Ward Wanderings

My friend Betsy

Received word today, Feb. 24, that my friend Betsy Finley had gone to heaven after a short illness. She caught the flu back in January and it progressed to pneumonia, then went onto attack her organs and brain and was diagnosed with herpes encephalitis and worsened from there. She was in a coma for four weeks with little response to medication and whatever the doctors could do for her. It is very sad that she has passed, but I know someday we shall meet again in heaven. I thank the Lord that we knew each other. I'd like to share this one story.

Betsy Hubbs and I shared a house along with her sister, Susie, and another friend, Judy, back in 1982-1983 before we both married. Betsy was dating Wayne, who was in the Air Force, I believe, while I was dating Henry. Everyone in the church expected both of us to announce engagements anytime. On May 7, 1983, there was the annual senior banquet at the Independent Baptist Academy where Betsy and Henry were teachers. Couples got their photos taken to mark the event.

After the banquet Henry took me to a restaurant for dessert and asked me to marry him and he gave me a beautiful ring. Of course, I said "Yes!". When he dropped me off at the house, Betsy said that Wayne had given her a ring. We were both so excited. The next day was Mother's Day at church. Betsy and I sang in the choir alto section and stood next to each other. We were comparing rings and grinning 😀. After the Mother's Day presentations, Pastor Pat Creed read Henry and my's wedding announcement, a surprise to the entire church. We set the date for July 16, 1983. Betsy and Wayne married on December 17, 1983.

We kept in touch through the years sending each other photos of our children. We got to meet her again in 2015 on our last furlough driving through Missouri. Wayne was not there as he got a call that his sister was sick, so he went to see her. It was a sheer pleasure to have known Betsy and Wayne. May God bless their family.

Betsy and Wayne

notice how similar these photos are?

Celeste and Henry

Male Pheasants show up once again

These are one of the most beautiful birds in God's creation, but they do have a very harsh honk. These brothers are about 3-4 years old. A few years ago I saw a brood with the mother bird and have watched these guys mature into what they are today.

The one behind is standing on a cement retaining wall next to the road and opposite the neighbors wall you can see. When a car came by, it got scared, honked and flew off to another field, The one in front stayed around a while longer.

Where'd that guy go?

A Japanese Funeral

Two weeks ago, the mom of a church member, she was 92, died and Henry was asked to do the funeral the next day. We don't really know if the mom was a Christian, though her daughter asked prayer for her every week and kept us informed of her condition. She had been in a home for 3-4 years. Her family did not object to a Christian funeral.

It was the first time for me to go to the crematorium, but Henry's been there several times. The drive into the place was beautifully landscaped, almost like a park. Then you come upon the round building with smoke pouring out the roof. It was overcast and drizzling. There were several funerals going on at the same time and more to come in the afternoon. We saw several hearses drive in and out.

There were two Buddhist funerals going on at the same time on either side of us. The circular hall was divided into three sections, possibly four, as I could not see directly opposite. Each part had 5 small doors that the coffins were put in, and ours was the fourth coffin that day to be inserted. This was about noon.

After Henry prayed for the family, we all left and went to an adjacent building for lunch and wait three hours until the family could then go and pick out some bones to keep and put in an urn. We did not stay for that part of it.

Funerals are very sad indeed. Christian funerals have the hope of seeing the loved one in heaven if that person had accepted Christ as their Savior. We are praying more Japanese will have the hope of eternal life.

Henry's Wrist Update

At 1/31/17 therapy, doctor removed splint and bandage. He said dissolving stitches are on the inside. The bumps are from the tape that held the skin together. DH still moves the wrist daily and actually played piano in church 2/1/17. He said that felt good. His arm is very warm and was told not to lift anything heavy for now. It is healing. Praise the Lord.

Latest Quilting projects

This elephant has its problems, but it got done in 5 days; very colorful.

The label

The scrappy back. It's a large lap size; not quite bed size.

Row by Row from 2015: Quilting Sew Easy in Gaffney, SC; Orchard's Edge Quilt Shop, Bayfield, WI; and Quilter's Alley in Paducah, KY

Quilt and Sew in Katy, TX, the easiest one yet! The houses are a print and the shop quilted their name on the purple fabric--three seams--so easy. Love it.

Church Sunday

There were 12 in church on January 29. Mrs. Maeda was new and came with member Mrs. Matsunaga. Mrs. Hirose came again; she's a friend of member Mrs. Tanaka. Baby Ryuri brought his mom 😀. Mrs. Komai and son Ryosei came, as well as Mrs. Akamatsu from the local nursing home.

1st row left: Mrs. Maeda and Mrs. Matsunaga; 2nd row Mrs. Tanaka and Mrs. Hirose; 3rd row Ryosei and Mrs. Komai.

Mrs. Akamatsu in front and Mrs.Yamaguchi standing.

Baby Ryuri now 2 1/2 months.

Henry lead singing and Sara played piano.

Time to break out the chocolate!

The Bible School remodeling is nearly done. Here are the latest photos of the entrance. Really looks much nicer than previously.

Looking from new walkway under the stairs from dining room. Chairs and table for chatting,copy machine corner and a closet.

From the dining room looking at President's office door and music room to right. The right wall has two restrooms.

Just inside the foyer. Plenty of closets now.

The secretary's window and President's office door right inside the entrance.

Parking lot was paved after the exterior was done. The door is completely new.

Henry's Wrist

While shoveling snow on our parking lot for the first time since it was paved, Henry slipped and tried to break his fall, landing on his left hand. He knew something was wrong right away. However, this was 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning and we had church in an hour. So I wrapped up the wrist and he held the left hand at waist height most of the time. Church proceeded as usual. We even had a first-time visitor come! Praise God.

We got to the hospital about 4:00 pm at the emergency room as it was the hospital's day off. They took an x-ray and it was determined he has a distal radius fracture. The ortho doctor was on duty and recommended surgery and to return Monday for a consultation.

You can see the wrist is swollen and out of joint a little. His arm was wrapped in a splint and a sling and we went home.

Monday we returned and saw the same doctor. He ordered some tests to determine the extent of the injury and prep for surgery. First was a blood test, then an EKG of his heart to see if that was OK and an MRI of the hand.

Finally we went back to the ortho doctor and he explained the procedure scheduled for 2:00 pm on Wednesday, Jan 18. He went through a list of things and explained the procedure in detail and what to expect. The options were a local anasthesia to numb the entire arm where Henry would be awake, or sleep. He chose the sleep one as he was told by two other friends that the local is very painful and sometimes does not work. This also means he will have to stay overnight Wednesday. Which also means he asked Hiraoka-sensei to preach on Wednesday evening.

The doctor will put a metal plate over a fractured bone and screw it down. He said Henry would need some rehab, maybe 1-2 visits.

Our insurance will cover most of the expense, so that is a blessing. I am Henry's chauffeur for a few days, although he insists he can drive with one hand--NOT!

Please pray for complete healing.

Snow in Kobe

It has snowed two days in a row here in Kobe! A very rare event. However, it also has melted so we are back to just freezing temps. It was beautiful to see the snow hanging on the trees.

Sunday Morning January 15th.

The shoveled parking lot--for the first time.

New Year moon Near

Near as I can figure the star on the left is actually Mars. This was taken about 6:30 AM January 2nd in Japan. It's rather striking to see it on a clear, cold night. God created so many beautiful things for us to appreciate and glorify Him.

First quilt 2017

The first quilt I finished this year was started in December 2016, but completed January 2.

Quarter-square triangles set in black polka dots--spiffy.

The back is just scrappy.

My Santa bag where I collect fabric scraps all year.

And here is the pile of most of the scraps collected that are too small to use. It was fun making quilts in 2016 and will continue in 2017, Lord willing. I've been trying to reduce the fabric stash I have, but somehow it just keeps multiplying...

Happy New Year lunch

😋 We had sukiyaki for lunch today. This is a Japanese meal cooked at the table and people just serve themselves out of the pan, taking whatever they like. Ingredients include thin sliced marbled beef cut in bite-size pieces, Chinese cabbage, leeks cut in 1 inch pieces, watercress, mushrooms, tofu and sukiyaki sauce. Rice is served on the side. It's tradition to crack an egg into a small bowl and stir it up, then dip the vegetables or meat in it before eating. However, Sara and I opted out of that part. We have added broccoli in the past and that was good, but it's not part of an 'authentic' Japanese sukiyaki dish. Here's some photos:

The meat is fried first in a little oil, then the
veggies are added, and the tofu is last to go in.

Chef Henry

Meat with veggies, tofu and white mushrooms cooking in the sauce.

Soooo delicious and filling!

Coke in Japan

The labels on Coca Cola bottles in Japan can be turned into a Christmas Bow by pulling a tab. Works on 500 ml bottles only. Clever

Ladies' Meeting

Our annual wreath making ladies' meeting was December 9th. There were seven ladies in attendance; four of whom were new to this event. Henry told Jesus' birth story.

We made pine cone wreaths on a wire frame this time. Back in March/April, the city of Kobe was kind enough to cut the trees along the major thoroughfare--a distance of about 2-3 miles. Oodles of beautiful pine cones were left behind, so I collected a huge box of them. They turned out well, though it took longer than anticipated. After that we had a turkey soup lunch.

Please pray the new ladies will come again and hear the gospel.