Thanksgiving! (well, actually Kinrō Kansha no Hi)

Thanksgiving is obviously an American holiday, but that doesn't mean that we aren't able to keep the tradition going while living here in Japan.  November 23rd is an annual holiday here in Japan called 勤労感謝の日(Kinrō Kansha no Hi) that roughly translates to: "Labor Thanksgiving Day".  None of my English students were able to give me a good explanation about what is special about this particular day, other than it's a day off from work!  Joel and I were very thankful for that, as Saturday is hands down our busiest day of the week at ECC.  Since this Nov. 23rd holiday falls less than a week away from when all of our friends and family will be celebrating Thanksgiving in the USA, we decided it was the perfect opportunity for the six of us American missionaries (Cindy, Joel, Pamela, Nathan, Haidee, and me) to gather together and feast!

We had a lot of fun preparing some of the food.  Haidee and I bought a couple frozen chickens (very tiny, Cornish hen-sized birds) that just barely fit into our tiny oven, potatoes, and かぼちゃ(kabocha - Japanese squash) which turned out to be a lot more dense than the American varieties that I'm used to.  Pamela, Joel, and Cindy also brought some yummy food including:  pies, jello, spinach salad, green bean casserole and stuffing (with homemade sourdough bread!).  We truly were lacking nothing!

During our conversation after the meal the six of us went around the table and shared some of the things we're thankful for.  In no specific order, here are some of our answers:

• Successful completion of the GRE
• A relaxing summer vacation that allowed for time to explore Japan
• Plenty of household objects to chew on
• A job with wonderful students and co-workers
• Nathan (and being a mother, father, aunt, uncle, Godmother)
• Family celebrating traditions together
• Bible Study Fellowship
• God's continual presence with us at all times

The LORD was with us that day as we all enjoyed ourselves spending time in fellowship, feasting, sharing joys and sorrows, resting, and playing games.  We are blessed.

Enough said.  Here are the pictures:

Eric, baking the kabocha in our tiny oven, (the same oven that we baked the 2 chickens in the next morning) while simultaneously warming his feet!

The bird(s)!  If you look closely you will notice the extra legs and breasts. . . .

Delicious Food picture number 2!

Delicious Food picture number 3!

Nathan enjoying a little pre-meal ride in his cardboard box car

Nathan rolling around on the floor with Dad

The ladies (and Nathan) having an after-dinner chat over caramel-sweetened coffee.

Joel very carefully cutting his homemade pumpkin Bavarian cream tart

Nathan getting double-teamed by Mom and Aunt Haidee during the post-dinner diaper change

Haidee enjoying an after-dinner stretch.  Nathan enjoying an after-dinner plastic bottle chew.

Nathan "helped" his mom during the Spot It game.