Halloween....

So I caved....Halloween is not a holiday I celebrated growing up and it isn't one I want to make a big deal in our lives....but our sweet neighbors invited us to the Halloween Trick or Treating in the neighborhood around their international school. So in the name of deepening dear friendships we took part. The kids were thrilled....and thanks to the input of Aunt Caroline and Celina we had ~ a feline of some variety, the Lone Ranger and a Fairy Princess who were escorted by two of the loveliest of witches. They had a ball but I think they were all a bit taken a back by the scary bits....

desperately wanting tooth fairy money.....

Now all he wants for Christmas are his two front teeth!

See you again soon!

having a ball....

we love love our neighbor Gin-chan!

Our family is so privileged to be a part of what God is doing in Asia. The height of our year in a country is the event that Chad, along with the pastors in the city work so hard to pull together. The Osaka Festival was this past weekend at Osaka-Jo Hall. It was amazing. The largest Christian event held in Japan since Billy Graham was here in 1980. More than 30,000 in attendance over the course of 3 days and 1,700 committments to Christ....

Personally, we had several friends come to the Festival to show their support. Our sweet friend from Albania, Edlira, came and brought a crew with her. Mare and Daiki, our neighbors, came to the children's festival to meet Matt Murton.

Matt (previously with the Cubs, Rockies and A's) is a professional baseball player here in Japan who broke the all time hitting record this year. Matt is a hot item at the moment and the fact that he is a humble believer willing to give of his time was a huge blessing!

And as always it was great to see old friends. Many from Okinawa came up to be a part of the team. I love that we get to see friends again in spite of the miles that seperate us.

* these shots are courtesy of Janet Chismar from BGEA....thanks for letting us use them!!

Osaka Festival....

showing off her new teeth!!!

My dear friend Sherry Reimer from Okinawa traveled up to be with us for the Festival.......we love you Sherry....thanks for your time and love....

enjoying the autumn weather at the park.....

So proud of my husband!

japanese cowgirl....

Farm....

Why does it seem everything we do includes animals? Is it an age thing or just my children? Last weekend Celina and Marina took us (including Tiara from Taiwan who is here to help out with the Festival) to a farm just outside the city. Sheep, goats, rabbits, horses, cows....but the best part was trying our hand at milking a cow.....then yummy ice cream for a late afternoon snack.