Bits & Pieces from Japan

My little windowsill garden has grown a bit. My pink roses finished blooming - at least for now but there is some new growth. My hyacinth has bloomed a beautiful deep purple and we have added a little daisy plant. Don't know if any of you have ever watched "Keeping Up Appearances" on BBC. The three sisters are Rose, Hyacinth & Daisy. So in honor of a show that gave us many laughs, here is my KUP Garden.
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Steve and I were out shopping the other day in a large mall. I was on the hunt for some fuzzy yarn and he for tennis shoes. We found both at the AL Plaza Mall in Kyotanabe. While we were wandering around we came across this sign THREE MINUTES HAPPINESS. I have been teaching at the ladies Bible study about true joy found in the Lord. . . and in the book of Philippians so I just had to take a picture of this. I don't know what it was they were selling but I thought "wow, that is about all the world can offer." True and everlasting happiness (joy) is found only in Christ and His sacrifice on Calvary. The knowledge that His great love for me made Him pay for my sins with His life brings me great joy here and now and the fact that I will be "dwelling in the house of the Lord forever" - well, it can't get any better than that.

Graduation at Kyoto International University & Academy
March 20, 2010

Saturday, March 20, turned out to be a beautiful warm day for the graduation ceremonies for both the KI University and High School. Even tho' I only vaguely knew a few of the kids, the minute I heard Pomp and Circumstance tears came to my eyes. I remembered the past graduations of our girls, sons-in-law and our first granddaughter Allison and I had more than three minutes of happiness. Then I realized that we will miss Allison's graduation from Montana Wilderness School of the Bible this May and my tears of joy became tears of sadness. So I will say "Congratulations" to her now from Papa Steve and Grandma.

We are looking forward to the cherry blossoms that should be coming out in the next week or two. Maybe by Easter there will be pink blossoms everywhere to remind us of the New Birth.