wheresmyfish

God Knows...

2008-10-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

Sandi and I are both blessed to have parents who love and care for us dearly. One of the many ways that their love is expressed to us is by the sending of care packages. Many care packages. Our moms have sharpened and honed the tetris-like skill of packing more than you could imagine into the medium-sized USPS flat rate box. This past week we received two flat rate boxes in the mail, one from Sandi's parents and one from my parents. We did not have any warning that these boxes were going to arrive. It was simply a pleasant surprise.

Sandi and I are also blessed to have a God who loves and cares for us. Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Sandi and I believe this because God has been and will always be faithful to do what He says he will do. Yet, on countless occasions, God has given us more than we need, and, so often, what we want as well. God has done this for us because He is good, not because we deserve to have all that we want.

And how does God know what we need and want? The first 6 verses of Psalm 139 say this:

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

When Sandi got home and saw the unopened box from her parents, she suddenly remembered that she had wanted to e-mail her mom and ask her to send Diamond Cream Crackers and some white, sweet Li Hing Mui. Oh well... She said that she could wait until the next box. As we opened the box we were both amazed to find Diamond Cream Crackers and white Li Hing Mui among many other goodies! We were so humbled and grateful in that moment.

Two days later another unexpected box arrived, this time from my parents. "I was just craving your mom's energy bars today," Sandi mentioned. "Maybe she sent some!" Yup...you guessed it. There was a whole gallon-sized Zip-lok bag of energy bars! Once again, we were so overwhelmed and grateful to God for his goodness in blessing us through the kindness of our parents.

It doesn't always happen that we get whatever we want or ask God for, but so many times he will give more than what we need...and give us exactly what we want. He does this because He is so very good and kind, and there is nothing about us that he does not know.

Visiting my blog...

2008-10-20T23:30:00.000-07:00

you know you haven't posted in a long time when you visit your own blog and start reading it so you can re-familiarize yourself with the events in the pictures (...that you took!!=). ...or, maybe I'm just getting old? ...i know, i know...i gotta get back to it!

Horseback riding in Gatlinburg

2008-09-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

After Emmie and Jeremy left, Sandi and I had the opportunity to go horseback riding before we drove to Virginia.

Peculiar in Pigeon Forge...

2008-09-22T10:28:00.000-07:00

This is probably on of the coolest buildings I've ever seen. It's a creative, hands-on learning center for children. We never went in, but we HAD to stop and take a picture!

The salad Emmie was looking for...

2008-09-18T10:23:00.001-07:00

During our time in Tennessee, Emmie ordered a salad at just about every meal. And, towards the middle and end of every meal, she would give us a handful of reasons why her salad was NOT what she wanted. The reasons ranged from, "not enough Romaine," to "too many toppings," and everything in between.

Well, Emmie, I just wanted to let you know that i think we found your perfect salad! We discovered it in Annapolis, MD. Sandi ordered a chop salad. When the waiter brought it to the table there was only lettuce (not a single piece of ice burg or purple cabbage...and the FRESHEST i think I've ever seen!) in the large mixing bowl. All the other "toppings" were in their own tiny individual bowls.

The waiter then asked sandi what she would like with her lettuce. He ended up adding everything, but, as you can see, it didn't overpower the lettuce. After the waiter mixed everything together he plated it and set it down on the table. We immediately knew...this is the salad Emmie was waiting for!! Perhaps we will try to recreate it for you the next time we get to see you. It was, in our opinion, the perfect salad!

more Delaware pics...

2008-09-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

Thai food with Mike!

2008-09-17T21:58:00.000-07:00

Tonight Sandi and i drove down to Lancaster where we met up with my cousin Mike, Jeff, his roommate from college, and Jeff's wife. We had a very nice dinner at an excellent Thai restaurant called "Lemon Grass." The food was ono and the company was great! A big MAHALO to mike who drove 2 hours from Baltimore to meet up with us! ...not to mention the 2 hour drive back!! Have a safe trip back home, mike! It was GREAT to see you! until next time...

(**the amazing thing is that Sandi and i met up with aunty mary (mike's mom) last night in Adamstown. she drove out this morning. oh well...at least they'll see each other next week in Colorado! ...the world has felt especially small recently...=)

Top6pix

2008-09-17T12:44:00.000-07:00

These are my top six favorite pictures from our short but sweet visit to Annapolis, MD. ...this was just four evenings ago...

2370

2008-09-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

2,370 = the approximate number of miles that Sandi and I drove throughout our 9 day road trip. The trip took us through 7 states--Maryland, West Virgina, Virgina, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Delaware--not including Pennsylvania. We stayed with two friends from back home in a resort just outside the entrance to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, TN. We did numerous hikes...saw quite a few waterfalls...rode horses...and saw a multitude of gorgeous views. We visited cities and towns like Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Knoxville, Cowpens, Nashville, Roanoke, Charlottesville, Richmond, Annapolis, Lewes, and Rehoboth. In hind sight...it's hard to believe we fit all that into 9 days. Ironically, and by God's kindness to us, it never felt that busy or rushed. It was actually very relaxing for both Sandi and me.

Last evening in Delaware...

2008-09-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday night, Sandi and I spent the last evening of our 9 day road trip on the sand and boardwalk at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. As with many good things that must come to an end, it was a bitter-sweet walk back to our car.

These are a few pictures I took as we walked back to our car to embark on our 3 hour drive back to Reading, PA.

A Sweetly-Odd Pennsylvania Meeting...

2008-09-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

28 days ago Sandi and I were hanging out at Grandma Uchida's house in sunny and warm Honolulu, Hi talking story with Uncle Mel, Aunty Mary and Grandma Uchida. Last night I spent some time with Aunty Mary and her many cousins and aunt in Terre Hill, PA. Terre Hill is just 20 minutes south of where Sandi and I live in Reading.

It was all a bit surreal, considering I had just seen aunty Mary a short time ago...but in a much different and far away place. Unfortunately, Sandi was on call and could not attend because she had to work all night.=( It was a joy meet aunty Mary's cousins and aunt. It was a sweet reunion...not only because there was lots of ice cream and toppings, but because there was a reuniting of family members that had not seen each other in years...and in come cases, had never even met! Mahalo to Clyde and Carolyn for graciously opening up your home!

...i think i found him!

2008-08-30T22:47:00.000-07:00

...found this guy on the beach at Waikiki. ...wasn't someone looking for him???

minus1

2008-08-30T22:38:00.000-07:00

one day we'll all be together again! ...we missed you john!=)

Happy Birthday Brian!

2008-08-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

just want to say happy birthday to an ol' man!!=) today is brian's birthday! i'm grateful to God for friends like brian...and for the memories that He has blessed us with. we've surfed a lot of waves, eaten a lot of plate lunches, talked a lot about what it means to worship God, played a lot of music, eaten a lot of sushi, and the list goes on... by God's grace i have confidence that our frindship will grow deeper still as the years go by. have a great day, Brian! ...God has given you life!

Sensei Suehiro

2008-07-29T07:07:00.000-07:00

We are continually amazed to discover what Styo is capable of. ...and the discoveries happen quite often. Our discoveries are further perplexing in that we find him to be so incredibly proficient and knowledgeable in such a vast array of subject-matter.

Need your board patched?? Need help with your computer?? ...pc OR mac!! Need to record a CD for your wedding favor?? Want to surf country?? Need to work on your car?? Want to eat at a restaurant on Oahu that you've never heard of before, but has been there for years?? Need information on anything electronic?? Want to surf town?? Want to drill a hole in a concrete picnic bench so you can record hi-def audio and video of your brother proposing to his soon-to-be fiance?? Want to expand your knowledge and appreciation of jazz and other genre's?? et?? etc?? Styo is your man!

Here he is patching a ding is Dina's surf board. We won't go into any details as to how the eight-inch gash got there... All you need to know is he did this pretty patch in about 45 minutes. ...just in time for the afternoon session!!

...Mahalo, Styo!! Look forward to seeing you again, brother!

Spring at 1660...

2008-07-24T20:14:00.001-07:00

I was looking back through some pictures from earlier this year and came across these. I'm pretty sure i haven't posted these before. This is what our front walk-way looks like for about 2 weeks during the spring. As beautiful as these tulips are, they don't last very long at all. ...about 2 weeks in cool weather...several days in steady hot weather. It's kind of God to give them to us...even if it's only for two short weeks!

craving homemade pizza!

2008-07-23T21:31:00.001-07:00

One day Sandi suggested we make our own pizza. In hind-sight we realize...that was a GREAT idea!! It's quick, easy, fills your kitchen with wonderful smells while it's baking, and it's delicious!! Try it...we guarantee you'll enjoy it!

Mid Summer nite at the Drago's

2008-07-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

Last night our care group got together for a back-yard party! It was a great time of fellowship as we got to sit around and catch up with one another in order that we might better care for one another...something we don't get to do very often. Mahalo to Damien and Audrey for once again opening up your home and your lives to us. And Mahalo to everyone who brought the excellent munchies!!

So Smooth...

2008-07-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

For those of you who may not know, I really enjoy listening to and playing Jack Johnson's music. Here's some footage from the production of his most recent album, "Sleep Through the Static." Enjoy...

Albuquerque, NM

2008-07-20T20:43:00.000-07:00

After Na08 Sandi and I flew from Louisville, KY to Albuquerque, NM for sandi's Wilderness Medicine Conference! We spent a week up in Santa Fe--about 45 minutes north of Albuquerque. It was the first time for the both of us and we both really enjoyed it there. Here are some of my favorite pictures. Enjoy...

The John Effect...

2008-07-20T20:17:00.000-07:00

If you spend any amount of time with John chances are you'll get a coffee lesson. When we were with John at New Attitude I asked him why he prefers to brew his coffee in a French Press rather than in a regular coffee maker. He told me that the paper filter that is used in a coffee maker (machine) not only filters out the coffee grinds, but also much of the oils which are full of the coffee's deep flavor. With the French press, you get all the flavor...minus the grinds. We've had a French Press for a long time, but we've never used it so much before! Thanks for the tip John!!=)

Ono Discovery...

2008-07-19T17:57:00.000-07:00

I'm sure someone's thought of this before, but it was the first time i ever made it and the first time i ever had it...the "Shoyu Chicken Moco." ...was ono!!

Hello-Goodbye Dinner

2008-07-19T16:05:00.000-07:00

Every year the Reading Hospital holds a special dinner to welcome the incoming resident-interns and say farewell to out-going residents. Families are welcomed to attend and awards are given to outstanding residents. It was a wonderful bitter-sweet evening. Here are some pictures of the out-going (3rd year) family medicine residents from last months dinner.

4th of July at the Pearlman's

2008-07-19T15:09:00.000-07:00

From the day we stepped into Christ Community Church the Pearlman family has welcomed us into their home and lives with open arms. We got to spend another 4th of July with them this year!

Lounging in the living room after dinner...

Darius...about the size of a baby horse...

One of the nice perks of being a hairstylist is that you think you have the right to touch anyone and everyone's hair...

Noah-providing some sweet ambiance...

Sandi and Darius...

Again, a big mahalo to the Pearlman's for having us over for yet another wonderful gathering!!=)

Great Italian Quote

2008-07-19T15:05:00.000-07:00

"I have heard that Eskimos have fifty words for 'snow'. We have five hundred words for 'food.'"

Dinner at the Olinger's with Christine

2008-07-16T11:18:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday Sandi and I were invited to the Olinger's home for dinner. ...it was also a surprise belated birthday dinner for Christine. The food was excellent and the company was even better. We sat and laughed and ate and talked in the cool reading evening out on their back porch. It was very nice.

David is an excellent cook. He prepared baked potatoes, roasted squash and grilled wild Alaskan salmon for us to enjoy. And enjoy we did!

As we ate our ice-cream cake for desert, their daughter Giana brought us some fireflies that she had caught and put in a small cage. Sandi and Christine were less than thrilled at the thought of viewing the "bugs" so closely.

All in all it was a beautiful evening together. Thank you David and Nancy! We had a great evening with your family!

Food & Friends...

2008-07-16T11:08:00.000-07:00

Last night we got together with our good friend Arisa. She joined us for dinner and desert. It was great to get together with her for a leisurely dinner and conversation. We enjoyed talking about Japanese food and culture. Thanks Arisa! We'll have to have you over again soon!

Happy 4th of July!!

2008-07-04T22:10:00.000-07:00

Sandi and i wish you all a very happy 4th of July! May God give you joy and safety as you celebrate with the ones you love.

Love Her More and Love Her Less

2008-07-04T21:14:00.000-07:00

last week i was having lunch with a friend when he asked me if i love Sandi more than God? ...or God more than Sandi? Thankfully, by God's grace, this wasn't the first time i had been challenged to consider this question...or i could have found myself in an awkward mess. i calmly and immediately replied, "i love God more than Sandi." He was instantly perplexed and quickly asked me, "Why?! Shouldn't you love Sandi more??"

well, let's put "my love for Sandi" on hold for one moment. When God says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your strength," He means it. there is no room for a division of heart here. one of the ten commandments is that we "have no other gods ("loves") before Him." for me to love anything (including Sandi) more than God is to make a "god" for myself that is not GOD. (does that make sense? i hope so)

[now back to "my love for Sandi"] I went on to explain to him that the absolute BEST way i could ever love Sandi was to love God more than her. after all, God commands me to love sandi "like Christ loves the Church and gave himself up for her." there is no greater example of gracious, self-denying, others-oriented love than the example of Jesus. and that is my example...that is the standard that God holds me to as Sandi's husband.

yesterday i came across this beautiful poem written by pastor John Piper for his son Karsten and his bride on their wedding day. i trust that his words will explain why any godly man who loves his wife more than God is really not loving her as best as he can.

Love Her More and Love Her Less
By John Piper May 29, 1995

For Karsten Luke Piper
At His Wedding to
Rochelle Ann Orvis
May 29, 1995

The God whom we have loved, and in
Whom we have lived, and who has been
Our Rock these twenty-two good years
With you, now bids us, with sweet tears,
To let you go: "A man shall leave
His father and his mother, cleave
Henceforth unto his wife, and be
One unashamed flesh and free."
This is the word of God today,
And we are happy to obey.
For God has given you a bride
Who answers every prayer we've cried
For over twenty years, our claim
For you, before we knew her name.

And now you ask that I should write
A poem - a risky thing, in light
Of what you know: that I am more
The preacher than the poet or
The artist. I am honored by
Your bravery, and I comply.
I do not grudge these sweet confines
Of rhyming pairs and metered lines.
They are old friends. They like it when
I bid them help me once again
To gather feelings into form
And keep them durable and warm.

And so we met in recent days,
And made the flood of love and praise
And counsel from a father's heart
To flow within the banks of art.
Here is a portion of the stream,
My son: a sermon poem. It's theme:
A double rule of love that shocks;
A doctrine in a paradox:

If you now aim your wife to bless,
Then love her more and love her less.

If in the coming years, by some
Strange providence of God, you come
To have the riches of this age,
And, painless, stride across the stage
Beside your wife, be sure in health
To love her, love her more than wealth.

And if your life is woven in
A hundred friendships, and you spin
A festal fabric out of all
Your sweet affections, great and small,
Be sure, no matter how it rends,
To love her, love her more than friends.

And if there comes a point when you
Are tired, and pity whispers, "Do
Yourself a favor. Come, be free;
Embrace the comforts here with me."
Know this! Your wife surpasses these:
So love her, love her, more than ease.

And when your marriage bed is pure,
And there is not the slightest lure
Of lust for any but your wife,
And all is ecstasy in life,
A secret all of this protects:
Go love her, love her, more than sex.

And if your taste becomes refined,
And you are moved by what the mind
Of man can make, and dazzled by
His craft, remember that the "why"
Of all this work is in the heart;
So love her, love her more than art.

And if your own should someday be
The craft that critics all agree
Is worthy of a great esteem,
And sales exceed your wildest dream,
Beware the dangers of a name.
And love her, love her more than fame.

And if, to your surprise, not mine,
God calls you by some strange design
To risk your life for some great cause,
Let neither fear nor love give pause,
And when you face the gate of death,
Then love her, love her more than breath.

Yes, love her, love her, more than life;
O, love the woman called your wife.
Go love her as your earthly best.

Beyond this venture not. But, lest
Your love become a fool's facade,
Be sure to love her less than God.

It is not wise or kind to call
An idol by sweet names, and fall,
As in humility, before
A likeness of your God. Adore
Above your best beloved on earth
The God alone who gives her worth.
And she will know in second place
That your great love is also grace,
And that your high affections now
Are flowing freely from a vow
Beneath these promises, first made
To you by God. Nor will they fade
For being rooted by the stream
Of Heaven's Joy, which you esteem
And cherish more than breath and life,
That you may give it to your wife.

The greatest gift you give your wife
Is loving God above her life.
And thus I bid you now to bless:
Go love her more by loving less.

Mallory Julia Watanabe

2008-06-25T23:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the world, Mallory! We are excited that you're here and we can't wait to meet you! Because of you, we are now legitimate! We are real "uncle" and "auntie!" Please say "hi" to dad and mom for us! We are so excited that you are a part of this family! We hope to see you soon...

love,
Uncle Andrew and Auntie Sandi

Na08...CCC contingency

2008-06-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

ten of us made the journey from Reading, PA to Louisville, KY to attend New Attitude 08. some of us flew...most of us drove. all in all it was a trip to remember! God spoke to us, reminding us of the importance of His precious word...the Bible. we hope and pray that the things that we heard will not be forgotten, but spoken of often as we continue to spend time together. ...and over time, have a lasting and eternal effect on the way we live our lives today. we want this in order to glorify and esteem the one who loved us and saved us from our sin, from death and from hell...Jesus Christ. that's the essential core of our faith...it's what binds us together with an unbreakable bond. We thank God for His goodness in all that he has done.

Keri and the brothers Rus

the entire Na08 CREW

we're hoping and praying for more of us to go next year! interested? please let me know! and to all of our readers from HAWAII, that invitation is extended to you too! we would LOVE to have you join us at Na09 in Baltimore, Maryland!!=)

Na08...Dan and Noel

2008-06-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

It was good to see Dan and Noel again, too. ...and introduce them to sandi. they attend covenant fellowship church...about 45 minutes away from us towards southern Philly. they are the most musically rocking couple that i know personally. however, like many other gifted musicians we happened upon @Na, you'd never know they were gifted musicians just by chatting with them. ...their humility is inspiring and provoking. and even though they did play a 45 minute show on a small acoustic stage one evening (see the bottom pic) with their band, "Reilly," the main reason they were there was to SERVE us Na attenders. the main reason they were there was because they wanted to be ninja's.

"courtesy ninja's" that is. Courtesy Ninjas are married couples who come to Na for the sole purpose of serving anyone attending Na (and often people who are not attending Na). they know everything and look for ways to help and direct the Louisville lost and confused. they also hand out hot cups of coffee and krispy creme doughnuts every morning, as well as fruits, snacks, stickers, sodas, shirts, and c.d.'s throughout the day. sound like fun? well, whatever it may sound like to you, they sure enjoy doing it! a big MAHALO to Dan and Noel and all the other ninja's!

Na08...downtime

2008-06-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

Chocolate chip banana bread!!=)

2008-06-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

within the past two weeks sandi and i have made three batches of banana bread! ...broke da mout'! thank you mom and dad for the recipe!! was ono!!

Na08...pre-sesh (befrore the session)

2008-06-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

p.s. you'll note that a few of the pictures are out of focus and blurred. if i were john, i could say that that's exactly how i envisioned them turning out before i snapped the shot. however...i'm not john...and i was trying SO HARD to get those shots in focus!!

Na08...smoketown usa!

2008-06-08T15:10:00.000-07:00

meal times at Na are somewhat of an adventure. all eateries within walking distance are swarming with 3,700+ hungry folks...at the exact same time. so the first couple of days we stood in long lines for quite awhile in order to get our food. things got really interesting on sunday when all restaurants were closed except for three! (...there's still 3,700+ hungry folks!) so...on sunday night we hatched a plan...which turned out to be a great idea.

nine of us jumped in jona's grandparent's van and drove about 7 minutes to a sweet little restaurant called "smoketown usa." john recommended it. there were a number of beautiful things about this place. first...it was empty! we had an uncrowded quiet place to be together, eat and chat (which is something we hadn't had since we've arrived). it was a relaxed, breezy and unhurried time. second, the owner and the employee took some time to introduce themselves to us and chat for a bit (see pics below). ...and we had a great time talking story with them. and third, the food was ono!! ...and very reasonably priced. john...you continue to pick the winners! mahalo!

here's a few pictures of our enjoyable evening at smoketown usa...

Na08...folks

2008-06-07T19:00:00.001-07:00

here are some of the folks i got to see/meet at nao8...

i got to see Stephen Altrogge again. we roomed together at Nao4. because of the fast-paced nature of the conference, we hardly got to hang out or talk back then (though he did sign my guitar=). it was good to see him again and chat with him for a bit. Stephen is a VERY gifted and humble man (which is why you'll never hear from him how gifted he is). he is an excellent song-writer, worship leader, and author. a most inspiring thing about him is that he uses all of these God-given strengths to serve his local church. though he could easily "take to the road" as many gifted Christian artists/musicians do, Stephen has chosen to see his primary service and ministry to one local church as the most important thing he can do to obey and glorify God. that takes A LOT of humility and honesty. thanks Stephen for your example and friendship!

sandi and i got to meet Jared Mellinger. he was our community group leader. about three weeks ago, CB (our pastor) encouraged me and my good friend Damien to listen to a message explaining that Jared was going to be replacing Dave Harvey as the Senior Pastor of Covenant Fellowship Church, in Glen Mills, PA. you can listen to Jared speak about how he came to place his faith and trust in Jesus here.

i also got to introduce sandi to Matt and Julie. i met matt and julie in 2001 when i attended Crossway Community Church in Langley, BC (Canada). we just "bumped" into one another in the midst of 3,700 people! it was an instant reunion. it was great to catch up with them and see where God taken them...both spiritually and geographically. Matt and Julie are now in Greenville, SC...serving the people pastorally at a sovereign grace church there. Great to see you, Matt and Julie!!

Na08...the journey begins

2008-06-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

[o5.24.o8] it was 3:00 AM on saturday morning when we started driving. there were eight of us--Keri, Jona, Carol, Daphne, Dumitru, Paul, Sandi and myself--driving from Reading, PA to Louisville, KY. the trip would take us 12 hours to complete...but we were up to the challenge. some of us were prepared to drive...some of us were prepared to sleep...all in all, it would be a great journey together.

here are a few pictures of us along the way...

Dumitru and Paul took excellent care of checking and maintaining vehicle fluids. Mahalo to all the drivers who spent many hours, in daylight and darkness, behind the wheel.

my advice to frequent fliers...

2008-06-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

(below: blue corn chicken enchilada's with beans, rice and green chili! amazing...)

if you will find yourself flying on an airplane anytime soon, i have some advice for you...especially if you live in the land of the plate lunch! on your way to the airport, plan to stop at a favorite eatery of yours and pick up a meal to go. then, while fellow-fliers are munching on crackers and peanuts you can bust out your meal.

please do not use this opportunity to look down upon your unknowing fellow-fliers or become haughty towards them (believe me, it will be hard to resist). instead, enjoy your meal and use the opportunity to educate any unknowing fellow-fliers. if you'd like, you may even offer some of your meal to others close by. in my experience having a meal you enjoy...or food at all, for that matter...will lend itself to a better overall flight experience! enjoy!

an unexpected surprise...

2008-06-07T07:41:00.001-07:00

on our way back from the Wilderness Medicine Conference we had a 3 hour lay-over in Denver, CO. i thought it would be a good opportunity to give my cousins a call. (we don't get to see each other very often) it was almost 9:00 on a sunday night when i gave mike a call. just so happened that he was at jake and marsha's!

after talking to mike and marsh for a few minutes they decided to jump in the car and drive 45 minutes to see us at the airport.

we sat at the second floor Burger King and talked for about an hour. jake and marsha got to meet sandi for the first time! it was a sweet time together! thanks mike, jake and marsha for breaking your sunday evening plans and driving out to see us! we sure enjoyed our time with you!

until next time...God keep you in His grace...

p.s. if you're going to be in the Denver area on June 20th, check out Elida Young's show! visit her site for details.=)

recently...

2008-06-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

recently sandi and i were able to travel to Louisville, KY for the New Attitude Conference and Santa Fe, NM for the Wilderness Medicine Conference. i'll have more pics for you later.

you can see what my good friend's john and jona had to say about their Na experience.

i'll have more details and pics from sandi and me real soon!

2 years...

2008-06-04T21:05:00.000-07:00

today makes 2 years that i have been married to my beautiful bride, sandi! they have been wonderful years! ...not perfect, but immensely wonderful! the reason for two amazing years of marriage is that God has been so kind and gracious to us. if not for God's faithful work in our lives, i'm confident that our experience would have been much different. we thank God for two wondrous years together!!

i love you sandi! and, by God's grace, i look forward to many more wonderful years with you!

salmon fishing anyone??

2008-03-02T16:07:00.000-08:00

one of my friends from college has his own salmon fishing charter business where he lives on beautiful Victoria Island, British Colombia. sam and i were on the prayer team together at TWU. last week he e-mailed me with a link to a you tube video he just uploaded. i thought i'd share it with you down below.

at the end of my spring 2003 semester he invited me and our other friend cory to spend a week at his parent's place where he grew up. seeing the video below brought back some great memories. here are a few of them: seeing a baby whale gently break the surface not fifteen feet from me...while i was standing on the shore at a place called Deep Bay, working on one of sam's outboard motors at his parents place, going to the forest to pick stinging nettle and drying it to make tea that we drank (ono!), pulling into a parking lot on the beach at 9:00pm (it was as bright as if it were late afternoon) and sam asking, "do you guys like oysters?" we walked out a couple hundred yards onto the exposed reef and filled 3 plastic bags full of huge oysters...then we went back to sam's house...built a fire in his back yard and ate oysters 'till we were stuffed! ...we toured Victoria...got to walk through the palace...got to board a historic ship that happened to be docked in the harbor...it was a private ship that was used for educational purposes...we were just standing there checking it out talking about how cool it would be to be able to look around on board...not five minutes later i saw a friend of mine from TWU...mike...we talked for a bit...i asked him what he was up to...he said that he was just going on board to drop of his stuff...turns out he worked summers on the ship we were admiring...we asked him if we could get a tour...he said "sure," and gave us a whole tour complete with lots of neat history...we ate very well too! ...sam's mom cooked all kinds of ono food...and...we did go fishing. sam took us out for a day...we didn't catch much. sam said it was too early in the season. but it was just great to be out on the water on such a beautiful day. maybe one day sandi and i will have to go back when the salmon are in!=) enjoy the video! and...if you're looking for a salmon adventure trip...sam is an excellent guide!!

alive and well in Reading!=)

2008-02-17T16:08:00.000-08:00

well...it's been months since i've blogged. many of you have told me that you still stop by every so often to see if i've added anything. thank you for checking up every now and then. well, i'm hoping that this blog will be the begining of my return. only time will tell, i suppose.

just so you know, sandi and i are alive and very well in Reading. God continues to be our ever faithful savior and provider. we are very blessed and are grateful for all that we've been given...and we've been given all that we have. we are both still busy at work and love serving in our local church (Christ Community Church). we've had some cold days...some snow and freezing rain...but, all in all, the winter has been very mild.

stay tuned for more details...
andrew

Happy Father's Day!

2007-06-17T16:56:00.000-07:00

thought you'd enjoy this, dad...
...love you, andrew=)

one more month...

2007-05-05T16:31:00.000-07:00

one month from yesterday, and sandi and i will celebrate our one year anniversary. {where does all the time go??!!??} but, it has been an amazing 11 months and i wouldn't trade it for the world!! i'm sure this next month will fly by too...but we will endeavor to seize and cherish every moment of it. i can't begin to tell you how thankful i am to God for sandi! she's an extraordinary girl!

Absent for the busiest day in Louisville

2007-05-05T16:12:00.000-07:00

today as i was helping brian put up his fence i got a little lesson in horse racing. today the kentucky derby was held. two minutes... just two minutes...and it's all pau. no preliminary races, no second chances. just two minutes. brain said that about 100,000 people converge upon Louisville for the weekend, just to watch the 2 minute derby. and of those 100,000 converging people...john is not one of them. ...even though he's lived there for that past ???? years. i'm sure he's not too disapointed. he's in Michigan. [GO BLUE!] ...working...or something like that. there are two other big races besides the kentucky derby. ...i can't remember their names right now...preekness?? oh well, it'll come back to me. brian says the that together the three races are known as the tripple crown. i told him that people in Hawaii rarely ever talk about horse racing...except last year, when that horse injured his ankle/foot. the only tripple crown that almost every one talks about back home is the tripple crown of surfing!!=) brian's fence is just about done...just one more gate left!! and the pina colada frozen yogurt that he made was unreal!! mahalo Brian!!

"...I build truck bodies."

2007-05-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

everytime someone asks me what i do, my response is always the same: "...i build truck bodies." now, i know exactly what that means, but most people, upon hearing that give me the long awkward pause or the look of perplexion...or a combination of the two. so, here's a link to my company's website. it won't give you all the in's and out's of what i do on a daily basis, but at least you'll have a mental picture to ponder the next time i say, "...i build truck bodies."

p.s. and actually, i don't build them. by the time they get to me they've been welded, primed and painted. i just finish them.

Happy Birthday, Love...

2007-04-15T21:00:00.000-07:00

today is my sandi's birthday! though she could pass for a 19 year old (in some circles) she's actually...a little older than that. ...and that's all i'll say about that. it's the third one we've celebrated together since we started dating!! ...and by God's gracious allowance, many more to come! over the past three years, it has been my joy to see her grow deeper in her knowledge of God and her faith in Jesus. God's grace and mercy are accomplishing His wondrous work in her...and i get a front row seat to it all! ...how blessed am i!! i am excited to see what this next year holds for her and for me. we'll keep you posted...

state jump'n

2007-04-08T16:16:00.000-07:00

Maryland...Virginia...Washington D.C...and of course, Pennsylvania... just a few places we visited yesterday... i'll fill you in on the details later, but for now i'll say we had a wonderful time!

...andrew

Congratulations KOA!!

2007-04-04T15:15:00.000-07:00

one of my good friends from Hawaii just released his second album! the release party was last friday night...wish sandi and i could have been there! this second release has been many years in the making. i, for one, am very grateful to God that this album was finally finished. i know Koa has been wanting to see it completed for quite some time too! all in God's perfect time, brother! if you want to take a listen to a few of his songs, click here. enjoy...

still got game!

2007-03-31T11:44:00.000-07:00

if you know who C.J. Mahaney and Dr. John MacArthur are, you might enjoy this. if you don't know who they are, i would encourage you to google them and find out!

p.s. i know a few guys who'd love to "have next." ...and thanks john, i did enjoy this!

more "sandi on t.v."

2007-03-31T10:34:00.000-07:00

here are some pictures that i took concerning sandi's t.v. appearance. enjoy!

this is the write up in thursday's paper...

here is sandi at home, all set to go!

at the studio...with her coffee!

the three South Africa travelers: Sandi, Dr. Brigandi, and Missy...

enjoying a relaxing moment before the show...

Dr. Radosh briefs the crew...

missy says she's nervous (but she did GREAT!)...

getting situated...

checking the mics...

ready and waiting...

ACTION!!

30 minutes later...all pau! the relief and the recap...

it went very well...sandi, missy, and Dr. Brigandi spoke well and clearly about the HIV situation in South Africa. i think the overall feeling at the end was that 30 minutes was just too short to do any justice to their most informative findings in South Africa. i'm glad that i was able to be there and hear more of what went on. it was a neat opportunity for sandi and the others. we hope those who viewed it will, at least, become aware of the many great needs in South Africa and perhaps become actively involved somehow.

FLASHBACK...

2007-03-31T10:12:00.000-07:00

just got caught in a daydream... the Ross family {from Wellspring Covenant Church back home} gave this photograph to me and sandi upon our departure for PA. (THANK YOU, again!!) it's hanging on the wall in our home, and is one of my most favorite veiws in the world. ...just yesterday, C.B., Ben and i were talking about being in hawaii together and surfing. i would love for them--and everyone else for that matter--to experience the weightlessness and effortless speed of wave-riding just once. ...it's so amazing to think that God creates these waves that travel thousands of miles accross oceans, in order to scrape against the bottom of a shallow reef and form a crystal clear cavern of water...and we can ride and enjoy them!! it maybe some time before i find myself physically inside one of these God-made wonders. but until i do, i have wonderful memories that remind me of God's wondrous goodness and his great glory!

Sandi on T.V.!!

2007-03-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

just to let you know... tonight sandi and the two other doctor's that traveled with her to South Africa are going to be interviewed on a 30 min. television show. i get to tag along. (i hope there's food!) the segment is entitled, "HIV in Africa: Reflections from a Trip." from what i understand they will be using pictures to share about their various experiences there. i'm pretty sure that i'll learn a lot about what they did as well.

if you'd like to tune in (and you live in Berks county), they'll be on BCTV from 8:00pm - 8:30pm this evening. until next time...

...4-6? ...6-8+?!!?

2007-03-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

no...this is not a surf report. at least not that i'm aware of. this is how much snow they're expecting to fall on us. yesterday the prediction was 4-6...as in inches of snow fall. however, after it snowed and "frozen rain-ed" on us all day today, it has since been adjusted...to 6-8+ inches of expected snow-fall. it's coming down heavy right now...big fluffy snow flakes. it's supposed to snow through the night and into the early hours of the morning. feels like January all over again...

it felt just like home...

2007-03-15T16:15:00.000-07:00

yesterday as i left work at 7:00pm, the sun had just set and the cloud-streaked sky was a faint orange-red faded into deep blue (not quite like sunsets back home...but beautiful nontheless). when i gazed up at the sky high enough to loose the Reading skyline in my view, it seemed as though it could have been just about any Oahu-winter evening. it was in the mid 70's yesterday and very comfortable outside. i drove home with my window down, my arm out the window and a smile on my face. that was yesterday...

today it went from the mid 50's in the morning to the mid 40's in the afternoon/evening. and tomorrow, we're supposed to get 4-6 inches of SNOW!! ...what in the world?? a lot of folks (including me) sure thought spring was here to stay. ...oh well, at least i didn't store the shovels away yet!

9 months...

2007-03-04T20:29:00.000-08:00

today sandi and i celebrate 9 months of being married to each other! it was a wonderful day of rest (after a long week), and recounting God's gracious presence and great provision in our lives. as we noted before, the past nine months have seemed to pass both quickly and slowly at the same time...but more quickly than slowly. it's hard to believe that soon we will have been married and living in Reading, PA for one year.

here we are outside our home, right after church...

of course, no anniversary celebration would be complete without an enjoyable meal. we decided on sushi. it was a good choice!

and desert: tempura fried ice cream (with azuki ice cream!!) ...was ono!!

we thank God for sustaining and faithfully building our marriage on the wonderful foundation of his truth. we know we are stronger because of him! thank you for the part you have played and continue to play in caring for us through your encouragement, wisdom, prayers, cards and letters, friendship, care packages, and counsel. we are better because of you.

may you have a blessed week!

Mahalo...

did i REALLY need to know ALL that??

2007-03-03T19:16:00.000-08:00

i've been leaving my work shoes in the entry-way outside our door. they're pretty filthy from all the undercoating (tar-like black goo that we coat the underside of the truck bodies with), paint and other junk that get stuck to my shoes at work. i just didn't want to bring them into our house. all the other footwear is brought inside.

one day last week, as sandi arrived home from work, she said, "hmmmmm...maybe i should leave my shoes outside too, huh??"

"why?" i asked, wondering how dirty hospital floors could be.

"they get covered in blood and placenta all day," she calmly replied. "...there are explosions of blood...and it's all over the floor."

"yikes!" i thought to myself...she could have just said, "they get some blood on them while i'm delivering the babies." but not my wonderful wife!!=)

yes, dear...i think it might be a good idea to leave them outisde!

long days...

2007-02-28T19:14:00.000-08:00

today i worked a twelve hour shift--7am to 7pm. it's the begining of about a week or two of twelve hour days for me. ...it was a long day. i am pretty exhausted... what amazes me is that sandi still leaves the house before i do...and she still gets home after i do. (and it's not because she drives further. i work further away from home than she does. she actually works longer!)WOW...what a woman! and she still has the energy to talk to and smile at me over dinner.

she is so strong and enduring. i don't know how she is able to do it apart from God's kind grace in her life. i am humbled by her steady persistence, and her commitment to her task. well...it's time for bed. ...actually, bed time was about an hour ago. if you're reading this, consider yourself blessed. i'm not sure how may more of these i'll get out in the next two weeks. funny...it's not like i've done many at all in the last two...

love you,
andrew=)

odd hope...

2007-02-06T19:36:00.000-08:00

...it's an odd and foreign thing to be hoping and praying for temperatures in the 20's. it was another day of sub-zero temps (w/wind-chill). ...it's the kind of cold that makes any uncovered area of skin hurt. ...i can see my breath in the car all the way to work in the morning. (...our heater in the car works fine...i just work about 5 mins. away from our home) ...they say that we'll break into the 20's by the end of the week. i'll keep you posted...

my apologies...

2007-02-04T20:14:00.000-08:00

to those that check this blog regularly, i am truly sorry for the lack of posts. i have been scolded several times for not posting. and so i intend to pick myself up, and continue on. you'll be hearing from me again soon. ...and we'll pray that it is on a regular basis! thank you for your patience!

sincerely,
the management=)

-2!!!

2007-02-04T20:11:00.000-08:00

...well, that's with the wind-chill. ...it's actually only 13 degrees outside now. tomorrow...it's supposed to be 5 degrees...and -14 with the wind-chill! ...i'm glad sandi is in a warmer place!!

dinner with sandi's highschool friends

2007-01-05T13:02:00.000-08:00

on saturday night we had dinner with sandi's highschool friends. it had to be moved to wes and jenn's place at the last minute, because it was supposed to be at stacey and carla's place, but since kyler was just born the day before, it was decided that they would be let of the hook as hosts, and we would descend on wes and jenn's instead. it was a wonderful gathering. great food, good fun, an exciting white elephant gift exchange, and a rousing gingerbread building contest.

the two highlights of the evening were: 1) kenji's suprise crashing of the party (he's living somewhere secretive on the mainland for intense military training and didn't think he was going to make it home for Christmas until less than 24 hours before. in fact, we were just having a debate on whether or not kenji was back in hawaii when he walked through the door unnanounced! it was great to see you, kenji!), and 2) sandi and i winning the gingerbread competition. that was a serious shock...we still don't know how that happend. mahalo to the judges!

a big mahalo to wes and jenn for being excellent hosts!! you two definitely know how to throw a party! sandi and i had a great time!!

the highschool gang: (l-r) back: Mike, me, wes, rachel, chad, shane, wayne, kenji, tae. front: sandi, shelly, jenn

the houses...

the judges: kenji, shane, tae, wayne...

intense debate...

the discussion continues...

different view of the houses...

candle light service: f.c.f

2007-01-05T11:53:00.000-08:00

immediately after visiting kyler in the hospital, john, sandi and i jumped in the car and headed for Faith Christian Fellowship's Christmas Eve Candle light service. f.c.f is the church that i attended with my family for 11 years, where i served on the staff team for 5 of those 11 years, and where my parents still attend and serve. ...and, come to think of it, it's where i first met john letoto...wow that was a long time ago! it was very good to see so many wonderful friends again! here are some family pics we took after the service.

sandi, me, mom, dad and sarah...

sandi, me, mom, dad, sarah, and sarah's boyfriend, micah...

new sisters...

Kyler!!

2007-01-05T11:13:00.000-08:00

while we were home God blessed us with the gift of Kyler Matsui! not that he belongs to us (he belongs to his mom and dad!), but we were just glad to have been back home when he was born. sandi and carla have been good firends since jr. high, and sandi was hoping that Kyler would be born while we were home! he was due after we were scheduled to leave, but he defied his due date and arrived a little early, on December 22nd. sandi, john and i went to visit him and his exhausted, but joyous, mom and dad the evening on the day that he was born. here he is, less than 24 hours old! AMAZING! great job, Carla...and congratulations to Stacey and big brother, Asher!!

here is sandi holding the young man...

checking out the feet and toes...

joyous mom, sandi and Kyler...

Blessed...

Dr. Uchida did a little newborn exam on the defenseless young man...it was neat to see a little bit of what she does day after day in the hospital...

...strange?! ...or maybe not so strange

2007-01-04T22:48:00.000-08:00

as i was looking through all the pictures sandi i took while we were home for Christmas, i came to the shocking realization that there was not a single picture of the ocean or us, where we are clearly by the ocean. that perplexed me to some degree. however, i must readily admit the the ocean often has that kind of effect on me...i easily forget about the less important things, like looking for the camera. ...oh wel, that's why there's john. ...and brian!=) he he...

Shokudo visit...

2007-01-04T21:25:00.000-08:00

as you may already know, or have been able to assertain...Shokudo is a restuarant. my grandma Chang was kind enough to take us out to lunch one day. those present, from right to left, are my sister, sarah, my mom, my grandma, my uncle gary (mom's brother), me and sandi. we missed Dad who was sleeping because he has been working nights for the past few weeks. hopefully it won't be much longer! as i looked through my pictures i realized i didn't get pics of all of the food, only some of the dishes. the food that i did get, i share with you below. enjoy!!

mochi-cheese...broke da mout'

sarah enjoying the feast...

ah, the unagi (fresh water eel)! do not fear, it is cooked...and in a beautiful sauce no less! ...over hot rice... delicious!!=)

the unagi is mixed in with the rice. the bowl is metal and hot to the touch (like a cast iron pan) ...so the unagi and rice continue to cook and sizzle a little after our waiter mixed it up!

fried udon...ono!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2006-12-31T22:43:00.000-08:00

Sandi and i wish you a blessed 2007!

love ya,
andrew&sandi=)

random sightings...

2006-12-31T15:48:00.000-08:00

on our fourth evening back home sandi and i went to a local surf shop (local motion) to listen to our friend Kainalu play. he gigs there once a week, and we were thankful to be able to go and listen to him sing! (mahalo, Kainalu...was good!!) after we were done we went to zippy's to grab a bite to eat with our friend jocelyn (who also happened to be the photographer at our wedding. mahalo jocelyn!!) just as we were finishing our meal i turned to my right and who should i happen to see, but Kevin and Pricilla.

kevin and i have been good friends for a number of years (we surfed together many times, we were both on staff at our respective churches, and he was on my wedding party 6 months ago), and i had met pricilla a few years back when we visited her church up in Seattle...before she moved to Hawaii. (she's a native "Seattalian" and was flying back home for Christmas the next day) i was scheduled to see kevin two days later (saturday) when a group of us planned to get together to pick up another good friend (Brian) from the airport (flying home from Japan). (...more on the Brian acquisition later) it was a pleasant suprise to stumble upon kev and pricilla at zippy's!

Pricilla, Kevin, Me and Sandi @ zippy's!

Anthony Quail

2006-12-31T15:29:00.000-08:00

upon our arrival home, sandi and i made it a point to meet the newest member in the Tsumoto household...Anthony Quail. he is the latest addition to the family...and is literally a quail. if my memory serves me right, he was a gift to mom and dad Tsumoto from cory and ian (excellent gift, guys!!) he is quite tiny, doesn't really fly (unless you drop him...but then, it's more of a flutter to the ground), likes to run towards and jump on feet (which can be really awkward at first), and doesn't make any noise (unless it's 5:00 in the morning)...which makes it very hard to find him, should he ever become lost in the house.=) once you get to know him, he's really quite cool to hang out with. well...there he is: Anthony Quail! i hope that was a proper introduction. for the record, sandi and i thuroughly enjoyed meeting him!

Liliha Bakery: Cocoa Puffs!

2006-12-31T13:39:00.000-08:00

one of the indigenous foods that we enjoyed eating is the cocoa puff from the one and only Liliha Bakery. this beautiful desert has a light baked outer shell, a chocolate-cream filled center, and a chantilly topping (tastes kinda like a creamy butterscotch spread) over the whole thing. these were definitely "broke da mout,'" and we recommend them to anyone at anytime!! (we couldn't even leave! here we are eating in the parking lot!!)

the anticipation: sandi holding our cocoa puffs...

the SMILE after the first bite...

enjoying mine...

Makino Chaya!!

2006-12-31T12:58:00.000-08:00

Our trip home had many themes and priorities. among the top five priorities was food and friends! here we are with my good friend John Letoto and a few of his many family members. we were invited to lunch by Jeff and lisa, John's brother-in-law and older sister. for those who may not know, Makino Chaya is an all-you-can Japanese Buffet. it was sooo ono!! you may enjoy looking through these pictures (and i hope you do!)...but it will not compare with the enjoyment that we had eating all this food!

the cooked plate...

the raw plate (...so GOOD!)...

SAD JOHN: no more hamachi! (hamachi is john's favorite fish to eat. he was saddened to hear that they had stopped serving it during lunch times at the restuarant. he was even more saddened when he realized that they did serve some for lunch, and he had missed out on the initial serving)

HAPPY JOHN: more hamachi! (well, john hoped and prayed that they would replenish the platter...and they did!)

our journey home...

2006-12-29T14:10:00.000-08:00

our journey home began on Saturday, December 16th with a 6:20pm flight out of the Philidelphia airport. we were on our way to L.A. for a 11.5 hour lay-over. this provided us with the opportunity to spend some time with some good friends. james and aya kwong picked us up at LAX at about 10:30ish and took directly to eat Pho.

it was interesting (and somewhat amusing) that james was cold...aya was freezing...and sandi was comfortable in a light jacket. she is adjusting to the cold east coast!=) anyway...it was time to party! ...grad party, that is. james had just graduated the day before with his Masters degree in Divinity from Talbot, and we (sandi and i) were buying! so we went to eat Pho...and curry...and spring rolls...and spicy stewed beef...and...other foods. it was a wonderful time with james and aya. (just for the record, i had stomach-flu-like-symptoms...and even though i barely touched my Pho...it still was great to be there)

after our meal we went back to the house, where james and aya live with ed, nora and josh! we got to meet aya's brand new taylor guitar...chat a bit with ed...and get to bed...for 6 hours (which we thought was GREAT!). at 6:15am we got up, packed up and headed to the airport. the night before we had planned to go to Panera Bread for some morning munchies. but, alas, when we got there in the morning it was closed. (closed at 6:30am??!!) so we went straight to the airport and caught our plane home to Hawaii!!=)

here we are at the house with James and Aya:

Sandi and Aya:

Me, Sandi, and Ed!

Our READING Christmas

2006-12-29T13:13:00.000-08:00

sandi and i celebrated our Reading Christmas early this year. we gathered together to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to open our gifts on Friday, December 15th. this is because we would fly out of PHL, HNL bound, the next day. just to let you know, we had more gifts than the ones we gave each other. we had some local Reading gifts. and we were suprised by boxes that arrived from Hawaii in time for us to open them on the 15th! (mahalo to those who blessed us with Christmas gifts) here are some pics of us around our tree before we opened our gifts...

three of these four books (below) were gifts to me from sandi. (can you guess which one she got for herself??=) all three of these books were recomended reads from Bob Kauflin's blogsite: worshipmatters. these books--"True Worship," "Music Through the Eyes of Faith," and "The Enemy Within"--prescribe biblical guidelines for worship that honors and exalts GOD, and helps individuals involved in corporate worship times to evaluate their actions and motives so that they do not take away from the worship of GOD.

the book sandi got for herself is written by Carolyn Mahaney (wife of C.J. Mahaney). i've never read the book, but i've heard that it is wonderfully written to encourage women in becoming more godly wives and mothers. my prayer is that sandi will be strengthened in and by the things she learns, that her joy and delight in God would become a firmer foundation in her life, and that she will gain confidence as a woman who fears nothing but the holiness of God.

i am so blessed to have a wife who gets me gifts like these for Christmas--books that contain wisdom and truths that will last beyond this lifetime, and have the capacity to encourage and build up God's people...his Church. thank you sandi for knowing what is truly important in this life. and thank you God for showing sandi and me that YOU are more valuable than anything we can ever hope to possess in this lifetime. God is truly kind and gracious with his wondrous gifts to me!! i am blessed...

2006-12-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

Jack Johnson: No Other Way

my sister sarah REALLY likes this song! ...i like it too! enjoy...

a special 6 month anniversary...

2006-12-14T08:52:00.000-08:00

last monday made 6 months since sandi and i have been married! (yeah...i can't believe 6 months have come and gone that quickly either!!) it was a special day for many reasons. it was an extra special day in that we got to celebrate our 6 month anniversary for 27 hours. yup! as we traveled from the east coast to the west coast we gained 3 hours!! so, sandi and i had a very "unique" and wonderful 6 month anniversary!!

pictures from our honeymoon: the "darker" days...

a picture of us in Philidelphia on July 4th...the "lighter" days...

God has kindly given us many great days together, and we trust that there will be many more to come...

2006-12-14T08:38:00.000-08:00

in anticipation of the "surf crew reunion"

SPECIAL MAHALO TO JACK JOHNSON!

Short Trip to BC

2006-12-13T19:35:00.000-08:00

last monday sandi and i left on our fast and furious journey to Vancouver, British Colombia. i say "fast and furious" not because we drove anywhere at dizzying speeds, but because we set out on our journey knowing that the hours we would be traveling would outnumber the hours we would spend at our destination. yup...we traveled for a total of 33 hours (including layovers and a 2.5 hour delay in Chicago), and we were on BC soil for only 29 hours.

why this crazy trip, you ask? we were on our way to meet my dad, mom, sister, and grandma on the campus of Trinity Western University, where sarah, rachel, and i all attended for some length of time (and where i recieved my undergrad degree). the occasion was the giving and recieving of a painting--from my parents to the school--in Rachel Anuhea's honor. the painting, entitled "Quiet Storm," was one that Rachel was strongly drawn to and eventually ended up purchasing when she was home in Hawaii. it's painted by a local Japanese painter and is quite stunning. if you ever find yourself in the Vancouver, BC area and would like to visit the painting i'm sure the school would welcome your visit.

two tired but happy travellers!!

we had heard that it had snowed the week before...but we had no idea that so much would still be around one week later! here's a mini-van that was parked in the Vancouver Airport parking structure...

here's a view out the window on our 40 minute drive from the airport to the school...

On campus...

Here we are with Sam and Torie and their very healthy baby boy, Bennett!! Sam was the very first person from Trinity that i got to meet and speak with. he was doing a college fair in Hawaii before i had made my final decision to attend the school and we were able to hook up. i tell him he's the X-factor that sealed my decision to attend!! ...it's true=) (and now, he loves spam musubi, shoyu chicken, lumpia, and many other local favorites)

sandi and me with Dr. Calvin Townsend. both rachel and i had him (seperately) for the same 400 level class...Influential Christian Thinkers of the Western World. it was wonderful to talk with him again...

me with Tim McCarthy...godly man, song-writer, director and overseer of all the chapel worship teams (usually 4-6 per year), and proud father of 5 children!! (two are twins) congratulations Tim and family!!

This is me and my 2nd year Greek prof...Dr. Kent Clarke. though it is difficult to pick our a favorite prof out of the many wonderful professors i had the privilege of learning under, i thoroughly enjoyed learning from Dr. Clarke. as his smile conveys, he is always excited and energetic about what's going on. (he's a tremendously busy man/husband/father, yet his joy is deeply rooted in the foundation that can only be found in Christ) sandi and i were only with him for about 5 minutes, but it was such a rich 5 minutes. ...and sandi and i walked away encouraged and blessed. Mahalo Dr. Clarke!!

this is Robson, the jr./sr. housing building where i lived with Will for 1.25 years! good memories! good friends!! good times!!! good food!!!!=)

sandi and me in the snow...

on our first...last...and only morning in Langley, BC, sandi and i had the great honor of having breakfast with Pat and Cherry Sczebel. Pat is a humble friend, pastor, teacher, song-writer and primary worship leader at Crossway Communtiy Church in Cloverdale, BC where i attended for 2 years. it was the first time that they and sandi had met. not only was the food great! ...in the short time that we spent with them, they encouraged, cared-for, taught--for lack of a better term--"pastored" us so wonderfully. it was so good to visit with great friends! Mahalo Pat and Cherry!!

and if you thought that was a lot for 29 hours...i didn't even mention Amy's birthday party that i crashed at the Walsh's on Teusday night! (and that was after dinner with dad, mom, sarah, grandma and sandi at the Olive Garden...they had to get their fill...NO Olive Garden in Hawaii!) it was great to see old friends and meet new ones. God is growing His church in Cloverdale! what a wonderful group of people! sandi and i are definitely planning on returning to BC in the near future! there's a lot more people that she need's to meet! ...a lot of places to visit! ...and a lot of food to eat!! thanks be to God for such an amazing trip!!

Gingerbread Home Construction

2006-12-11T13:43:00.000-08:00

last saturday sandi and i were invited to build gingerbread houses with Luanne and Leah from church. Dan, Luanne, Josh and Leah have been so kind and generous to us...we feel as though they have welcomed us into their ohana. so...GB home construction it was!

originally the plan was to bake the walls and roofs from scratch. in the end, however, the "wall and roof recipie" proved elusive and was nowhere to be found. oh well, plan B: GB houses in a box. i didn't even know they sold those. but apparently they do. all sorts and sizes can be purchased in a box complete with icing and candies for decorating. this may sound like cheating, but let me tell you, it consumed a good amount of our time and energy. (perhaps next time we'll set aside a WHOLE day and build it from scratch!)

well, it was a great day...lots of fun (and eating on the job=). ...i didn't realize how competitive GB home building could be!!=) ALL of the GB houses turned out BEAUTIFUL!! see for yourself. mahalo again to Luanne, Leah, and Dan (the REAL home builder/extender). it was great spending that time with you!!

Our Christmas Tree

2006-12-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

we've had our tree for some time now. just a visual update to keep you in the loop. Merry Christmas from our home to yours. enjoy...

getting ready to bring the tree inside...

the tree is up and getting watered...

the lights go on...

final touches by sandi...

ALL PAU!! sandi is pleased with the final look...

next step: the ornaments! we'll keep you posted...

hobbies...

2006-12-11T10:53:00.000-08:00

this past thanksgiving sandi decided to bake. now, for most people baking can be an added burden during the holiday season. for doctor's, however, the stress of baking pales in comparison to the daily demands of being a doctor...so much so, that detailed/precision baking (like the turkey's below) is exciting and very enjoyable. ...yes, even restful. here are some turkey's that sandi REALLY wanted to bake for our care group. they turned out wonderful!! and though she was concerned that people and children would think that they were too cute to eat, people (including myself), and especially children, had no problem wolfing them down. thanks sandi for making such delightful treats for the families in our caregroup! you're an outstanding baker!! ...and an amazing wife!!

GOT OUR TREE!!

2006-11-24T13:32:00.000-08:00

this past friday--the day after thanksgiving--sandi and i got our tree. it was something we were looking forward to for quite sometime. not only because this is our first "married" Christmas, but also because it would be our first Christmas tree that we would get to chop down. i located a Christmas tree farm not far from our house, and when sandi got home on friday afternoon we went to harvest our tree.

the Christmas tree farm was busy with people getting their trees, yet there was an enjoyable and contented tone to the whole place (unlike the malls that day!). there were many families with small children "hunting" for their trees. there were free cookies and hot chocolate for all visitors. sandi and i had a wonderful time choosing and harvesting our tree together!

i think sandi generally had a good time! the only disappointments for her were that there was no snow, and her realization that cutting down a tree was not as easy/simple/romantic as she was led to believe all these years. but she didn't let those bother her much. here's some pictures...

sandi entering a drawing for a tree and wreath next Christmas...

picking up our saw...

the hunt is on: a vast field of choices...

a very excited "tree-chooser"...

FOUND! ...the perfect tree!

the hard work begins...

the tree is down...

carrying it back to be wrapped up

our tree is shaken (to get out the dead needles and branches), measured, wrapped up and ready to go home!

THANKFUL...

2006-11-24T08:56:00.000-08:00

there is so much to be thankful for! ultimately i am grateful to God because everything good that i have recieved or experienced has come from him. he has been kind, generous, gracious, merciful, forgiving, patient and so much more. i have recieved no greater gift than the gift of salvation through Jesus' life, death, and resurection...the gift of God himself. yet, he has blessed me so far beyond that. when i look at my life and take stock of what i've been given, i am overwhelmed by God's lavish generosity towards me. here are just a few of God's great gifts that i am thankful for...

Sandi...
my beautiful bride and our wonderful marriage...

my family...
my new family, mom and dad tsumoto...

my sister, sarah...

being in da water...

with da surf crew...
fresh sushi...
john, and our mentor, gary lau...

da north shore, oahu...

Brian...
Hawaiian food...

Kevin...

kewalo's: our surf spot...

da mini-plate at Gina's...

Koa Siu...

da waves and friends at Daimond Head...

and da food at Zipppy's...

isn't God wonderful!! look at all that he's blessed us with! ...and sooo much more!! there is sooo much to be thankful and grateful to God for. i hope that you will be able to recognize God's goodness expressed towards you...and thank HIM for it!!

FOR MY SISTER, SARAH!!=)

2006-11-24T08:25:00.000-08:00

while we were at Trinity Western University, my sister Sarah and her roomate keri decided that they wanted a pet. normally you would expect cat, dog, fish, or bird. ...maybe snake or frog if you're really daring. so, you can understand my surprise when they announced that their pet of choice was the naked mole rat. of course i initially thought they had made up some sort of imaginary pet species, being the sum of their top three most desired animals..."naked," "mole" and "rat." a little later on i learnd that the naked mole rat was indeed a legitmate species. wow...

this past summer sandi and i made it out to the Philadelphia Zoo. and wouldn't you know it...they had naked mole rats! what are the odds. so, here is our tribute to sarah and keri! ...to the naked mole rats that you always wanted...but never had!! ENJOY!!

p.s. why you guys wanted one, i'll never know...

2006-11-23T11:04:00.000-08:00

wow...they make it look so EASY!

...but that's the result of tens of years of playing together.

2006-11-21T20:54:00.000-08:00

How The Lord Of The Rings should have ended

this is too funny! sandi and i couldn't stop laughing. my apologies to john and any other Lord of the Rings die hards. i just had to share it! ENJOY!! ...the journey matters, huh??

It'll just have to wait...

2006-11-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

so...the plan was that john would spend a few days with us this week while he is on fall break. sandi and i were excited at the idea of having our second visitor. but alas, it wasn't meant to be. i talked with john this past sunday evening and he said that he got scheduled to work this wednesday night...right in the middle of the week! oh well, there's always another time--but we probably won't be able to enjoy TWO thanksgiving meals together when "another time" comes. =( here's one of the things that will be tucked away until john is able to make it up for a visit: THE MENU!

don't wait too long to visit, john...

john made me do it...

2006-11-19T22:20:00.000-08:00

so i got an odd request from john a couple of weeks ago... well john...here's what you asked for. i don't really know the significance of this picture...but apparently it will mean a lot to john and some others as well.

here's a picture with much more beautiful model...

ENJOY!!

Serving our Community

2006-11-19T21:56:00.000-08:00

this past saturday morning sandi and i gathered together with a good-sized group from our church to rake leaves in people's front yards.

Sandi with our pastor, C.B. Eder...

gathering together for prayer and instructions...

walking to a near-by neighborhood that ben had staked out for us that morining...

sandi and i found out that we didn't have to bag and dispose of the leaves (which was WONDERFUL NEWS!) there is a machine that comes by and sucks up all the leaves. all we had to do was rake them off of the curbs and into piles.

some of the children playing in the leaves...

(...hey, that's a BIG kid!=)

it was a wonderful morning, with precious people, serving the practical needs of real individuals. many people were very grateful and ecxited to have an army of folks show up to tidy up their front lawns. this is just one of the many ways that Christ Community Church extends the kindness and grace of God to the people in our community. we are humbled and very grateful to be a part of this God-centered church. mahalo to ben for doing such an excellent job organizing the whole event! ...so when's the snow shoveling outreach??=)

Dinner with the Interns

2006-11-19T21:54:00.000-08:00

last week thursday sandi and i went out to dinner with her fellow interns (1st year residents). from left to right we have the lovely sandi, erin, alexey, christine, and nancy. only yan-yan was unable to make it because she was on call. it was a very successful (and long overdue, if you ask alexey) first get together. we went to a restuarant called Viva which has excellent food and good live music. it was wonderful to sit down and talk and laugh with them. i'm sure there will be more gatherings to come... we'll keep you posted.=)

Shoyu Chicken...

2006-11-19T21:51:00.000-08:00

last week i had a craving for some local kine grinds. so...i made shoyu chicken, salmon shioyaki, and udon. (mahalo to mom tsumoto, mom uchida, aunty vicki and others for keeping us stocked with furikake, rice, mirin, udon, li-hing mango, miso, kaki-mochi, wakame, rock salt, manju, shitake mushrooms, haupia mix, and even a pre-packaged poke mix. das right, even had kukui nut and dehydrated limu!=)

Shoyu chicken in da pot...

shoyu chicken, salmon shioyaki, gravy on da rice and udon! was sooo ono!!=)

thank you again to all of you who make "tastes of home" possible!=)

gas prices...

2006-11-19T21:46:00.000-08:00

how low can it go?? this picture is from early last week...so, the gas prices are up to about 2.09 now. for awhile the gas prices were dropping one to two cents a day! the lowest price that i saw was 2.03, but i didn't have my camera. i just can't remember the last time i saw gas prices this low!

you may be asking yourself...what in the world is "wawa???" well, there are no chevron, or shell, or texaco gas stations here. we have wawa's, exxon's, mobil's, and a few others that don't come to mind right now. ...but check this out...wawa just got Kona Coffee! these signs just went up about three weeks ago and have been nice to look at while filling up gas. ...especially when it's 32 degrees outside=)

2006-11-18T05:34:00.000-08:00

GO BLUE!

today's the BIG GAME! no doubt dad (tsumoto) will be watching. sandi and i will be cheering you and the wolverines on from the east coast!! enjoy the game...

2006-11-12T13:05:00.000-08:00

IMUA!!

GO WARRIORS!

2006-11-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

wow...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Christ Community Church!!

2006-11-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

today marks the 5th year anniversary of our church: Christ Community Church. it was a great Sunday of realizing and celebrating all of the amazing things that God has done in us and among us as a church. (even though sandi and i have only been a part of this church for 4.5 months, the friendships we've made have a depth that surpasses those of normal introductory friendships)

through an excellent slide presentation, and CB's message detailing God's hand in bringing about the beginning of Christ Community Church, sandi and i were able to get an even clearer picture of the birth of our church, and how God honored and blessed (and continues to bless) the faithfull obedience of CB and Shannon (our pastor and his wife) and the handfull of other families that made the move to Reading in order to plant a church here.

after the service we got to be part of an annual church picture, and then enjoy some lunch together. just after sandi and i got our sandwhiches we we started talking to Dawn. (Dawn has quickly become a wonderful friend to sandi and me, and had us over to her home for an incredible meal one evening a few weeks ago) one of the things Dawn mentioned was how wonderfully God weaves together the plans and actions of complete strangers in order to care for them ALL.

isn't it so kind of God to have prompted CB and Shanon to plant a church in 2001 that would end up being 6 minutes away from where sandi and i would live in 2006? who but God could have known that sandi and i would have matched at The Reading Hospital in March 2006, be married in June 2006, and be living in Reading, PA. in July 2006? surely not i! if you asked me in October of 2004 where i would be in two years i would definitely NOT have said, "READING PENNSYLVANIA!" but God knew all along. and he not only knew, but he took kind and gracious measures to provide for us in so many amazing ways. and we thank him for being so loving and good to us...though we do not deserve his love or goodness at all. God has been so kind and so gracious to us in MANY ways. providing us with such a wonderful church is only one of the many.

i hope and pray that you would see the many ways that God has been good to you. and that you would let those "many ways" affect the way you think about God...and ultimately how you respond to him moment by moment. thanks for reading and have a wonderful week!!=)

2006-11-11T13:21:00.000-08:00

a tribute to john, brian, joel...and anyone else who finds themselves far from the water...

2006-11-11T10:16:00.000-08:00

yeah...we play a little football back home...

2006-11-10T20:40:00.000-08:00

For John...

just something i came accross on "you tube." ...thought john...and monica would appreciate this one! this one's for you both. ...enjoy!