like a thief

sadness
like a thief
took away my joy,
momentarily.
leaving me speechless-
about things
unsaid, desired, felt, longed for.
i could not let you see
all those things-
exposed, raw, new.
don't look at me
i feel sad.

beret for a day

beret, beret.
play in a beret
for a day.

would i, if i were?

sitting in a chair,
why am i more
privileged
than him?

because i have $,
because i don't carry
my belongings on my back,
because strangers don't
cringe
at my presence?

am i privileged?
or do i live in my own hell,
because i can't help him.
because i could be him.
because i feel guilty,
ashamed
that he has to struggle
for everything.

would i live
if i were in his hell,
or would i?

i want to be

i want to be...

the couple still clasping
hands
when they are gray and stooped.

the mother who calls
her kids
pumpkin.

the explorer trekking through
the outbacks of
Montana and Mongolia.

the girl that
pounds the pavement
training for a marathon.

the lady with the cat
who all day sits in the window
awaiting her return.

i want to be...
oh, heck
a pastor's wife!

Grasping

Awareness
is frightening.
Bigger than
my grasping
conscience.
Churning, faint shadows
of faces--
Amo las sombras,
aunque ellas que
no me conozco.
Don't fade.

unknown

pictures of my reflection,
my shadow.
always lurking
beside me.
obscure,
unknown,
waiting, my soul,
waiting.
to meet
my Spirit.

Garrison sunset

i hear malted milk
in the waves,
locusts frenzy,
gulls like angry whistles
on the breeze,
lackluster caresses,
careening.
the sun
cutting through the ripples,
softly piercing
the horizon
of malted milk.

sign language

sign language is...

beautiful,
mysterious,
full of expression,
amazing and...
silent.

afternoon innocence

Mountainside soccer game.
Unexpected laughter.
Fleeting innocence.
Heho, Burma

out of reach

meteors

regardless
of my perspective,
they were
falling.
showering.
behind
grey, billowing
haziness.
caressing
the earth,
with their
brilliance.

cuatro cuartos

cuatro cuartos.
waiting for
life,
vida
viviendo.
yo y él-
estar aspirando,
life.
comienzando en
cuatro cuatros.

i-n-s-o-m-n-i-a

insomnia
in-som-nia
insom-nia
inso-mni-a
insom-nia
in-som-ni-a
in-s-o-m-ni-a

air conditioner
bumbling,
heavy night
sweat.
vibrating locusts
fading
into the sunset.
buzz,
buzzzz,
buzzzing
streetlights.
rumbling
cars.

purple-cast
eeriness,
outlined in
yellow haze.

stillness.

tossing,
turn.
the same
pillow.
same smells,
same sounds,
same outlines
of my
pillow.

chirping
perpetrates,
along with
crisp, white
radiance.

it's 5am.
insomnia.

insomnia
in-som-nia
insom-nia
inso-mni-a
insom-nia
in-som-ni-a
in-s-o-m-ni-a

Descend

Heavy, basement
bar.
Seasoned with
cigarette-stained
walls.
Of wood.
Reverberating
music,
late into the night.
Dark,
glamorous,
clumsiness.

The Moaners
Auntie Mae's

2

i thought i lost

a friend,
but i gained 2.
8 years ago,
seems like 8 days.
kindred spirits,
gentle creations
of God's earth,
molded into
compassion and joy.
i found a friend
i thought i'd lost.
and there are 2.

a box

sometimes i think that pictures are memories- pent up, stored up- in a box. waiting to be remembered.

A shadow story...

the metallic,
impenetrable
waters of the present.
my Soul,
a reflection
of the deep Unknown.
Raw,
exposed,
alive.
Lake Michigan
Chicago, IL

I am

Torn.
Between giving and withholding.
Frustrated unknowing.
Grasping for,
craving for-
balance.
Desire.
Anger from
questions without
answers,
actions without assurance.
Joy,
in simplicity.
Warm tendernesses.
Unrestrained-
smiles.
And laughter.
Free, uninhibited
happiness.
Whole.
Because my own humanity
creates boundaries,
for undiscovered
love.
I am torn.

there are

there are these couples
with blank,
starving
eyes.
empty.

Beatitude

i saw it outside myself.
on tippy toes,
it was there.
cupped in delicateness
that washed down my arms,
from the sky
i was reaching towards.

palms burning,
deep ravines.
massive brown paper bags,
leftovers--
from gluttony.

his hands-
empty.
his eyes shone-
behind hallowed
features,
of God.
Bryant Park,
Manhattan,
midnight.

fear,
didn't exist.
on that street,
where the Sun was shining.

at midnight.

Beatitude-
i was there.
with palms burning.

In that place

In that place
where dreams overtook me,
and fought within me,
under the covers, under my pillow
this song haunts me,
rich, powerful, distraught patience.
I'm reminded there is a difference
between "toughness" and
"strength."
I am both.
Together.
One.

Regina Spektor, "Samson"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p62rfWxs6a8
(Samson means "of the Sun" & was a Herculean figure, who is granted tremendous strength through the Spirit of the Lord to combat his enemies and perform heroic feats unachievable by ordinary men.)

Forever

Forever is like a moment that stretches unseeingly into the hazy future. How does Forever decide that Now isn't enough, can Now be part of Forever? Does my Forever end with the Forevers in another's life, or will my Forever continue long into the future-- forever? Forever seems so permanent, stable, terrifyingly distant-- exhilarating. Is God the only source of Forever? My path stretches forever before me, God is Forever with me, I can't change parts of me to be Forever, it's what already exists in me that is Forever...

From Wave Watcher by Craig Johnson (my 9th grade soccer coach & encourager of life's experiences):

"Forever" is an important word in my family. We use it only when we mean it, and it can mean so many things. I've learned a lot about the word this year by reading a few of my father's love letters to my mother. Dad always signs his notes with a stroke that reads "Forever." In turn, Mom signs her notes "Sempre"-- that's Portuguese for "forever." Recently, I've learned how so many things are forever.

Summer 夏の俳句

lightning bugs ignite
a calm, restless radiance
in the thick, night air

deep earth echoing
venerable cicada
resonates desire

Sunday

“some day”

sounds like –

a Sunday sundae,

my dreams,

a long time,

today…

my mind

my mind
changes like blinking eyes,
subconsciously;
one moment never begins
because a beginning has an end.

Now

construct a dream

existing of reality.

now.

i want to cherish it
in my heart--
undiscovered.
until Certainty
answers.

Answers

Today this quote was called to mind by a conversation I had...

"Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart.
Try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books written in a foreign language.
Do not now look for the answers. They cannot now be given to you because you could not live them.
It is a question of experiencing everything.
At present you need to live the question.
Perhaps you will gradually, without even noticing it, find yourself experiencing the answer,
some distant day."
-Rainer Maria Rilke

For years this quote has very likely been
the answer to many of my questions.
Not so much answers,
but sentiments allowing me
to continue on God's path.
I like the thought
of distant days.
I like the thought
of living
in the present.
I don't like the thought
of living in the
past...
except as incentive to
enjoy today,
now,
forever,
and tomorrow,
today.

Restlessness

some form of restlessness
is overwhelming me.
not so much restlessness,
but excitement.
yes, that's it.
excitement.
for life.
with joy
for blessings,
poured out to me,
with each
falling
raindrop.

Cycling the summer away

so this summer i decided i'd bike to work every day. this might not seem like such a challenge in the bike-filled asian countries, or the hot-paved streets of new york. but in little manhattan, ks, the city isn't planned to accommodate, get this, a bike. 3 miles across town. 730am. several pot holes later, i cross the mammoth 4-laner + turn lanes. passing by the local wal-mart, sonic, quiznos, big bumbling trucks, gas $3.79, waiting at the light. i'm in the turn lane. sweet love, the straight-away is all mine. on my bike. in manhattan.

Christmas traditions

(A Kansas sunset in December)

Many of you are blessed with innumerable family traditions during this holiday period. The Conyer's have a Swedish tea ring breakfast, The Elliot's- sushi at midnight w/ root beer floats, others gather around the tree, Christmas Eve services, hot chocolate, enjoying each other's company. For many reasons, I have a hard time enjoying Christmas time. I would rather not have to be dealing with old problems, family silences, overlooked words and stifling feelings. Today there are no presents or a happily-lit tree. Perhaps it's even harder to see other's families who at least appear to have a sense of togetherness.

However because I've been able to experience so many wonderful places and friends, I've always been included in celebrating with others and I have a clearer view of what joy, thanksgiving, and love should look like during this season. I suppose over the years I've also amassed many traditions that I hope to have with my own family and friends.

So my hope, joy, and thankfulness comes from so many people who make this time special for me. Myron's family- for the salmon Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Eve service w/ Althea at the Lutheran church, pizza and the Hairspray musical at the Reynold's, coffee and a bagel w/ my mum and making pies w/ her, helping at the Christmas community dinner, Meagan- wine and The Office, helping Amy and Emma wrap presents, visiting w/ Jess at her store... I have so many friends for which to be grateful, God does provide His love in ways we don't even realize.

So my own traditions... what will they be? Well for a start: Cinnamon rolls, Mexican hot chocolate, reading my favourite "Peace Begins with You" book, Midnight Service, making cookies to decorate the tree, serving at the community dinner, and so many others... but especially seeking out other friends who may not know that Christmas can be a very special time of sharing God's love and life, even if you have to walk through the valley of shadow and death to see it.

Facebook

So it seems like eons since I've posted on my account... it has been. I thought I'd give that Facebook thing a go, but it wasn't for me!!! I couldn't say anything meaningful on it like I can here. And I think it just sucks you into distractions... I have ENOUGH of that in life, right?

God has been working miracles in my life since June 2006 when I last logged on here. I also have been running from God at times as well. Running and not even realizing it, 'cuz I didn't wanna face what He had to say. So I tried the good old diversion tactics, not good. Recently, I found myself standing smack dab in front of Him, but the good thing was... I didn't wanna run this time. I just waited for His embrace, which He gave undeservedly.

So what does all this mean? I don't exactly know. But I can say I feel so much better waking up in the morning having Him to talk to. My Bible is FULL of lovely highlights, notes, and wisdom that somehow I temporarily forgot, or only listened to when I wanted, and now I feel like diving back in and knowing more. To me that is the nature of life and spirituality... to go through peaks and valleys, but to always end up on top-- a renewed spirit. And the top is a bit higher each time, like you gain just a bit more understanding of life and your innerself.

A snapshot of my memories with Mom

Ok, well there's no way that I can recount all the different adventures that my mother and I had....so I'll just let you enjoy a part of our days during her trip here. She mastered the "doomo" or thanks in Japanese. So much in fact that she kindly told a little girl at the park "doomo" instead of "konnichiwa". But regardless of that....she moved onto the more formal thank you, "arigatou". However, this one never came out so well...it was always "aribato". This caused many chuckles by me and probably some confusion to the receiver of the thanks. We then tried to move on the very formal thank you very much, "arigatou gozaimasu". This one never went down. But I love my mum and all the great memories we had together...she was definitely a up for doing anything and everything. I think what she enjoyed most, though, was just being my mom (and I treasured up being her daughter ^_^)!!

Mamà さん arrives...

I spent Thursday running down to pick up my mum from Tokyo... it began at 5:00am with a one-hour drive to Aomori City. Then a 4-hour train ride to Tokyo Station. As recommended by Steph, I diverted my time there cruising around the grounds of the Imperial Palace. As the gates and bridges were well-guarded and closed to the public, there was no means for me to scale the rock walls and cross the moat...but it was amusing never-the-less.

God blessed me with a wonderful mother and she arrived safe and sound with luggage in tow. We also had many more miracles in the travel back home...besides lugging 2 massive suitcases (not what I would recommend in Japan), we made a 10-minute transfer in Tokyo Station to the shinkansen. I would have loved to get the look on our faces when we spied the 2-stories of steps we had to carry her luggage up...but the happy ride back up north made it all worth it. She's one brave traveler...and so cute when she says "どうも" or "thanks" with her little practiced bow ^_^! To be continued....

Sports day...HOORAY!

For the second year running, I attended Minami Elementary School's Sports Day (南小学校の運動会). Besides watching all the kids run their hearts out, the day was filled with lots of cheering, a couple traditional dances, some random relays, and (I think the best part) the special bento lunch. Granted I didn't take as many pictures as I would have wished...maybe you can enjoy a few moments. Having laryngitis over the past few days diminished my abilities to participate much (not that I would be expected to under normal conditions), BUT I did get out there and do a relay with my 4th grade class teacher and one of the dances with the kids where we hold origami flowers. And a newly discovered favorite...lychee (or lichi, a type of fruit from a Chinese tree) throat lozenges...I wish I could tell the old man who gave them to me how much I love them! I will have to stock up for my trip home!

(This guy had the right idea on his back even though he wasn't out there running.)

(Two of my favorite 4th graders...so sweet!)

Bowling is NOT boring

When I looked up the correct Japanese translation for "bowling", I found it had the same pronunciation as "boring" (ボーリング). However this can easily be clarified with a few pictures that show not only a brilliant time, but also a very Happy Birthday to Niqie on May 31st! So here's to my first ボーリング experience in Japan...

(Steph inevitably with the best Japanese out of us gurls had the most amusing misspelling of her name as "Stella", she's also appearing quite serious at this whole bowling thing ^_^. We were digging the 80's velcro shoes. Niqie enjoying her balloon surprise in the car.)

(The cutiest ballgirl ever....that would be Yukie of course in the striped socks! Aaron gives his thumbs up approval...as does the rest of the gang.)

(What more can I say?)

The seven-onsen-in-two-days trip!

(This is a sampling of all 7 onsens...)

So the gurls (Bethany and Stephanie) and I went on a brilliant weekend adventure to the lost lands of Shimokita. The purpose of the trip was to visit as many onsens as possible, of course to enjoy ourselves with some Godly fellowship, to see Luke & Yuko (and soon-to-be Emma), and to squash as many frogs as possible. Seriously, we drove through a freak frog storm on Friday night. It was raining madly, causing huge pools of water to form on the roads, and this in turn attracted hundreds of little hoppers to frolick happily across the pavement until squashed by a passing car--mainly ours. We also saw an abundance of other creatures, viz.-- a red-faced monkey, a fox, a Japanese pheasant, a bird that flew alongside our car in a rather strange fashion, the before-mentioned frogs, beware of bear signs (but no bear), and a foreigner on bike (this being the most uncommon sighting in the far reaches of nowhere land hahaha). So for all of you that are a bit leery of the Japanese onsen or "public bath", you may be missing out on one of the best parts of Japanese culture. And in case you can't enjoy them at the moment, maybe some of these pictures will inspire you for the future!!

(Inside of a couple joyful onsens.)

(A lovely view of the bay, strait, and ocean farther off.)

(Can anyone say trash? The Japanese coastline...impossible to keep clean as garbage daily washes up from Japan, China, Korea, Russia....)

(Enjoying some gyoza, tofu donuts, and strange ice cream that I believe was really herb flavor!)
(And of course hanging out at the Elliot's...lil' Emma is getting QUITE big now, but Yuko is as energetic and joyful as ever!!)

Rice seedlings, ready for the taking...

So the fields are glistening under the sun. They water has been poured in, the dirt tilled underneath, and the baby rice seedlings are ready to meet their master. This is my favorite time of year. The rows of fields reflect everything that lies above and beside them. Here's a sampling of the greenhouses and transport of these precious seedlings...they are after all a national treasure in some respects.

Tomomi ちゃん shows off a spry little sprout....
...while I attempt to not trample the babies.
( I had thoughts of jumping onto the fresh, soft "grass" with bare feet and frolicking around joyfully. But I believed the Takahashi family would've had most unhappy thoughts of this adventure and banished me from their farm forever.)

The real festival...

...is enjoying the beauty of God's creation.

So the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival is packed up, leaving behind garbage, empty stalls, and the best part- the cherry blossoms in brilliant bloom. The park is particularly beautiful now that the tourist mobs are gone, the rambunctious noise is lifted, and you can hear the soft pad of feet upon gravel as the admirers drift lazily by. The wind softly blows petals to the ground or into the moat creating a pink polka-dot dreamland. It being my last "hanami" time in Japan for the near future...I'm going to indulge you with all the pretty pictures I can.... Diviertete!

The after effects....

Once upon a time...

Hirosaki Castle

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival

(with lack of cherry blossoms at the moment!)

Easter fun time with Marc and Dinah!

There was a 28th birthday in there somewhere!
(which called for some crab and tomato spaghetti celebrated with Steph)

Some things....

that made me happy today...

(They seriously need a "rainbow" button for text font colors...come on Steph/Jenn...gurls, I'm waiting for you to invent it!)

1. the sun shining thru the clouds this morning...God said "good morning, sunshine"
2. the Yakult-selling office lady had my favorite lemon yougurt drink
3. I studied Spanish and read a book for most of the day...and tried not to bust out laughing in my relatively quite office about a Mexican white meringue treat that is nicknamed a "nun's fart"
4. I got an email from my mum
5. My supervisor skipped and danced around the office on random occasions
6. A few of the office workers were humming "high, ho, high, ho...it's off to work we go". I thought about chimming in with the English but decided against it.
7. On my walk I saw the old man that smokes a cigarette while "walking his dog" on his bike that always says "konnichiwa" to me, he has the small Japanese dog. I also saw the man that walks his dog w/ his K-truck, he has 2 very large Clifford type dogs. And then I saw one of the younger dog walkers, he has a small type dog and we politely give a little nod of a bow.
8. I saw the apple trees begin to have buds. I touched the pussywillow branches that grow wildly along the waterway.
9. 2 ducks flew up and quacked at me
10. the 8 o'clock jingle is playing over the city intercom and I've made and eaten a lovely dinner
(diced chicken, steamed veggies, and soba noodles...with my favorite wasabi/seaweed/sesame seed sprinkle topping)
11. and now I'm gonna have a bit of quite time with God and knit some more on my scarf...

Let the planting begin!

My friend Tomomi now lives with her in-laws, the Takahashi family. So she not only gets to live in a HUGE, new house; she also lives on a farm of sorts! A Japanese rice farm. Please note that she is a city gurl, and so when I came to visit her new place I insisted on getting the full tour...which happened to be the first time she explored her own backyard. I harvested rice back in the early autumn last year...so this spring I wanted to also learn the basics of planting rice. Here is where it begins!!

The greenhouses are being prepared for the seedlings. The soil trays are ready to have the seeds planted. Those maggot-looking things are the rice seeds that are being heated in an "incubator" to expedite their ripening. They are planting 3 types of rice this year, hence the 3 different colored bags. Can you imagine how many seedlings will come from 60 bags of that size?? No...well me either, but time will tell!!

And this is one of the BIGGEST doggies I've ever seen. You realllly can't tell by the pictures, but Hana-chan ("little flower") is a "REALLY BIG flower" dog.

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor." ~1 Corinthians 3:6-8

Baby Showers, an American thing

Last weekend I threw a little baby shower for my friend Yuko. Little did I know this is mainly an American custom and doesn't extend much into Asia or even Europe at that! Her baby is a gurl and is due in early July. When she's told Japanese people that she's "5 months along", they have stared in shock at her size....saying "You're too BIG!" She only just realized that this is because the Japanese follow something to do with the lunar calendar for counting months...so she's actually "7 months along" to Japanese people, BUT either way...she's really due in July and she's looks so sweet with her little bundle. We joke that the size must be because Emma Grace, the little soon-to-be-seen one, is part Canadianish and other part Japanese. We are hoping that Emma Grace won't have the same layer of fat on her head when she is born...Yuko recounted that at birth her head was layered with a thick fat and her family believes it was because they used to eat fatty meat such as bear and whale quite regularly. She likes Mexican food (as much as me) and we both have a heart for the Midwest as she lived in Oklahoma during high school. I wish I could be around to be a part of Emma ちゃん's life, but I must be content with photos, stories, and emails that I will hear throughout the years....and the prayers that I can send from across the waters. I have been so blessed to have met Yuko through her husband, Luke, a fellow English teacher and missionary kid from Japan. One last comment- Yuko's grandmother makes the smashingest, tastiest, sourest plums around. If you're really nice, I might let you try a nibble from my stock ^_^ !!

(I can't remember what face we are supposed to be making...maybe Luke will remind me?)

Goodbye, foreign films.

So I watched Goodbye, Lenin tonight. I was hoping (expecting) for there to be English subtitles for this German movie. After all the first foreign film (that meaning anything other than Japanese or English-speaking) that I accidentally rented last week was French. I was pleasantly surprised to find an English subtitle selection on this movie for what would have been an otherwise slight waste of money and time for this impatient viewer. But not so tonight, I was a bit unpleasantly surprised to listen to this movie in German and read the Japanese subtitles to the best of my capabilities which means a few words out of each dialog. But at least it was an expressive movie, so all in all, it wasn't too hard to take in what was going on. About 3/4 of the way thru I turned it to the Japanese dub, funny to hear...but the recollection of "Oh! That's what that kanji character means!," came to mind a few more times than not!! Maybe I should stick to the English movies or perhaps some Russian roulette with the French ones??

Sunshine and curls

If only I knew as a child, the wonders and blessings that God was preparing for me...that He laid out for me when He created me. But now I AM His child and what better teacher could I hope for than the one that knows every thought and question of my heart and understands every action that I give. That is the best blessing that I could ever ask for...someone that understands me, forgives me, and continually loves me. Even when I feel defeated, He picks me back up and guides me on."Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." (Hosea 6:3)

Of all the things I wanted to write about...

(Mt. Iwaki on a clear, crisp day...shining with her happy, snowtopped peaks.)

...BUT didn't find the time to!

-the lovely time spent in Misawa with the Conlans and friends and too much good food and fellowship
-freezing our tails off as we wait for the Airforce Base bus...which never came.
-the base lock down...sitting in our car wondering if we'd ever get to leave Misawa
-the trip to Kazamaura to see the Elliot's (Luke & Yuko)...the ends of the earth it seems
-sewing a bib for Yuko, enjoying watching Sarah E. teach Yuko the tricks of the trade
-eating and socializing at the quite famous cedar house built by Mr. Muraguchi, there was even a reporter that night from Tokyo
-again freezing our tails off as Sarah E. and I attempted a walk in the wind blasts
-some super salmon fried up by Yuko...a fish a day keeps the doctor away!

-elementary school graduation, like military roll call, but quite fascinating
-only moms attending to see their children off
-seated in the "Guest of Honor" section
-only person w/o a suit jacket...
-but THEN onto the real fun:
-bento box lunch...mmmm...fried scallops w/ Bulldog sauce
-soft volleyball w/ moms, grads, and teachers....i pulled sticks (or really chopsticks) for the C TEAM
-we came in 3rd place (out of 4)
-but the rewards were great...gatorade for a job well done and cake for the car ride home


-saying goodbyes to my teachers...sad. they usually change schools EVERY 3 years. sometimes in the same town, other times hours away. it's a transient lifestyle really. not for the average joe or sarah at that.
-and low and behold below is a bridge!!
-the amazingly looooooong Tsuruta bridge...loooooongest wooden one in Japan, and only 15 minute drive from my little abode
-I showed Andy & Rebecca (missionary couple from England) the wonders of this bridge
-in the process Rebecca and I slyly broke the rules and tramped out onto the "closed" bridge...how dare we cross the line and break the law...that is the law we can't even read, but assumed the sign said "Bridge Closed to Foreigners unless insane."

The end of my happy adventures for the present!

Asbestos or Secondhand Smoke???

I've been pondering over a thought, one of which has indeed been a hot topic the past few years in Japan- asbestos in public areas. There are many articles on it...but here's a little link. It was "discovered" that my age-old Junior High is completely covered in the stuff. No surprise since even back home, this was a common problem in the 80's and 90's...and I believe it was resolved then some 10-20 years ago for most places. But here in my Japanese town a new school is in the works...in like 3 years...so they went for a cheaper alternative to removing the asbestos. They covered the ceilings with plastic and tape holding the strips together and patching the holes where the lights drop down. Hmmmm, I wonder how much protection this really is in a classroom where the wind blows through some cracks in the windows and the ceiling occasionally leaks water?? I've gotta get a picture of this handy work sometime. But the part that really humors me even more...I wonder that the public isn't so concerned about all the secondhand smoke we get to inhale everyday in the teacher's room. Students and fellow teachers alike. I guess Japanese common sense isn't always to my understanding!!!! If anyone can enlighten me, please do!! (Pictures to follow...when I can smuggle my camera in for some good shots ^_^!)

Disengaged...

Ok, I'm ready to go home...NOW!! Not that home holds some magical aura or an abundance of immediately known opportunities, but I'm ready for a CHANGE. I guess I've always been that way...seeing change as an exciting thing that brings new experiences, obstacles, joys, and opportunities. I feel content with life, with all of which God blesses me with, He is sooo good to me, but maybe He is calling me for something more....or maybe it's just my over-imaginative dreams. But either way He's also teaching me how to be PATIENT while I wait...but sometimes it's sooooo HARD to wait!!! I just wanna fling open the door and GO some place. Ok, ok weekend to the rescue...going on an extended trip to eastern Aomori...hoping that will get rid of some of my cabin fever....

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:10-12)

In other weekly news...

My kids threw a fabulous year-end assembly for me at Miyoshi Elementary School. There was Fruit Basket mayhem...if you don't know this all favorite game, oh believe me I can teach you with my eyes closed. We also did some sort of dance jig with janken involved. Of course a song with band and many cute speeches by students. The Principle was so kind and wished to give a farewell speech in English. Well she read it to me beforehand to make sure it was intelligible. It was more or less...and I didn't have the heart to correct her, nor do I think it would have been so proper to do it since she is officially retiring this year!! Such a super duper school!!

And in still more exciting news...

For my last class in Minami Elementary School I subjected my 3rd Graders to Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwiches. It went over well...except for the fact I think all their mouths got plastered shut as they were eagerly trying to finish licking the mixing bowls and then proceeded onto eating their scrumptious sandwiches without any sort of beverage. But so goes the life of a 9 year old.

This boy was hard at it and I proceeded to call him "Peanut Butter Face" the rest of the class ^_^!!

Non-stop

Post have been few and far between...not for lack of things, but for abundance. With the inklings of springtime in the air, activities are becoming more and more numerous as the hibernation of sleepy Aomori melts away. Here's just a quick recap of the past week....
(Watched "Narunia" or The Chronicles of Narnia as more commonly known in English and enjoyed some sushi afterwards with friends/Elliot crew. It was great to see the movie for the 2nd time...once while home for Christmas and then again on the opening day in Japan. I saw even more symbolism and meaning as it relates to Christ the second time around and I also relearned some useful Japanese phrases with the subtitles...such as "mochiron" meaning of course and "yamete" meaning STOP !!)
(Never underestimate the power of the English alphabet...my kids never tire of making A's, B's, C's, etc....they wore me out just trying to hand out their letters every other second!)
(The school year is quickly coming to a close here in Japan. I received numerous plaques, songs, and scribbled notes from my wonderful kids. I will truly miss them...especially the body arch my little first graders gave me today on the way out of my elementary school...each pair of students holding their hands above them to clasp their partners hands forming a sort of cave for me to practically crawl through. I cried...'cuz God gives me so many awesome experiences and memories!!)

(Watched Rie's traditional Japanese dance last Sunday...she has been practicing since she was 8 years old and competed that day in a dance rehearsal of sorts...it was very beautiful, simple, but intricate.)

And the 5-month update of sweet, glowing Yuko!!! It's a GIRL!!! Emma Grace...you can read more about it on Luke's (in English) or Yuko's (in Japanese) page!

Priests Purify Shrine after Bush Visit

Ok, this story caught my eye. I'm usually less than interested in the comings and goings of Bush or any politician at that...but by the title I was assuming that the aforesaid Bush was somewhere in our vicinity of the world. Now was there really any need to cause India "national disgrace" for the sake of his special visit to Gandhi's memorial?? But by all means remove your shoes...after all who wouldn't want to walk on ground that has been cleaned by the sparkling and sanitary Ganges River.

The Season of Lent, Shrove Tuesday

I had never heard of Pancake Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, or as one website favored saying Pancake Day as said by the proper Brits. Check out the history! But in fact to me it just sounded like an exciting evening of breakfast for dinner!! Well that's exactly what we did last Tuesday... crepe/pancake style at the Elliot's house as a means to kick off the Lent season. Lent or "fast" is a time of fasting, prayer, temptation, and repentance. It is not required in scriptures, but has been a custom of Christians for over 2,000 years. It is by no means necessary and its participation is different from denomination to denomination, person to person. It lasts 40 days (46 days counting Sundays) up until Easter and stands the period of time that Jesus was tempted and fasted in the wilderness. Last year at the conclusion of Lent in our Bible study group, many of us gave testimony on what we had learned in our struggles. In the past the focus of Lent was (and still is):

1. A time to prepare new converts for baptism through classes and instruction.
2. A time for long-standing Christians to review their lives and renew their commitment to Jesus Christ.
3. A time for backsliders to be restored to the faith.

As an added bonus to Pancake Day since 1950 (my mother reminded me), Buckinghamshire, England and Liberal, Kansas, USA, have been holding an International Pancake Olymipcs. Go Kansas, Go Kansas!! But how sad, my Kansas was not able to defend the title this year after a 7 year streak!!! Well, there's always next year....maybe I'll try out for the team! ^_^

The goods.

A few of the fixins, minus the ham, cheese, & tomatoes.
John, rather dismayed that his pancake is rapidly loosing heat, as he waits patiently for the rest of the family.
Sarah, the fabulous chef.