Steph's 2nd Birthday Party!

Reverend Yoshida and his wife now live in a town called Tono. It's about 30 minutes from here. On Easter Sunday (one week ago today), Steph and I went to the church that he and his wife will be attending from now on. It was the second time for us to go there since Rev. Yoshida retired. We plan on going to their new church every other week until we leave Japan. We have to because we would just miss them too much!
We were surprised and happy to have also met a new English teacher that had just come to Japan only 3 weeks ago. Her name is Teresa and she is from Tennessee. I think she was pretty happy to meet some Christian foreigners. The Yoshida's had planned to have me and Steph over to their new home for a birthday celebration for Steph and since Teresa was new here they asked if she would like to come along.
Mrs Yoshida baked a homemade cheesecake for Steph... It was delicious!
Mrs. Yoshida made a handbag for Steph BY HAND! And, without a sewing machine! This is actually the third beautiful handbag that she has made for Steph. She lined the inside of this bag with material from a dress that was her mother's.
Mrs. Yoshida is explaining a traditional Japanese game that she also gave Steph
Mrs. Yoshida, Teresa and Steph
Me and Rev. Yoshida talked about theology for about two hours. I love to talk to him.

People just can't help but love Steph. Hee hee.
I was a beautiful day,...we are so blessed.