Sermon Sunday

One of the parts I hate about moving is finding a church. Typically the options are endless and it is hard to figure out even where to begin, however this move that is not the case.

We have three options for church here –– a Catholic church, a baptist church and a non-denominational church. While I grew up Catholic (Matt did not), I have been going to a different church for 15 years. Neither Matt nor I am baptist. So that leaves the non-denominational option. Now I probably should mention that I have been going to a non-denominational church for years so this isn't a bad thing for us.

Matt was a good boy and checked out Kobe Union Church when he was here the 3 months himself. He said the people were super nice, the pastor was good (h even went to dinner at the pastors house)and that there was a good kid's program.

Yesterday the whole family went. The church is located 3/4 of the way up one of the mountains. There is a shuttle to take you there from the train line. Walking up the hill is nearly impossible with kids and non-tennis shoes. The kids were in awe as we made the drive up the hill.

The church is an International church, with its primary audience being the expat community. However there are several Japanese families that attend. Everyone was super nice, the sermon was applicable and the music was current. The church itself is an interesting mix to serve all cultures and ages. It will be fine for the next 3 years.

After the service we went to Sunday School classes and then a new member lunch. We got to try Japanese curry and some awesome deserts. We learned more about the church and learned where we may be able to plug in at. I really could feel a pull in a particular direction, however I need to process it more before I talk about it.

Since the church is so far up the hill, the view is spectacular. I took a shot out the window, but sometime I need to take one from outside. You can see across the city, clear out into the bay where the shipping boats are coming in.


We decided to walk down the hill afterwards rather than take the shuttle. I don't think we will do that again. This is 1/2 way down the hill. Imagine the top.


The Sunday School lesson was about prayer. How we must pray not only for ourselves, but for others. When I got on the computer last night I had an email from a blogging pal. I hadn't been to her blog in a week from all that has been going on. Here is a post on her blog. A coincidence that read this when prayer was just the topic three hours earlier? I don't think so. Just another way God tells me that he has put us here and for a reason. I can't wait to find out what all he has in store for us.

Stupidity is So Bloggable

I love my husband. I really do. But sometimes he doesn't make the wisest decisions.

Friday night he went out to dinner and drinks with some people from work. Apparently after some yummy Indian food and while the beer was a flowing he agreed to participate in a 51 kilometer walk on Sunday. Yes I said 51 kilometers. And for all us Americans who stink at the metric system, that is 31.69 MILES.

I got an email Saturday night saying that Matt was having to stay the night at someone from work's house because they had to be at the walk at 4:30 am, with flashlights, and the trains do not run that early. The walk would take 12-15 hours. I informed him to make sure he took his cell phone so someone could call the ambulance when he passed out. While Matt is in decent shape, you need to keep in mind he hasn't trained for this and he wanted to take a taxi back home from a morning run.

Interestingly enough, someone failed to mention to him that the walk started at the bottom of Rokko Mountain in Suma and ended near Osaka, all via the mountains.

Matt managed to finish the walk in 13 hours. He said there was 3,000 people in this walk and there were only 10-20 westerners. They ate granola bars and got water from vending machines along the way and basically did not stop. His feet and ankles were already swollen. I can't wait to hear how he feels the next two days. I guess maybe this is why Japanese people do not worry about what they eat nor is there a rush on diet pills at any time. Who needs to diet when you walk 30 miles on a weekend?

Matt sent me a few emails during the walk. Here are his pictures, with his own captions. Try not to laugh too hard. Even though it is kinda funny.

What was I thinking?

Holy Sh--. This is nuts. I am just over half way. Up and down mountains.

Finish line - That is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. My whole body hurts.

Wordless Wednesday: A Walking Memory

Evening Events

Tonight our local Chick-Fil-A was hosting a fundraiser for the MS Society. My mother-in-law passed away in June 2000 after suffering from MS for almost 20 years so it is a cause that has directly affected our family. The turnout was amazing and I know that a ton of money had to have been raised. Plus it was a reason for Sam to freak out at the person in the cow costume.

Afterwards two of the ladies in my subdivision asked me if I would like to start walking with them on a regular basis. Of course I jumped at the opportunity to talk to someone over the age of 11. During our walk we decided to try to start a monthly subdivision book club and since I am the book freak they let me choose the first book. Of course I chose My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult, one of my favorite books. Now our task is to make a list of 20-25 books to choose from for other months. What are some books that you think would make great book club readings? They can be fiction, non fiction... anything. I'd love some ideas.