It worked!

Do you see it?! (the cranberry sauce) FYI, craisins, cranberry juice, a bit of sugar and water works pretty well. (Thanks for your encouragement Elaine -- I was about to can the whole idea!) And, the great part is that most people seemed to genuinely enjoy it too (so much for "payback" for the Japanese foods I don't like, but I was happy! :-)

Everyone came around 6, and there was still a bit of "preparation" to do before supper -- make the stuffing, potatoes, apple pie and "decorations" -- ok, does anyone remember how to fold those "fan style" napkins?? I remember doing it all the time, ok a few times, with those cloth napkins at restaurants, but I seem to have forgotten -- maybe fabric napkins are the key. . .?!
So, my students and I had a lot of fun together -- especially for me, watching them eat everything, mostly for the first time. There were 7 students, and the pastor's wife also joined us.
Yesterday in the kids' class we decorated cookies -- we've been talking about body parts, so they got to make the eyes, mouth, tummy, and whatever other little decorations they wanted to put on. I told them the white stuff was "glue", and one of them looked at me a little worried, like he wouldn't be able to eat it afterwards!
Their works of art! When I told the girl on the left that they were supposed to add the body parts, she decided to make hers a girl. . . I guess they're all body parts, eh?


Pumpkin pie -- I think we were all full before this point already. . . but looks can be deceiving. They may be "smaller" (in general) than us, but everyone had both a slice of pumpkin and apple pie (complete with whip cream and ice cream).
During supper we were talking about taking pictures, and I asked about where the "peace" or "victory" sign came from (I've heard that it started after the war?!), and no-one really knew. They asked if we did it, and I said only when we were trying to imitate Japanese people -- so, this is for all of you -- the "token Japanese shot" ;-)

Autumn -- Time for Festivals

Some lanterns at the shrine~
Each of the 8 floats used for the Koromo festival belong to the communities near downtown Toyota. They are all about 200-300 years old, and pulled on long ropes by people from the community.
Young men ride on the very top, shouting, blasting a trumpet and throwing paper like confetti out over the float, and along the street. The kids have a great time playing with the confetti all over!
All of the floats gathered in front of the station, took a little tour around the area, and then returned to their neighbourhoods. A traditional festival, with a bit of modernization (mowhawks), perhaps?!
Kimie is one of my students, and she is such a sweetheart. She often invites me out to places to experience Japanese culture and does a great job of explaining what's going on. Another great part of the day was I found out about this little restaurant. . . they serve shaved ice drizzled with syrup (we had lemon milk, which was actually supposed to be in the picture! :-s), and these desserts that are like a pancake with red or white sweet bean paste inside. . . fresh and hot, they are absolutely delicious! Definitely going to be back!!

just a little exploring!

Here is the newest member of my "family" out here. . . pretty cute, eh? Yeah, we're getting to be good friends already -- still working on names (any inspirations?) So, this is where we've been to lately. . .
It's called "Hirato bashi" (Hirato bridge), and there is a really neat pathway near the river, lined with baby bamboo trees -- I love the bamboo here!
This is the scene I fell in love with when I was driving over the bridge with some students (on our way to eat the river fish that I posted about a while back). . . I love the rocks, trees, and the river winding through.


So, for one afternoon, this was my little "sanctuary", a spot on the rocks with my feet in the water, hearing it rushing past me. . .

rice harvest. . .

living out in the "country" definitely has its benefits -- ie, having rice paddies within walking distance where I can see the seasons progressing. . . September and early October is when the rice ripens,
and is ready for harvesting. They do have tractors (small-scale ones) here for harvesting, but a lot of the rice paddies near here have been passed down through the family, so they're still cut and hung to dry by hand.
These flowers often grow alongside the rice paddies around harvest time.

Near my house -- I thought it was interesting how they even used the space under the billboard for hanging rice and I like the contrast with the houses in the background!

happy thanksgiving!

Although Thanksgiving isn't a holiday here (most people are not sure if or how it's different from Halloween -- just think pumpkins!) So, it gives a good opportunity for discussion in class. . . and me a whole week to prepare "what I'm thankful for" for reporting on Thanksgiving at home! ;-) I have 2 this year -- I'm thankful for the "small things" -- a note, a smile, a conversation, something that encourages my heart, and brings just a little more meaning to the day-to-day. Secondly, for second chances, praise God that He welcomes back the prodigal and the ungrateful, when they come to their senses. I am so thankful!

This past Saturday, I had the fun of going to Hikaru's sports festival again. The kids practice so much for this special day, and Chiharu told me that Hikaru was just flying high all morning before the event. . . They perform different races, dances, throwing bean bags into a net (along with their grandparents), racing in giant pants (with their mom or dad, or "fill-in" -- I went in with a girl from my English class!), adult tug of war and relay.
Just a little regroup for team spirit -- go green!

So, after the morning festival, we had a wedding -- the first ever in our church!! The couple started coming to our church at the start of this year, his family and siblings are also attending now. It was really exciting to see such a committed Christian couple get married, not as common here! I think things went pretty well (including my first shot at playing the "Bridal March" - "here comes the bride. . ." That's the most I've practice in a long time!! ;-)
That's right -- Happy Wedding. . . I really think they could care less about whether it's "real English" or not -- it's so funny how they just insert these little phrases into conversation / shop signs. . . (Isn't Moe sweet?!)
Just had to put this one in. . . any takers?!

Sunday "at home". . .

So, thanks to all of you who have been in on this little journey with me. . . a desire for connections to happen between English students and those in the church. This past Sunday was the start of what I pray will be an important part of that. Do you ever feel like something that you've waited for, and maybe wondered if you shouldn't have "done something about it sooner" was, of course, right in God's timing? I can't say that it was really anything in particular, but I really feel like God has been preparing some people's hearts for just this opportunity. . . not the least of which is mine!
We spent time just visiting and making introductions over snack food (I have to admit I didn't mind having the excuse to make something for that either!), and then just scratched the surface in exploring who God is, and how He has revealed Himself to us through the Bible. I was overwhelmed by the support of those in the church, and the 4 women who came seemed excited to have been there, and to share a bit about their stories. There were 3 students who came (and one girl's mom), so it was neat to see Christians and non-Christians there talking and learning together. I really desired to leave them with the fact that coming "home" to Jesus is something in which there is no fear, it is a learning to trust in the One who wants to walk beside us through all of life (both here and in eternity).
Please continue to pray for hearts to be challenged, me to submit to and follow God's leading and a sensitivity and wisdom in knowing how to involve those in the church with this group. . . in ways that they and I will grow and be encouraged to know Jesus more and more. . . and more. . .

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us,

that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise You.

May the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for You rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth.

May the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise You.

Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God will bless us.

God will bless us,

and all the ends of the earth will fear Him.

-psalm 67-

aren't they sweet?!

Ok, so I can't even count the number of times (practically) I've tried to upload these pictures onto my blog but, yay, they are finally here. . . hallelujah!
So, these are my cuties here, like my brothers and sister (yeah, with a bit of a "generation gap" since I could be their mom! :-s) Moe (4) with her masterpiece -- I drew, she coloured, with a bit of improv. . . This is my house / yard in Canada (did you recognize it mom and dad?), and the improv bit is Moe adding ocean on the top right. Yeah, I told her that the ocean is not that close to my house, but then decided that it would be a fun modification (if only you could do it that easily in "real life"!)
Hikaru (6) and I. . . Hikaru is a really creative kid -- the other day I was over there, and he was crafting a rocket out of a plastic water bottle. He also loves drawing / looking at flags of different countries, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's already surpassed me general geographic knowledge!
With Chiharu (I'll refrain from including the age), Hikaru and little Wataru -- he's figured out how to get onto his stomach from his back, but not the other way yet, and you can get him pretty excited with peek-a-boo, no need to hide, just turn your head!
Me and the kids. . . you can't beat family!
The September cooking class. . . cheese ball, shiskabobs and coconut cream pudding. We had a great time, and they are really getting the hang of the fact that it is laid back (ie. no levelling off measuring cups with knives!) It's so much fun to have others to cook and eat with too. . . :-)