you can be a world apart from where you were yet still be the same, you can be surrounded by people of such different forms and culture yet still be with the same love and laughter, because when it comes down to it, all that is good in this world comes from Jesus and so long as I've got him with me I'll always be surrounded by what I love most and what makes life worth living :)

Latest updates: I made it safe and sound, the trip was so smooth it almost worried me, but I'm not complaining. My bestest and most long time friends Joanie and Mike took me all the way to the airport to see me off in style, and my favorite big brothers, Kuni, Shuji, Yuki, and Hyami came all the way out to bid me farewell.

Dad, Mom, Greg, and Boo were there waiting for me on the other side, all looking beautiful and very welcoming. The first thought that struck me was that it wasn't all that different from Japan, but there were just too many gaijin's--everywhere! It's beautiful here though in every way, and people are very friendly and warm hearted. The rest of the welcoming committe was awating me back at the house and I knew I was home.

The first day my jetlag wasn't bad. The last 2 weeks have been a mad rush of insane off timed everything, so it felt just right to be off time once more but today it's finally catching up with me and feel tired and crankyish, but I'm still so happy to be with my crazy splendid family.

Tonight we are having a belated birthday party for the littlest princess Annie, so in honor of her we are dressing up to give her a royal atmosphere. I'm in pink! So I figure that's about the most grandest honor I could give her.

I will do my very bestest to keep regular updates of how I'm adapting--heh we will see if I will take my place as one of "the survival of the fittest". Thanks to my sweetest little big brother Greg I'm connected to the internet so I will live on :) I love you all muchly! A big thank you to everyone that made and does make my life one filled with love and worth living always no matter where I am, what I'm doing and how I am doing. I am truly blessed and properly grateful!

To My Sweetest Sweet Friend

2009-10-15T03:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Mika!

There is no one in the world like Mika, and I'm so happy God put her in my world:) Everyone needs a Mika in their life. Forget a the latest trend or fashion...Mika is so the fashionable thing! She is one of the bestest friends ever.

Mika is truly one of the most generous loving person I know. She gives her love and friendship freely and without measure or cost--unless she doesn't like you, then don't worry, there is someone who does, but you won't find or coax it out of Mik's so you shouldn't waste your time. Mika doesn't give or take any bull *doodoo, she is the genuine, real thing, and you get what you see. She will always be there for you and whenever you need her, whatever you need her for, you can count on her charging into your rescue blindly, whether you always want rescuing or not:p On the same note, she expects the same service from you, and will fall into your arms to save her whether you want to or not, so beware. Mika doesn't think about life, she lives it. She is a happy soul determined to find happiness everywhere around her and thus makes it so, and that's why she is the perfect person to have around you. Mika is my lucky charm, she makes gloomy skies brighter, and bright skies beeatiful.

I love you Mika! And I pray the Lord fills your year with all this too and so much more. You can always count on me...I don't know what for, but I'll definitly do something:) Cheers!!

FDTP: Beach

2009-10-12T07:09:00.000-07:00

FDTP: Staff Shots

2009-10-11T06:49:00.000-07:00

Our Happy "Daddies and Mommies" of the FDTP--David Iona Stevo Lixy Gene Mercy Rob Laura

I love Oli. He is my good Shepherd:)

Cryssy and Meg are the Queens, they rule our hearts
The Aussie's were glorious and their legends will forever live on
Iona and Nicole were the most awesmest! They are my role models
Laura was my other half, my friend and companion in laughter, tears, joy, sorrow, crazy faith, and just plain crazy. Steve and Rob often had a special place too, giving us love and care and always always something to laugh about:)
Our manly men models

Our love lady lords

FDTP: Yoyogi Day

2009-10-09T02:07:00.000-07:00

On September 20th, 2009, FDTP came to Tokyo. Laura and I were team leaders and of course as leaders we had absolutely no idea what we were doing. We wanted to do something exciting, groovy, and different to show everyone we had an exciting, groovy, different God, but somehow we all just weren't feeling it. Of course when you don't feel crazy the next best thing to do is look crazy and to varying degrees this was something we all seemed to be rather spectacular at.

Once we got there it was so amazing the way the Lord's spirit just fell. We didn't even have to work it up or try to convince anyone, because people could just see and feel it and we were surrounded by so much love and desire, it was definitely God's groove.

Lixy Recommends: I'm Not Alright

2009-10-08T04:45:00.000-07:00

I'M NOT ALRIGHT (by Sanctus Real)
If weakness is a wound that no one wants to speak of
Then "cool" is just how far we have to fall
I am not immune, I only want to be loved
But I feel safe behind the firewall

Can I lose my need to impress?
If you want the truth I need to confess

I'm not alright, I'm broken inside
And all I go through, it leads me to you

Burn away the pride
Bring me to my weakness
Until everything I hide behind is gone
And when I'm open wide with nothing left to cling to
Only you are there to lead me on.

'Cause honestly, I'm not that strong.

I'm not alright, I'm broken inside
And all I go through, it leads me to you
Leads me to you, Closer to you

I'm not alright, I'm not alright
I'm not alright ... that's why I need you.

I first heard this song last month in one of the classes that were given during the Academy. The day before I had been taking with a friend about experiences we've come through in the past and the way they still are with us or affect the way we are today. In the end we came to the conclusion that we were just damaged in a way and thankfully we had the Lord's love and that was enough. And then I heard this song, and it felt like the words to my heart, and I realized, we weren't damaged. We are broken, we aren't always alright, but it brings us closer to Who we love, and who we want to be. In the end, we wouldn't want it any other way.

The Godson

2009-10-05T00:20:00.000-07:00

I got to be a mother for the day, and a godly one at that. Me and my darling did absolutely everything together and he followed me everywhere and wanted to crawl into my arms every chance he got. My perfect little man:) I love you Kayden!

To My Girls

2009-10-04T03:30:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to my babies.

September 3rd, 2009, the Lord gave me 6 beautiful--and I mean really beautiful! like top to bottom, side to side, in and out, and all around--Ladies to be my very own. I had just as much love, laughter, heartbreak, victories, joys, fears, craziness, friendship, family, sleepovers, bonding, caring for each other, hugs, kisses, hi's and goodbyes in our short time together then most people get in a life time.

At the closing of the Academy they all received their certificate and commendation from the Lord, and I also had to write a message from my heart to my girls:

I was thinking about how to commend you for all that you've learned during your time here at this academy, but when I tried to write it down, all I could think of was how much you all taught me. From the first day you each took me and each other into your lives, you accepted me, and showed me such an unconditional friendship and love that I don't think I've ever felt so welcomed before, and I learned that I want to welcome others into my life in that same way. We lived together this past month and I've seen you give and share everything, from your personal belongings, to giving your time, encouragement and prayers to the other, supporting and loving each other like family. These last few weeks you've all gone through something different, you've had to change your lives, your styles, your personal desires and your space. You've had to open your life up, and I know how it costs. You've had to face decisions and places inside yourself that haven't been easy to look into, but you have, you didn't run away, you've each shown more bravery then I've seen in others a lot older than you, so I just want to say, you've won my respect, my admiration, my love and my heart. We've gone through good and bad times together, and you've been there for me just as much as I've been here for you, and I couldn't have made it without you. My greatest pride and hope after having had this time at the FDTP with you, is knowing that what you've given me and each other is something the Lord is also going to be using to bring so much love and joy to other lives too. If ever you feel you can't make a difference, I want you to know you can, because you already have right here for me, for each other, and for all of us, and you will do it again and again for others. You will always be Lixy's girls to me, and I'll always be your Lixy.

I love you Genty, Manami, Kaori, Yurika, Nana, and Angela. You are my angels, my girls forever.

Lixy Girls

2009-10-04T02:24:00.001-07:00

Home At Last

2009-10-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

After total and complete cyber silence, I am back, still alive, still kicking, still happy, and just a little less then really crazy:) Despite my being the Phantom of September, I have been haunting you all in my prayers daily, just as I know it's due to your prayers that I made it back to you. I can't thank you enough.

My month at the FDTP Academy was an experience I wouldn't have missed for the world, it was one of those moments in time that stays in a life forever.

You can see my life and family of September 2009 at http://japactfdtp2009.blogspot.com

The Wooden Bowl

2009-10-03T18:52:00.001-07:00

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
'We must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded, 'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.
' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life..'

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.You nee d to be able to throw something back sometimes.
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.

People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

Happy Birthday Mommy

2009-09-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

I don't have time to say it in any poetic way, but when it comes down to it it's always the same and it's always true...

I love you!
I need you!
I want you!

You are the best Mother, my best friend, a funny companion, my good shepherd, and the one I love so so dearly:)

Happy Birthday Mom

Meet the Godson

2009-08-25T21:08:00.000-07:00

Today is a special day, because it's my first full day devoted to my most loved and completely adorable godson. He is the most charming little man in all Japan, and there's no one I could have enjoyed being with more then spending the day with Kayden. Who else could I spend the morning riding dinasours with and making castles in the sand, only to come home and receive sweet sloppy kisses. I think I'm in love!

Happy Birthday Greg

2009-08-25T05:40:00.001-07:00

For Lilly...

2009-08-25T05:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Tarzan climbed a tree, Lixy was excited, Lilly had crafty thoughts.

Greg Is the Man!

2009-08-24T07:10:00.000-07:00

We Love Greg, oh yes we do, We Love You Greg, our love is true, When you're not near to us, we are blue, Oh Greg We Love you! Happy Birthday!

HCS Summer Festival

2009-08-24T03:40:00.000-07:00

I finally finally went to the HCS annual Summer Festival! Yahah, another accomplishment to mark down for the year 2009. My dear splendid older brothers made me so proud as well as they did their duty and came all the way out to enjoy it with me. It was the perfect summer festive atmosphere and I felt happy and loved and oh so blessed by God in every way to be surrounded by lights, love, good music, sights, sounds, and best of all friends and family. I got to introduce Shuji, Kuni, Dabba, and Yuki to old family friends and acquaintances and my old old home from year long gone. The bands Heart to Heart, Kando Band, and Kibou played and Celeste and Grace did a non-dirty dirty dancing Cha-cha-cha! It was so elegantly exciting! I loved it! Cheers and Cheers again to a great summer and great company!

The Handsome Brother

2009-08-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

Here is Shuji with his brand new hair cut done by the one and only Celeste!! Whaddaya think?

A Selfish Little Clod?

2009-08-19T23:55:00.000-07:00

Here's some phrases that have convicted me recently!!

George Bernard Shaw wrote, "This is the true joy of life: the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy."

We ask self-centered questions like, "What do I want to be? What should I do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, my dreams for my future?" But focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life's purpose.

You exist because God wills that you exist. You were made by God and for God—and until you understand that, life will never make sense. It is only in God that we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance, and our destiny.

The easiest way to discover the purpose of an invention is to ask the creator of it. The same is true for discovering your life's purpose: Ask God.

Paul said, "We do not dare make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise" (2Corinthians 10:12). And one of the reason he was used so greatly by God was that he refused to be distracted by criticism or by comparing his ministry with others or by being drawn into fruitless debates about his ministry.

As John Bunyan said, "If my life is fruitless, it doesn't matter who praises me, and if my life is fruitful, it doesn't matter who criticizes me."

Fun and Fun

2009-08-19T23:50:00.000-07:00

Here is Celeste and I in the ocean, desperately trying to get somewhere, but happy being no where together:)

Summer Vacation

2009-08-15T03:25:00.000-07:00

This summer I became an adopted Kamite:)
Celeste Grace and I droved up to visit their parents in Matsumoto. We all drove to Toyama to go to the beach with their dance teachers and friends. Everyone was so sweet, it felt just like being with family. In the evening we ate fish, fish, fish! I was in paradise. There was raw fish, broiled fish, grilled fish, deep fried fish...I ate enough fish to last me a year--happy me. The rest of our vacation was spent back in Matsumoto where papa and mama Kamite took such good care of us. It was a lovely summer filled with fun, laughter, and many great memories. Thank you for taking me into your family!

To My Married Heros

2009-08-01T03:04:00.000-07:00

Joey and Cha
I don't even have to wish you a "Happy Anniversary" because I know it will be, because you both made love the foundation of your life together and that what makes the life you are building and will build one that will stand strong and last for eternity. You always put the Lord first, and let His love be your guide and the thing that held you through the good days and the bad. So congratulations!!! I pray that the Lord will always bless you and bring enough of all that you need so all you have to do is just keep loving each other each day, as much as you do today:) Love you guys!!

The Wonders of God

2009-07-29T19:01:00.000-07:00

A boy was sitting on a park bench with one hand resting on an open Bible. He was loudly exclaiming his praise to God. "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God is great!" he yelled without worrying whether anyone heard him or not.
Along came a man who had recently completed some studies at a local university. Feeling himself very enlightened in the ways of truth and very eager to show this enlightenment, he asked the boy about the source of his joy.
The boy replied with a bright laugh, "Don't you have any idea what God is able to do? I just read that God opened up the waves of the Red Sea and led the whole nation of Israel right through the middle." The enlightened man laughed lightly, sat down next to the boy, and began to try to open his eyes to the "realities" behind the miracles of the Bible. "That can all be very easily explained. Modern scholarship has shown that the Red Sea in that area was only 10-inches deep at that time. It was no problem for the Israelites to wade across."
The boy was stumped. His eyes wandered from the man back to the Bible lying open in his lap. The man, content that he had enlightened a poor, naive young person to the finer points of scientific insight, turned to go. Scarcely had he taken two steps when the boy began to rejoice and praise even louder than before. The man turned to ask the reason for this resumed jubilation.
"Wow!" Exclaimed the boy happily, "God is greater than I thought! Not only did He lead the whole nation of Israel through the Red Sea, He topped it off by drowning the whole Egyptian army in 10 inches of water!"

Home Sweet Home

2009-07-29T05:47:00.000-07:00

I love my Home!!

We love Jesus and Jesus loves us. He does so many miracles for us--just the fact that He gave us each other is the greatest miracle of all, the kind of miracle that can make the all things possible:)
It can be easy sometimes to forget or take for granted these things so we
took sometime to celebrate and give a toast to life. We work for Jesus and He works for us, we give to make Him happy, and He always gives us back so much more to make us happy in return. He spoils us and we absolutely love Him for it!

Ladies and gentlewomen:)

I love my girls soooo much

My girls love me too

The most beautiful room mates in the world

My most favorite neighbors ever! They make my world complete

My fellow good shepherd. He keeps me in line.

My bestest most lovable talented charming Eiko!! Cheers!

I have to give a toast to the dearest of all Yuya and Ai, they are awesomeness

The two lovely flowers

We love to cook, haha! Cheers to us Ken!! My most faithful kitchen hero!

To The Father

2009-07-28T20:00:00.000-07:00

Renovations Update

2009-07-16T20:59:00.001-07:00

Working for Jesus

2009-07-08T04:57:00.000-07:00

These past months have been full of changes--the whoopdeedoo type and the whooooah kind. One big change is I'm a working girl:) I started doing carpet jobs a couple week ago, it's so lovely to work hard in body and be completely oblivious in mind. I'm also starting housekeeping jobs. I'm a maid!! Big fat mind change. But it is acctually the perfect way to reach people. We want to help people clean their hearts and lives, why not start with the place they live. Today I went for a job for a couple in Kawasaki. They are from Peru and the wife is pregnant with their first baby and needed help with keeping up with housework. They were so precious and just being able to meet them and be invited into their home and lives was such an honor. When praying about going Jesus told me he was sending me because He loved them, and I know He truly does.

Our Handy Handymen

2009-07-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

God is still God

2009-07-02T07:06:00.001-07:00

More than fifty years ago, [Gladys Aylward] was forced to flee when the Japanese invaded Yangcheng. But she could not leave her work behind. With only one assistant, she led more than a hundred orphans over the mountains toward Free China.

During Gladys’s harrowing journey out of war-torn Yangcheng she grappled with despair as never before. After passing a sleepless night, she faced the morning with no hope of reaching safety. A thirteen-year-old girl in the group reminded her of their much-loved story of Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea.

“But I am not Moses,” Gladys cried in desperation.

“Of course you aren’t,” the girl said, “but God is still God!”

When Gladys and the orphans made it through, they proved once again that no matter how inadequate we feel, God is still God, and we can trust in Him.

Straight Talk

2009-07-02T06:41:00.000-07:00

Last week we had our June "Straight Talk" event, where we--uh huh, talk straight:)
We started off with dance lessons with our beautiful Kamite Sensei, to get us all nice and warmed up together. Our boys looked ever so handsome and our ladies like beautiful flowers.

After "grooving" together, we moved on to our topic of friendship by having teams act out a scenario involving a difficult situation you'd find yourself in with a friend and how you would react. Everyone was very creative and left a good feeling that you'd find a unique but great friend in them. We had some stories and video clips, and an activity/discussion where everyone had to make up their perfect friend--from name and age to qualities and flaws. We discovered we each had lots of qualities for friendship right there beside us.

Our Dashing Dancing Men
Our Darling Dancing Damsels
Our Happy Group

Funny Truth

2009-06-27T06:31:00.001-07:00

For Daddy

2009-06-21T01:56:00.000-07:00

A STORY FOR YOU...

An old man lived alone in Minnesota. He wanted to spade his potato garden, but it was very hard work. His only son, who would have helped him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and mentioned his situation:

Dear Son,
I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my potato garden this year. I hate to miss doing the garden because your mother always loved planting time. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. If you were here, all my troubles would be over. I know you would dig the plot for me, if you weren't in prison.
Love,
Dad

Shortly, the old man received this telegram: "For Heaven's sake, Dad, don't dig up the garden!! That's where I buried the GUNS!!"

At 4 a.m the next morning, a dozen FBI agents and local police officers showed up and dug up the entire garden without finding any guns.

Confused, the old man wrote another note to his son telling him what had happened, and asked him what to do next.

His son's reply was: "Go ahead and plant your potatoes, Dad. It's the best I could do for you, from here."

Moral: No matter where you are in the world, if you have decided to do something deep from your heart, you can do it. It's the thought that matters, not where you are or where the person is.

Daddy,
You've always been there for me when I needed it,
Whatever I needed you always tried to help me with no matter what the cost.
That's why I'm here today, and I'm making the same promise to you,
that I will always be here for you,
and whatever you need I will find a way to help you too.
Happy Happy Father's Day!

Working By Results

2009-06-19T20:38:00.000-07:00

A minister dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy who's dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans. Saint Peter addresses this guy, "Who are you, so that I may know whether or not to admit you to the Kingdom of Heaven?"

The guy replies, "I'm Joe Cohen, taxi-driver, of New York City."

Saint Peter consults his list. He smiles and says to the taxi-driver, "Take this silken robe and golden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

The taxi-driver goes into Heaven with his robe and staff, and it's the minister's turn.He stands erect and booms out, "I am Joseph Snow, pastor of Saint Mary's for the last forty-three years."

Saint Peter consults his list. He says to the minister, "Take this cotton robe and wooden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

"Just a minute," says the minister. "That man was a taxi-driver and he gets a silken robe and golden staff. How can this be?"

"Up here, we work by results," says Saint Peter. "While you preached, people slept; while he drove, people prayed."

For Mommy

2009-06-16T06:13:00.000-07:00

I love you Mommy.
I know sometimes I get busy, too busy to write, too busy to call, too busy to leave a message on my blog, but I'm never ever too busy to love you!
I couldn't do anything any day if I didn't know you were there for me to love and to have you loving me. I can go about my day and my work because I know you have my back, I know you are praying for me, I know you know I'm yours, and that you are mine forever and ever.
And I love the way you get mad at me when I forget to write. You always notice because you never forget me, and when ever I get one of your angry messages I start feeling so so happy again. Don't ever forget me or give up on me! I need you mommy!
Even when you're mad, I'll try to make you glad, until I get mad because you won't be glad, and then you will be glad to try to make me glad again...and it always ends up happy in the end. You are the only one that knows how to do that to me. And that's another reason why I love you and need you so so much!

The Crazy Folk

2009-06-15T01:55:00.000-07:00

Yes, that would be us. Today we were scheduled to "Get Out" together...
So we got out to the park but soon ran out of ideas...
So we got out to the store where my children all hid while I "seeked"...

These are the strange poor souls I found instead. O God save us!

A Story Lesson

2009-06-14T16:55:00.000-07:00

The Horse That Wanted More Beauty

God had a horse. The horse was beautiful and also it had many good
qualities. But it wanted to be more perfect in every way. It
especially wanted to become beauty unparalleled.

One day the horse said to God, “0 Lord, you have given me beauty. You
have given me other good qualities. I am so grateful to you. But how I
wish you could make me more beautiful. I would be extremely, extremely
grateful if you could make me more beautiful.”

God said, “I am more than ready to make you more beautiful. Tell me in
what way you want to be changed.”

The horse said, “It seems to me that I am not well proportioned. My
neck is too short. If you can make my neck a little longer, my upper
body will be infinitely more beautiful. And if you can make my legs
much longer and thinner, then I will look infinitely more beautiful in
my lower body.”

God said, “Amen!” Then immediately he made a camel appear in place of
the horse. The horse was so disheartened that it started to cry, “0
Lord, I wanted to become more beautiful. In what way is this kind of
outer form more beautiful?”

God said, “This is exactly what you asked for. You have become a camel.”

The horse cried, “Oh no, I do not want to become a camel I wish to
remain a horse. As a horse, everybody appreciated my good qualities.
Nobody will appreciate me as a camel.”

God said, “Never try to achieve or receive more than I have given you.
If you want to lead a desire-life, then at every moment you will want
more and more. But you have no idea what the outcome will be. If you
cry for a longer neck and legs, this is what will happen. Each thing
in my creation has its own good qualities. The camel is not as
beautiful as you are, but it carries heavy loads and has a tremendous
sense of responsibility."

A Happy Birthday

2009-06-13T21:09:00.000-07:00

Yes! It was happy!

I had too many wishes and prayers and even orders to have a happy birthday. So being the ever obedient soul that I am--I did. Thank you all so much for the love you shared with me. I can't remember ever feeling so loved and treasured. It was the best gift I could ever ask for, and I couldn't help but be very very happy.

Thank you Cha, for being the first to wish me a happy birthday on my birthday.

Thank you Cha and Lainy for letting me hog the spotlight by being a beautiful post on your blogs. I felt like I got the number one role part!

Thank you Willy, Annie, Dad and Mom for doing your crazy indian wartribe birthday dance for me over skype, and thank you all for the sweet birthday e-cards and package you sent that I haven't recieved yet.

Thank you Greg for breaking your tradition of NOT getting me a present to send me one from all the way across the world...even though you probably STILL didn't send it yet.

Thank you Shuji for planning ever so sneakily my birthday party. And thank you Kuni, Yuki and Daba for being my knights in cool clothing, riding all the way out to pick me up and carry me off to a wonderful evening.

Thank you Celeste and Grace for being my friends, sisters, and "significant other", taking me out on the most thoughtful delightful "dates" I've ever had planned for me. I felt like a lady.

Thank you to all my dear darling bestest home members who made me feel like a princess by giving me so much love, sweet cards and encouragement, and gifts.

And thank you to each and every one of you that sent me birthday wishes. I felt truly remembered and loved.

I love you all! You make life worth living. You make me look forward with happiness to another year ahead. Cheers to You!!!

Celebrating Life

2009-06-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

I felt cranky. I felt crotchety. Basically I just felt old.

I always thought my prime was sweet 21, so to be turning terrible 23 was like becoming ancient. Not that being ancient is bad, but you have to have something in your history to make you an artifact worth anything, and without any kids (even "kid" singular), without a husband, without a boyfriend in sight, not even a pet...geez I'm just decomposing. Mulling over the thought "Why don't you just bury me now?", another thought came to mind, "Why don't you just start living now?"

Haha, Brilliant! I realized I could simply change my prime and I'd still be a "spring chicken". So I officially have decided 25 is my prime, and I still have two whole years to feel crazy, excited, hopeful, and oh so young with my whole life and future ahead of me.

Now that is something worth celebrating!...the birth of a whole new year, every year, for the rest of my life:)

A Blogger at Last

2009-06-13T19:17:00.000-07:00