Since arriving in Japan 4 years ago, we dreamed about recording a live album here in Tokyo in Japanese and English. The right moment came just last summer, and in a very short amount of time we decided to pull the trigger and record the album. This is a behind the scenes look at that recording.
We can’t wait for you to see these music videos — the first ones are coming out soon, so subscribe to our channel for the updates and check back soon! They will be posted on our bands’ channel, Diflen TV, but I will share them here too as well.
It’s the weekend, and that means it’s time for the next episode of LIFE IN JAPAN. In this episode, you can come along with us and see how we enjoy a weekend in Tokyo. From our first time riding bikes in Tachikawa at Showa Kinen Park 国営昭和記念公園 to our fun Sunday with friends from Paz in Omotesando, it was a full and fun weekend — time spent together as family and friends.
Our first week of our new YouTube channel LIFE IN JAPAN has been a great success! Thanks to everyone who watched and liked our videos and subscribed to our new channel. Every time you comment, every time you like or subscribe, you help our videos appear higher in searches when people come to YouTube or Google and type in “Family, Japan, Tokyo, American” and many other combinations of keywords. So… Thank You!! Every minute watched helps us reach even more, and we want to reach all of Japan with the joy and love of Jesus!
Ever wonder what life is like for Americans living in Tokyo? What are our homes like? What are our lifestyles like? What do our kids do? How do we enjoy life in Japan? Is our lifestyle anything like yours? Well no need to wonder any longer, because we are launching a new series of videos focused on American life in the greater Tokyo area. Come along with us and enjoy the ride as our family of six does Life in Japan.
In this first episode, visit our Japanese home — a home that has been modified to fit our needs. We love it here, even if it is completely different than any of our other homes we’ve lived in. Sure, you need to take off your shoes in the entry way, and the toilets and hot water heaters are automated and talk to you, but that’s part of the charm. If you get thirsty, you can can easily pick up something to drink as you head out.
In future episodes we will be showing our typical day (with 4 kids going in all different directions, it’s quite a blur), our typical weekends, getting around in cars and trains and on foot, Japanese stores and interesting quirks of pseudo American/Japanese living. Subscribe to our mailing list to get our news as it comes out.
Lake Yamanaka 山中湖 literally means “Lake (湖) in the Middle (中) of the Mountain (山).” And when you visit Yamanakako you see where it gets it’s name. It’s one of Fuji’s 5 iconic lakes, and it’s right at the base of the mountain. The view is phenomenal. We just recently discovered that around the lake the organization SEND has several cabins available to rent. SEND happens to be the organization my sister Amy works for — what a small world!
This past Christmas we had not only the privilege of having Ruth’s parents stay with us, but also Ruth’s grandpa Joseph Hrubik, who we lovingly refer to as Papa Joe. This amazing 96 year-old made the trek from Virginia to Tokyo to spend his holidays with us. We couldn’t have been more honored! Ruth’s sister Debbie and family also came so that the whole extended family could be together. To celebrate, we took a couple of days to go to the cabins together and make some very special memories. We stocked our cars up with good food and cameras for our time together. We got to see the sights around Fuji, including feeding the local geese and even going on a wild Fuji Safari (more on that in the video). Fuji in the winter is absolutely beautiful, and we got up early one day to watch it turn pink — a phenomenon similar to the sky turning red at dusk or before the dawn. It only happens for a moment — the moment before the sun comes up over the horizon. It was cold, but so worth it!
We took advantage of the time to hear Grandpa’s stories about growing up, about the war, about life in the States and precious stories about Grandma Sarah (who recently passed away). I asked him what the biggest change in technology was throughout the years — and there were many in his lifetime. Of all of the changes in society due to technology, he said the biggest was the smartphone! Wow. Our kids are growing up in a generation where smartphones are normal, but it was barely 10 years ago that the first iPhone came out. Things change fast!
Living so far away from much of our family, it is always so special when we get time together. We are so fortunate to live in the era of the smartphone and internet where people are a short video-call away. But still nothing compares to sitting down to enjoy a big dinner together as a family, reminiscing over Ruth’s great cooking. Ah! I’m already looking forward to our next big get-together!
Saying good-bye to many Brazilian friends It felt oddly familiar as, over the last 5 months, we have transitioned out our responsibilities in Santarém, sold everything and said goodbye to loved ones and friends to move across the world. Seven years ago, we did the same thing when we moved to Santarém. Now, our destination is Tokyo — plus 3 kids. Before our April 24th arrival in Japan, we will spend some time visiting family, friends and supporting churches as we look to raise additional support. Our goal is to raise $8,000 of monthly support. Our current remaining schedule looks like this:
Sun, Feb 16: 1st Free Moline
Sun, Feb 23: Crosspoint Eureka
Sun, Mar 2: Geneseo Free
Sun, Mar 9: New Life Morton
We just happened to return to the midwest for one of the worst winters in recent history, piling the miles on the van just as fast as the snow can fall. I missed experiencing winter after living in 7 years of eternal summer, but I’m quickly getting my fill of the wild weather and will soon be ready for Spring. While the girls like the snow, they also are experiencing the not-so-nice side of the 4-season life: cabin fever. We have been eating plenty of McDonald’s recently, or any other food place that offers indoor playlands — anywhere the girls can run around and burn some energy!
Rebecca and Anna go sledding for the first time with their cousin Sophie
We very-much look forward to visiting our churches, friends and family and connect and catch up. We’ve been encouraged by many who have increased their support and others who have just started supporting. We are excited about this new chapter God is writing and your love and support is more critical than ever. We’ll see you soon!
