Welcome to ITO NEWS

It seems like forever since we left Japan, but I guess there are some things to report from "home" before we went "home"--kinda confusing! Sorry for the long entry!

My English lessons went fairly well, despite some frustrations with the organization of the language school. My first class was 5 year olds and we worked on colors, shapes, and fruit. It was pretty much up to me to decide what we were going to learn and I was to lead the class. The Japanese teacher just helped with behavior management and with the instructions I gave. The children did very well--especially for a 50 minute class, but I am glad there weren't more than 5 of them! My next class was 5 boys--about 10 years old. I was on my own, but thankfully was able to keep them on task by teaching them "give me 5" when they said the right word. The last class, though, was a total disaster--3 boys and 3 girls. Honestly I felt sorry for them. I am sure they had been at school all day and now they were enduring 80 minutes more of learning. I pretty much lost control of the class and had a difficult time bringing it back into control. Oh well! The next day went pretty good. I drove to another site to teach. I felt so bad for these poor children who just couldn't say "Thursday" for anything! I knew how they felt, though, because I am the same way with some of the Japanese words! The language school would really like me to teach on a regular basis, but I don't think it would work with our erratic schedule. I think I will remain a substitute for now, especially given the changes in Akihiro's job (see later in this lengthy blog).

Another occurence before we left home was elections. Our quiet neighborhood was transformed into a noise polution zone as each politician's workers drove slowly around the neighborhood in cars and blasted out "Arigato gozaimas, Onegaishimas....." (Thank you, please, etc. etc.) and the name of their candidate. Jana was right when she told me that they get louder and more desperate sounding the closer it gets to election time! It was almost as if they were screaming! One day that week, a group of 3 men came to our tiny little street. It was raining, but that didn't discourage them. I peered out the window at them. They stood there under their umbrellas--one man reading his speech, another holding a megaphone device, and I am not sure what the other man was doing. Anyway, they got done with their speech, bowed to the neighborhood (I am guessing I was the only one who was watching--or listening!) and went on their way. Whatever!!!

On the way to the airport, I saw the fields being planted with rice. They drive these little vehicles that look like 4 wheelers through the swampy flooded fields. The vehicles have flats of stuff that looks like sod, but I assume it is rice seedlings. These are then planted in the wet field. I would like to learn more about the planting of the "white monster" as my aunt calls it, but my city-slicker husband doesn't know too much about it, so I will have to interrogate somebody else!

Finally...on to Illinois! It was so good to see all my family and friends! And yes, we did enjoy mom's cooking, and all of the American meals we had. I had time to go through the house and sort through things--garage sale, pitch, ship to Japan, store.... With Doug and Tricia Rocke living in our house, most of our stuff is packed away in boxes, so I just did some organization. I also enjoyed going to hospice for a morning--interesting that I still knew some of the patient names! One of my favorite days, though, was spent being "Aunt Carrie" at both of my brothers' homes with my 12 nieces and nephews! It was also great to be in church and hear the hundreds of voices blending together--instead of just the 10-15 voices in Shioda! And no, I didn't bow at the minister! What a blessing it was to sing and know what I was singing, to pray and read with the minister instead of on my own, and to understand all of the sermon! Yes, many of the brothers in Japan will translate some for me which I greatly appreciate, but here it was just so easy--and it filled my cup to overflowing! We were both encouraged and inspired to feel the love and support of so many of our brethren. As always, it is a culture shock to come home to America--to not be treated like a queen when you go into a store or restaurant, to be able to read everything, to throw everything in the same trashbag without sorting....I could go on and on.

While we were in the U.S., some things happened with Akihiro's boss at the nursing home and Akihiro told him he would quit in June. It is a long story, but the end result is that though there was definitely a purpose for his time at the nursing home we feel that God is leading him in a new direction. His workshop in Springfield was about simulated patients--one of his big dreams for Japanese medical education. He hopes to open a training center in Japan and focus more on education of medical professionals. Please pray for him/us as we explore this option! I am sad, nervous, and excited about the whole thing!

So, now we are in New York City visiting Akihiro's brother and sister-in-law. Our hotel is very near to their apartment in Midtown Manhattan. We are on the 22nd floor of a 42-floor building! I've concluded (again!) that big cities aren't my favorite, and NYC is just another big city (I'll take Tremont anyday)! Today, we braved the subway, which--by the way--is very dirty and old compared to Japan, to go to the Statue of Liberty and to Ellis Island. The statue is impressive and inspiring--reminds me of the song, The Cross is My Statue of Liberty. Ellis Island has a wonderful museum about the 12 million immigrants who came through Ellis Island. We felt like immigrants because there were lots of lines to ride the ferries and we were pretty well packed on the ferry! At least they didn't mark me with a chalk X like they did the immigrants if they saw one looking dazed and confused! It was especially interesting to me because my Grandpa Fritz went through Ellis Island. To be in the same hall where he most likely waited to be approved to enter America was an interesting feeling!

Akihiro's parents joined us today and will stay a week or so here in NYC, but we leave on Saturday. I am ready to go home. I guess I am thankful for that feeling--that Japan is home for me. I know that God has led me there and has work for me to do there. I just pray that I can use the liberty (in Christ) I have been given to His glory!