Busy weekend with friends

We took the first weekend of February off from traveling and took time to spend with friends. I've mentioned to lots of folks that my biggest surprise coming here has been the friends. When we were in the planning stages to come here two years ago, it somehow didn't occur to me that we'd make friends - good friends! People that I would be sad to leave behind. Now, if you're in the U.S. and reading this, don't think that we weren't sad to leave you behind, but it was different. We knew we would return to the U.S. There is no way to know when we may have the chance to be in Japan again and to see these friends we've made. I'm glad for the friendships we have here, but it will be sad to leave them. Thank goodness some of the friends (other Honda families) have returned or are returning to Ohio!

That said, our first event was a belated New Year's party at our Pastor's house. Pastor Eric began his call with Tokyo Lutheran Church in September of last year. He came here with his wife, Christie. They are very down-to-earth people. We had potluck at their house on Friday the 1st. It was a delicious mix of Japanese and western foods. The attendees were mostly members of the English-worship service and a few from the English-Bible study.

I think Pastor Eric (on floor) was trying to teach Addison how to give high 5's.

Addison takes her own pictures.

Viola gives a peace sign, while Christie (blond hair) talks to Vern.

Yukiko, Rebecca, and Paul

The following night we met up with some more church friends for dinner. Jonathan and Tammy, those wonderful friends who cooked us turkey dinner in December, invited us and Paul for Mexican. Although Mexican food isn't as common in Japan as the U.S. (or at least Ohio), you can still find it and I've never had a complaint about the taste. Addison was our photographer for most of that evening.

Tammy and Jonathan, partially hidden by a finger over the lens. :)

Great picture Addison!

Addy was either taking a picture of Paul or the flag, not sure which!

Sunday the 3rd brought a lot of snow. There was not one "dry" snow all season. Being so close to the ocean, all of the snow we received was the heavy, heavy wet kind. And for some reason, all that snow escaped my camera! We made it to church despite all the snow and the multitude of train delays. We returned home immediately following the service and picked up the car. We drove to Ian's supervisor's house in Saitama. Akihito invited us for a late lunch. Akihito's wife, Akiko, rarely sat down to eat with us. She was constantly busy bringing us new and wonderful things to eat. I think we ate the entire time we were there! I tried sukiyaki, cooked beef dipped in raw egg, for the first time. There were numerous seafood dishes to try and delicious sour rice. And then it was time for dessert! We ate and drank and talked and relaxed while the snow continued to fall outside.


Aoki entertains Addison by showing her some video games.

Our kind hosts, Akiko and Akihito.