Ash Wednesday

The year of 2013 Ash Wednesday fell on February 13.  It came very early, so that Easter will be coming very early.  There is a saying “The Spring will come early if the Easter comes early.”  However, the 2012 Easter came very late, April 8, but the Spring came very early.  All the flowers that usually bloom in May were crazily bloomed in March.  (See those flowers’ photos in Hiroko’s article posted in this blog on March 26, 2012, titled “Chicago’s Crazy Weather 2012 March.”)

On the Ash Wednesday Service, we first praised the Lord and gave thanks for His amazing characters, and confessed our sins and asked forgiveness, and committed our lives to the Lord to live with love for one another in the Lord who made us known for His love on the cross.  Everyone received the cross with ashes on our foreheads as the symbol of our repentance.

Putting the mark of cross with ashes on the attendees’ forehead, both Pastors put the cross with ashes on their forehead of each other.

The cross with ashes on Dan-san’s forehead.  His forehead is very wide, so you can see it better, doesn’t it?

In the Bible, the act of covering the ashes which is the symbol of our repentance are mentioned in many places.  One, Hiroko likes to quote, Job 2:7-13, bellows:

Hiroko read these verses before she became a Christian, and thought she wanted to have the faith like Job had when she became a Christian.  Hiroko wants to say I have the faith like Job right now, but one thing Hiroko can surely say, “I love Jesus very much.”

Job 2:7-13

⁷ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. ⁸ Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

⁹ His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”

¹⁰ He replied, “You are talking like a foolish^[b] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

¹¹ When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. ¹² When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. ¹³ Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

Mitsuwa and Yaki-Soba, Sautéed Noodle

Dan-san and Hiroko went to the Mitsuwa Japanese Market. 

Hakoniwa-san told Hiroko about the delicious Yaki-Soba brand.  Hiroko was very anxious to see what kind of the Yaki-Soba in the Mitsuwa.  It was very disappointing.  None of the brands Hakoniwa-san suggested was at the Mitsuwa.

There are different kinds of fresh Yaki-Soba and the dried Yaki-Soba in Mitsuwa, and also Yaki-Soba sauce made by “Maruchan” was sold.

Hiroko made Yaki-Soba dinner with Maruchan.

Sautéing lots of vegetable, and then sauté 3 bags of Soba. 

Done.  Too much vegetable, so it is hard to see Soba, but very delicious Yaki-Soba was done.

The product of Yamagata natto was on sale.  Of course Hiroko bought it.

Hakoniwa-san posted about Nameko/Tofu miso-soup in her blog.  Hiroko loves Nameko.  There are so many different types of the instant soup at Mitsuwa.  Hiroko bought one instant Nameko/Tofu miso soup, but it was not so good.

Hiroko bought canned and bottled Nameko.  The bottled Nameko was very tasty as it is on the rice.  Hiroko can’t wait for making Nameko/Tofu miso soup with canned Nameko

As usual, Dan-san and Hiroko ate San-To-Ka Ramen for their lunch at Mitsuwa that day.

Chicago's Newspaper, called "Chicago Shimpo" in Japanese and English

Please read the following article to find out why Hiroko has sudden interest for Yaki-Soba, and Peter’s important teaching.

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Hiroko’s church invited a person, Peter, who has been speaking to the many old churches how to re-build.  He sees that many old churches are dying, but the newly planted churches are growing.  He has studied why it is happening and found out many reasons.  Among this many reasons, Hiroko wants to discuss one interesting thing.

Before that, this is the story Hiroko started to look for delicious Yaki-Soba.  Peter’s wife was growing up in Japan as a missionary’s child.  Peter visited Japan with his wife, and found many fascinating things.  One of them is Yaki-Soba sold in the out-side garden in a temple.  He said he has never have tested such tasty noodle before or after.  Hiroko told him that none of the Japanese restaurants in Chicago can make similar taste of Yaki-Soba sold in the outside garden or streets of Japan.  Hiroko doesn’t know any delicious instant Yaki-Soba

Well, going back to Peter’s teaching.  Peter was speaking about old churches are dying, and one of the reason is people do not talk honesty and telling the truth among the church or any groups.  Peter mentioned couple of churches as example of not telling the truth: 

Some churches, there were several people did not like their pastor, but they had never talked about true feeling, so no one, even the Pastor, couldn’t know or discuss their feeling toward the Pastor.  However, at one occasion one person mentioned in public that their Pastor should be changed from “A” to “B,” and then, several others suddenly joined the opinion/criticisms.  The result of that talk was spread and they left the church. 

Some other churches, one talked secretly about the person A.  The one expressed not wanting to attend the church Worship Service because of the person A.  Couple others joined the one, and left the church.

It is very sad to hear about those churches and people just existed.

If there is church filled with love, peace, and joy among the church attendees and Pastor, anyone who even do not know Christ or Christian will attend that kind of churches willingly.

Peter’s session will be continued two more times.  The church Hiroko is attending can be changed like the first century church mentioned in the Bible, Acts 2:40-47.

“⁴⁰With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.⁴³Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  ⁴⁴All the believers were together and had everything in common.  ⁴⁵They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  ⁴⁶Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Snow Falling, Chicago

The year of 2013 Chicago weather has been making many, many records.  The weather report on TV is very interesting to watch every day, but this is the last post about Hiroko’s Chicago winter weather report.

The snow falling day, January 24, Thursday, Hiroko had to go out to see the opera.  This snow falling also was a record.  It was said that the number of days not over 1 inch snow falling is a record.

These photos were taken Thursday morning from the back porch.  You can see the snow on the roofs, can you?

From the Bryn Mawr Station, at here Hiroko was waiting for the Chicago train to go to downtown.

Inside Chicago Civic Opera House

The famous sad love story “La Bohème” was played on the day.  The main character, Mimi, was played by a young Puerto Rican-born soprano, whose voice and feature fit the role of Mimi. 

It was predicted snow falling in the evening, but the Opera was only 2 hours, so glad to be coming home before the snowfall.

Snow falling again the night; Friday morning these photos were taken again from the porch.  Hiroko took three panorama photos, but did not know how to post these panorama photos on the blog.

This is Dan-san.  He was doing snow shoveling

Ti Leaf Plant was frozen.  Hiroko forgot to move it inside.  Hopefully, new shoot comes out in spring.

January 27, Sunday afternoon, it was rain ice.  This interesting natural phenomenon was recorded the few times since the meteorologists started to record the Chicago weather.  The phenomenon happens when the warm air bringing rain from south, and the rain becomes ice on the street due to the freezing temperature on the street.  Hiroko wanted to go out to take photos, but there was warning that DO NOT go out and Do Not to drive.

By the TV weathermen, the 2013 Chicago weather seems to make more records after this day.

Someone in our church said, many people in Chicago has every winter been saying, “Cold!”, “Very cold!”, “Too much snow!”, the heaven listened these many complains, so these unusual weathers and phenomenon were given in 2013.  Is there anyone not complaining?

In the Bible many word complain - “murmured” are recorded, even though God promised to give the blessing and keeps His promises.  Hiroko wants to learn and to teach children saying “Thanks!” before complain - “murmuring.”  So many sufferings in everyone’s life, but we have the “life” and should treasure the “life” and learn to say “Thanks!” to each other.

The Great Cold Wave after 2 Years

The Great Cold Wave after 2 Years

January 22, 2013 morning, the great cold wave came to Chicago.  The temperature was minus 1 officially at O’Hare Airport, but the wind was so strong that the wind chill was minus 12.  The last cold wave in Chicago was February, 2011. 

The sun was shining brightly, so as long as inside a building no one thought of the cold wave.

Hiroko tried to take this cold wave photos.  As you see, it is not able to tell whether this is the great cold wave day or not from the photos.  Please teach Hiroko how to take these kinds of photo.

Due to this great cold wave 7 people passed away.  Some are homeless and others are elderly people who could feel cold in their heatless house.

Hiroko’s cousin, living at Urahoro, Tokachi, Hokkaido, wrote that since 2013 New Year it was snowing every day, so snow piled up 60 centimeters (24 inches) for a week.  The temperature also was so cold, it was minus 25C (minus 3F) every day since New Year.  The Coldest Day in this season is January 20, so this cold wave would be continued for whole month of January, he wrote.  The Northern part of Honshu and Hokkaido would be covered by snow and the cold wave.

It has been the great drought in Chicago since last summer. It is a great problem for the Mid-West farmers.  The towns in the opposite side of the Lake Michigan from Chicago have been experiencing the lake effect now.  Hiroko noticed that the similar weather happened in Hokkaido and Northern part of Japan would be coming to Chicago.It might hopefully be lots of snow or rain in Chicago in near future.  Pray for lots of rain or snow in Chicago. 

2012 Christmas Hand-Made Presents

These are Hiroko’s hand-made presents to her family and extended family members.

 Three blankets

Kitted blanket for Dave’s father – He had a bad cold on Christmas dinner night, and rested next day using this blanket.  Hiroko was very happy to hear that.

Kitted and crocheted blankets for Dave’s cousin and her friend

Christmas stockings for Steven and Amanda.  Amanda was also sick that night, so Hiroko doesn’t know this presents made her happy or not

Three Christmas tree’s skirts

For Steven and Amanda

For Dave’s brother’s family

The photo on the right is close to the actual color.

For Lisa and Dave, they like to have Charlie Brown Christmas picture on the skirt

Hiroko planned to make the Charlie Brown Christmas, but in the beginning of December Hiroko had to make a Christmas scenery for the Puppet show stage, so changed to this snowman with Christmas tree.  Now, Hiroko has to make Charlie Brown Christmas for Lisa and Dave.

This is third cardigan with same pattern and same style

For Dave’s mother.  She loves it.  Hiroko is happy, too.

This photo is close to the actual color.

Why can’t Hiroko take the actual color of photos?  If possible please teach me how to take the actual color photo?

Gave some other people, cash, cake, cookies, Japanese rice cracker, Japanese foods, and others.

Do you want to know what kind of presents Hiroko received for Christmas?

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Well, it is good to have cash, and many different shops’ gift cards, chocolate, cookies, nuts, kitchen utensils, green tea (matcha is the favorable tea in America right now), massage machine, and electric fry-pan from Dan-san, and so on.

Give thanks to the Lord God for we could exchange all these presents on His birthday.

2013 New Year Greeting

Happy New Year!

Thank you so much for those who are visiting Hiroko’s Blog. 

The year of 2013 is Year of the Snake by the Japanese calendar.

A snake seems calm and elegant animal.  However, once a snake has an eye on the things, the snake has never give up it and accomplish.

Hiroko has been getting lazy because of her age.  How many times Hiroko has read the Christmas story, but at the 2012 Christmas Hiroko was touched by the words spoken by 13 or 14 years old Mary at the time Mary was visited by the angel.  Mary answered to angel knowing she might be killed by stoning, “’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.  Luke 1:38” when the angel announced to Mary about her conception by God’s Spirit.  Hiroko wants to live with Mary’s humility, and saying to my Lord the same words what Mary said, and also like snake accomplishing God’s plan for Hiroko.

Please come again to this blog, and give Hiroko encouragement and teach her how to practice the humility in her daily living.  Thanks you!

God bless you with much peace, health and great joy in 2013.Happy New Year!

Snow Fell

On 2012 Christmas morning, snow had been continuously falling for 3 to 4 hours.  This was Lake Michigan effecting snow, so only about a mile from lake had White Christmas.  

Look!  These photos were taken from Hiroko’s apartment porch.  It was a big snow falling.

Annual Christmas dinner gathering held as usual at the home of Lisa and Dave.

Christmas presents were piled up around the Christmas tree, and at the front of TV and fireplace.  Soooo many!  Who would get the most presents from those.

This Christmas, Hiroko wanted to take the photos of the face expression while they were opening presents, but photos came out so dark no matter what Hiroko tried.  

It was interesting reactions and comments for some presents, but Hiroko couldn’t take it.  Why?

Finally, all the presents were opened.  Now was the time to relax and talk.  Of course, Chris/Holly’s daughter had the most presents.

What were the others doing?

Dave was checking his tenderloin. 

Richard asked, Hi, Dave, how is your tenderloin?  Is there anything I can help?

Chris/Holly, and their daughter.  Don’t forget our dog!

Dan-san and Richard “Isn’t these appetizers very delicious?”  “Don’t eat too much!”

Foods for the dinner

Was there anything different?  No almost same as last year. 

Tenderloin and gravy, potato, green salad, cauliflower dish, corn casserole, ham, broccoli rice

There were no changes.

It is good for no change.

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The Lord God who created heaven and the earth has not changed since the creation until now.  After creating heaven and earth, God continuously created light and darkness, the sun,  moon, stars,  seasons, ground and water area, the living things in it’s trees, plants, animals, birds and fish.  Finally on 6^th day, human beings in God’s image were created.  God has loved human being from the beginning and shows His unfailing love toward human being.  God wants to have friendship with human being.