We've almost successfully finished our Summer Homestay Tour 2014. We've finally arrived at our last stop: Colorado Springs. We have one last church to visit and some shopping to do before we board the plane and head home to Tokyo.
We've been to 13 different churches. Each church and community we encountered was unique and brings their own gifts to God's mission. While I'd love to write about all those churches and the fantastic things we did together, here is a list of highlights from this summer's visits. All the people we encounter were welcoming and inviting. Everyone was beyond helpful.
Summer Tour Highlights (In Randomish Order):
1. Delicious Potluck to kick off our summer (Nozomi discovers mac'n'cheese). Beautiful prayer shawl.
2. Fantastic Ice Cream Bar in my hometown
3. Delightful brunch and conversation with congregation
4. Nozomi goes crazy over a puzzle that WELCA gave her.
5. Mount Mercy B5 10 Year Reunion!!!!
6. Surprise Hymn "Shine Jesus Shine"
7. Celebrating Grandma Betty's 90th Birthday
8. Staff Dinner with Grace Lutheran Church
9. Preaching at Calvary and visiting friends
10. Eating and Playing our way through Door County
11. Nozomi falling asleep during fireworks
12. Being asked if our baby communes
13. Receiving Beautiful Baptismal Clothes to share with TLC
14. Having lunch with an excited congregation
15. Staying on a Dairy Farm (Guess who says Moooo!)
16. Eating Ice Cream made by Dairy Farmers
17. Sharing a beer with the pastor and his wife
18. Enjoying Family and Friends
19. Celebrating our anniversary at a B&B away from baby
20. The Summer Missionary Conference
And...
21. Nozomi learns to crawl!!!
Thank you everyone for making this summer go so smoothly and be so memorable. We've been truly blessed by all our hospitality. Thank you for opening your homes to us. Thank you for the delicious meals. Thank for loaning us your cars and driving us around. Thank you for pointing us towards a nursery, and helping us with high chairs. Thank you for holding our baby. Thank you for the beautiful thoughtful gifts. Thank you for filling our glasses and our hearts.
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