2007 almost over...

It is unreal to me that 2007 is almost over. I can not believe it! Time really really flies when you're having fun. It goes by WAY too fast.

We are finally done with all the crazy schedule that Fall and Christmas brings our way ministry wise. What an incredible blessing it was to go all the places we went and meet all the people we met and do all the things we did. We have the most amazing job in the world! This Fall was the easiest for me in the past several years since Hana is getting so independent. It didn't feel as overwhelming to keep up with all our responsibilities this year although I think we were just as busy as we have been in the past. I am excited, however, to think that at this time next year we will be in the states for a certain VERY special person's wedding! I will not name names, but I gotta thank her for deciding to get married at Christmas. I am going to enjoy being "home" for Christmas for the first time in many years!

Christmas was quite different this year for some reason. Our usual "American" group chose to celebrate on Christmas Eve with dinner together. So Christmas day we had the day all to ourselves. We don't do LOTS of gifts or Santa, so it was pretty low key. We slept in (even Hana!) and got up and had some yummy French toast for breakfast, opened a couple of presents between ourselves and then just took it easy all day. We had friends over for dinner in the evening, but it was a VERY Japanese meal. I am still struggling with what to do with our Christmas as a family. We are always so busy with concerts it is hard for me to make it very special, without putting too much on my plate. I wasn't even able to get decorations out this year. We can't do a big extended family thing because Rocky's brother lives in Osaka and they come back to visit for the New Year (as Christmas isn't a holiday here) and Rocky's Dad always works on Christmas day (since it isn't an official holiday). I'm still trying to figure out what to do for "family traditions" for Christmas time!!!

Now Rocky's brother and his family are in town. It is always fun to have them here. The kids have a blast together, and all the adults really have a great time talking and sharing about all that has happened to us recently. We shared lots of funny stories tonight and we were laughing so hard. It was wonderful. Not to mention the food tonight was AMAZING! I'll have to post pictures later, most of you probably won't think it looks that great... but it was wonderful!

As soon as the in-laws are gone (they leave Jan 1) I don't know what I'm going to do with myself. I feel almost lost at the moment, cause there really isn't anything on our schedule except for some simple chapel services here and there, and some of my Kindergarten English classes and Bible studies. Those things are once a month/twice a month type of the things. And Rocky has plans to start recording a cd. He needs my help in the studio every once-in-a-while, but mostly he can do the recording on his own. I have a LOT of house work to catch up on, organizing to do, and I may get around to some of the "handy-man" jobs around the house that have been waiting for attention. It's going to be interesting to see how useful I can be. I always struggle in the new year with feeling worthwhile after having such a busy schedule then suddenly NOTHING!

Ahhhh, and I bet you all are wondering about my fitness. Well in the midst of all the craziness I was lucky to make it to the gym once or twice a week. BUT the good news is, I haven't gained ANY weight. Even with all the meals that I had no control over and being forced to eat convenience store food or fast food a lot, I've done quite well with portion control and eating as healthy as possible. It's gonna be so nice to get back to cooking our own food so I can control the veggies and fruits we get, and control the oils and fats in our food. And it is going to be wonderful to get back to my normal gym schedule. I still have about a kilo and a half/two kilos to get off! I think I just might get it done.

We have a U.S. tour planned for late Spring/early Summer! We may be stateside for 6-8 weeks! Still working on where we are going to go and what churches we will be in so stay tooned. Right now it looks like we'll possibly be in Arizona... we are going to Colorado FOR SURE... and OF COURSE we are headed to Texas... plus we might even go to Florida! I can not wait to set foot on American soil again, and see my FAMILY! It's been ALMOST two years. I'm aching to hug some necks!!! I can't wait!

Well I'm gonna sign off for now. We have quite a few extra bodies under our roof tonight which means I gotta get up earlier to get myself ready and then fill those tummies before we go out to play tomorrow. It's snowing right now! brrrrrr cold. We are supposed to go to the Aquarium tomorrow to look at the fish cause my little 2 year old nephew loves fish. it's gonna be brrrrrrrrrrrr cold!

Good night and lots of love!
Marla