March 13, 2023

Romans 12:2. Trent returned from Tokyo Saturday night with amazing stories of sharing Jesus with people in Tokyo. In Japan less than 2% claim to be Christian so the country is a desert of believers. He explained that it’s so difficult to break through with the Japanese because nearly all are so focused on being Japanese. In other words, there is an extreme focus on being perfect in the Japanese culture. When you introduce Jesus it’s counter cultural. The weak are strong. The poor are rich. Reject power, wealth and status. So presenting Jesus is counter to the prevailing Japanese culture. But really we have the same issue here in America where we are chasing “the American dream.” In our busyness we don’t see the neighbor in need, a family member who is hurting emotionally and spiritually or a friend who is grieving. Bottom line, the Japanese and the Americans need Jesus. And if you and I can’t travel to Tokyo we can certainly check in with a neighbor, family member and friend. In Romans it says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” I pray we all do not conform to the culture around us and find ways to proclaim Jesus.

Trent snags a MLB baseball, Rangers win!

I took Luke and Trent to see the Texas Rangers play the Kansas City Royals last night. I am still a deeply devoted Rangers fan. The Rangers were losing 5-1 and came back to beat the Royals 11-5. When David Murphy hit a grand slam in the 7th inning (the first grand slam I've seen in person) many of the Royals fans started to leave the stadium. That was our cue to move up 20 rows which positioned us three rows behind the Ranger's dugout. Trent was able to grab a baseball from the Ranger's First Base Coach, Gary Pettis. I grew up watching Gary Pettis patrol centerfield for the Rangers so it was a small thrill for me. At the end of the game I was able to shake hands with the Rangers GM Jon Daniels and give him some fan encouragement regarding the team he is building.

Successful Mission Trip to the Philippines

We had a successful Medical Mission Trip to Bogo, Cebu, Philippines. This is a photo of our good friends Carlo Jurani, MD and Danielle Stebbins, MD who invited us to join them in Bogo. If you want to learn about the trip, please visit the website Sonja created at http://web.mac.com/sonjabart/Philippines_2008/Welcome.html.

We are in the Philippines

Sonja and I successfully arrived in Cebu, Philippines after missing our flight in Chicago and being re-routed from Cathay Pacific to Korean Air.  We have met the group that is going to Bogo, Cebu on Monday for the Medical Mission trip.  And we have been able to visit Magellan's Cross.  This is the site where Magellan placed a cross when he first arrived in the Philippines.  

Easter Egg hunt in May?

The next day we participated in a belated Easter Egg hunt at Dan and Barb Rowe's home. It was too cold to do it in March. Trent had a blast!

Sonja & Sydney

A photo of Sonja and Sydney after the concert.

Violin Concert

This past weekend, Luke performed in his teacher's annual end of the year violin concert. He did a very nice job.

Chris visits

My good friend Chris Shireman visited our home this morning. He and his family were in town from Illinois to finish their taxes with their accountant. He took a couple of hours this morning to visit and share some Krispy Kreme. We traded war stories from our jobs in health care before he had to jet and I took Luke to his tennis lesson.

Ricardo

Today I called my high school friend Ricardo Miguel to check in. My family visited his family in January when we travelled to Sedro Woolley, Washington to see Ira, Daisie and Brooklyn Bartolome and the church where Ira is serving as an associate pastor. My boys because good friends with Ricky's son Jaden.

Norma P. Bartolome Nursing Scholarship

Two weeks ago I was in Chicago and had dinner with my Auntie Esther, cousin Richard, sister-in-law Daisie, Uncle Cas and niece Brooklyn. Auntie Esther and Daisie helped me select the recipient of this year's Norma P. Bartolome Nursing Scholarship. The recipient is a young man at Southwestern Adventist Univeristy named Christian Sumanti. On Sunday this week I requested my Uncle Ben and Auntie Melba Bunag to represent us at the annual Awards Banquet at SWAU. They are pictured with Christian in this photo.

KC Royals Home Opener

I got soaked selling newspapers this morning for all the local Rotary Clubs as a part of Kansas City Day. Then I had a hard time deciding if I should take Luke and Trent to the home opener for the Kansas City Royals. I made the decision at the last minute to go but left early so I could make it to a meeting at New Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church. The boys seemed to really enjoy it. Luke even said "thank you Daddy."

The Royals beat the Yankees 5-2.

Junior Black Belt TKD

Luke is now a Junior Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Livin' large at Dan & Debbie's lakehouse in Branson

We spent Spring Break '08 at Dan and Debbie's lakehouse outside of Branson, MO. I caught three trout below the dam even though there were flood conditions. We all saw Shoji Tabuchi play his fiddle. And we were present, along with Mike Shafer and his kids, for the opening day of Silver Dollar City.

Sydney's Birthday

Sydney turned 4 years old on Feb 29. Sonja purchased an amazing cake in Overland Park. It was a very Happy Birthday party for Sydney.

Mazatlan, Mexico. November 2007. Sonja took the picture.

7.5 Adidas, $30 baseball glove

Today I purchased a pair of size 7.5 Adidas Tennis shoes for Luke. That is the same shoe size I wear. I also purchased a $30 baseball glove for Trent. Then the three of us went bowling and Luke bowled for the first time without bumpers. He did really well. I did terrible. But it's always rewarding to use my father's green bowling ball. Sydney and Sonja went to Disney's Princesses on Ice at the new Sprint Center. Sonja dressed Sydney as Tinker Bell. Sonja didn't purchase anything excessive for Sydney at the event. They came away with only a snow cone in a collectors cup - $12. Oh my we are growing up...