Merry & Bright!

Hello dearest friends!

We come to you this year in a whirlwind of events, thoughts, and emotions. The holiday season is such a nice time to stop, rest, and think. Just like every year, we reflect and say, "Wow! What a year!" We have seen God's provision in many areas or our lives. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

Our visit home for the holidays last year was wonderful. Filled with family, friends, and relaxation. In anticipation of a milestone birthday this year, Ryan arranged a surprise birthday party for me while we were home. And boy, was I surprised! He's gotten quite good at that!

Some of our closest friends and family in one place. Such a special night!

These women are some of my closest friends. They invest in me, keep up with me, hold me accountable, and love me.

After the holidays, we returned back to Japan. On the one year anniversary of our first night in Japan, we found out that we were expecting a child in September! This was amazing news to digest since we had been hoping for two years and were just beginning to come to terms with not being able. We began the journey of "how to have a baby in Japan." There were many ups and downs as we tried to figure out where to deliver.

Confirming the pregnancy through the local women's clinic. A friend came to translate. Unexpected & delightful ultrasound!

Daddy was able to come to this emergency visit. Our friend came to translate again. Concerns over losing the baby, but all was well! They heard the heartbeat, but we weren't able to until a few weeks later.

We had to register the pregnancy through the city's Health and Welfare Emergency Medical Department. There we were given a booklet of vouchers covering the cost of exams and delivery of the baby through the government. We ran into difficulty when the local women's hospital rejected us because of language barriers, but a friend helped us find a university hospital where we met two doctors who spoke English!

Juntendo University Hospital in Izu Nagaoka. About an hour from our apartment.

They had both done work/study in North America: one in the States and the other in Canada.

Yamamoto Sensei (teacher or doctor) who had experience in Canada.

Miyakuni Sensei who had experience in the U.S.A.

What a gift! Not only could we communicate with them, but they interacted with us in a way that we could better understand given our home culture. We were relieved to be settled on a birth plan and filled with joy to share the experience with our friends in Japan; however, we were torn about being away from family and friends and the comforts of starting a family in the States. Our hearts' desire was to have the baby at home, but we were committed to Japan and trusted that God would provide everything we needed.

Maternity pictures in Japan: taken by Jen Frentz around 28 weeks.

Around 28 weeks, during one of our last get togethers with Jen.

Maternity pictures in the States: taken by Erica Moccia around 36 weeks.

Taken by Erica Moccia, about 2.5 weeks before Baby Hass came!

Ryan's role at work changed in March. It was an interesting transition again within his expatriate assignment. Around the same time, he had a business trip home. He was approached with a work opportunity at the home office that couldn't wait until his assignment in Japan finished at the end of this year. We expressed openness to the opportunity, but our commitment to Japan. A week after getting back to Japan, they made arrangements and extended an offer which would begin in July. The timing and opportunity was too good to pass up. God was clearly arranging to give us our desire: to have the baby at home! And so we accepted!

I continued teaching English in cafes until the Spring.

Some of the women at Jun KOBO Cafe.

Shiho-san: the cafe owner of Okura Cafe where I also taught private lessons. We were both pregnant here, due just a couple weeks from one another!

Then my work at Torchbearers Yamanakako started again. I felt very fortunate to work there again through one more Bible School term.

With coworkers and friends at a festival after church (Brandon, Ify, Karl, Robyn, Ben).

My work was in the office as the Registrar, but I also did some cooking, supported an English class, spent time caring for my friends' children (who are my sweet nieces), and anything else that was needed.

Torchbearers women, my sweet friends. Right to left are dearest Jen, Baby Hass cooking away, Nadiya, Robyn, Talia, Kezia, Zara, and Carol.

Knowing that we'd be moving back to the States in July, I tried to hold onto every moment with friends and students there.

Jen. My friend, mentor, and boss at Torchbearers. She is a woman of God and treasure to me.

What a gift they were to my heart. It still seems surreal that I don't have the opportunity to drive to work and see them all. My friends, my mentors, my heart.

We took the time to do a little traveling before welcoming Baby Hass. During Golden Week in April, we enjoyed a Babymoon in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Arriving in Honolulu after an 8 hour flight from Tokyo.

THE BEST food at a luau!

We spent 2 days touring around Oahu in a Jeep Wrangler. Open top, sunshine, and blue skies!

The Pearl Harbor Memorial was an incredible museum and experience. Much more meaningful to us since living in Japan.

Time relaxing together. Such a dream.

Wonderful memories anticipating Baby Hass. Wonderful memories looking back now that he's here.

We spent some time relaxing on the beach and by the pool, but also driving around the island for a luau and to experience the culture. It was a week of pure relaxation! We had the pleasure of meeting another couple who were also on a Babymoon.

Cimeron, Suree, Amy, & Ryan enjoying a night out on the town.

We hit it off immediately. They were full of life! It was a great surprise to meet them, fun lounging by the pool together and talking all things baby. Suree is originally from Metro Detroit, and she and Cimeron were babymooning from Las Vegas. Our due dates were several weeks apart, and we had the privilege of meeting up with them again when they were in Detroit for Thanksgiving. Our little ones met face to face!

Suree and me with our littles: Avery and Colin!

In June, Ryan had another business trip home. This time, he stayed during a weekend to spend two days looking for a house. When he walked into one house, he could see us living there. Through videos via email, and then a video chat while he walked through again, we decided it was the house for us. Before coming back to Japan, we had made an offer that was accepted! Our lives were changing quickly, but it seemed that God had arranged and held this home just for us. The timing was perfect. He was aligning everything just right.

We were thrilled to spend time with several lifetime friends from the States who were traveling in Japan!

In February/March, the Llushos came to spend a little over a week with us. They made the trip with a 2 year old and while several months pregnant. Whew!

The Llushos looking amazing after the 12 hour flight from Detroit to Tokyo. Sweet Elira had quite the time with jetlag, Becky was about 6 months pregnant, and Lirjon had a big job with luggage!

We made wonderful memories through quality time, but also exploring together.

On the Tokyo trains, sitting in "Priority seating" because we were both pregnant!

Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo. Busiest pedestrian intersection in the world!

At our favorite cafe with our feet in the onsen (volcanic hot spring water)!

At a cherry blossom festival on Girls' Day (Ohina Matsuri).

The guys loving espresso in Tokyo.

Rickshaw tours in Asakusa, Tokyo.

Eating "black eggs" (kuro tamago), boiled in the volcanic hot springs, in Owakudani, Hakone.

At the same time, Julie and Joanna came through our town while touring Japan on a work/leisure trip.

Julie and Joanna at Peace Park in front of Mt. Fuji.

All of us watching Mt. Fuji before sunset!

Enjoying Korean BBQ (yakiniku) together!

What a restoration to our spirits to talk and laugh together. What a gift to feel "at home" for awhile.

In June, we enjoyed welcoming the Brocks. Adam had been studying Japanese at work, and this trip had been on their bucket list. It was lovely to be a part of their wedding anniversary trip.

Adam and Rachel after the grueling flight from Detroit to Tokyo, then navigating the 3 hour train ride from the airport to our hometown. Looking great!

We had a lovely time together, relaxing, catching up, and hearing about their trip as it happened.

At the same time, our friends Rob & Sara who had been living in Okinawa, came to visit and climb Mt. Fuji before moving back to the States. So we all got to enjoy each other's company! Great memories of visiting and talking, even just in the apartment.

With Rob & Sara, at our last Sunday in church.

Touring the local area! At Peace Park with Adam, Rachel, Sara, and Rob.

At Hamazushi (sushi train) together. Oh, how I miss sushi train, that green melon soda, and this time together!

Then started the packing, Ryan's transition out of the office, and the dreaded goodbyes. In Japanese culture, there are always welcoming...and going away parties. It was hard to say goodbye so many times, but also nice that we had the opportunity to see everyone.

Ryan with his team. They surprised him by honoring him on his 10 year anniversary with the company with flowers and a gift.

Ryan, at the apartment, with Mt. Fuji. Ten years with his company, wow!

Going away party with Ryan's coworkers and our Japanese language teachers.

Dinner with our neighbors one last time!

Another going away party after work with Ryan's coworkers.

Ryan's coworkers presented him with a gift in the office on one of his last days. It was for him and Baby Hass!

At the Bible School graduation ceremony. These are the students and staff. This would be the last time we would see Torchbearers, the weekend before we moved. My heart still wishes I could go back to that moment and hang onto it forever!

At a 4th of July BBQ with our dear friends from church. Yuki (in the pink) next to me was also pregnant and due on the same day!

At the 4th of July BBQ. Ryan's closest friends from church!

Yuki, a former Torchbearers coworker, SURPRISED me by making the trek from Tokyo to say goodbye in person!

On our last Sunday at church with Pastor Nakami and his wife.

This is Atsuko who faithfully translated all of the sermons so we could understand. She and I also taught a kids English class at the church together.

Pastor Kitamura. Such a friendly and welcoming person!

We cherish these people. The Donato and Blanche families! Precious families and friends at church.

Last dinner with Ify! Dear friend from church and English teacher in Gotemba public schools.

Ryan's final speech (in Japanese!) at Japanese language school. These were our teachers and the support staff.

Our relationship with Nagura Sensei, our primary Japanese teacher, meant so much to us. She was like a grandmother to us. Her youthful spirit and sense of humor got us through a lot of hard days as we learned the language and culture. On our last day, she gave us a blanket for Baby Hass which was hand knit by her!

Junko-san and Saori-san (Jun KOBO Cafe owner and English students) stopping by on moving day to say "so long" and share gifts. Beautiful scrapbook of pictures of our time together!

It was difficult to say goodbye to dear friends and emotional to pack up the apartment. This apartment was our longest home in marriage so far.

Moving day!

God comforted us by aligning the Brocks tour schedule to put them at our apartment on the morning that the movers came. Amidst the chaos, it felt so good to see them smile and hear a word of encouragement. It's amazing how God so careful leads and cares for us.

Our last moment in the apartment. Right before locking the door behind us and heading toward the airport.

Then it was time to move back to the States. At 30 weeks pregnant, we jumped on the long flight home. but we were comforted again by the Brocks who were on the same flight! What a joy to be with them at the airport in Japan and when we all got back to Detroit.

With the Brocks at Tokyo's Narita Airport.

Awaiting take off!

Once we arrived home, we stayed in temporary living arrangements for a little over a month. We were warmly welcomed home, given 2 baby showers by family and friends, started our prenatal care and baby classes, and closed on our first house together!

Closing on our home in July.

The Monroys threw us such a special and beautiful shower!

Our moms threw us such a thoughtful and beautiful shower!

We were overwhelmed by how people cared for us. About 90% of our materials were in storage or traveling to us on the ocean. After being showered with love, we had everything we needed to care for Baby Hass. What a relief!

In August, we got the keys to our house!

Our home! Not at all what we pictured for ourselves, but totally prepared for us by God and feels perfect for where we are in our lives.

After a few days of moving and receiving our goods, we spent the next four weeks getting setup and ready for Baby Hass. And just at the right time, during an extended Labor Day weekend after playing some basketball at a family BBQ, my water broke! We went to the hospital, rested before labor started, and excitedly awaited the arrival of our little one (10 days before the due date). Then on September 7, 2015 at 7:38pm, Ryan said, "It's a boy!" We welcomed our little strawberry blonde BOY, Colin Michael Hass, into the world! He weighed 7 pounds 7.8 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

First family picture!

Just admiring...all the time.

Little newborn peanut!

Morning with Daddy the day after he was born. Just admiring...all the time.

Daddy proudly wearing Colin's footprints!

Daddy carefully driving us home from the hospital.

What a precious little one that God has entrusted to us!

What a sweet addition to our lives. So far we have learned that parenting is not for the faint of heart. But more than that we've learned, with every look into his sweet face, how amazing it is to be a parent. It is a joy to love him! It is a privilege to watch him grow!

Newborn

One month: more alert and thriving after a bout with jaundice.

Two months: little man.

Three months: aware of his hands.

Our blue eyed, strawberry blonde, puppy dog shirt wearing boy!

Now the year is coming to an end. It feels like this year has been a lifetime of living. So much has changed. We find ourselves still settling and finding stability. Thank you for sharing real life with us: the good, the bad, the hard, the sad. Thank you to those who have stood by us in prayer, encouraged and sharpened us with truth, and supported us even when we have been far. Thank you to those who have loved us into parenthood with gifts, words of encouragement, an ear to listen and shoulder to cry on, and been with us during those late nights. The Lord regularly reminds us of this promise from Isaiah 40:11: He tends his flock like a shephard: he gathers the lambs in his arms and gently carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those who have young.

We couldn't be more thankful and humbled by another year on this journey with Christ. What a special way to end the year: to remember Christ's coming by birth. This verse from Numbers 6:24-26 was given to us as we welcomed Colin this year and now remember Christ, so we want to also give it to you. The Lord keep you and bless you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Wishing you the Merriest Christmas & Happiest New Year!

We love you!
Ryan, Amy, & Colin

Love from our home to yours!