Today we flew to Oita where we will be doing the workshop tomorrow. From the airport to the city, we took a hover craft! What an interesting feeling to be gliding over the land in a side-to-side fashion and then to transfer to the ocean! It puts new meaning on the term we used to use for some of the caregivers for our hospice patients! I will hopefully download some pictures once I get high speed access--coming on Monday! (Hallelujah--hopefully I can get a better connection for internet communicaton!)
After two weeks in our new place, it is finally presentable for guests. For the control freek in me, it feels wonderful to feel that things are manageable and I know where things are. I have been frequenting the 100 Yen shop (Japanese dollar shop) that is nearby and am having fun buying Japanese dishes to supplement the ones I got from Akihiro's grandma.
It has been raining, raining, raining! I guess there is a typhoon that we are feeling some effect from. We got soaked when we were walking today from the church (where we parked our car) to the station! I have never seen so many umbrellas in my life! It is also very amazing to see how they can hold the umbrella and ride the bike at the same time! They also can talk on the cell phone and ride at the same too! It sounds like too much for clutzy me, but maybe with time I can do it--I guess I used to eat my sandwich, write a sticky note, and talk on the phone--while driving around for work! Speaking of bicycles--we now have 2 bicycles--one for each of us. Akihiro really likes to ride the bike and now I understand why. Sometimes you can get there faster by bicycle than by car! The traffic can be awful!
I'm not really sure what the definition of "homesick" is, but I am starting to miss my family and friends. Everyone here is very supportive and kind, and I can't complain at all about anything, really (especially with web cam, internet, and phones!)--I guess this is just a normal part of the process. I remember my training from hospice--when you love people, sometimes it hurts when you can't be with them. I guess I am realizing how many people I loved back "home". I am also starting to feel a love for the people I have met here, too, though! Thankfully, I know that God is with me, I have a wonderful husband, and there are so many people praying for us! Deep down in my heart I am certain that I wouldn't trade my situation for anything, knowing that God's will is best and that we can trust Him for each step of the way!
Thanks again for all your prayers!