Hiroko's birthday, January 8, 2010

January 1, 2010, New Year's "Eve," Frone's 18th Birthday

Here are almost all of us.  Tanja was elsewhere

The lady with the cake is our beloved neighbor of many years

Frank's Birthday 2009

All the family invested a lot to create a wonderful birthday celebration for me yesterday.

An elaborate home cooked meal, then gifts and games.  Frone (home only for the holidays) manned the camera.

I'm thankful for the loving care.

Here are some pictures:

Dinner with Father Francis

Last night (Monday 14 December 09) a number of missionaries prepared a lovely dinner for Father Francis, and invited others of us as well. It was a very good night together. Spontaneously, Father Francis offered a moving testimony of the deep impact his longstanding relationship with these missionaries has had on him and his life.

Tanja's birthday

Tanja just celebrated her 22nd birthday on December 7

A little news of late

Marissa is finally taking her 1st art class.  It's not especially to her liking because it is "just" design.  But to me I guess it's like the drudgery of doing scales for promising musicians.



Also she recently got job at a very popular Japanese cafe on 5th Avenue in Manhattan



On Thanksgiving day we enjoyed a perfectly splendid visit with the family of Alan and Cynthia Inman together with their daughters Alena and Jocie. Sadly, for some reason, no pictures were taken of this treasured and blessed day. Alan picked my family up from in front of the Church of the Good Shepherd on 211th street in north Manhattan. Though beautiful, it is unfortunate that these are the only pictures I took on Thanksgiving day.

All Hallow's Eve

On the 31st of October this year, I started my day attending the farewell memorial service for the great and beloved teacher, pastor and leader, Dr. Lonnie McCleod, together with Karen Smith.

Like the 100's gathered at the Church of the Living Hope on 138th Street and Edge avenue, I too love Lonnie, feel close to him, and greatly admire him.

The service was superb. Karen pointed out "Like Lonnie." The remark interested me. I bet the ceremonies at our passings in fact ARE like us.

Afterward Karen and I caught up over a shared sandwich on a park bench that seemed to be dropped from heaven just for this moment, for these feelings, for this pause. Here's the bench:

Later in the evening, the kids (I mean all "kids" of the family) had a little fun getting ready for Halloween. A couple of the pictures are from our next door neighbors too.