God Knows...

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...

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

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

Peculiar in Pigeon Forge...

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...

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...

Thai food with Mike!

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

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

2370

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...

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...

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!