Well, I am very thankful to be in one piece this evening. I had a bit of a car accident today. (I'm fine, though, Mom and Pops!) I was just going to go to the convenience store down the street from our new house to buy garbage bags. I was going to do a u-turn to park, so I swung a little left (remember that we drive on the left side of the street) and started to u-turn. The next thing I knew, I was crashed into by a white car who apparently thought I was pulling over or didn't see me. I was able to pull the car over and thought I was just fine til I felt my head begin to throb. Then I realized I was bleeding. I immediately called Akihiro who was also working at the new house. The other man was fine, but his car had some damage. My car door wouldn't open very good either and the window was broken. The poor guy's face said "oh dear, a foreigner!" so I quickly told him that my husband was Japanese and that he would be here soon. They wanted to call an ambulance, but I said I was fine. When Akihiro came, he said we should call an ambulance--it is free and the best way to do it. So, the ambulance came and checked me a bit. It was kinda funny because I had my old Rescue 702 EMT shirt on. I told them that I used to do their type of work as a volunteer. Anyway, I was thankful that Caleb Klaus was with Akihiro because he went with me in the ambulance to help interpret while Akihiro answered questions for the police, etc. They did some scans on my brain because my head was throbbing and my head felt funny and my arms felt a bit tingly. That came back fine, so I was relieved. The doctor then gave me three stitches in my lacerated head. The staff was all very kind and efficient. Actually, I was the only one in the ER, so I problably made it out of there in about an hour! It was my first experience to ride in an ambulance as a patient, first time to be in the ER as a patient, first time to get a CT scan, and first time to get stitches! Who would have thought I would have all these "firsts" too in my new homeland! We'll have to see about my poor little Suzuki Alto--it was such a nice little car! I am very thankful for God's protecting hand on me today!