Some Random Pix

 Dave resorts to drugs to cope with thinking about 3 teenage girls dating at the same time.

Jokes! He was really trying to blow up some of those old school plastic rubber balloons that Baba sent.

Aunt Sherry went too and did story time.

 

Enjoying the newly remodeled kitchen!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, it's hot. Official high was 106, but here's my reading on the back porch, with the sun hitting the back of the thermometer.

There's a family of these guys living on the porch. I think this one is a teenager because he is molting.

 Here he is again, this time having a snack. You can see the foot of the chair with cobwebs and bugs he steals / shares with the spider. Click for a larger view.

The Lord Continues to Shake Japan

We heard from missionary friends that Japan had another quake this morning that woke them up. May the Lord continue to wake up the land of Japan to their spiritual need!

Here is a screen shot from a site I visit regularly. Click image for a larger view. You can see Chiba (where we will live) on the lower edge of the circle. You can also see the three geologic plates under the ocean which meet near Sendai where the big one was last year.

Psalm 46:3 says "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,  though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."

The safest place in the world is in the hand of God!

Over half way there!

Here's our latest news about going back to Japan!

Babs Turns 60!

Well, I'm 60.  Can't believe it....but what a blessed, rich life I've had so far!  God is so good!  We went up to Pittsburgh the week after to celebrate, and my dear family made me feel soooooo loved!  Here are some favorite pictures.

Rhododendrons 

Ella and her Baba

Ella's first piano recital

Oh my...the next generation! With Spot between them!

My "babies" no matter how old they get!

Opening presents

See my beautiful new necklace?  It's a family tree with birthstones of the kids and grandkids!

Dave's first trip to Razzi Fresh 

Mmmmmm....

The best daughter-in-love and Mommy EVER!

Aunt B with Kate

Barb and her Erins, and Ella!

 I've always been a horse lover; I used to own a horse when I was a teenager.  My family surprised me with a trip to Victory Ranch located outside of Pittsburgh!

Lucy watching from a safe spot!

Petting the horse

Getting ready to brush and saddle up!

Checking out the stalls

Watch out horseys!  Katie's here!

Horses are beautiful creatures! 

Ride 'em, Rev!

Ella getting ready to ride

Ella was a natural at riding!

Erin on "Stang" (short for Mustang)

Having a BLAST!

Back in the saddle again!

Go, B!

Headin' out for the trail ride!

A real natural!

Thank you, for a great birthday guys!

Pittsburgh Marathon

We went to Pittsburgh over the weekend for Barbara's 60th birthday and it turns out it was the time for the marathon. Over 25,000 people ran, and the course passes within 2 blocks of Dave and Rinny's and one block of Erin's house.

Beautiful flowers were everywhere in bloom. The weather was perfect.

Here's a video clip, with a lady especially intent on encouraging the runners:

Different groups provided free food and drinks.

Here's our little cheering section that grew as things progressed.

Ella practiced jump rope.

Which way are they coming from?

Kate's ready

A band played the whole time, and my favorite was when they did "Chariots of Fire"!

And my next favorite was "Oye Como Va"

Some of us participated in carb loading.

 

One of Pittsburgh's finest

Elapsed time station

 

I'm not up on my superheroes so don't know who this is.

Kate really go into the cheering folks on. Or maybe it was just the carb loading!

The girls' cousin Ian was there too. And he IS cool.

 

Someone in the crowd was holding this balloon - I guess it was a runner's b'day. Happy 60th, Nana! The next blog entry will show Nana's surprise trip!