Today, I went for another run/walk. I decided to go through my neighborhood and head on over to my old neighborhood.
On my way there, I was struck by the gardens. They had all been cleaned up and ready for the next planting in the next month or so, I believe.
They had torn down the shed but the house was still in place.
Note the satellite dish is hanging there but the antenna was still on the roof.
I lived in this house for about three of the six and half years I have been here in Japan. I am grateful to Covenant Mission for allowing me to live in there, especially when I was taking care of Hana. I understand that the house will be torn down sometime soon.
There was a change in the road. It has always been a two way road, but it was quite narrow and it took coordinating if you and someone else was driving in opposite directions on this road. They widened it at the end so there is room to turn onto the road and to exit the road.
Looking up towards the Covenant Mission house.
It is widened by a meter and a half. They took space from the gardens on the left of the picture.
I did make one stop at the Starbucks by the Kiyose for a drip coffee. The weather was warm enough to sit outside by the tables on the sidewalk.
It was a sunny day today and the temperatures even went into the double digits (in Celcius). Another beautiful day and a bonus was that my laundry was able to hang and be all dry by the time the sun went down today. Another blessed day!
It is January and the weather feels cold. The vegetation is also preparing for colder weather. Saturday, I decided to go for a run and walk around the neighborhood. I took some photos as I was walking and running along.
Harvesting the last of the carrots
Along the way there is a fenced off area for the United States Forces.
The gardeners dig a hole and put in waste from the garden to burn and than cover it after it's burned through.
Manicuring the trees is very common
A neighborhood donkey.
These plants are covered in plastic to project from the cold the next few months.
The neighborhood playground.
In Tokyo, things can sometimes look the same everywhere, but there are differences and sometimes we need to look closer. It is a privilege to live here and to be involved in the ministry at Christian Academy in Japan.
Christmas break was an especially long one, we had three weeks! It really is a good time to rest, reflect and rejuvenate. It is also a time to remember God's great gift in his son at Christmas. At Tokyo Union Church (TUC) we have multiple Christmas eve services, one that has a children's focus and two that are candlelight services.
Here in Japan, Christmas is primarily for commercialism. There is a lot of buying and selling of merchandise but the real reason of Christmas isn't usually found in any of the stores.
December 23rd is the day Japan celebrates the Emperor's birthday. That is an official holiday, but this year, that day fell on Sunday and the country observed the holiday on Monday, December 24th. Before heading up to Tak I wanted to get pick up the medicine I need. Unfortunately, it was too late before I figured out that the doctor's office was closed on December 24th. I was planning to drive up on Dec. 25th, however now I would have to drop by the doctor's and pharmacy before heading out.
As I was sitting in the doctor's office, I was thinking about Christmas and how odd it felt that it was Christmas day and I was able to visit the doctor and pharmacy.
Before I drove up, I went to pick up a chocolate lab, Coco, from friends of mine. I take him with me up to the cabin occasionally. He is good company.
Sunset when I arrived
Usually twice a day I would take Coco for a walk. The morning walk was along the beach, but the afternoon/evening walk could be to Hanabuchihama. The panoramic pictures are of the Hanabuchihama shore.
It had snowed over night. The snow was still on the beach when Coco and I took our walk along Shichigahama.
The sun trying to shine through the clouds
Still evidences of the tsunami from March 2011
One way to keep warm in the cabin
This year the Willson's invited me to participate in their gingerbread house competition. Steve, Jacquie and I were one team and Lauren, Rachel and Caitlin were the other team. It was a fun evening.
The last few days I was there, it snowed each night and sometimes into the daytime. The last day when Coco and I took our walk, it was still snowing by the beach.
I am always amazed at how quiet it can be at the cabin. Enjoy the sights and sounds of this video.
I drove home along the coast. It was a good time away and I was still able to have some time before school began. I have been blessed to be able to get-away to this cabin. I am very grateful for this opportunity. I also enjoy the time with Coco and being able to take care of him. He's a good dog.
I pray that you all had a good Christmas and New Year!
