It's been a while, but things are settling back to normal.

Life in Japan has been interesting to say the least.  I've lived 4 different places in the past 4 1/2 months.  Wow.  But I am thankful for the support of those around me and those that helped back home. 

Yes, we are in a new home.  We now live in a three bedroom apartment.  Joshy shares his room with the living room, the two girls share a room with me and Jerry and Laura's bedroom is... well... a bed (pretty much).  We have a nice size kitchen and a lovely bath area, drying room for clothes, and toilet area.  ;)  Our balcony is pretty nice as well.  It's not as big as the house, but it is quite a bit nicer than staying in ECS where there was a floor covered in futons in the nighttime and classes in the same room during the day.  Trying to juggle a workplace with a sleeping are had it's moments.  We managed to get showers at least by walking to the apartment or going to onsens.  Overall, we were immensely blessed.  Many people came to help and gave us food and other things we needed, even through Japanese bureacracy, yes, we did survive.  The first time through they told us our house (which was completely leaning, every beam, was safe to live in).  Giving us another half month waiting period until they confirmed our house was indeed DAMAGED enough that we could get temp housing. 

Beyond that, classes are picking up and I am getting to know the students in my classes very well.  We also have started up bible study again and three people showed this time, meaning that life has finally started to get back to normal.  We also had an ice cream social this month that turned out incredibly well. 

I have managed to find some friends and am planning to hang out with Li Fang, one of the Mongolian students, sometime the end of this week.  I also have visited Robin, a missionary up in Sanjo, recently.  Her and I went to a museum last weekend and shopped a bit.  We then on Monday went bowling with the ECS students up in Sanjo. 

On the homefront:  Joshy has been doing pretty well.  He has his moments.  The past few nights he has not been going to bed until really late in the evening, not sure what is up.  Kei is having a hard time adjusting to the apartment and keeps asking about home.  Boo on the otherhand seems to be adjusting alright.  They are much like family to me now.  We even call each other sisters. 

Laura and Jerry seem to be making through ok as well, but they still have there stressed periods and need prayers in this hard transition.  I know how hard it must be for them.  This is the second house that they have lived in that has been severely damanged in an earthquake within the past 3 years. 

For me, I have my moments but overall, I am doing ok. 

As for language, it's coming along.  I know quite a bit more words then I used to.  Yay! ^-^

My biggest prayer for right now is that we may be lights to those in the community that do not have God in their lives.  I can only imagine how much harder it would be to not know God's strength and comfort. 

Weekly update. Approaching week 3.

The Kids:

It's been a lot of soccer games, tag, school work, and piano.  Boo (Rebekah) has wanted to have me teach her how to draw.  She insists she pays me 10 yen (about 8 cents) per lesson, of which I am saving for her secretly so that if she ever wants to play Loven Berry she can have money (upon suggestion from Laura).  We also went to a park this week while Joshy was at his check up.  It was pretty crowded with preschoolers and such, but we finally  managed to get some free space to play tag.  Phew. 

Classes:

I have taught 4 classes solo this week.  The last class at the very beginning there was only 2 people, but after about 5 minutes I ended up having a grand total of 10 people.  A bit overwhelmed, I had only thought there were going to be a few guests which would put me at about 6 people, I pulled it together and by the end of the night one of the women, Nabuchi, told me I was a good teacher.  A great positive response.  I had run out of material and upon being stuck with only my intuition my true teaching style came out.  ^-^

Japanese Class:

I am not doing too bad in the class.  There are 2 teachers.  I like one of the teachers much better because she goes over the information more so I remember better.  The other likes to throw a bunch of information at me.  There is only one other person in the class, a 28 year old chinese man Zhoa (Chow), who is researching at the local college as a visitor researcher.  I am helping him learn English some just through talking online and such outside of class.

Bible Study:

Bible study this friday went well.  We had a fairly good discussion, good fellowship and singing.  ^-^

Kid's Corner:

Saturday we had kids corner.  There were 3 preschoolers and their parents as well as the Mort's crew and I.  Later one of the ladies from the local church came with her 2 sons.  We read the story of Rebekah, sang songs and made paper dolls of Rebekah.  It was a great time.

Kamo Sunday:

This Sunday we went to Kamo Church of Christ.  There they sang songs in both Japanese and English.  While there I got to meet 3 other missionaries from around the area which was fun.  Corey gave the sermon.  Him and his wife have a 2 sons.  One adopted (Tomo) and one by birth (Skyler).

After church and a potluck we headed out from the church to the Botanical Gardens to meet friends of the Morts.  Kaori the mother and their 2 children were named Aki (Boo's age) and Yuko (Kei's age).  The family were missionaries in Britain for a year and then returned to Japan.  We after the gardens went to their house to eat supper and chat.  It was a great experience.  On the way home we saw an amazing sunset and the sunset reflected on the rice fields.  It was amazing.

Day off:

Today was spent doing laundry, going to the 100 yen shop with the Mort family playing catch ball with the girls, observing medicine counting for Joshy and helping him remain occupied while she tried to get his meds in him (he likes to help and it gets everywhere).  As well as catching up on updates and such. 

My stairwell became a good place to hang the clothes that I had outside.

Future things:

On Tuesday Laura and I will be doing a personal bible study together.  After 8 the kids are in bed except Joshy and Jerry works late so we get a opportunity to do this.  We will be going through the book, "God Are You There?" Written by: Kay Arthur. Of which will got through the book of John.  She had been wanting to go through it with the wives of the other missionaries here a while back and upon me suggesting a personal bible study she thought about the book. 

Praise:

1. Hannah got home safely.
2. That I am adjusting well.

Prayer requests:

1. That the Japanese people will become more and more interested in Christianity.
2. That Josh's seizures would go down in numbers and that he would get strong enough to crawl.
3. Be with Zhao that through getting to know me he will become closer to God or become interested in Christianity.
4. That Drew will make it here safely.
5. That I would be able to pick up the Japanese language.

AS WELL: 

I got to finally see the beach.  Someone had made tons of sand sculptures.  The leaning tower of pisa, etc.  There is a mountain that I could see from the beach too.  It's amazing.  What an amazing landscape God created.  It reminds me daily of his glory.  Wow.

Currently Listening Power By Raze Brighter Day see related

It's about time I update.

I arrived in Japan right on time Wednesday, May 16th at 4:10.  At the airport I was greeted by the Mrs. Suzuki and Hannah her younger daughter.  They helped me get my one bag sent off to the Mort's then we went and found the taxi guy.  I was informed I might not arrive at the Mort's until nearly 12 and was given a blanket for the long journey. 

It was about 10:30 when we arrived (an hour and a half earlier then expected) woohoo!!!  We (The Morts and I) talked a bit, and the Mort's gave me a chance to get connected to people back home to say I got here alright and then it was off to bed.   

I was awoken at about 5:30 due to jetlag but managed to force myself to sleep til 7.  At which point 2 little girls came to greet me. 

From that point I have been filled up with sitting in on classes as well as teaching my first two classes this past friday.  I also have watched the girls a bunch as well as Josh occassionally.  The girls love to play doctor the recent has been bubble therapy.  Another one of their big things is freeze tag.  Phew they are fast. 

Bu and Kei on the way back from Tokyo.

Bu and Me yesterday.

In the past week they have had the chance to take care of 2 birds (unnamed and Tweety Tweet Tweet) that had fallen from the nest and were unable to fly.  They also were given the chance to take care of a dragonfly (Greeny). 

We (Morts and I) have watched the Partridge Family several times as well as Balto once. 

Josh is a doll.  He has seizures due to his brain activity changing because he is growing, so we have to make sure he is in sight or check on him a bunch to make sure he is ok.  He likes to copy you when you make noises as well as give fives.  One of his other popular activities is causing mischeif and giving kisses.   He also adores getting into the popcorn. Ha ha.

The Evidence (ha ha)

Other stuff:  We went to disneyland in Tokyo and took Hannah to the airport last weekend.  This Sunday we attended the local church.  On Fridays I have Japanese lessons which are going well as well as bible study which is fun to go to.  I have had several times to just chill with the Laura and Jerry after the children go to bed at 8pm which is relaxing.  We have a running joke that if you could only bottle up the girls energy we could sell it and have the whole world retire in luxury, ha ha.

Bible Study

Tokyo skyline.

The Trip home... gorgeous.

I have also met a few people in the classes and such.  Overall I love it here.  

The biggest prayer is I will pick up on Japanese fast.    Practice practice practice.  ^-^ 

I hope all is going well in the states as well.  *If you have any news please contact me.  I gave my mom my new e-mail because I lost my school e-mail.  So if you ask her nicely maybe she will give you it.   Otherwise I think it is possible to message on here as well.  I love hearing from you all.  Until later.  Matane (Talk to you later).

In Christ.

Laura

Currently Listening This Mystery By Nichole Nordeman This Mystery see related

The last few days here

I recently got my international license so that I will be able to drive in case of emergency. 

As well I was able to get money exchanged for the taxi ride when I arrive plus a little bit more just in case.

Other than that it's the little stuff now.  Haircuts, packing (gathering), making sure I have my money in smaller bills to exchange.  I also need to call my airline to confirm my airplane ticket.  That's about it. ^-^

The next few days will be a bunch of laundry organizing and spending time with friends and family.  Mother's day is Sunday so I hope to have the day off to be with mom on the last full day I will be here. 

**In Japan**

There are some guy interns from a bible college that will be living in the apartment for 10 weeks while I stay with the Morts.  The schedule for when they come is  not for sure, they are trying to find cheap airplane tickets over, so if you could all keep them in prayer as well. 

I will be leaving May 15th, but will depart for chicago on Monday so my roommate and I will not have to wake up so early to reach the airport.  We will be staying at a hotel the night prior aiming at getting me to the airport at 10:30 the next day.  Then it's off to Japan I go.  Woot.  I am very excited to meet the Morts, VERY excited.

I will keep in touch with you all here.  And please keep me and the Morts in your prayers.  Thank you so much. 

Till my next update, have an amazing weekend and mother's day.  God speed.  Peace.

Preparing to depart

It's been quite busy lately.  This week between my 2 jobs I have managed to pull in a 50 hour week.  This week as many know is finals week, I have already finished 2 of my three finals but I do have one left tomorrow at 12.  I spent the majority of today trying to get things boxed and home, I got a ginormous load into my parents silver honda and got probably a little more than half of it there.  I will spend the rest of my weekend organizing and doing various other little jobs I have left to do.

Next week will be near 58-60 hours of work, packing and ensuring that I have everything I will be needing for a year stuffed away in 2 bags.  For some reason I find this challenge to be only minor.  I trust it will all fit without fail.

Some news beyond moving and packing.

I will need as follows:

1. An International Drivers License (from AAA).  There is an agent in town that I will go check out tomorrow after my Art History final.   Not sure how long it will take, hopefully not too long.

2. Transfer American Money to yen so when I get over to Japan I will be able to pay for the transportation to get from the airport to the Morts.  It's about a 5 hour drive.

Beyond those I only have a little bit I need to get here such as a device to transfer photos onto my computer (used my printer while here) and a few other things.

Some praises:

One of my friend is highly possibly going to come live with my current roommate and help pay for my rent. 

That's it for now.  It appears it is time for me to go to work.  Have a spectacular day all.  I'll update at least once more before I go.