Konnichiwa

The last few weeks have been very busy and very Japanese. Todd spent a week in Japan working. Which he loves, okay maybe not so much. Jade and I went to Japan with him a few years ago. He stayed in the same hotel this time, except in a smaller room. It's scary that that is even possible. Even though it felt like a long time, it was comforting that I could picture all the places he went. Although, I was a little jealous still. Here are some pictures of the trip we took a few years ago with Jade.

Jade surrounded by the falling cherry blossoms. SO Japan in the springtime.

Tranquility...... interrupted. Jade during her "Grass is God's scariest creation" phase

Jade's first trip to the zoo. The happiest I have ever seen her.

She can read a map in Japanese at 11 months!

A shogun castle in the mountains of Japan.

How Jade and I saw Japan while daddy was working.

Our church has an international conference every year. Almost 100 leaders from various movements of churches around the world come to Ames Iowa to train and learn how to train leaders in their own countries. It is so interesting watching people who have never met and barely speak English become best friends in 10 days; united in purpose and love for each other and missions around the world. Anyway, my small contribution is hosting and providing food. We have the honor of hosting the Japanese contingent. Three days before Todd got back from Japan we learned that our guests were arriving that day. The Japanese are unequivocally the best guests in the world. I'm not a complete failure in the kitchen, but I'm no Martha. They make me feel like everything I prepare for them is SO GOOD. Since I have eaten Japanese food, I now know that what I make is NOTHING like what they typically eat, but still they are so kind. We have a couple and man they are preparing to lead the church when they retire. The wife helps me set up and clean up endlessly. She is familiar with my kitchen and just gets to work. The couple also came last year while we were finishing our basement and actually spent a whole day cutting doors shorter, and hanging trim. Obviously I could go on and on. We love them and they are a part of our family. This room will be decorated in their honor.

Our guests earning their keep! Just kidding! Masashi learned to use a saw, a nail gun, a level, use those pesky and confusing English Units, and hang trim in one day. With the help of his lovely assistant Tomoko. I would have felt bad making them work so hard, but they seemed to be truely enjoying themselves and we really needed help to get it done before our next guest arrived.