Meeting Family for the First Time

Emi with Alyssa - 2012

Mother, Emi, Aunt Sako - 1955

We were blessed to have my cousin, Emi, visit us this past week.  She is from a suburb of Tokyo, Japan, where she lives with her husband Akira and her daughter, Mireko.  Emi is the daughter of my mother's brother, Miyuki.  I have never met any of my 13 Japanese cousins so this was a special time for all of us.
Emi has been calling my mother for the past two years and has been planning to visit America for a long while. Plans were delayed due to the earthquakes, tsunami, and nuclear power problems that hit Japan.  For several weeks she and her family experienced daily tremors and lack of power.  We have been looking forward to her visit, praying for her safety,  and have been preparing the house for the past few months.
Because of my Texas upbringing I sometimes forget that I am half Japanese.   I do not give that side of me its due attention.  This week I have learned so many things about our family and have learned more of the Japanese language.
First of all, I didn't realize how difficult it was on my mother's family to have her move to the United States after she married my father.  My cousin brought a copy of a 56-year-old letter written by my aunt to my uncle letting him know of the move my mother was about to make.  My uncle kept that letter all of this time.  One purpose of my cousins' visit was to assure that my mother is well-taken care of and happy.  She told us that she would report to the family that all is beyond well for my mother here in America.  She lives in a loving home, has many friends, and is very happy.
Secondly, I see that the hand of the Lord has been on my mother's life.  Moving here to America was a great step in her knowing Jesus Christ and trusting Him for her salvation.  This has made all of the difference in her childrens' lives and eternity. I am grateful beyond measure that God brought my mother here to America and Texas!
Emi loved the atmosphere of America.  She loved the peace and quiet of East Texas.  She felt that the people were very loving, warm, and peaceful.  She bonded with several church ladies one afternoon and spoke of them on the way to the airport as if they were dear friends, and they are!
My heart has been made more aware of the need of salvation for my family in Japan and for all of the Japanese people.  My world has grown larger and my burden greater.  It is difficult to know that half of your family and your ancestors have not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ.  I hope you will pray along with me for the missionaries in Japan and for the Holy Spirit to work on their hearts.

Granddaughter's Birthday

Today is our granddaughter Kate's 2nd birthday.  We were blessed to be able to watch her grow and spend time with her for her first year.  For her entire 2nd year she has been in Kaiserslautern, Germany - Ramstein Air Force Base.  I'm Gigi and my husband, Scott, is Pop-Pop.  Gigi and Pop-Pop have sent many boxes of goodies to Germany and the last one was Kate and Victoria's birthday box.
The Lord has been good and blessed our daughter's family with good health and protection this past year.  Their second daughter, the "child with no name yet", is due in about a month.  Hopefully the child will have a name, I'm calling her Jennifer for now, and I will post it with a picture!
The Lord has kept us busy and needed in His service this year and that has helped with the separation.  I now have a deep appreciation for many moms in my church who have children and grandchildren all over the United States, Costa Rica, and China.
We have our granddaughter, Emma, right around the corner from us so we can't complain too much.  She is a real cutie and as smart as a whip.  I have to laugh at her when I watch the "wheels turning" in her little eyes.  She is five months old, has dark hair, gray eyes, and a silly grin.
This is a grandma post, maybe this week I'll update on our teen world with Alyssa!

Where Did it Go?

Yes, I am blogging.  It's 1:38 a.m. and my brain is racing so to the keyboard I go.  The past year has been very full and very blessed.  Let me just give you a 12-point overview of the past episode of 2011/2012, or since I last blogged!  Do I get a grade reduction for late work?

1. Our son-in-law, Leonard, was transferred to Ramstein AFB in Kaiserslautern, Germany.  Our daughter, Victoria, granddaughter Kate (then one year old) moved to Germany to be with him on July 10, 2011.  They will be stationed there for at least three years.  (possibly the reason that my last blog was June 2011)  

2. Scott, Alyssa, and I visited Scott's mom in Pennsylvania later in July.  On the way we had vacation time in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Williamsburg, Virginia.  We had a wonderful time with his brother and sister's families and celebrated our beautiful niece's (Katelyn) graduation.  I have five nieces - all beautiful.  Our nephew, Nathan Petticoffer became the brother that Alyssa never had and she still misses him almost every day.  Have I told you that I have a nephew who's a firefighter?  They actually fit the name "Petticoffer" on his helmet.  We are so proud of him!

3. Alyssa began homeschooling in August.  We use the same curriculum as her church school friends and stay on the same schedule and calendar.  Having two adult children has made me keenly aware of the short time I have left with the youngest child.  With counsel from our pastor and family we decided to keep her at home to be educated.  We have thoroughly enjoyed this past year.  The flexibility of the school day worked well to spend time practicing music, doing art projects, sewing, going on ministry work with her "bachi" and also allowed her to have oral surgery and keep up with work at home.  That was a real blessing!

4. I have again had the privilege of teaching at Texas Baptist College.  During the fall semester I taught the Christian Womanhood class, Concert Choir, Hymn playing, and TBC Chorale.  During the spring semester I taught Music in a Soul-winning church, Concert Choir, Hymn playing, and TBC Chorale. I also teach ten piano students.  The Lord has blessed us with young people who are teachable, spirited, and willing servants.  The word that describes them best is "amazing".

5. Scott will reach his 19th year of employment at Weatherford International Lift Systems in a few months.  His schedule is arranged so that he works three or four long shifts each week and has several days off in a row.  He has tackled several projects including, but not limited to landscaping and resurfacing the back yard and patio, refinishing furniture, cleaning out the attic, and remodeling the main bathroom in record time.  Our bathroom has moved from 1962 (coral pink tile) to at least 1999.  I'm just kidding we are at 2008...

6. Our handsome nephew, Joe Simmons and his fiance' Liz Violett, were married on October 17, in Corpus Christi, Texas. We enjoyed being part of the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and wedding celebration.  The couple was beautiful and the wedding and reception turned out lovely.  We had a few hours to visit the USS Lexington Air Craft Carrier.  There are a lot of ladders to climb!  Alyssa ran out of steam before her two old parents did.  We had a great time.

7. Our other handsome nephew, Craig, got engaged to his girlfriend Devyn.  They will be married in a few weeks in California.  My sister Paula will get her girl and will be a mother-in-law.

8. Our daughter Jessica and her husband Martin had our second granddaughter, Emma LuAnne Meave, on January 5, 2012.  The fall was filled with doctor appointments and tests.  We praise the Lord for her safe and healthy arrival.  She is such a beautiful and good baby....lol, this is a grandmother's opinion!

9. Scott and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in San Antonio, Texas.  No plans, no meetings, no one to see, praise the Lord.  We went to church on Wednesday night and did whatever we felt like doing or not doing for the rest of the time - that was neat.  Our hotel sidewalk led us to the Riverwalk so we enjoyed walking to our destinations most of the time. 

10. My other beautiful niece, Meagan, went away to Hyles-Anderson College. We sure have missed her.  She is very good about calling and skyping, so three cheers for her.  

11. My brother Mark and his wife Kimberly will be moving to Shreveport, Louisiana due to his recent job promotion with the Brookshires grocery chain.  We are so proud of his accomplishments even though we will miss living so close to them.  

12. We are now preparing for a big occasion - My cousin and her husband are coming to visit us from Japan.  I have never met any of my first cousins and they are excited to come to America, what they are expecting I do not know... Well, I'm excited to meet them even though we won't be able to communicate very well.  I'm sure we'll drink lots of hot green tea and laugh a lot.  My cousin, Emi, is 60 years old and probably half my size.  I'm praying that she and her husband will be saved on this trip.

If you are reading this you must be a very dear friend or just plain bored.  I will do my best to keep up with the day-to-day happening and major events.

"Last Days"

Today is our last day to spend with Victoria, Leonard, and Kate.  We have been busy watching the sweetest baby on earth while her parents clean and pack.
I'm taking time to blog to ask you for your prayers as they travel to Kaiserslautern, Germany.  Ramstein Air Force Base.  They have a three-year duty there.
Victoria has always been near home, attended the same church all of her life, and has had the same circle of friends.  Your prayers will help her with this adjustment.
I will post their new address and some pictures when I find out the details.  Their email addresses will not change - lenandtor2008@gmail.com (Victoria), lrcg1988@gmail.com (Leonard).
Thank you, dear friends and family!

Family Togetherness

Our family has been counting the days until Leonard's return.  On Saturday, Alyssa and I spent the day running errands to prepare for this week.  We went from a typical summer week schedule to a Nascar pit crew schedule!
Sunday, June 19 was Father's Day.  So after church we celebrated Scott's day and my birthday, since my birthday is on the twentieth.  Monday was the beginning of the Teen Convention.  Wow! That was exciting! Days began at 5:30 a.m. and finished around 10:00 p.m. Wednesday was our other son-in-law Martin's birthday.  We gave him his gift and had his birthday cake the following Sunday!
Finally, on Wednesday afternoon at 5:00 p.m.  Leonard arrived at the Longview airport.  What a blessing!  We got to give him a hug take pictures and make it in time for rehearsal for the Teen Convention service that night.  My whole family was there. Hallelujah!
Thursday morning was the closing day for the convention.  The young people were such a blessing but we were exhausted!!  (physically and emotionally)  I was looking forward to some time off - then Scott called and told me that his van broke down, so I had to pick him up from work at 6:00 p.m.  I got to be his ride for the next two days!!!
Alyssa got her quality time when I took her to the orthodontist on Friday morning and then we spent some time shopping at Hobby Lobby and Mardell's.  Friday afternoon was spent getting ready for Kate's first birthday party.  Victoria invited a few close friends and we enjoyed watching Kate eat her birthday cupcake!
On Sunday we hosted a family dinner for the Costas and his Dad, Leonard, Sr.  Martin got his birthday song and cake and we had a great time!  Alyssa came down with a virus and is still recuperating.
Just when you're a little down or lonely God pours out his blessing of family togetherness!  I think I need a nap now!

Brave Girl

Victoria has been looking forward to seeing Leonard since he was shipped overseas.  He left for Korea in March of 2010, Kate was born in June of 2010, and she hoped to see him this week.
Because of paperwork, passports, military protocol, Leonard's return has been put off again.  Victoria has been "holding on" bravely, but is now getting a little impatient.  Please pray for all of the little things that will make a difference in him coming home.  The Lord knows the exact timing and when will be best.  Victoria just needs a little strength to make it through the last long days.  (even though we as grandparents are enjoying Kate, we know it's time for her to see her daddy!)

Enjoying every minute

This is my first post for 2011 and it is April 9!  Life has been busy and good.  Scott and I have been busy being parents and grandparents.  Lots of fun.  To catch up on events, we've done the following...

• travelled to Joy Britt's and Robert Bleak's winter wedding in Oklahoma - beautiful!
• Enjoyed going with Meagan to her last teen banquet
• Snow days
• celebrated Jessica's 24th birthday in February
• celebrated Mom's 83rd and Mark's 43rd birthdays on March 2
• helped hostess a bridal shower for DeAnna Gray, to be married to Josh Doyle
• Spring break
• celebrated Scott's 51st birthday
• put in new landscaping in the front yard in two areas
• we work with Alyssa on her homework, piano playing, art work, and goofing around time!
• we've spent time with our granddaughter, Kate at least once a week!

Scott has been going through several changes at his work including schedule cuts, machine changes, management changes, etc...  I have been honored to teach four Texas Baptist College classes this semester: "Church Music Administration", "Music Appreciation", "Music in a Soul Winning Church", and "Marriage and the Christian Home."  

In February, Scott's mom fell and broke her leg in two places.  She is still unable to put any weight on her leg, walk, or get around on her own.  She is in a nursing home for daily rehab and care.  Thankfully, she enjoys the company, the caretakers, and the food!  What a blessing.  We hope she will be up and around my the end of the month.

A highlight of this month is our church Spring campaign.  It is a "Spring Thing Fling" - (a Dr. Suess theme - Thing 1 vs. Thing 2) Our family is on the Thing Two side.  It has been a very fun campaign.  We are looking forward to each Sunday to see what's coming up!  We had a lot of visitors the first week.