It raining! Feels a bit like home (Portland home, not SoCal home) in the rain... Actually I'm enjoying the cooler rainy weather because the last couple weeks have been pretty warm and sticky. Although I'm told that this has been a mild summer.

Tomorrow school starts. Preparing for the school year has been quite odd. I made copies for my 6th grade class today and realized that rather than making the 140 copies I used to make while teaching in the states, I now only have to make about 3 and that includes 1 for me. My high school class is a bit larger with 5 students. It's also different because I have a lot more freedom to teach my classes how I feel comfortable teaching, rather than following district guidelines. I found myself getting pretty excited as I began to plan out the year realizing that I can be creative in teaching, and I can incorporate character development and biblical truths in my classes. I had never though I wanted to teach in a Christian school (I'm still not thinking that's what I want to do long term), but there are definite benefits of being in this environment.

Aside from school, I'm enjoying this country. I find myself exceedingly frustrated when I can't communicate with people because I don't speak Japanese, but I'm trying to learn. It feels like I have such a long road ahead, probably because I do. It's not like my only problem is learning knew words and phrases in Japanese, I must first learn the Japanese syllables, and then I must learn how Japanese grammar works. I appreciate being with English speakers to help keep me from becoming lonely, but I also know that if I were with only Japanese speakers, I'd learn the language much more quickly. At the rate I'm going, I have a fear that I will return to the states having acquired very little Japanese. The other thing is that living in a place where you don't know the language is different from visiting one where you don't know the language. When you only visit, you can get by with charades and a few handy phrases, but when you live some where and want to really build relationships with people, and have meaningful conversations with them, charades don't suffice. So frustrating!

Despite my frustrations, it's not hard to see how God has blessed me here. I doubt that I will get very lonely. At this point I find it more difficult to find time to spend alone than I do to find time to spend with other people. The other teachers are very friendly and willing to hang out. A few days ago I went to the Zoo with one of the other teachers, a few Japanese girls and a Korean girl. It was fun hanging out and seeing some animals that I've never seen before like water buffalo, flamingos, and ostriches. I've also hung out with the other interns just walking around, or going to the grocery store and learning a little about each other. It's pretty cool because I can see how God has placed each of them here, each with very different gifts and personalities.

beginning

I have now been in Japan for about a week. My visa finally came through about two weeks before I was supposed to leave and I'm finally in Japan. The experience still feels a bit surreal as if I'm not really in Japan at all, or I'm not going to be living here for a year. However, I'm enjoying this place and trying to figure out what it looks like to live here. It actually doesn't feel too different from the States aside from not being able to communicate with anyone in the community. I had never thought I could speak much Spanish if I had to use what I learned in school with actual Spanish speakers, but I can't tell you how many times I wish I new even that much Japanese. Today I learned to count in Japanese. I've also been working on one of three Japanese alphabets. I still need work on that and I need to spend some serious time learning various words in Japaneses.

During this past week I've met most of the American teachers that I will be teaching with at Grace. The other newer teachers have been hanging out a lot. They are a lot of fun and have been great sports when it comes to venturing into the area, even those that have lived here a year and know a lot about it. They are very willing to share with us newbies and give us pointers. Most of my time though has been spent with the two other new teachers. Teacher orientation doesn't start until this coming Tues so being new to the area we really don't have anything scheduled and have a lot of free time. This has resulted in walks around the neighborhood and wandering through stores trying to figure out what they sell and what the packaged items actually are, walks to the nearby river, and today my first train ride and a hike in the mountains. It's been fun exploring.

Once I know more about what the actual school year will look like I will write more. At this point I've just been trying to settle in and get to know the other staff and the area we live in. They are all great people and have quickly welcomed in us newbies. I already feel like I have friends here that I can just hangout with and chat with which is a huge blessing.

My planned departure date for Japan is in less than three weeks! I can't believe how quickly time has passed. Unfortunately my visa has not gone through yet so I'm still waiting on buying my plane ticket. Please pray that my visa comes very soon. I'm not really worried about it because I trust that if the Lord want me in Japan he will provide the visa, but it would be nice to have things a little more concrete.

I said my California good-byes about a month and a half ago. I find myself thinking of my friends there quite often, wishing they were closer to just hang out with. I certainly haven't lacked things to keep my busy while I'm in Oregon though. In addition to trying to see a few old friends while I'm here and spend a bit of time with my family, I have also spent time with some old neighbor kids that are my adopted niece and nephews. My parents had them visit from Colorado for a little over two weeks which was a lot of fun playing with them, but a ton of work. My dear Auntie Onnie has also occupied my families attention as she went through surgery and had a lot of complications landing her in ICU, a general post op hospital floor, and now a rehab center. It was hard seeing her so very sick for so long because she's such a spunky person but she's doing much better and has a great attitude in the midst of it all. It's been a blessing being able to be here to support her an my family in all that has gone on.

A couple weeks ago I went to counsel at Royal Family Kids Camp, a camp for foster kids, and as always it was a highlight of my time in Oregon. I've had the same camper for five years now and each year she lets me in just a little more. It's so hard to see so many kids that have so much brokenness, but amazing to see God's faithfulness amongst it. I found myself leaving with a feeling of hope in a seemingly hopeless situation.

The lastest has been a visit from my Auntie Daria from OH, finishing an online class, and spending a few days at my favorite beach. Auntie Dar always adds a spark to our family, and the beach always refreshes me. It's been a long time since I've just sat and read for pleasure, and spent hours just walking on the beach contemplating all that's gone on and talking to God. I needed it. One book that I'm currently reading was written by a guy in 1991 who went to teach in Japan. It's really fascinating, but also a bit overwhelming. I almost feel like I'd rather go to Japan blind, and without much knowledge of the cultural differences. I know that when I'm faced with the challenges of a new culture I will learn how to deal with them and be just fine, but anticipating them is a bit stressful. I'm trying to just read the book for it's enjoyment and let whatever sinks in about Japan, sink in. I've traveled all over Western Europe, a bit in Russia, and a bit in Israel, but I'm begining to realize that while the knowledge I have about being flexible and adjusting will do me well, this is a culture that is quite different from any that I've experienced. There are so many social norms that are totally different form what I'm used to.

I can say that I'm excited for the adventure. For a while I've been feeling the need to do something totally outside my comfort zone and I do believe this will satisfy that need.

I'm sitting in one of my favorite study/relax places right now have a cup of coffee. The last three weeks have been crazy trying to get everything done. I'm thankful for the work that God's been provided (sub jobs aren't so easy to come by anymore), but between working everyday, moving out of my house of two years, taking a condensed summer class, and trying to fit in as much time as possible with my friends here before I go, I'm exhausted. God has been so very good to me though. I decided that people would be on the top of the priorities and so sleep has taken a major hit....averaging around 4-5 hours :(. I'm not sick, and I'm getting A's on papers that I found myself with my eyes close mid sentence as I was writing them, or I realized that I'd left part out after I wrote it and just threw in a couple sentences on that part here and there. I'm telling you they were not A quality...I'm a teacher, I know...but I've got the grace of God resting on me right now. I even got pulled over for text messaging this week (I was in a neighborhood...not on the main road...I wasn't been that rebellious), but the officer let me off even though when he asked me if I had justification I just shrugged and mutter..um, yeah, nope... God is so good to me.

In the midst of the craziness, I'm saying goodbyes and realizing how blessed I am to have such wonderful supportive people in my life. I will miss my friends here so much, but am grateful that they are sending me off with excitement for my new adventure, and will welcome me back when I return. The last two weeks I've had the blessing of living with my dear friend Meg, and it has been so good to spend some time with her before I leave.

On Saturday I head back to the great Northwest to spend some time with my family before I go. It's hard saying goodbye to this place that has become home for the last five years, but I'm so confident that God's taking me to Japan. I will have about a month and a half to prepare to leave for the next year. Right now I'm still waiting on my visa to come through, but I'm starting to get excited for the adventure. A couple weeks ago I found out that I will be teaching Language Arts for the sixth grade and high school students at Grace, and I'm really excited for that. I also discovered that I have about three contacts not too far from where I'll be. A high school friend is teaching not far from Tokyo, a college friend is moving back to Tokyo, and Shota, my Japanese exchange brother is in the area. God's already provided people for me.

Keep me in your prayers as I say my goodbyes and prepare for a year in a place I've never been. It'd also be great if my visa would go through so I could get my plane ticket.

The Journey Begins

About 4 months ago I was given an opportunity to venture off this August and teach in Japan for a year. In all respects the opportunity came from God as I had been itching to do something out of the ordinary and was trying to figure out what I should be doing with my newly received teaching credential. After about a month of praying about the opportunity and asking for advice I told the school that I'd like to come join them for this coming year. Since committing to go everything has been falling into place and at this point I am just waiting to get a visa. As the adventure draws nearer I decided I ought to jump on the blogging bandwagon and create one of this lovely little things. I might even throw in a few blogs pre Japan that are entirely unrelated to it.