So I have been thinking just to be on the safe side there are going to be times I will be password protecting some of our posts. If you would like to receive our password let me know.
Things I will miss…
I am finishing up my 5th year here in Okinawa. Although still a Europe gal Okinawa has become home. Every year I am here the more and more it feels like home. I do have to share one of my life motto’s with moving is, “Give me two weeks and then I am fine.”
As we are getting ready to pack up our apartment and head back to the USA I find myself thinking of all the things I will miss here in Okinawa.
*Vending machines!
When I first moved here I thought it was crazy how there is a vending machine on every block and sometime multiple vending machines right next to each other. But after living here I love them! I need them! 
Seriously I have pulled over in my car while driving some where to get my favorite tea. Or Dave and I during a date night/movie night will walk down the stairs to the closest vending machine to get our favorite drinks. I know it sounds silly. But they are so convenient.
*Asian food!
Okinawa soba, Ramen, fried rice, sushi, curry! All of it! I love going out to eat here and not worrying about milk. I love that the portions are just the right size. We have so many wonderful, semi-cheap places to eat here.
*The service here.
At Starbucks they hand you menu’s, or give you blankets to use while sitting outside in the winter. Our housing agency LOVES that we have a kid and greets us by name when we come in. When you go somewhere to buy something the employees look PLEASED to help. On a crazy day at the Airport the workers don’t YELL at you, they help you get to your flight by running with you to the plane. 
*The Island way of life.
We all wear flip flops all year round. Every thing is more laid back. On a beautiful sunny day everyone is out in the water, or taking walks by the water. It’s wonderful.
*Our Cadence Team here.
We love our team here. We love pursuing Jesus along side of them. They are our friends and family here in Oki. We spend holidays together and do ministry together. We pray, sing, cry, laugh, challenge, eat and enjoy each other. They also just “get” us because they live in the same crazy missionary world here.
This picture is including some of our Europe CSM team that was here visiting last week.
*Ministry life, Students and Parents
This is should be kind a obvious. But I have to say it. We will miss our students, and families here in Okinawa. This really has become true for us here. 1 Thess. 2 “..Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”
*Living by water.
Don’t really have to explain this…just check out the picture. 
*Simplicity of living oversees.
There is something about living over here that helps get you out of the rat race of America. We only get so many choices for things to buy, we can’t run to the local Target to pick up what we need, we order most things on line and that can take several weeks. We live in a small apartment which limits how much stuff we have. I love it!
There are more things I will miss but for now this is my list.
Lovely Day Out
It’s been very busy in our household lately. Dave has been crazy busy with ministry and most recently being the director of the Shorebreak retreat. For several weeks I have wanted to take Kavan swimming but we haven’t been able to yet. Several times we have made plans to go to a local “Spa/pool” but it hasn’t work out.
Today after I met with my ladies accountability group Dave said he had plans for us. He took us to our favorite Sushi restaurant for lunch and then I got my first Vanilla Soy Latte in over month! (We had a bottle for Kavan so I didn’t have to worry about the caffeine bothering him). Then we headed over to the spa Chul-a-U! We have a membership which makes it very affordable. It was a perfect day to go, the sun was out and the air was warm.
Kavan loved it. He loves bath time and so the warm pool was perfect for him. It was so relaxing to get time just the three of us. After weeks of running around it was such a blessing from the Lord to have a quiet afternoon as a family.
Here are a few pictures. Despite what these pictures show Kavan did really enjoy the pool. We forgot our phones in our lockers and so by the time we took the pictures Kavan was ready for nap time.
Sad day for a frog
So check out this guy…
Yesterday Dave pointed it out. I have to admit I was a little grossed out. I think if our son was a little older he would think it was cool.
Poor little frog just going along, hopping down the road and then he jumped into our van.
Giving up caffeine…
yup, thats right I am officially a no caffeine gal these days. After several weeks of Kavan crying a lot we figured out caffeine is what upsets him. I have to admit out of all the things he could pick I was sad that was it. I mean I am a new mom who is tired all the time, why can’t he just give me this one little thing?! But to be honest it feels much like my milk allergy the pay off of not having it out weighs me missing it. Kavan is a way happier baby with out it.
My first Decaf latte- so tasty!
This journey of being a mom has made for a crazy 8 weeks. I find myself humbled everyday. I have been reading a book called The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson over the past few months. I feel like this quote sums up a bit of what this journey has been like for me.
“It all began when I was able to embrace with joy the ministry of motherhood. But it didn’t happen with our some glitches along the way. Even though I knew a lot about ministry, the ministry of motherhood was something completely new to me.”
Beauty in the midst of a mess…
Dave came home with flowers yesterday. He spoils me! I thought I would share a picture of them with you. When I uploaded I noticed the messy room. I was going to apologize but then I began to think about how our lives is a lot like those beautiful flowers in a messy room. Christ redeems and sanctifies us and brings out beauty in the midst of our very sinful lives. So yes, I have a messy house I am a new mom. And yes I have a messy heart but I praise God because he is sanctifying my life every day!
Sleep really does make a difference…
Our son is 6 weeks old now. That means for 6 weeks I have had VERY little sleep. This isn’t a complaint just the way things have been. I felt like I did pretty good handling it the first few weeks. I worked hard to pray and seek the Lord in those night-time feedings. But as the weeks have worn on I have been getting weary and my sin has been creeping to the surface. Isn’t that when our sin shows the most when the pressure is on? Over the last week or so I felt like my sin has been coming out in buckets and mostly landing on David. Yuck! About 5 days ago Kavan was having some hard hours and I felt myself “loose” it. I was so weary.
The last two nights David volunteered to take the 4 am feedings so I could get almost 8 hours of sleep! AMAZING!
Today I realized, I love being a mom! Even when Kavan cries! Even when he spits up all over my shirt! Even when my house is a mess! I even found myself able to serve David with joy rather than dump my sin on him. ahh…sleep it really does make a difference.
Meeting the Grandparents
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My (Andrea) parents flew in last week to visit. It’s been so fun having them here. It’s been a huge help as well. They babysat the other night so Dave and I could have a date. They also have been helping make meals and watching Kavan so I can take naps. Ahh, so nice. Here … Keep reading
Grand Opening!
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Last weekend we had a grand opening for our youth building and Refuge Cafe. We invited families, students, Chaplains and any one in the community who wanted to come. We had at least 100 people show up. Our head Chaplain shared about how God brought about the building and then we did a ribbon cutting. … Keep reading
Valentines Day in Japan
Ever wonder what Valentines Day is like in Okinawa, Japan? Well check out these pictures…
Romantic, huh?! Dave and I went to a local store/mall today and started laughing when we found these aliens. I have been living here several years now and some how have never noticed their Valentines day stuff.
I sure do hope Dave gets me something like that! 
