There were 2 festival days in Utsunomiya in January where the merchants came out selling their “daruma”s for the new year.   The Japanese believe these darumas bring good fortune and success for the new year. It is a great opportunity to walk through the stalls and engage in conversation with the merchants inquiring into the [...]

In Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, “… “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”  (NLT) Sometimes when I look out my window and see people walking, bicycling, or driving by I wonder, “What do they think about God?”   “Where do they go when they are weary [...]