I had to say my first tough goodbye yesterday. Emily and I got to spend one last day together Monday. It was so nice having some quality time together. She took me to eat, just the 2 of us, for my birthday. We spent the morning at Andi and Nadine at Andi's for pumpkin pancakes (our last time all together). And, we spent the girls nap time knitting and chatting. What a perfect day, until it came to an end. Instead of saying goodbye, we made plans to get together Wednesday for coffee.

  

Obviously, the girls love their Auntie Em too. 

Emily is such an awesome friend. I hate leaving her. I am so blessed that God put her in my lif here in Japan, and I know this is not the end. We will see each other again (I will make sure of it). Right now, she is beginning her long adventure of train rides, airport waiting, flying, more airport waiting,a dn even more flying to get to beautiful CA for a week with her best friend and brand new nephew. I know she is going to have so much fun. Please pray for safe and stress-free traveling, and a day surrounded by sweet, helpful, loving people.



I have actually really enjoyed our time here in Japan, especially the past few months. It has been pretty hard here and there, but we have grown to love it. I am really going to miss it here, especially the dear friends God has put in our lives.

We also had one last family gathering with our dear friends Monica, Mas, and Chiharu. It was so much fun. It's always hard getting all of us together, with Alex traveling with the navy, and Mas being a pilot 5 days a week. We had so much fun! Mas cooked us a delicious dinner,a nd Monica and Chi made a birthday cake for Monic and me.


We blew out candles (which was so much fun for the kiddos too : )

 
and then opened sweet presents from them. Monica gave me a beautiful cross necklace from her favorite glass store in Okinawa. It is so special. THank you so much!


Chiharu gave the girls awesome beach towels for Papaw's pool.


After that, we headed outside to do fireworks. What a treat!




 


Oh my goodness. I am overwhelmed with the love God has poured out on us here. What amazing life long friends we have made. And oh, the growth in Christ and in Faith in Him that we have experienced out here is an eternal blessing.

I know God has so much for us in Texas (although it is really hard to leave Japan right now, at leaxst until travel season starts back up again ; ). I am so excited to see where His path leads. God's timing and His will are perfect. He promises to be a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path. He never once promised to give us the Google map of our future (thank you Chaps for that awesome picture). We trust in the path God is leading us down, even though we don't know exactly where He is taking us.

And, just for fun, here are a few more pictures fromt he last week:



Hannah is so good at folding towels and clothes, and she loves to help.



Faith and Isaiah, partners in crime. 



Faith just loves Isaiah.  She asks for him all the time.  They have so much fun together (and act like brother and sister at times.

 
Check out the beautiful flowers I found at the Commissary for around $10.  This would cost $50 or more if I bought it already arranges from a florist.  It made our house smell so good for over a week,a nd it brightens my day every time I see them.



Hannah fell asleep this way one night.  Too cute : )



That's my Hannah Banana


And my sweet Faith girl, fast asleep in my arms.  (Hannah took this picture.  Pretty good!)

...And it was AWESOME!!! First of all, Alex took me out for a hot date, juts the two of us, all night long, Andi and Chris and Isaiah came over for a sleep over with Hannah and Faith. What a blessing! They are such sweet friends, and we had soooo much fun!

First, we headed to the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo, where we had a room reserved for the night. This is a very nice US military hotel int he heart of Tokyo. Our room was only $40 for the night. Can't beat that. We took our time getting ready for the evening without the sweet, but distracting interuptions form our girls. Then, we headed for Indian food at Priya. Mmmmmmm...My mouth is watering again. It was oh so good. I recomend you try it out. Then, on to a jazz concert at:

Blue Note Jazz Club in Tokyo (and, it was smoke free : )


It looks small, but it is all underground. The concert was actually 2 floors below the ground.


This was taken from our seats. I love the intimate atmosphere for a concert. You can't get a bad seat



Oh, you are probably wondering who we had the pleasure of hearing...Roy Hargrove Quintet. They were great! We really enjoyed it. We should really get out and hear more live Jazz. It is so relaxing (when it's played well). I can't wait for Denton Jazz and Arts Festival.

Well, in the middle of a beautifal song, Alex gave me a birthday present that he picked out for me in the Philipines.

It's so beautiful in person (I just couldn't get the picture right). I haven't been able to wear my wedding rings since being pregnant with Faith and getting bigger. My engagement ring was stollen by the first movers. Now I have a beautiful ring that I can wear. I just have to get it sized to fit.

What a wonderful birthday. Thank you so much sweetie : )

Ok...tell me what you think. It's a bit drastic, but I think I like it. I may end up going back to get the front a little shorter. I don't know. I loved my cut before (it needed a little trimming though), but I was already sweaty and hot from having my hair on my neck, so I wanted it off. I hate my hair in my face, so I wanted it long enough in the front to pull back or put behind my ears.