Dave & Barb Bindewald

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Some Days are Different than Others



Barbara and I borrowed our daughter's car and were driving from Pittsburgh to see family in Virginia on Wednesday and were delayed 4-5 hours. We were rear ended by a big SUV. The speed limit had just reduced from 65 mph to 50 as we entered a city area. We slowed to 50 but the guy behind us most likely fell asleep at the wheel. Instead of slowing he sped up to probably 70-80 and was drifting off the side of the road. I saw him in the rearview mirror a second or two before impact. They were fine and were able to drive away after the police and ambulance came. At the policeman's suggestion Barbara and I were taken by ambulance to the ER about 5 minutes away. X-rays showed no injuries. We had whiplash and are sore today. But Erin has to find another car! Hopefully the settlement will be enough to find something similar. She loved that Camry! Sorry Erin!

We got some prescriptions, rented a car, went to where the car was taken and cleaned it out (were told by all involved it was most likely totaled) and were on our way, 4+ hours late. But so grateful to the Lord because it could have been so much worse.

Things can change dramatically in just an instant. We were freshly reminded how fragile life is on this earth, and how little control we have. Thankful again for much mercy and grace!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Snowman, Dinner and a Carriage Ride

After building a snowman (those are the arms coming out of the head, not antennae), we went to a nice Italian restaurant at Station Square and then went on a horse drawn carriage ride! It was almost  an hour and toured dahntahn Pittsburgh. That's downtown for you non-Pittsburghers.



 It's been pretty cold!

The two Erins

It was a rousing good time! 

Dad wondering if we will be asked to leave the restaurant

Probably should start a caption contest on this one

This is Babe (the horse, not the girls)


Kate and Nana





What a blessed time with family

And a video so you can get the full "clip-clop" effect:


Saturday, December 22, 2012

Hide and Seek with a Two Year Old

 Everyone was gone this morning except Nana, Baba and Kate. She wanted to play Hide and Seek, but by her rules. That meant she told us where she was going to hide, and then where we should hide. Also, counting to ten really means six.

I think this first picture is how I look to God sometimes! I really do want to control all parts of my life. My terms only.




And if you take too long pretending you can't find her, she comes out. I said I wondered where she was and a little voice said, "Here!" Then she said we should all hide at the same time. I asked who would find us and she said, "What?" Precious days!


Thursday, December 20, 2012

To Pittsburgh for Christmas!

We are taking a quick trip home to get a granddaughter fix!

Nana buying a few last minute presents in Narita Airport

Nana and her girls!

 The Fam with B. taking the pic, and...

...the Fam with Dave taking the pic.

In the glass elevator

Kate loves rolling suitcases and leads us through the airport


 Coming through the Fort Pitt Tunnel

Dave and Rinny's house

The girls opening their Hello Kitty presents from a dear friend in Japan








Brisbane Team to Our Church

MTW Japan hosted a team of four guys and two gals from Brisbane. The guys stayed with us. We took them to our church, Megumi no Mori on Sunday morning.



















The church ladies made homemade rice balls and they let the team experience making them:


Sunday, December 2, 2012

Living Nativity

The school where Barbara teaches Science put on a living nativity over the weekend at Honda Chapel. It was amazing!

 The livestock getting ready to do their thing


 The angel appears to Mary

 Mary and Joseph waiting for the child to be born

The eastern star appears

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isa. 9:6

Such a handsome cast

A foretaste of heaven!

After the nativity there was warm Christmas Cafe fellowship 

The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
Matt. 4:16

Here come the animals!

Hallelujah!

O Holy Night

An extra bonus performance! Five of these are Barbara's students.