The day before our trip home, during the trip home and even a few days after arriving back in Japan, our three year old let us know several times just how happy and excited she was to be going back home.  When I asked why, she would always answer, “Because Japan”. I suppose that’s a… Continue reading Home, in a nutshell (part 2)

I’m currently standing back in the flight attendants’ kitchen area bouncing my baby to sleep while on our trek across the Pacific. It’s been a good and exhausting trip— 6 plane rides for a total of 30ish hours crossing the skies, many hugs, way too much food and an ever fluid schedule. Everyone asks how… Continue reading Home, in a nutshell (part 1)

Sorry for the long absence.  Honestly, for the last two months or so, I’ve just completely crossed the blog off of my mental list of things to keep track of. Wherever you are, life is busy.  However, sometimes I feel like living in another country means that “basic living” is another part-time/full-time job.  Then throw… Continue reading Absence and Order

Vision: “the faculty or state of being able to see” and “the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom.” One of the topics of conversation that has buzzed around our household significantly over the last two years has been the topic of vision.  We’ve approached it from every angle.. what… Continue reading Vision: The Art of Sight

Tonight, I sat rocking our little baby back to sleep.  I was thinking about how different her and our older daughter are. Rosalyn sucked her thumb.  No matter how many times I’ve tried, I cannot get Eliana to suck hers– she likes her binky. Rosalyn decided cold turkey at 4 months she didn’t want to… Continue reading Of a Piece or All to Pieces

So, I’ve been promising a post about preschools in Japan and my foray into that world.  I don’t have a lot for you yet but I’ll tell you what I’m finding out. A lot of preschools have a pre-preschool program that helps kids become familiar with being with the teachers and the format of school… Continue reading Pre-Preschool

Recently we met (re-met?) some folks from our home church in California… but on this side of the globe.  It turned out to be a series of interesting surprises on both our sides. I say re-met because we actually met this Japanese family briefly on our trip home over a year ago.  We chatted for… Continue reading It’s a Small World After All…

This week, I read an article entitled, “Four Misconceptions of the Missionary Call“, which of course peaked my interest.  I agreed with about 80-85% of it, and the final 15-20%… well, I get what he’s trying to say. But obviously, I have something to say too. What a very American statement, huh. First of all,… Continue reading An Answer to the Call

Well, I wasn’t kidding with my last post.  It’s been awhile and it’ll probably be awhile yet again.  But I’ll do what I can, if only because this is something I enjoy. Our little one stayed in the hospital a week, suddenly making rapid progress 24 hours after vomiting clear across the room with surprising… Continue reading The Silver Lining

I am currently sitting in a giant yellow gauze gown next to the window of a 7th floor hospital room. Outside it’s a balmy 75 degrees with clear, sunny skies. Inside it’s the view of my teeny-tiny almost 3 month old attached to an IV, sleeping in a little bassinet made of rolled up towels. … Continue reading It’s been a while and it will probably be a while