Summer Highlights: Cherished moments, and Family fun from out recent visit.

Introduction: As summer is drawing to a close and the new school year is set to begin I wanted to take some time to recap some highlights we had visiting our family back in Michigan.

1. Lake House Every year we come back to America for the summer both of our families convene at my parents lake house in Mecosta Michigan. Those times are filled with corn hole tournaments, water skiing, tubing, card playing, sitting by the fire and our new favorite Pickleball. I also got the chance to see my cousins from my mom's side of the family of whom I haven't seen in 7 years.

Even Rudy (my brothers dog) posed for the picture.

*Brittany's dad is also in the picture (see if you can find him) he's hiding.

The 4th of July gets really busy on the lake but on other days it's very peaceful.

2. The Country House When we weren't at the lake we were spending time at Brittany's family home. Her home is situated a little outside of town with soybean fields all around. There we got ride motorcycles, play cards, eat yummy food, watch the Olympics and spend time with Brittany's side of the family.

The field switches between soybeans and corn every other year.

The Engbers family with 3 new additions to the family!

Brittany and I took a little date night and drove on the motorcycle to the Old Mill in Plainwell, Michigan.

And then Afterwards enjoyed some Plainwell Ice Cream.

3) If we weren't at either of our families homes we were visiting friends in Holland Michigan and at lunch spots.

Laurie and Dennis King (friends who live in Michigan but minister in Okinawa)

John and Kelly McKinley (Mahaffie Family friends)

Abby, LD and Lea (Brittany's College friends) & Zach, Eileen, Pete, Owen & their sweet Golden Retriever Oliver.

Grandma Rose (not biological grandma) but she was my neighbor when I was going to Hope College in Holland Michigan. Basically my grandma!

We love you Grandma Rose.

Brittany's video when we first got back to Okinawa.

4) So we are back in Okinawa

We just finished our first week of All Staff Orientation and had the students come back yesterday for Back to school night. School starts this coming Monday(on my 32nd Birthday). What a great birthday gift! :S

This year I will be doing something new! I will be teaching Elementary PE like normal but I will also be teaching 2 sections of health/PE for High school. The previous teacher is transitioning to a full time counseling position and has past the baton off to me.

I've never taught High school before besides coaching High schoolers so this will be a big change for me. Please pray for me in this new adventure as I have quite the full schedule. With God all things are possible.

Here is our All staff photo. 2024/25 (I'm on the far right)

In addition to teaching this year I will also be coaching cross country for my 6th year on island. It will give me a chance to train with the students too because I have also signed up for a half marathon and full marathon towards the end of the year.

I want to also mention that I have an amazing wife who is taking care of our daughter while I work. I am so blessed to have her in my life because she is such a vital part of this family. She supports me in so many ways and let's me bring my camera around every where we go.

5) Photography

I wanted to talk about my photography. As some of you may know I recently started a photography business where I take portraits of families on Island. If you want to support my photography or get some pictures taken please message me and I would be happy to celebrate life's joys and find inspiration in every moment captured.

https://tommymichael.photography/

I've also started a youtube channel where my hope is to start creating content that showcasing my photography and this beautiful island.

Here was my first video.

This is one of our favorite restaurants on island.

6) Support

We are so blessed to be here in Okinawa! We thank God for this opportunity he has given us. If you feel called to support our ministry here in Okinawa. You can do so by going to RCE (link below)

https://rceinternational.givingfuel.com/staff

and typing in our name "Mahaffie". From there you can fill out the form as you feel lead.

Thank you to all who have been supporting us in our ministry in Okinawa! My hope is to start posting more consistently as the school year goes on.

Thank you again and please pray for the Mahaffie's in Okinawa!

Tommy