Smith Girls: Planning a Picnic, and It Was Snowing!

(Well, I started this post a while ago, and didn't finish it, but I figure I should finish it at least, so you can here what happened although it was a few weeks back. Sorry about that!)
So Golden week came! - at least that's what it's called! The 3rd through the 6th of May each year is a group of holidays, and as it is early spring, it is a nice short break from school for kids, and work for the parents.
We as a family like to take the whole week off of school and some English classes to clean up our yard, switch over to summer clothes, and this and that with each other. :) Sometimes the girls have to remind me that I'm supposed to take off of studying, and not use the free time to catch up! Hee hee! But I do enjoy my college studies. :)
The week started out somewhat golden- that is - sunshiny, but soon changed to cold wind, rain, and even snow flurries! Ugg! We had actually been planning to have a picnic in our back yard with the Wilhites and the Maruyama family for Friday. But God has a perfect plan in everything. :) Sadly, the Wilhites had colds all that week, and because of the weather and everything, we decided to postpone our picnic with them to Monday. But we got to have the Maruyama family out for a cookout in our garage. Japanese often have cookouts in there garages in the summer time, and just sit around the grill leisurely enjoying the meat as it comes off. We had a partly American and partly Japanese meal, with hamburgers, hotdogs, then chicken on a stick, beef and pork tongue (which were both very good), and Japanese potato salad.

Kristen did a great job cleaning up the shed on Thursday, and heard we were having Okonomiyaki (cabbage pancakes) for supper. It would be Jordan's first time to have them here, and sometimes Japanese cook them on a grill, so Kristen pleaded that we cook it out in the garage for supper that night. It was fun, and we enjoyed Jordan's reactions to the dried fish flakes that moved when they were put on the hot Okonomiyaki (because of the steam). Dad asked him if they were alive, and Jordan thought it was really weird to see them moving. Just about "freaked him out" I think, if I may use an "American" term. :) It was quite funny!

With the Maruyama kids, we played tag outside, trying to be careful around the muddy areas, not to wipe out! Oh, and I really felt out of shape! :) I haven't done running like that since tennis last fall! I had to give up. :( Always seems easier to be running away, than to catch somebody!
Inside, we got to play and sing some of our songs we were practicing for the concert for the Maruyamas and explain about them, giving God's Word again. :) We thank the Lord for how the whole family has been open and receptive to hear it. Can't wait till the Lord saves
them. Must keep doing our part, though, in prayer and sowing seeds!

The next Monday, we were able to have the Wilhites and Lydia Pena (their helper for 3 months) here for the day. We had a nice time, enjoying just visiting, playing a few games, and doing four-square with the boys outside or practicing batting balls, and catching. Fun for all! It was a little chilly that day, but thankfully not snowy! The Lord blessed us with sunshine which made it warm enough to enjoy outside with jackets on. :) We always enjoy having the whole Wilhite family here with us. The boys are full of energy, but they are all special and a blessing. It was great having Lydia over again, too. :) Please pray for Mrs. Wilhite as she gets close to her due date to have their new baby.
~~ by Emilie