Two birthdays: Seeing the difference

Birthday 2010

Birthday 2011

Perhaps it's hard to see the change in the kids from this picture, but they all look much older.  My look too is drastically different.  I like the difference because it reminds me how much the kids and I have grown over the last year.  I pray that we will all continue to grow into closer relationship with God, understanding his grace and his love and desiring to live lives that are pleasing to him.  God has been doing a lot of work in my heart over the past year.  His refining work is not complete, but I believe he has continued the good work that he started in me and that will one day be complete.

Second Birthday in Okinawa

I had a wonderful birthday. On Friday Makiko-san (the sweet secretary at work) made an amazing cake for the kids and I to enjoy. Then that night I went out for French food with Makiko-san, Nana-san (my former housemate) and Mariya-san (my current housemate). The food was delicious and it was fun to hang out with such wonderful ladies. Praise God for a blessed birthday!

Appetizer: delicious!

Me and Mariya (my housemate); yummy soup

Mariya's present to me and delicious dessert

Makiko-san, Nana-san, me and Mariya-san: wonderful ladies

Cake at school

It was delicious!