Christmas at it's BEST

the annual BEST club christmas party took place a few weeks ago. everyone pitched in and made it a fun and memorable event.Sae, Fuyu and Ayumi helping out in the kitchen Jo, Jen and Mary looking festive Joanna and Mikey soaking up their time together :) we miss you Mikey!

Tomoko and (that's right!) Tomoko. same name, totally different but equally fun freshmen girls!

Mikey played O Holy Night for all of us!

Saaya and Sae, two more freshmen gals

the guys tying their ties

a little enthusiasm goes a long way in cutting a turkey, huh Keigo? :D

Fuyu and Asako led everyone in a quiz game about Jesus birth and life.

Mary gave a speech (in Japanese!) about the believability of the Gospel

the whole group!

Sae, Asako and Megumi relaxing at the after party

Ayano, Tomoko, Sae in the background and Ayumi

What a party! Thanks for stopping by!

we'll be home for christmas....

if only in our dreams!

here a little peek at our christmas day. it was wonderful to spend the day together, reading, exchanging gifts, going for a walk and enjoying the goods our families sent us! they are way to good to us!

jennifer's first shot at homemade cinnamon rolls - thanks for all the help dorothy!!!

all the things we missed from home!

happy to be together :D

holiday happenings

we hope you all had a merry christmas! it was hard being away from family for the first time on christmas, but we are so thankful that no matter where we are, we can celebrate the gift of Christ! here's some shots of things we've been up to lately.

jennifer with her English class girls and their moms having a Christmas party

jen's japanese teacher is on the right

lots of card playing happening at our upperclassmen christmas party

jennifer's japanese teacher invited us over for a sushi dinner last week with her family. it was AMAZING!

here's her daughter, mayuko, and husband during dinner

her son, keisuke

christmas time is here!

okay, i just have to let me holiday spirit bust out!

i am thrilled that it's chrismas time! i love the sights, sounds, smells and meaning of this holiday. i am also thrilled that Japan celebrates christmas, well in some cultural way, i guess... check out these lights from a shopping area that is just a few minutes from our house!

it is surprising to have the familiar "feelings" of christmas around us. but also weird to realize that this holiday is just as commercialized here as it is in america. we truly desire to embrace the gift and truth of this time of year and to share the love with those around us! i love it!

and i had to throw this one in as an added bonus! the roods recently left for america for two months. here's a shot of the kids (josiah, abbie, and kayla) on the way to the bus station the day they left. too cute! we miss them a ton!