About two hours after this photo was taken we were on the runway taking off the coast of California. As the plane lifted off the soil of America a wave of emotions came over me and I quietly cried. My daughter was watching me, as she always does when we are taking off because it drives her nuts how quiet and still I become. This time instead of saying "Mommy, open your eyes." She said "Daddy, mommy is crying." I told them it was nothing. I wanted to grieve my loss of what was familiar for a brief moment by myself. Then I wanted to breath and look forward to what God has in store for our lives and the lives of the Japanese people.
The plane flight was extremely peaceful. I know God did that! I got to sleep more than before, even with a bunch of rowdy Latter Day Saints having a great time in the row ahead of me. It made me happy that they were so happy.
So this time we found a legit sign that we can take a photo in front of! When we came to customs and immigration I felt truly like a foreigner when we were taken in to a small, brightly lit room in which a very nice Japanese man questioned us on why we were going to be in Japan so long and if we had the funds in which to survive upon. Then he left and came back a few times and within those nerve racking minutes I did think "Please let us in!"
Even during our jet lag we celebrated Emmy's birthday the next day two days by taking a trip to Machida and letting her play in the arcade and stopping by the Disney Store. We have gotten over the jet lag at this point and are staying at the mission housing above the church. We're becoming familiar with our neighborhood and getting acquainted with the ministry team here as well.
During this time Will and I are applying for jobs in order to obtain a working visa. I've had one interview and another scheduled for later this week. Our prayer is that God will provide one of us with a job in order for the other to go to language school. Eventually we would switch places. We are experiencing the definite realization that this is all in God's timing and we are trying to keep busy with his work and teaching an afternoon English class for children. Though it is hot and humid, we are extremely blessed to be able to live abroad, to have able bodies in which to get around, and sound minds in which to learn a difficult language. God bless everyone and thank you for your prayers!
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| One version of a train station map |
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| Emmy enjoying the height of the water fountain! |
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| We found a Buddhist temple while on a morning walk. I prayed over it that it would release its grip of the Japanese people. |
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| Playing Uno with some of our English class |
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| Will leading the activity during English class |
