School Arts Festival

We've just enjoyed a weekend celebrating the Arts here at OIS and it was amazing! The hallways, stairways, windows, etc were filled with student art work, the theatre hosted several short plays along with a mini version of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and the genkan was filled with dancing, singing and musical performances. I remain in awe of all of the talent and loved seeing the school so alive with the sights and sounds of creativity, beauty and fun!

Fun with Tyler

What a fun weekend- Tyler is a friend of Amberly's from Valpo who is here in Osaka for the weekend and we have been honored to enjoy a few days together- complete with snow! Friday, we celebrated Japan's Birthday by touring Osaka and visiting the Castle. Today (Saturday), we hopped on the shinkansen (bullet train) and went to Hiroshima and Miyajima.

We'll spend the day in Kyoto tomorrow before having to say goodbye... which I am already sad about. It's been such a treat for us to have Tyler here- we are going to miss him!

Update... finally

Happy New Year- can't believe that it is already February! One day, I hope to figure out where these days, weeks and months go, but.. until then- just a quick update.

Two words come to mind when I think back on our family vacation: Incredible and Blessed. We were indeed richly, generously, and incredibly blessed- in all things and beyond measure!! From safe flights, to the wonderful hospitality of Timmy and Amy, to fabulous weather, scenery, sights, sounds, experiences, and overflowing joy.

Highlights include: being together to celebrate Christmas (although we did have to wait until Dec. 28th when Amberly arrived), seeing Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands and Devils Tower in addition to Yellowstone National Park and Big Sky. (An added blessing and answer to prayer was Jeph's knees holding up to three days of skiing) .

In all ways, we were and continue to be so richly blessed! Thanks be to God!

Custer's Last Stand Mt. Rushmore... four heads really are better than one! Badlands National Park Devils Tower Began the New Year in Yellowstone National Park

Big Sky

Mr. K - one of our favorite runs... with three Mr. K's!

I'll close by sharing a sign we saw at Wall Drug- a fun reminder for the new year ahead!