So Empty and Yet So Full

I feel void of that listening ear....Gail had a good one...and it was always available...well almost...but there when I needed it...

Now alone and kind of empty....sometimes lonely, sometimes desperately so. What to do??? What to do? Where to go??? Now what???

I stop and remember....how I got here and who it was that got me here. And I don't think there's any miracle in that???

A sometimes 'silent' partner is still a partner.

I realize what I have is because it was freely given to me, without any expected in return. Love was given not randomly, but wholly and fully for me.

He is sitting by...hanging out..

There is much abundance here. What matter of love is this???

Hope for the Future

I am in the process of planning for Devon's future after high school. Sometimes it feels overwhelming because I haven't done it before. I want to do the right/best thing, but what is that look like? I don't know.

But I can't just stop there. There are two friends of ours whose daughters have already gone this path so I am meeting with them soon to hear how they processed the decisions that they came to.

Support services. A source for services/funding for individuals with disabilities is "Regional Center". Devon was a client when we lived in Orange County and then was reassessed 6 years ago and was found not to be eligible. His disabilities are not apparent. Anyways, I have contacted "Regional Center" to appeal the decision and they have asked me to provide all the information since the last test in 2002 so that it can be reviewed and a decison can be made.

Please pray for this outcome. It is not a dealbreaker, but it would sure be helpful.

More to come....

Jon and Dev

Dear Mama

Devon has been missing Gail lately. He likes this song called 'Dear Mama' by Tupac. It makes him cry. That's good because Devon doesn't cry too much usually.

We are getting by ok. I probably don't ask for enough help when I need it. Gail seemed to be telling me early on, 'if you need help, ask for it'.

I'm meeting with Devon's vocational instructor on November 7th. We are going to talk post high school options for vocation and education. Devon, I think wants to go to CSM College of San Mateo which is cool. The fact remains that the cirriculum is college level and he will have to perform at this level.

One possible option is for him to take one or two classes and work. This way, he can ease into the college scene and focus on doing well. He certainly has the drive and tenacity that Gail had. He's like a bull-dog and doesn't give up easily. He is really resilient in a God-shaped way. That's encouraging. There is a CSM extension in Half Moon Bay, so it may be possible for him to take his courses here in town. At some point, I would like him to get onto the college campus.

Please pray for this transition.

We are wrapping up our counseling. The last time we met, my counselor asked about the future like Devon transitioning into the post high-school life and me transitioning into life without Gail and Devon. Wow. How is that going to happen? Please pray that I go the Lord with these questions and hang out with Him through this and get his take.

Thanks.

Jon and Devon

time out

Life goes on......



I like the fact that devon and i are continuing to walk together in the mornings. It's not a long walk, but it's important and something that we have been doing together on a regular basis.



I've come to take these walks for granted because they have become routine.



This morning, I was thinking about Gail back at the hospital and their was some grief and pain and then God took me sovereignly by the hand and showed me how our lives have been ordained before the beginning of time and how He made it possible for us to be here in HMB for 9 years being family. I again saw how loving he is and how he has taken care of us every step of the way and will contnue to do so.



Devon is a senior in high school now and enjoying school. He is taking the following classes:

Us Government

Mass Media

Weight Lifting

Workability

English

Independent Study



He gets to give announcements to the entire school on TV once a week a LOVES it. He's such a ham.



He's enjoying watching football these days and is a huge niners fan. We went to a recent niner/green bay game and he went crazy. Where did that come from???



Devon will, after two years hiatus begin BSF on September 30th. This year it is on the Life of Moses. I'm thrilled that he has an opportunity to do this again as it was great the three years that he did it earlier, studying the Minor Prophets, Acts and Genesis.



He is enjoying time with friends that seem to always like to come to our place. So we always have guys over. This weekend, we are inviting some girls over for a hoops activity and a barbque for some hang time.



He is also part of a team ministry to some elderly residents here in Half Moon Bay. Our sunday school class helps with this once a month ministry. Devon recently gave his testimony. If you want to hear it, you can go the Mariners Community Church Half Moon Bay website and go to the podcast on August 24th.

His testimony goes back to our days living in Anaheim when Devon accepted Christ at the Harvest Festival when he was about 5 years old. It's rich, and classic Devon. If you listen in, you'll get some laughs too.



Devon and I were all set this summer to go to Redwood Christian camp with family and friends, but the Lord had other plans for us as we went with our church high school group to work with the Navajo on their reservation in Arizona.



What follows is a snippet from our time there.

Elsie, the matriarch of the Navajo family gazed at the horizon as approaching storm headed toward us, and said, "It won't rain here."

"It will rain over there", pointing to her left, then pointing to the right, she said, "It will rain over there, but it won't rain here."

It poured down rain for two days in that parched, thirsty desert. The cisterns underground that catch the rain water off the roof were filled to overflowing. Wow. There were pools of water everywhere.

It reminded me of Psalm 84.

This 'interruption' in our work gave way to going under cover with our Navajo friends, the Codys and we talked and laughed and spent time together.

We all knew, that God was up to something way beyonod our limited comprehension. I knew that God was speaking to my barrenness and desert wasteland of my own soul.

He couldn't have ever spoken more loudly than he did that day.

Our three day sojourn with 4 adults and 9 teens onto the Navajo reservation 30 miles east of Flagstaff, became walk of healing in the midst of great sorrow, for they had lost the martriarch of their family Betty, 6 months before we came to the Rez.

They were not sure if they were going to let us come because of their grief.

The very first day of work with the Cody family brought a sense of what our trip was going to be about as the patriarch of the family, Johnny Ray and I sat on a log taking a short break. He told me that he had lost his wife earlier in the year. I shared briefly about my loss as well.....

What flowed out of this was a wonderful three sojourn with the Codys through their grief. Indeed there were Streams in the Desert.

May these streams continue to flow into your hearts as the Lord who provides.

Love,

Jon and Devon

Navajo Family Times

hello everyone,

Boy was the trip excellent!! Me and some of the youth group from my chruch went to Arizona and worked with a Navajo family. But let me start from the beginning.

On Monday at noon was our flight out of San Fransisco. We arrived in Phinoex around 2:30. Then we rented a van and put our luggage, and 14 other people in the van. Then we ate lunch in Phionex at the nitourious Wendy's. Mmmm the chili was good considering that they have fingers in it. Just kidding. We met some people from this organization called Wondervoyage. The people were named, Shan, Jason, and a intern Shara. They explained the one rule that we had on the trip. The rule was not to act stupid. That was the one rule. Shan and his group had a different car. We went on Monday to a nice resort in Sedona. We debrifed about what we were here for and we were preparing our hearts for the next three days serving on the reservation. Then we unpacked, and relaxed for the next few hours. Then we went into our cars and went into the city of Sedona. We ate at this Chineese cafe all you can eat. After we went back to the resort. We had a oppurtionity to look at the stars outside of the resort after we got there. I was just in awe that God made all of that. In Half Moon Bay I can't see that in Half Moon Bay because it's always so dang foggy. Then we just hung out inside until 11 and the boys went into their room and the girls went into their room. What a relief!!! On Tuesday we woke up at seven a.m. and started to pack. After we packed and put our stuff in the car, we ate breakfeast at the resort. We left at eight. We arrived at the reservation a few hours later. I was suprised that the reservation like the houses were spread out. It was like a barren desert. To be honest it was kind of depressing. We stopped at a church were we were staying. We met the Monorch of the family we were working with. Her name was Elsie. She was the niceist person you would have met. Then after we unpacked and got settled in we went to their house/ranch deeper into the reservation. Their house was made of wood and cardbord which was shocking. But they each accepted us into the family like we were one of them which was really powerful and minisering. Once we got oriented and met the family, we had lunch. We had some true guinuine indian food called turkey sandwhiches, chipes, soda, gaderade, and water. It was tasty. After that they wanted us to tear down their old fence and put all the scraps of wood and metal into two seperate pials. It was hard work but we did if efficantley and quickly. Then that day we burned the wood and with the metal we threw away. Then we had dinner. We had some indian corn meal, and had some lamb I think. Then we had a oppurtunity to fellowship with the family and with one another. We were talking about ourselves and also learned about the way they live. Most of them have jobs have jobs in the nearest city called Flagstaff to support the family just to live. They don't have the luxuary like the rest of us do. They have t.v. though. They don't have running water though or fast food reasturant's on the reservation. All of that is in flagstaff. Some of the Navajo people do live in Flagstaff. But the people who live on the reservation just try to get by on minimum money, food, and get water from the water whole. I learned not to take my life for granted. I thought I had it hard but they really have it hard. One of the senior members of the family said there has been a death in the family. His wife died a few months before we came into the reservation. Just that we got invited in while their loss is still so fresh is a incredible honor and minsitired to me personally in volumes that words could not. I could relate to him in a sense because I lost my Mom just a little more then a year ago. Then after we felloshiped we went to the church and we debrifed and eventually went to sleep. The first night some kids claimed that I was sleepwalking which I usually don't. Well at least I don't think I don't. On Wensday we woke up at 4:30 and had to be at the family's home by 5:00. They were worshiping their God the dawn. The way it works is that we face the dawn with a fistfull of cornmeal and spread it down and across so in a way it symboylizes the cross. They just don't know it. Earilier the previous day we were debating whether we should perticipate in the ceromoney because they have obviously diffirent belifes about who God is. We decided to pirticapate in it unless God was calling us otherwise. See our reasoning is that we wern't worshiping the dawn, we were worshiping the God who created the dawn. In our hearts we were worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ and him alone and that's fo sho!!!

Then we had breakfeast which was cornmeal, eggs, becon, and indian oatmeal, which was not bad. Then after we started to do diffirent tasks. Some people decided to work on the house and some others decided to go to some other family's and do a little home improvement with other families. I decided to go help with the other family's. I went with three other boys plus two leaders, Craig and George, and we cut some wood and other material and we added some stuff to the house which is kinda like shop class in a sense. I loved to see the smiles on the Navajo people as we fixed their house and ministired to them at the same time. Then around noon we went back to the main base house to eat lunch. We had sandwiches and sodas again. Yeeehhh!!!! After that another group went to help the other families while my group and some other of the other of the youth group stayed back at the main house and cleaned up the ranch from the tumble weeds, sheep poop and horse poop. After that we put some of the wood we gathered from the fence on Tuesday into another pile and burned it. That took a few hours. Then we had a break. Then we countinued until dinner time with that same task. For dinner we had beef and beens and salad, cheese and cornmeal. It was pretty good. Oh did I mention while we were working it started to pour on us bullets. So we went inside to have some good old fellowship with the family and with each other. After we ate dinner we talked some more about their way of life and how they support each other and they said most of them have jobs in Flagstaff to support the family. We stayed there until 8 thirty. Then we went to the church and debrifed about our day as we were out on the front porch of the church looking at the stars. We were also awestruck that on Thursday would be our last day of working on the reservation.

When we woke up on Thusday we woke up at 8:30 and went on the reservation at nine. On the last day I had a feeling God was feeling us up with his energy and we did everything we could to help them because it was our last day. We cleaned the tumbleweed and piled it up and burned them. We cleaned the sheep pen, and other things with a smile on our face like we did for those three days. On that day it rained on us for a hour but we got to fellowship with each other again, which was nice. When it stopped we went back to work. I was entertaning the kids there, and keeping them happy while the parents were working with us. That really inspired me that the Navajo people actually worked with us dispite thier loss and did it also with a smile on their face. So while we were there to minister to them, we were also getting ministired to as well. For dinner we had lamb ribs, and corn meal which was not bad. Later they had some sheep head and other parts of the body that were to sample if we wanted. I was brave enough to have some of the sheep head. It was kind of rubbury but it was a good experince though. After dinner each one of the people from our youth group from mariners including the leaders shared about what we learned and or what we were thankful or what we got out of the trip. I was thankful and awestruck that they accepted us into the family as one of their own. I was also amazed that they worked alongside us even though they had a death in the family and the husband smiled while we were there. One of the Navajo women said the husband that experinced the loss has not smiled since his wife's death. And it was the first time he smiled since her death. Then after we all shared, which was good but totally unexpected, one by one each one of the family members got up and shared what they learned and shared what they were thankful for or whatever they wanted to say. The widower got up last I think and he shared his hurt inside and started to cry in front of everyone there. It was sad but I think it was a God moment at the same time because he was thinking probaly he was amongst friends and family. After each one of them shared we said our goodbye's which took mabye a half an hour. Then we headed back to the church slept. The next few days were just chill time. On Friday we woke up around seven thirty and we started to pack.

I want to go back.

Love,

Devon

High School Exit Exam Heaven...

Newsflash......Devon comes up big as he rides the coattails of the Holy Spirit and crosses the Math Exit Exam threshold!!! There's no looking back now, only thanksgiving to God and moving forward.

Hurray!!!!

A shoulder to cry on...

Devon just returned from his annual summer sojourn to SoCal. Grandma Merry came with him. The first week was difficult. The last year, devon and i have been kind of attached at the hip and for him to be gone felt different than in last years when he went down.

As time went on..it was a roller coaster. I realized that I really hadn't really made time to fellowship that much with others while Devon was at home. It felt kind of awkward...I felt alone...and lonely.

With Devon gone there was space. There was room. The question was, what was going to happen in this space? What would this space be filled with?

As it turned out, I was able to mourn and be sad...I started to read Gail's journal which I had never done previously. This was good to do. I read a lot about her feelings, her thinking, her disappointments and dreams. It was an opportunity to see the world through her eyes. Who and what was important anyways?

Most of the writing was about devon. The journaling was done over a 3-4 year period, which was helpful. It brought me in touch with the depth of her love for our son. It was real and present in the here and now. It really made me miss her. Her words were speaking both lament and encouragement for me. In fact, a picture that the Lord gave me was that we were still walking side-by-side both holding the hands of Jesus. The thought and reality of still being able to be enjoined together in this life was pretty overwhelming. I did not feel so alone.

It was both sweet and sad at the same time. My mourning went deep. What we had was so special and yet sweet because we are together still. Gail's spirit lives on. I became so thankful for all the time that she spent with Devon and the absolute voracity and tenacity with which she loved the both of us. A true reflection of Jesus.

This space also offered an opportunity to get away by myself for a brief fishing trip to Tioga Lake. I returned to the very spot that Gail, Devon and I, together with the Fukuzawas and Yahatas had fished a week prior to Gails passing. I had first gone by myself about 6 years ago, sleeping in the car and fishing hard then ending with a cool quiet time of reading the Word and journaling.

I almost bolted the lake without the journaling. I stopped at an overlook of the lake and had my lunch at a picnic table and hung out, journaling. I recalled the Word or the Lord to me six years ago, "Begin with the end in mind" What kind of legacy would I leave? It brought me back to God's Word and BSF(Bible Study Fellowship).

I started attending BSF as a result of God telling me that his Word is from everlasting to everlasting and that He wanted Devon to know of his goodness through His Word. Devon and I attended BSF for about three years and then there was not a high school leader available. So Devon could not go. As time went on, my attitude soured and this last year, I just went through the motions. I signed up for this upcoming fall, but I started telling a few friends that if the high school program isn't available, I would quit.

I then wrote down the books of the Bible that I had studied through BSF and started to think of life without BSF. The Lord encouraged me that there was value for me attending BSF this last year. I gave what I had, and I showed up. I also had the opportunity to ride with a friend Taylor and I realized the value had a lot to do with the friendship with Taylor who, toward the end of the year had the opportunity to bring two precious orphans from Russia for a 5 week visit. We shared stories of expectant parents and the anxious anticipation.

I had dinner with Taylor and his wife the week after the girls left and was filled with such joy to hear how blessed they were. I came to realize that the year of BSF was all worth it just to see God work in our friendship and to partake in the Lord's blessing of their time with these girls which they wish to adopt.

I realized how patient that the Lord has been with me. I had felt so sorry for myself. I couldn't see His plan. He is so gracious! I made a commitment to continue to pray that somehow that there would be a high school program available for Devon. If not, that God would have a better plan for Devon's study of the Word of God.

Please pray for us as we walk out our lives holding onto Jesus, often in fear in trembling. We believe...help us in our unbelief.

God Bless you all!

Love,

Jon and Devon

God used a lot of people to help Devon pass Algebra.

It take's more than hard work to pass Algebra, at least for this kid and this Dad who's math skills add up to???? A lot of it was the deposit of Gail's in-yo-face, Devon you're gonna get this, or else! Well....Gail's doin' a lot of cheering up there and for good reason.

I received Dev's report card this week and 2 C's and 4 A's. I'm thankful for all the prayers and encouragement that you all have given to us this past year. It has borne fruit in our lives. It's the stuff of sustanance, mercy, grace and strength. Some prayers are sown in tears...

Another blessing is that Devon is ahead in credits so his two solids for his senior year are US Government and English. The hope is that he will be able to get into the workability class and get out early and go to work. There is a Safeway, just across the bridge. He might apply there.

He needs to work with people. Big surprise. He worked a part-time job at a local hospital and he and Emmy did both filing and working with the people. Guess who won out in the popularity contest??

Devon arrived in SoCal on June 17th and will head back the week after the 4th of July. Although Devon has visited So Cal every summer since we moved, North, it has been more difficult to be alone this time. You can be praying for me during this time and beyond as I have been down, after Gail's one-year anniversary. The future holds so many unknowns and it can feel a bit overwhelming at times.

Devon and I are going to go on a short term mission together to spend time with the Navajo native americans. This should be an adventure with other high schoolers from our church. I believe that Devon and I will grow with one another as a result of this trip.

Give Devon a call or get together with him while he's down, he doesn't have much planned.

Love,

Jon

Remember Gail ......June 7, 2007

Hi Everyone,

It's almost been a year and I can't believe it. It is going to be a year this Saturday June, 7th. This year has been really hard but God has gotten us thorugh this year so far. But it is still hard. I request that everyone who reads this post up thier feelings up on the blog on what they are feeling about my Mom's one year anneveriary of when she passed on the blong and one thing you remember about her. I would like to hear from as many people as possible. Please continue to pray as we are preparing our hearts and our souls for this saturday the one year anneversiary, and that we would remember how she lived and not how she died. I am really thankful to have had and still have a Mom who loves me and cares about me so much. I am saddned that she is gone but it's God's will that she is in heaven. She is no longer suffering and that is the main thing. She is and was the best Mom I could ever have and will have. I do not know how to say in words how thankful I am to her for the things she did for me to make me the person I am today. I will pray for each person, friend, and family member that knew my Mom, that God will bring comfort to you all as this Saturday approches. She would of course want us to mourn her. But why don't we countinue to live her legacy and shine her light. Let us keep her legacy alive and keep that light that she turned on keep shining thorughout our lives. I hope one day I could see God and my Mom face to face and be with my Mom again and to just be in a loving embrace. She will always be in our hearts in the past, present, and future. Thanks.

Sincerly,

Devon and Jon Yoshimine

Homecoming 08 @ June Lake, Ca.

Hi everyone-


Devon and I had a great time @ June Lake this year. We were a bit apprehensive about going up. I was debating whether or not to bring Gail's ashes with us.....and decided that it was best not to, because we know that she was there with us in Spirit.

And what a wonderful Spirit it was. A few months before it all happened, I called Brice and told him that I could not do the trip this year, that is head it up.

Orignally, Brice, Steve Yahata, Jeff Sano and I conspired and plotted to pull the trip together with mucho other helping hands (eg. condo hosts etc.). This year, though, it seemed right to turn it over again to the very willing and capable hands of friends like these.

As it turned out, it was the right thing to do. I was able to take as much or as little time with people as I needed (wanted) to. And I savored the time that I had just sitting down and talking with you all. Normal prime fishing time was filled with conversation and reflection. It seemed that if there was ever a year to have mucho snowfall, it was this year. At least for me personally.

We still got out to fish, but it wasn't that much of a priority. And that was ok. I guess I'll have to make it up by fishing harder next time out. Oh well.

There was a memorial service for Gail on Sunday night @ the Community center. Sandee Hunt, brought river rocks and asked that each that wanted to, write one word or phrase on the rock that reminded them of Gail. The rocks were brought forward and laid on the ground. This symbolized to me, God's faithfulness and deliverance. Devon and I were able to receive from the body through prayer. It was a cleansing time, as I felt that though the grief was still there, much of the bitterness was washed away.

Devon had a good time condo hopping as did the other teens. It was good for Devon to be with his extended family both from Half Moon Bay and So Cal. We were do blessed to have friends from Half Moon Bay join us this time around.....and they had a stinkin BLAST! We want to thank you all for making them feel so welcome!

It really ministered to us to see you guys connect with one another. These folks are walking with us on more of a daily basis and it was good to see the body working.

A few weeks prior to coming up to June Lake, I had a session with my counselor. As usual, I did not know what I was going to talk about during our session. On this particular day, a lot of pent up fury came out. I didn't realize how pissed off I had been with God. I guess that I had been seething under the surface. Devon, ever perceptive, was always able to pick up on this, but I always made light of it.....until I just exploded. Several images came to mind while I was sharing with my therapist....One was me shaking my fist at God and just ranting at him and shaking my fist at him for screwing my and Devon over and complaining about the sorry life we had.....Another picture was one of me pounding my fists on God's chest and crying and yelling....asking why he took Gail away.

I realized that God can handle my grief, my fury, my pain...anything... I think that this letting go allowed me to receive more fully from the Father during our time together @ June Lake.
I long for Devon to be able to express his feelings too. Although he says that he is angry, I'm not sure if he has directed his anger, hurt toward the Lord. Please be praying about this. He did hear me sharing about my anger during one conversation @ June, and he too admitted that he was angry.

Starting last week, our church is entering into a period of Renewal as our pastor is on a 4 month Sabbatical. The theme today was about entering God's rest. You might be able to listen to the podcast by going to www.marinerschurch.org. or something like that. There are two Mariners, so go to the one in Half Moon Bay.

Right now our plan is to come down on June 7th to spend Gail's anniversary with family, then drive home.

The summer is still fairly open. Devon and I are going on a mission with Mariners to the Navajo nation in Arizona. We were all set to attend Redwood this summer, but heard about a high school trip and Devon and I felt that this is what God wanted us to do. As most of you know, Gail, Devon and I love to do ministry together, and this is just a continuation of this. It will be a neat opportunity to serve together in ministry.

He has applied to do Camp-by-the sea, to be a counselor in training. He did this last year also. Plus at least of few weeks down South. He will be going to summer school because he does not need any more credits. Please be praying for wisdom in these decisons regarding summer and check out the message about Rest from the Mariners website.

Love,
Jon and Devon

A letter to my mom

Mother's Day for Devon and Jon.

Devon wrote this letter to Gail. We tied it to a helium balloon and let it fly up to heaven. This letter evoked many tears from the both of us as it was a sad day.




Dear Mom,
I really miss you. How is it in Heaven? I hope you enjoy it. Thank you Mom for all the things you did for me like: cooking, loving me when I was in a bad mood, cuddle, and spend time with me. There is nothing I could do to repay you. I really miss having you around. I miss your smile and your kindness you always showed to me no matter what mood I was in. Thank you. I don’t know what life brings next. You’re the best Mom that I could ever have. Now I don’t know what to do without you. Will I ever see you again? I feel so helpless without you, because I was so dependent upon you. I want to thank you though for the impact you made on my life, as well as many others. You made me into a better and stronger person as a result. I hope I can honor your memory by my life. I love you.

Love,
Devon

Mother's Day...

All-

Your prayers have been keeping us going. Devon had his Math Exit exam today.

Thank you for praying. He took his sweet time. He checked his work and he said that he made approximately 20 corrections. The test proctor was his independent studies teacher and he told me that he would make sure that Devon took his time.

Good buddy, Steve Yahata coached and tutored Devon on a regular basis in order to prepare him for his exit exam.

Devon and I will both meet with his counselor, Cindy tomorrow evening. We will be discussing Mom's Day. Cindy suggested that Devon write a letter to Gail and tie it to a helium balloon and watch it sail heavenward. Wow.....this just floored me!

Good buddy Kenji will be with us on Mom's Day. It is still hard to believe in some ways.

Devon and I will be travelling to June Lake in a few weeks to be with family and friends. A part of the service will be to remember Gail.

It was at that time almost a year ago that we were together worshipping the Lord together. Gail's mom Merry was there and her nephew, Justin, Lauren, Tricia and Leigh and Katie. We celebrated communion together and the people that had been coming over the years took bread and gave it away.....

Thanks for being with us in Spirit, dear friends.

Lifehouse Everything Drama

GodTube.com - Lifehouse Everything Drama

Thanks Lauren, Watching this again, gives us great comfort.

Gail's Birthday

Today is Gail's birthday. She was born in St. Vincent's hospital in Los Angeles in 1954. The same one that I was.

I am grateful to God that he brought her into this world and into our lives to bless us, to love us and be with us.

Good friend, Brice called last night and we prayed and it was good.

Please pray for Devon and i today and as we prepare to be with friends and family on Memorial Day weekend and her passing on June 7th, 2007.

Prom Night-April 19, 2008

Good friend Emmy and Dev went to Treasure Island in San Francisco. About two miles away, the City of San Francisco shining brightly against a darkened sky.

Dad didn't miss out. Moms and Dads had a great night out at 1300 on Fillmore in the revitalized Fillmore District. Southern cooking and great company.

Devon had a great night out with friends, and from what I hear, no drama.

It was cool, and we were all glad for him.

beachcombing

Hi Everyone-

Jon and Devon here. Here to the left, Devon and three friends wrote their messages in their bottles, corked their bottles and I almost threw my arm out trying to throw the bottles out as far as I could. Pacifica pier, here we come. It was fun though. It was friend Alisa's idea and we tagged along last weekend after hoops practice.

Today, after church Devon and three friends and I took a walk along the bluffs. These three friends are part of our hoops team and Sunday (coffee hangout gang). They are affectionately known as the 'Road Warriors.' Why? Because the theme that we have now is called, "Glory Road." In fact, we are going to watch the movie at the Community Center this upcoming weekend.

We are sharing our stories with each other. Today, we shared prayer requests.
Some of them are: Keep my job, Get a job @ peets, Get a job at New Leaf, Big Wave go through, Keep walking, Mom's broken leg, Sick friends, that our families will come to the pancake breakfast and service on Easter Sunday. We wrote down the prayer requests and left the next page blank so that we can write down how the Father answered our prayers. Coach Jeff shared a joke about asking the Lord for his help.

He said that there was once a guy that said that he was going to win the lottery and was counting on the Lord to make him rich and started to complain as time went on that he wasn't winning the lottery. Then, one day, he heard a booming voice from the heavens say to him, 'Buy a lottery ticket.'

We don't have, because we do not ask.

Counseling update/Grief Process

Both Devon and I will continue the grief counseling through the one-year anniversary of Gail's passing. We are looking to transition into something else that will help us. There is an organization in Palo Alto, called KARA. Please pray for this to see if this is something that might be benefical. We are stretching out the period between sessions. Please pray for this transition.

The grief process is challenging still. We don't know what to expect. The Lord has been with us each step of the way. I am finding out how selfish that I am and how I get riled up over stupid stuff. Devon is good at pointing this out to me....in a loving way. This is good for me. The Lord is continuing to grow us up from the inside out. The battle is to self protect vs. God protect.

School/Math Update:

Devon is passing Algebra and his other classes. He has not been able to connect with Uncle Steve Yahata due to homework. Pray that we can find a good time to connect on this. Devon is starting to volunteer at the local hospital a few hours a week for community service. Coach Jeff did a mock interview with Devon and Devon did well. He still will have to work for free at home.

Dad's Work:

An exciting development is happening at Bay City. It is the development of a wellness program.

Also, Dad is being freed up to be with people at the different locations. He is enjoying it and is thankful. He is able to be used to build community at the marketplace.


Hoops

One thing occurred to me as I was yelling at my team from the sidelines to rebound......If you do not practice rebounding, don't expect to see it in the game.
Guess what we are practicing? We had a chalk talk this past week.

We are about:
1. Having fun.
2. Doing our best.
3. Never give up.


Community

• Dad went to Happy Taco with three friends from work.
• Coach Jeff, Devon and Benji and Dad went to Cameron's to watch UCLA vs. Stanford.
• Dad had an opportunity to connect with Lis' and Craig @ coffee co.
• Devon is continuing to go the guys group on Wednesday nights.
• Dad is meeting on Wednesday and Friday mornings with different guys.
• Dad is getting together with a friend periodically to talk and discuss 'The Essential Wooden'

Summer Plans

More about this next time.

Conversation @ Tres Amigos

We had lunch @ Tres Amigos to talk about hoops. Greg, Jeff and Devon were there. We talked about the blog and what Gail is saying to us even now.

We need to keep going guys.....

We can do it and Devon will be shouting out the means and power with which we will do so.

the Father's Love

Hello,

Lauren, Gail's niece sent this to us today. What a wonderful gift.

There are banner ads that may be distracting, please, just focus on the video.

It, to me, is powerful. Thanks Lauren. This is comforting to us.

Please watch and pass along as you see fit.

Love,

Jon and Devon




http://www.godtube.com/view_video?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5

Keep Going...

The following words I believe is what Gail has been saying to Devon and I and to each person that she knew and knew her.....

Keep going.......don't give up.
I'm cheering you on.
We're cheering you on.
We've got your back.
I'm ok.
You don't need to worry about me, I've got it good.
Keep on keeping on, but don't do it by yourself.
If you need help, ask for it.
Don't go it alone.
No, it won't be easy. but you were made to be blessed and to be a blessing.
Don't trust in Jesus, just because I told you. And I never told you.
I left that to you to ask and discover.
I'm happy at what I see.......

I love you and I will see you again.....

What's it gonna be?

Shine

A few thoughts, feelings and observations

I realized that I haven't journaled much in February, and there is a lack because of it. I had made a commitment to write a sentence of praise at the beginning of the day and another at the end of the day. Haven't done it. Ever make a commitment and not keep it? Instead of using energy to get down, I want to use it to write that ONE SENTENCE. pray for that.

Devon and I discussed the fact that the name Devon, means 'Poet.' He likes to busta rhyme. This came to mind as he grapples with content. I think that he might end up writing rhymes in his journal and it will be set to beats to uplift, challenge and bless his generation. Please pray for that.

I attend BSF, but haven't been putting much into it. I'm losing out. I'm showing up, but I need so much more than that. Please pray for: 'Be Still and Know that I am God.' time. Good together time with the Father.

Buddy Stewart shared His Story with family and friends last week. Cool.

At Mariners we are planning a period of Rest, Reflection and Renewal for both our pastor and for the church. The theme will be personal renewal, relational renewal and missional renewal.
My heart and vision for this time is:

1. That each person that is in relationship with the Mariners community will have shared at least one prayer request, have that prayer request prayed for, and know that that the prayer request was prayed for and have a means to share how the God who loves us met that request.
2. That each person that is in relationship with the Mariners community will have blessed another person wherever that might be, in their family, school, workplace, pilates, Le Petit Baleen, @ Safeway, Peet's, Happy Taco or wherever and have a means to share how the God that loves us blessed.

We want to experience the love of God in a 'hands on' way. Please pray for us.
We want the community to taste and see that the Lord, He is good.

Just watched a video from March 2007 from Rick Warren, on Personal, Relational, Missional, Structural and Cultural Renewal. Good stuff.

My work at Bay City is evolving and moving more into the area of my gifting. I have been asked to develop and spearhead a wellness program at the company. This is new stuff. This is cool to be able to do this in the marketplace. The wellness goes way beyond physical wellness. Relational wellness, personal wellness come to mind. Actually it's similar to what my heart is for Mariners as well. I'm being both freed up and released.

Uncle Steve has been working with Devon on his next swag at the Math Exit exam which will be taken in May. Thanks for your continuing prayers. Devon's grades have dropped off significantly since the semester. We're not panicking, but are concerned. This is redeemable.

Memorial Day @ June Lake. If you are planning to come this year, please let me know as soon as possible. Last year was such a celebration as we celebrated the goodness of God together in community. It was a blessing to pray for Kenji. Family was there. It was sweet. A memorable send off for Gail. I weep as I write this, but it's true.

My Aunt Liz sent me a verse this week. She said that she was led to send a verse about not losing heart. Pray 2 Second Corinthians 4 for us.

I'm thankful that Devon was able to stay with Grandma this week and spend time with family. I'm sure that this was good all around.

As I was in a funk this week. I was feeling so sorry for myself, God met me. I was doing some serious lamenting with no comfort. I was just too restless. He quieted me down enough to direct my lamenting to Him. I was feeling broken and he met me. I went to the bathroom of all places and there was a booklet of stories written to reach out to 2nd generation Japanese Americans who are dying off. God used one story in that booklet to speak to me. It was written by Caryn. It was about Kiku who wanted to go to Fedco, and not to Target, she went to Target against her wishes and met a longtime friend that had just lost a husband. Kiku herself had lost a husband and would write letters to other widows and widowers. ( I received such a letter from Kiku) Kiku and her friend went to Burger King and her friend poured out her heart about her grief.

The Lord used that story in my bathroom to send a message, is that He, like Kiku forsake his own life to make it possible for me to receive his comfort ane new life. I was able to find both comfort and refuge in Jesus because in that true story, I saw the comfort of God shining through.

Is life easy? Easily no. I have been finding that He is so faithful because my life is putting him to the test in real time.

I am finding that I am grateful, fearful, hopeful, thankful all at the same time. How can that be? And yet I'm not a basket case.

I'm thankful that Devon continues to repeat the following verse almost daily at the most opportune times. 'It's not by might, nor by power, but by my Holy Spirit says the Lord God Almighty'

What's Goin On...

It was my birthday on January 27th. Birthdays at our age were no big deal. We'd usually got out to dinner and that's about it. It came on a Sunday. Devon was funny and he asked on the day before, 'Dad, what do you want to do for your birthday?' I told him, 'Nothing'. And I meant it.

We went to church and our worship team 'happened' to play two songs that they did for Gail's memorial service in Half Moon Bay. Wow. And on my birthday. The two songs were: 1) Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin and 2) Yesterday, Today and Forever. Those songs were such a gift to me. And as I was sitting with no one next to me, I felt Gail's presence beside me. I can't remember this happening before. It was like she was saying, 'I am with you, and always will be....since, I feel more connected with her....I find myself talking to her and I sense a calm reassurance, especially when I am anxious and fearful....

I'm thankful to the Lord for his kindness and goodness for giving me this on my birthday.

It didn't stop there. Devon told a few of my friends after church that it was my birthday and one of them, asked what I was doing for dinner and I said, 'nothing'. Devon and I and two other families went to Spanish Town, (mexican, what else) and had a flan with a candle on it. From one friend, I received 2 pounds of Peet's Major D, and another a moleskine journal and a nice card. Another welcome surprise straight from my good Dad in heaven.

I'm thankful that Devon passed all his classes on the semester. Thanks for your support and prayers through this. They matter and are making a difference in our lives. Devon got a C in Algebra, A's in Independent Study, Chorus and US History, a B in English and a C in Physical Science. We're all happy about this. He has a lot of sticktuativeness in his studies. Uncle Steve Yahata is working with him to prep for the Math Exit exam which is happening again in May.

Devon and I are both continuing in the counseling. Some weeks I have no idea what I am going to say, but the Lord always gives us something to discuss that is meaningful. One issue that was especially helpful, was when my counselor helped me to see that I don't have to look very far at all to determine how I can bless Gail's memory. I can just continue what we were doing together.

We have a Sunday School class that meets @ 10:30 @ Mariners. Gail picked up the class and I took over the teaching about a year ago and for the last few months we are sharing our stories. We are asking others to come in a walk with us to La Di Da coffee house to share with one another. The class is growing! More students are coming! We are having fun together and are blessed to hear each other's stories.

Gail was in admin for our hoops teams, Devon played, and I coach. Devon and I are continuing this, and other mom's and parents have stepped in. There is expansion.

I keep hearing Isaiah 54 in my head about picking up the stakes and expanding the tent. I have felt on an off that i should be folding the tent, or pulling in, instead of expanding. But the Lord seems to be bringing more and more students and families. We're thankful.

Devon and I are continuing to walk. This is a rich time of sharing and listening to one another and affirming our relationship.

My Mom and Dad are here. They are so good. I have been discussing the Sabbatical that we are helping to plan for our pastor Paul for May. They are so wise and encouraging. Plus my mom ironed a lot of my shirts. 'Thanks Mom!'

A friend and I get together about once a month. The last time that we got together, I was telling her about the book the 'Essential Wooden' and how Devon had used it for his book report. I suggested that she and I read that book because it has a lot of lessons in leadership. This will be fun and I'm looking forward to it.

We are still mourning of course. There is a certain sadness/space in our life now. We are so blessed to be lifted in prayer and thought. We are so grateful.

Love,

Jon and Devon

Beautiful One

Nothing changes the fact that He's beautiful.

People Everyday

Dear Father,

I pray for those needs within us that often go unspoken, and yet remain

Those needs within us that are very real and are difficult for us to put words to

You see us

Please heal us that are sick

Sick in body, sick in mind, sick in heart and sick in spirit

From the inside out

Be with us and stay with us in our disappointment, sorrow and mourning

Speak truth into our lives

Continue to walk with us

May your joy be our strength

Hi everyone,

This is Devon. I am doing alright. I am getting pretty good grades in school. I just got done with finals last week. All of them I studied for and were duable. Outside of my school life I feel good. I am maintaining a good realationship with my Dad, am down with my peeps, and just hangin. But I know shit happens, and sooner or later my happy auroa will soon be popped with some tragic or a dissapointing incident. But until then I will fight the good fight.

Love,

Devon

alicia keys - sweet music

Glory Road-Sweet Music
Cougar Hoopsters, please watch!

Glory Road Trailer for Cougar Hoops

Please watch this, hoopsters

Glroy Road Hoops Starts Today

Glory Road is the theme of this season as hoops practice starts today.

Two of our biggest cheerleaders and boosters are cheering for us; Coach Gail and Coach Kimberly.

Gail is in heaven leading the angels in the Cougar Fight song and there's a rumbling going on.

Kimberly is rousing up the streets of Saigon in Vietnam and Greg is out there shaking the trees and beating the bushes.

Veronica called and she is superexcited about this season. You should check out the link on this site to Az Chapmen. You will not be disappointed.

We want this season and our lives to be one of glory. Even though life is full of challenges, disappointments, change and loss. It does not have to be a life of misery.

We want both our lives and the path that we walk to be one of Glory.