Back Deck washing H

The back deck has needed a re-staining job for years.  Originally installed with not enough gap between the boards.  Over time some of the boards rotted.  Henry and a Mr. Miura took the redwood boards off, lined them up and scrub-washed them

All the boards off looking from the second floor. 

Mr. Miura taking out screws.

The weather has been hot lately, so it's good weather for doing this project.  Henry ordered stain and will get to re-staining probably the week of the 24th.   

A Bit of Nature in Kita Kobe

Male Japanese pheasant right out my kitchen window. Such a beautiful bird.

                                   Sunset cloud looks like a dog face to me.

This sign at a trash collection station in a neighborhood reads: " Please put the net over the trash.  Crows are above and look down and watch."
  Crows just love to peck at the plastic bags, take out the edible stuff, and leave a mess all over the street.  Even with a net sometimes, they find a way to get what they want.  

                                   Below:  Flowers from my garden in July

My favorite flower the iris..

                                                   White lilies

July 6 and 7, 2017

This was the mountain ski resort where we were Yesterday.

 We stayed Thursday night at the Super Hotel which was discounted when we bought the airline ticket.  Above is my Japanese breakfast served at the hotel.

 The airline employees met us as we walked to the plane with a sign inviting us back to Aomori.

This is the approach to Osaka, Itami airport, less than 90 minutes after we left Aomori.  Monday should have gone like this, but it was a good week nonetheless. 

July 5, 2017

Today after the morning service we went to a yakiniku restaurant called Stamina.  There's one near us in Kita Kobe.  Yummy

We had lunch at a yakiniku restaurant--yummy 

Timmy and Kiersten 

The guys rode these things down two paths from the top of a ski slope.  

 Mrs. Townsley brought a craft that a lady from their church prepared so we ladies could put it together while the guys had fun riding down the ski slope.  It was made of felt and the pieces were pre-cut so it was easy to glue together.  It could be either a headband or a band around a book to keep it closed.

Karen's mom made the headband 

Fourth of July in Aomori Ti2017

BIMI missionaries in Japan had our annual field conference this year in Aomori the week of July 4th. There were the Durdens, Canters, Johnsons, Dan and Terri Gardner, Dan Junior and family, Ethel Wilson, the Wards, plus Field Director David Harris.  Pastor Townsley and his wife from Connecticut  came.  He was the main speaker. They are the parents of Sarah Johnson and got to see their grandkids as a bonus.  Each missionary gave a short report of their work and in the morning while Pastor Townsley taught in the evening service.

Timmy, Joshua, Karen and Ethan 

Patriotic Jello

Apple Pie, of course 

Little Ethan loved the fireworks

Monday, July 3, 2017

This morning we boarded a prop plane at Itami airport to Aomori for the annual Field Conference.  It was drizzling a bit here  As we got closer to Aomori, it got cloudy and rainy..  The flight should have taken 90 minutes.  However that time came and went.  Turns out it was so foggy in Aomori that our plane was diverted back to Sendai.  It was clear there; we landed, deplaned and walked across the tarmak to a waiting bus.  When we got to the terminal and got off the bus, the stewardesses checked out name against the passenger list and handed us an envelope with cash in it.  We went over to the train to catch the shinkansen to Aomori station.    We were supposed to arrive at 1:30, but we finally got there about 6:00 pm.  
We were not the only ones that were diverted.  The Durden family came from Nagoyo and had to go back there then flew to Tokyo and stayed the night.  They finally got to Aomori on Tuesday about noon.

The propeller outside seat 8 on the right side.

Tanabata hangings in the Sendai Airport 

Ladies' room at Sendai

ride on the Shinkansen

sukiyaki Sunday

The ladies at church decided to have a "welcome back" luncheon after the morning service today.  The menu was sukiyaki--one of the better beef dishes.  It is cooked at the table and you pick out what you want onto your bowl.  Good eats!

Missionary Okazaki and wife were here to report on their work in Taiwan.  We learned some Chinese greetings along the way.  Mrs. interpreted to Japanese as Mr. spoke Chinese.  

The last one sai jun means see you later

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Today we were at Forest Ridge Baptist Church in Bel Air, Maryland.  They have supported us or 28 years very faithfully.

Henry preaching

We stayed with Aaron, Heather and Baby Autumn at their home for two days.  I got to bond with Autumn and practice my future grandma skills.  

Pastor Jeff and Ellen Berg

Evening service at Patuxent Baptist Church, I gave my testimony and Henry preached/gave his testimony.

Pastor Rick Connor

Mrs. Smith and daughter Lori 

Mrs. Connor, me and a young lady named Destiny.  She hugged me a few times.  It was good to be here this evening; there was a great crowd of people with families and small kids in abundance.