1 year today

Last year at this time we were flying to California on our way to Japan. I can't believe we have been here for a year now. It seems as if it has gone by so fast. I found myself many times during this past year thinking of what I was doing the year before at that time in VA or NC. For example, this summer when I looked at Samuel, I remembered packing, moving, and being newly pregnant last summer when school was finishing in the states. It's crazy to think how much our life has changed in just 12 short months. Quick yearly update in pictures from August 2012-August 2013:

David's parents dropping us off at the airport on August 13, 2012

First day in Shimonoseki, found our parking spot behind our apartment building.

A class of David's students

A glimpse of the Pre-School

First Christmas in Japan

Bringing home Samuel on February 14, 2013

Cherry Blossoms in March 

Visiting local kindergarden May 2013

Local University students in our home June 2013

Samuel's first swimsuit August 2013

We are currently on a break for the month of August from teaching our English classes. We have not forgotten about the blog or newsletters, we are just trying to enjoy our time together and rest until things begin full swing again in September. We are also taking this time to continue to build relationships with our new friends here in Shimonoseki.  I still have a few blogs from way back when that I will post in the future, but I wanted to let you know what's coming up. 

• Cooking Chronicles
• Japanese Language
• David's parents visit
• Update on our English teaching ministries with pictures of the Pre-School from July
• A picture update of Samuel, probably a 7 month update since I missed the 6 month update.

We also would like to know what you, our readers, would like to know about Japan? Our life, ministries, daily activities? What you would like us to blog about? What are things you would like to know about our life here? If you have questions for us, or if there is something you have been wondering. You can let us know through comments here on the blog, email, or Facebook. We will gladly do our best to be thorough in our posts.

We also want to thank our family, friends, and home church in NC for the prayers, thoughts, support, and interest in us as we strive to reach Shimonoseki with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.