There is a lot going on right now, and this is one of those times with all the distractions of life that we as a family would covet your prayers.  Sometimes when the distractions and all the things that go on, we lose sight of HIM.  This is when the evil one creeps and in and creates doubt and havoc.  Things will be crazy for a while for us, so we appreciate your prayers.  I do not see that things will taper out until the fall.  Hopefully by then we have adjusted to new schedules and a new life and our schedule will be more even tempered, or at the least some of the current distractions will no longer be a problems because they will have taken care of themselves by fall.  

Until then...as my dad always said, "Keep your tailgate up."  That is what we intend to do.

I forgot to add that we got the boys cookbooks for easter.  I know, you all think that I am nuts for giving boys cookbooks.  Before you all judge me or throw stones at me, please let me say that cookbooks are fun.  I wanted to encourage the boys to be more involved with meal planning with me and actually helping me more in the kitchen.  This is something that I want to instill in all my children as we prepare to relocate... Oh, that reminds me that we have said in various other forums about our relocating, but that I have neglected to mention in Xanga-land that we are relocating. 

Ok, so here it is.  We are moving back to Niigata in June.  Woohoo!

Anyhow, I want the kids to be more helpful in the kitchen and grow in their independence as young men and young lady.  I bought the boys each their own cookbooks.  For Skyler, he now owns the Star Wars Cookbook referred to as Darth Malt.  Tomo is the proud owner of the Star Wars Wookiee Cookies book.  All day today the boys have been looking at their books, and plotting what to make.  Tomo did make a Skywalker Smoothie, but time did not permit Skyler to actually make the Darth Malt.  Maybe tomorrow.  I am happy that the boys like the books, but I am wondering if the novelty will eventually wear off or if they will become fanatic kitchen helpers now.  Judging by today...I am maybe in for a run for my money with them trying to do all the recipes.

Oh, the funny thing from school today was when Skyler was reading his how stuff works book for science, he read about a toilet that is high tech and more sanitary.  The book didn't say where the toilet was from, but we had a good laugh because we have seen that toilet by the maker that was listed in the book (a common toilet maker here in Japan).  Those high tech toilets don't seem so high tech to us because we see them and use them all the time.  Kind of like, "Whats the big deal?"  We also think that of the common grey squirrels that we sometimes see inside zoo exhibits here in Japan.  

This has been a short week for CAJ students, which has made this week fly by fast for our tribe of ten (minus the one at the Far East Basketball Tournament).  Skyler is on his last 20 lessons of 5th grade and it also seems to be winding up pretty quickly.  Tomo is in his last few days as a Nenchu-san (middle grade kindergarten).  It feels like the typical wrap up to another school year in many ways; except for the part where the American school in town still goes on until June.  This time of the year makes things a bit busy with the end of the year and preparing for the beginning of another year.  Japan changes their school year, jobs, and the like in mid-March to early-April.  Last Friday of February?!  Where did this month go?!  We do not have Japanese class next Wednesday because it is a fifth Wednesday.  It really seems strange to be talking about a 5th weekday in February.  Silly leap year.

Another gorgeous day today.  I could get used to this.  I am going to bike to class tonight.  The family I teach for has been insisting that I take public transportation during the winter.  They pay for it, but I prefer to take my bike.  Public transportation is great but the bus that I take to get back home never ever comes on time.  I have stood at that bus stop for as nearly long as it would have taken me just to walk back to the house.  The buses are supposed to come every 10 minutes or so.  I am guessing that the bus schedule changed but the posted schedule doesn't reflect that.  OR it could just be that far behind on a Friday night.  Just glad that the weather is great to be out on a bike today!

I have been seeing some FB statuses, newsletters, blog posts about missionaries asking for care packages from the supporters.  This got me to thinking about the whole issue of care packages.  It occurred to me that other than my parents shipping Christmas gifts or things we ask them to ship to us, we have not received a care package in about a year.  This got me thinking about missionary care.  Thinking about all those recent comments and my own family's situation, made me think about why those packages are so nice.  As far as needing items, we don't need anything.  I am sure any missionary will tell you this especially if they live in a 1st world country.  It isn't the need that sparks the desire to ask for packages, it is the want.  But isn't so much as the want as it is the mental boost from getting something from home.  When we get a package, we think how great it is that such-and-such was sent to us, but it more the feeling of so-and-so sent me this item.  Usually sent items are things that cannot be gotten easily on the field or comes at a huge price.  Items might be unique to the home country or be given with the knowledge that the item is just a certain thing for the receiver.  It just feels good.  It feels like being loved all the way across the ocean.  It is a reminder that we have been forgotten.

People/churches who send care packages are sort of like cheerleaders for the missionary family living on the field.  My challenge to any people from churches reading this blog...

How have you loved on your missionary lately?  

I know a number of people who could sure use a little love and a reminder that their support base is still praying for them and thinking about them even though they are millions of miles away (ok millions of miles is exaggerated, but I hope you see the point).  I am not challenging you churches, friends, families not for my own families sake, but for the many families I know who could surely use an encouraging boost.  However, if you would like to love on our family, we never look a gift horse in the mouth.