Baiko Students

While eating lunch with David's mom in the food court at the local mall back at the beginning of June, we met 3 college students from Baiko University here in Shimonoseki. They seemed intrigued with Samuel and when we found out that they were English majors we asked them if they would like to get together to practice their English. We invited them over for an American style meal. We made BBQ chicken, homemade mac n cheese, and carrots. For dessert I made chocolate pudding, one of the instant boxes of Jello pudding. They have never had pudding like that before and loved it. 

It was fun to get to know them and learn more about their lives as college students here in Japan. Their classes end this month and then they will go on a trip to practice their English in August. When they return in September, we invited them to come over and bake cookies with us. Baking is something that many people seem interested in when we ask. I tell them the various types of 'American style cookies' we can bake and they seem so excited. We are hoping to build a better relationship/friendship with them over time. Please pray for these students as we get to know them better and as they finish classes for the semester and travel over their break.

From Left to Right:
Stephanie, David, Samuel, Kosuke, Aya, and Mio.

Circus in Kitakyushu, Japan

This blog is an old entry that didn't get posted when the event occurred. This was mid to end of April. Samuel was 2 1/2 months.

Golden Week is a set of 4 holidays within a week's time celebrated in Japan. It is celebrated every year in the last couple days of April into the first week of May. Many people have off of work and travel to vacation or visit with family and friends. 

This year April 29 began Golden Week with 'Showa Day.' April 29th is the former emperor Showa's birthday. Showa died in 1989. May 3 is 'Constitution Day' and on May 3, 1947, the new postwar constitution was put into effect. May 4, is 'Greenery Day.' This day is dedicated to nature and the environment. May 5 is 'Children's Day.' In Japan, they have a Boy's Festival and a Girl's Festival. The Girl's Festival is celebrated on March 3. The Boy's Festival is celebrated on this day during Golden Week. On this day, families with boys are to pray for the health and future success of their sons by hanging up streamers and putting out Samurai dolls which symbolize strength, power, and success. 

During Golden Week a circus was held and it was free, so we decided to check it out. The Circus was held in Kitakyushu, which is an island near Shimonoseki. We took the train from Shimonoseki to Kokura Station. It was about a 40 minute train ride. This city has about 1.3 million people in compared to Shimonoseki that has about 300,000 people. 

During Golden Week, there are many food stands in Kokura Station. 

A view of the entrance to the station. 

Walking to the Riverwalk from the Kokura Station to the indoor circus. 

There are many beautiful sites in Japan. 

The Riverwalk is a shopping, restaurant, business area all in one. This is the fountain inside the entrance. 

Introduction

All of the people watching the Circus. It was a free showing twice a day. 

There were no animals at this Circus, it was more dancing and acrobatics. 

2 men did a routine with on this mat and see-saw, sorry didn't get a photo of them. 

Eri and I. She is a church member and works at the Riverwalk in Graphic Design. She was 'working' taking photos.  

From the second floor in the Riverwalk we could see outside part of the Kokura Castle. We hope to make a day trip back this summer and tour the castle. 

Koi fish

First...

Second...

Third times a charm, we were both finally looking :)

Krispie Kream, newly opened in Kitakyushu.

Yummy goodness!!!

David took this photo when we returned to Shimonoseki Station. This is just one train car, Eri told us it's rare to see just one car alone!!

Shimonoseki Aquarium Kaikyokan

For our anniversary in January we went to the aquarium here in Shimonoseki. It was something we had wanted to do before Samuel came and David planned the time for us to go and then we went out to eat at a restaurant on the boardwalk down from the aquarium. After supper we walked on the boardwalk and checked out some things in downtown. 

Getting ready to drive to the aquarium. 

I love this face!!

At the entrance.

So cute

Using all of our senses, hearing, seeing, touching, and smelling the penguins, but no eating :)

They are training the penguins. 

The view of the strait!!

We saw these after we had entered the aquarium, but they were at the entrance. 

Cute little guy.

They had 2 of these tunnels, super cool. 

View of the bridge and strait from the outside pool. 

We had a great time and look forward to going again in the summer.

The Lost 4 weeks

David posted a blog in mid June giving an update on us. I wanted to thank everyone who prayed for us and my recovery during this time. Since David's mom left, June 14, I have been resting and recovering. I have been trying to gain back strength and weight lost during my time of sickness. I think sometimes God allows us to experience things so that we remember that He is our rock and strength. During this time I clung to verses from Psalms about finding rest in Him and to trust in Him at all times. I Praise the Lord for His healing. I trust that He is in control even when I can't see the whole picture.

During this time, I let a few things go unattended too, such as our blog, May email update, and some written letters. There was almost a month of time that I couldn't do very much. We have a few blogs written that date back as far as January that have not been posted yet. I will begin posting them soon; so sorry if they seem out of order. However, we just sent out via email our June newsletter and I will do a picture post of various happenings in the next week or so.

We have been trying to get back into a regular routine as I feel better with each new day. I will end with a photo of David and Samuel:

Thanks again for your prayers and thoughts, Stephanie