In the back of my mind, I have been conscious that I haven't blogged in quite a few weeks, but a friend and my sister both prompted me to blog, because my last blog post was about the typhoon that passed by! I'm so sorry to have worried anyone! :) The typhoon passed with just a little bit of wind! It was not as bad as we were hoping... I mean... fearing... :) (I love storms!). Anyway, my days have been filled to the brim since my last posting, which is why I have been absent so long!
I had a life-changing time in Japan! God brought that trip at just the right time, and it was just the right length of time! I was so blessed, and I'm still realizing ways that this journey was a blessing to me! Not only did Mrs. Winters teach me how to sew clothes (which is a big life goal of mine), the Lord helped me overcome some trials and fears that have been plaguing me for over 6 years! Furthermore, I learned that I can live without so many things (truly, luxuries), such as a bed! Actually, since I've been home (~15 days), I haven't been able to sleep as well as I did the whole three months in Japan! I'm trying to see if I can get a futon here! :) I am also more productive here at home. I am able to get out of bed when the first alarm sounds! I think overall, my self-discipline has increased (if only slightly!).
While I'm speaking of blessings, my journey home from Japan was a blessed time! After a bitter-sweet parting with my second family, I made my way through security, entered the gate just as they were beginning to board the flight (just in time... I'm NOT Japanese, Mr. Winters! :) hehe!), and enjoyed my peaceful, 1 and a half hour flight to Tokyo. Then.... this is where I wasn't as stable as usual... I had a 6 hour layover before the long flight to NY where my parents, older sister, and niece would be waiting to snatch me up! I had a good book to read, so that held me over for about 2 hours, but then, I just wanted to curl up in a corner and cry! I just wanted to be home! I did feel quite small and alone in Tokyo. Though I was quite comfortable with Japanese and had good instructions from Mr. Winters about where and when I needed to be places. Finally, though, we boarded the B747-400 (that's for you Ethan!), and 30 minutes late, made a noisy and shaky takeoff. It was one of the older planes, so I think that's why it was so noisy. As we left the runway, I watched out the window and the wings of the plane were heaving up and down quite a bit, and I imagined them just popping off, leaving us 50 feet from the ground! Instead of being afraid though, I was chuckling to myself, and imagining pieces of the plane gradually flying off throughout the trip, and landing in NY with just remnants of the plane! Anyway... the flight was only about half full! So, I had 3 seats to myself!!! That was a HUGE blessing! I spent about 4 hours total laying down... trying to sleep! I probably slept only about 30-40 minutes in reality, but, laying down was still much better than trying to sleep sitting up... like the poor guy in front of me!
After anxiously waiting about 30 minutes in customs, I quickly scanned the various bags and luggage, looking for the yellow ribbons of my own! Finally, I found them, and, in plain view of an airport employee, struggled to heave the 50 pound bags off the moving belt! Then... I started running for the exit! :) I saw just a glimpse of someone down the long hallway, and I knew it was Mom! She about ran past the security officers to meet me! After our glad reunion, and my shock at how grown up my niece was, we headed to our car for the long drive home... still about 5 hours!
Honestly, I had WAY more culture shock coming BACK to American than I did going to Japan! When we were taxiing to the gate, I was shocked by the TRUCKS! It was so familiar, yet so strange looking at the same time! And I kept having that same feeling. When I walked through JFK, all I could think was, "It's so dirty here! And... everyone speaks English... and the signs are all in English... and the CARS are so BIG! and... AGH! Which side of the road are we supposed to be on, Dad! :)" It has taken me a while to get used to cars driving on the right side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right side... wait... it's on the LEFT! Oops! Ok, so I'm still getting used to it!
Throughout all, God has been SO good to me! He has blessed me, taught me, stretched me, helped me, comforted me, and loved me! His Word, the Bible, has been my closest friend, and prayer has been my life-line! I'm so excited to be back home, and I'm seeking to apply all the things I learned in Japan to situations here! I'm seeking to further strengthen the relationships I have in my family and church family, and I'm seeking to be a better steward of every moment that God has given me!
For my last Sunday in Japan, the church had a lunch and gave me a special desk calendar with pictures and notes! It was such a sweet surprise! It was a sad time of parting, not knowing when or if I will ever see them all again!
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| My precious siblings! |
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| Playing a "Stand Your Ground" game |
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| Still playing... |
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