When the school planned the trip they tried hard to make for plenty of time so that we need not be rushed.  Breakfast was set for 8am.  After Joshy's night time antics, his teacher & I were moving a little slowly, but we still had enough time to get everything done and arrive in the dining room on time for a traditional Japanese breakfast.

The night before, after the other mom & I scouted out a few things, we decided that we would try to take the kids for a morning walk.  Waking to the sound of rain crossed that idea off the list of things to do.  Instead we had play time in our room.  Then while some of the teachers stayed with the students, Joshy's teacher, the other moms & I went out in search of Omajyu, a Japaneses sweet to take home as gifts.  The area was famous for omajyu and we found several shops.   Thankfully, unlike the teachers who went out before breakfast, we enjoyed the walk without rain & with warmer temperatures

On the agenda for day 2 was a visit to Furusoto Mura (Home Town Village).  Furusato Mura has displays, shops and such that depict life in Niigata Prefecture.  The plan was to have lunch & shop for souvenirs before heading home.  *Meal times were quite long because unlike Joshua who usually doesn't eat much and then wants to "go", the other students require more time to eat/receive tube feeds.

As we were heading back to the bus, we realized that there was a lovely garden... almost as one we all turned toward the garden.  The bus driver could wait

The flowers were amazing!  After lots of pictures and a meander around we were ready to board the bus and head home.  We were greeted by the other teachers & school staff and a few sprinkles.

Thoughts from the trip.

1. It was really nice and I am glad we had the opportunity to go.  Yes, it was expensive, but can now say it was money well spent.  (It would have been nice to have been a little less money well spent, but...)
2. The trip was good for the teachers to see the students in a longer time setting.  It gave the teachers a better understanding of the students life needs.  Also it was good for other teachers to see a variety of students & their needs.   *The 3 students who went have 1-1 teachers,who all went on the trip.  We were joined by 1 additional teacher & the vice-principal who picked up the extra duties so that the moms would not be overly burdened.
3. The trip was good for the parents to be able to see into the lives of other parents with different ability children.
4. It gave me the opportunity to get to know the other moms & teachers a little better.

Thursday & Friday, Joshua & I set of on an adventure... his school trip!    In Japan, the tradition is for students to go on a school trip before graduating, i.e. 6th grade, 3rd year of junior high, & 3rd year of high school.  There is no exception at Joshua's special needs school, just a whole lot more planning & consideration to make sure that all the students can participate.  There is also a huge chaperon difference.  In our case, there were 3 students (1 - 6th grader, Joshua, & 2 - 3rd year junior highers), 3 mothers, & 5 teachers.

Looking back on the trip & now see just how much planning went into it... and I am amazed!

Because of various health issues, it was not an option to use pubic transportation for this trip.  So we road in style - a chartered, wheelchair lift equipped, bus...

 

The other B course students, as well as, several moms, saw us off...

Even though we were only going to Niigata city, a 2 hour trip, we took break times along the way for re-positioning, giving drinks, etc...

Once in Niigata, our 1st stop was The Hotel Okura for a Chinese lunch.  We have a private dinning room.  We also had a room available to care for the student's personal needs.  The meal was also prepared with each of the students needs in mind.  One of the boys can have nothing by mouth, one has to have everything pureed, & Joshy needs his food cut into small pieces.

We ask for ice for Joshy's formula and received this...

The meal was delicious and, even Joshy enjoyed it tremendously.

 Our next stop was a water shuttle ride up the Shinano River.  Along the way we passed the Hotel Okura & the cancer center (we waved hello to Joshy's doctor )

We stopped briefly at the Prefecture Building, similar to a state capital building, before going on to a Japanese Ryokan in a hot spring resort town just outside the city.

 

 

 

 

After settling into our rooms, we took a short walk and tried out the foot spa.  Then after leaving the children back at the hotel one other mom & I explored a little more.

Then it was dinner time.  We had a private dining room and again special meals were prepared for the students.

Next was an onsen bath.  We had a private bath area just for our group and the teacher had brought along their swimsuits, special mats, etc, so that the students could enjoy a hot spring bath without the moms needing to do much at all.  (If you have a special needs child you know just how hard it is to give a bath!)  *sorry, no pictures  Then after the children we settled for the night, the teachers stayed with their charges while the moms were free to go to the big onsen to enjoy a leisurely bath.

Since I have a mobile child, the sleeping arrangements did take a little big of creative thinking.

I won't mention the code brown during dinner or the soaking wet bed at 1am or the child who felt that since we were up anyway (at 1am) we might as well play and attempted to convince us of that fact until 3am or the 5am "can I get up and play now?" call... nope I won't mention these

 All in all it was a great day!

I am so thankful that I was able to walk Joshy to the dentist yesterday.  Not only did I get some steps in, but we enjoyed some fresh air as we made our way though the park.

I am thankful that Kei was allowed to walk between her school & the hospital dental office, the buildings are connected.  After Joshy's appointment we walked home together.  Well, maybe it was a little more like I attempted to keep up as they raced down hills and looked for acorns!

I am thankful that I made myself head off for a walk along the river this morning.  It was lovely!

I am overjoyed with my new camera, and thankful for it, too!  I am amazed at the clarity.  Still much to figure out, but the practice is a whole lot of fun!

I am awed by the gift we received from 1st Baptist Church.  We got "my" laptop before we actually had the money in hand because of the change of model sale prices.  Then Monday after we had a few bugs worked out of the system so that we could have funds transferred we ordered Jerry's new iPad & keyboard.

We are truly blessed!

I have always wondered how people make collages, add words to pictures, & do other cool stuff to their pictures, but I have never figured it out... until this evening, that is

  

I googled photo something or other and ended up at PicMonkey Photo Editing.  It was easy enough for me to figure out some basics.  I do believe this could be a whole lot of fun!!  I can also see a prayer card actually getting made!!!

Beware... I now have a wonderful, speedy computer, a new camera, & a photo editing program I sort of understand...

a monster may have been created!!

We ended up spending the whole day at church.   We decided to give throw caution to the wind and didn't simply take Joshy home directly after worship, rather we stayed for the fellowship lunch, then I stayed and hung out with the minister's wife during AWANA.  We was so nice to chat with her!!

I also played with my camera.  Experimenting with the "ART" mode.

Alter flowers...

Hubby...

Bekah got a short of me when the camera was still set on "fisheye".

I can see this is going to be a whole lot of fun!!!

Ever have days when you try to do something simple only to discover you need to study to figure it out?  New computers tend to throw this into hyper drive!  Well, I went a step farther... I got a new camera, too.  New computer + new camera = the need for a master's degree O_o

BUT after downloading an English user's manual for the camera & scrolling down to the correct page.  Much head scratching & watching a computer how to video on youtube just to find the correct place to click - WHY didn't they just say click on the file icon in the 1st place????  Several plug & unplugs / turn on & turn off camera moments.  I actually managed to get pictures from the camera onto the computer

I ended up getting a slightly more advanced point & shoot.  Someday I want a "real" camera, but for now I just need something other than my phone for taking pictures.  Don't get me wrong, my phone camera is nice, however, if I am using more than one app at a time things tend to get messed up. a,k,a, my fitness app turns itself off  Also my phone is getting older so the battery tends to go fast.  SO, to keep with my walking and still get some pictures taken, an inexpensive camera seemed to be the answer.

Camera on sale + 1/2 the cost in store points (thanks to getting a new computer) + some gift cards = a $15 camera!!

I think I am going to enjoy getting acquainted with my new camera.  It has several fun features, which I hope to practice with soon!  For now here are a couple of the shots I got last night as I played around.  The 1st is using the "art" setting & the 2nd is regular setting.

Oh, one more reason for the new camera.  We have a few big events coming up in the next couple of weeks and I really wanted to be able to capture them on film.  Stay tuned!

Every October the local church has a bazaar.  Today was the day!

Last Sunday after church was transformed into a big flea market venue.   The baby cry room because a place to try on clothes.  The Sunday school room because the kitchenware / pottery area.  The sanctuary became the clothing and toy shop.  The entry was transformed into an area for homemade items and fresh veggies.  Throughout the week these areas were filled and the kitchen was filled with home made food items.

Yesterday I had a some help making pumpkin bread, cookies, and cheese cake.

Here are some sights from the church today...

After the bazaar, everyone pitched in the transformed the church back into a house of worship ready for tomorrow morning.  It was quite the day!

Mort Report October 2014

The past year had had more than its share of twists and turns, but life goes on.  Laura is still blog some, so please check her blog for current happenings @ http://mom2-4.xanga.com/  We have also started a facebook page for ECS, “Kashiwazaki ECS – English Communication Service”.  Event information and photos can be found on this page.

 

Outreach Events:

Late last November, we discovered that the ECS roof was leaking, badly.  The landlord did not wish to make repairs so we moved during our winter break.   Our new location is a little smaller, but very nice and the students seem to like it, as well as, or better than the old location   The new location is not conducive for big events so outreach events are now being held at our house or at other locations, which is actually easier anyway..

 

The annual English Camp, July 18~21, was the biggest camp yet.  We had a total of 88 campers.  Some were just there for 1 day while others stayed the entire 3 nights/4 days.  Laura, who is the head cook, counted by meal numbers.  The biggest meal was for 75, campers & staff.  Once again we had a group from California come help with the program.  It was an amazing time.

As this newsletter is being written, we are getting ready to go into the busiest event time of the year.  Our Halloween Party will be on 10/25, a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner will be on 11/24 (a national holiday), and the Christmas Candle Light will be on 12/20.

 

Jerry continues to work with the AWANA Club, while Laura works with the Sunday School program at the church we attend here in Kashiwazaki.  We also participate in other events at the church.

 

Bible Study:  We are at a point of transition.   Sadly the Friday evening Bible Study has drifted down to nothing.  One of the members got married and moved away, and the other members became busy as schedules changed.  However, we are in the process of starting an International English Bible Study on Sunday evenings.

 

Family:

Joshua spent much time in the hospital this past winter & spring.  The heavy medications he is on for his Aplastic Anemia started causing kidney problems.  We are still fighting to get a balance.  He has been started on 3 new medications to help manage the kidney issues while we are attempting to lower the dose of the immune suppression medication all the while keeping his blood levels from bottoming out.  Through it all he is, growing, developing, & getting stronger.  Joshua is still in the “C” course at his school, meaning the teacher comes to our home 3 mornings a week to teach him with occasional days at school with the other students.  As a 6^th grader he will be going on a school trip with 2 other students next week.  Being special needs the moms will also be going.  It should be exciting.

 

Kei has been having mental health issues.  She was diagnosed with PMDD, an extreme form of PMS.  She is seeing a doctor and has been prescribed mild antidepressant which we have coupled with herbs to help with hormone balance.  After months of crazy mood swings she is finally settling into a more stable condition.  Kei, under doctor’s advice, started attending the special needs junior high school near our home, not the same school Joshua goes to.  At this point she just goes 2 mornings a week, but will likely transition to going every morning in the near future.

 

Bekah is growing into a fine young woman.  She is finishing up high school and will be starting some dual enrolment classes through Taylor University.  She could graduate this coming spring, but we have decided to keep her on the Japanese school calendar so she will not graduate until March ’16.  This gives her a little more time to take university classes under the dual enrolment system.

 

Jerry just learned that his main school will be cutting his classes in half next school year.  The school has been slowly taking classes away.  This school has the largest classes, is the furthest away, and yet requires the most work.  We have prayerfully decided that it is time to change.  Jerry will not be teaching at that school next year.  This does leave a hole in our income, but we are trusting that the LORD has something new in mind.

 

Maybe the most exciting new is, Joshua’s doctor has given us tentative permission for us to make a trip back to the U.S.  If all goes well, we are looking at being in Indiana for 3 weeks next August.

A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to 1^st Baptist for a special gift.  We have been having computer trouble, but thanks to them we now have a new computer and Jerry will be getting a new iPad, with keyboard, which is his preferred way of computing.

 

 

Prayer Requests:

• ECS to continue to gain new students to help meet financial needs, as well as, to meet & reach more people for the LORD.
• Jerry to find classes to make up for the classes he will be losing
• Out Reach Events & Church activities
• Health issues.
• Joshua’s blood levels to return to normal.
• Possible trip to the states next summer.