Recent excursions: Suizenji Park and Yamaga.

Been busy lately, lots of craziness with the end of the school year and preparing for aforementioned changes. But while I repeat Isaiah 40:31 to myself, here are some photos of the blessings I've received in the midst of it all, from those precious days off.

Tuesday, February 11 was a national holiday, so I went with Brent to see the plum blossoms at Suizenji Park in town. Some trees were in full bloom; others were just barely starting to bud.

Plum trees.

A sure sign that spring is coming.

Suizenji Park, Izumi Shrine at center.

Then, last Saturday, Caroline and I were graciously shown around the town of Yamaga, an hour or two north of Kumamoto, by her friend. Yamaga was in the midst of their annual "Lantern Romance" festival, when the whole downtown area is decorated with paper umbrellas and cut-away bamboo, which are all illuminated at night.

Umbrella display before dark.

Kongōjō Temple in Yamaga, set up for the festival.

The local junior high held a charity concert in the town plaza to support the city of Fukushima.

Bamboo with candles in them like this lined the main street.

Some were arranged into shapes, like this...

...or this!

Bamboo and umbrellas illuminated.

More umbrellas and bamboo lanterns.

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)