I think it is the 28th? I realized that I don't really know the date at all. I do, however, know it is Wednesday and I have about 18 minutes before I have to be downstairs for devotions.
I saw the red dots of itchiness in my last posting. My legs still look like that, but my arms have faded away now to nothing. They do, however, itch again today, but I forgot to take my Benadryl last night, so I will remember to do that tonight. It is a "normal" itch today, however and not the painful kind where I wanted to rip all of my skin off.
Due to my fear of these hairy caterpillars my explorations have been extremely limited. As a matter of fact, I can't tell you when I have spent this much time in my apartments here in Okinawa. I'm afraid to go out and get a reaction again. I know that I should not live in fear, but it was quite miserable. Tomorrow morning, however, I MUST get out and work out again. I hope to get out this evening as well - it is too hot in the middle of the day for a work out.
School is going well. There are a couple of other people that were attacked by the hairy caterpillars like I was, so they are dealing with the whiplash from that. I can empathise. We also have some sort of illness that some of the kids and a couple of teachers are fighting. Seems odd to deal with that when it is so obviously summer here, but they are pressing on.
Academically we are progressing in my classrooms. My 4th graders are learning how to round numbers. I didn't remember that this was a hard concept to grasp, but apparently it is. Both 4th and 5th are reviewing long division and then rounding to the nearest ______. I've also started one 4th grader and most 5th graders on some upper level order of operation problems. I try to give them some variety to make the days go by faster. All of the kids are also still working on increasing their fact recall with multiplication.
I did have one 4th grader yesterday who just would NOT work. I had to make her stay in at recess because she just didn't want to do what she was being asked to do. I found it amazing that what she couldn't accomplish in 50 minutes of class, suddenly was done in 6 minutes of recess. Amazing how that happens, right?
The "newness" of everything is gone for the kids. They are showing their true colors and we are learning every day. I'm grateful for the kids I get to work with. They are a great group of young people and I have grown to love them.
On the first day, they asked what my hobbies were. I mentioned that I liked to bake or cook. Of course, they then wanted me to make something for them. I am very restricted here because sugar is off limits for elementary students. Last night, I made some homemade bread for the kids and I will reward them at the end of the week(s) with a piece of that. It is better than nothing, and I'm unsure what else to offer. Hopefully that will keep them happy.
Beyond that, due to my more quiet personal activities I don't have a whole lot of stories or anecdotes to share. I have to share devotions on Friday with the staff so I've been spending some time getting that ready. Hopefully, my next post will be more "newsy". I appreciate your continued prayers.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Saturday, June 25th
What a day! I awoke to my lovely rash spreading. Is it bugs? It is heat rash? It is an allergic reaction - I DO NOT KNOW! I can only tell you that now, at the end of the day, it is still worse and I have not been home for it to be something in my house. I think I am going to take it easy. I guess one of our students has a dad who is a dermatologist down the hill. If I am not better on Monday, it has been determined that I will be going to see him - even without Japanese health insurance. I'm praying that I am better.
I rushed home for music practice only to learn that practice was canceled. I was fine with that, however, as I felt pretty horrible with all the itchy - rashes whatever. While I was outside cleaning up my snorkeling equipment a gal I had never met before pulled into the parking lot. I was able to meet Irina. Irina is of Ukrainian/Russian heritage. We were able to share first our memories of Ukraine and experiences there. She shared with me her faith history and we wound up sharing over 3 hours together. Our hearts connected in a way I never expected. Maybe God allowed the itchies just so I could meet and pray for her and her family. We did pray together before she went back upstairs to her family and apartment. A great conclusion to a special evening.
Now, I have my sheets and bed pad in the drier (that is a treat over here as "true missionaries don't use the driers") to try to kill anything that may be living there. I have a brand new futon that I could be sleeping on from my friend Aidy's house and a clean pillow that I can try. I pushed everything out of my kitchen and may set up my bed in there tonight. I'm also staying 100% out of the sun tomorrow to try to continue to heal. I will see what happense with all of that. (I have completely disassembled the bed. I do not see ANY signs of potential bugs in there. It is a CLEAN mattress, the walls are clean, the box spring is clear . . . I see no signs, so I don't think it is bed bugs. However, I will be taking it easy - just in case.)
Friday, June 24, 2016
Friday, June 24th
Well, week one has come to an end. It is official that I have been on island for one complete week.
1. School went OK today. I wanted the kids to get the feeling of rejoicing over it being the last day so foolishly I thought they could handle learning math via stations of various games. In a classroom full of active, talkative, unfocused yet highly enthusiastic 5th grade boys, that was a bad call on my part. Over the weekend I need to develop a new plan and flesh it out. This is going to involve a lot more curriculum development on my part. There is a "Math in a Box" summer school curriculum I could resort to, but I very much dislike it and would prefer to actually adress the needs that I know the class has. The problem is, HOW! In my high school rooms, I could split them into groups and hopefully attend to one group at a time, but in this crew? (OK, I take that back. I have one class in high school that I know I couldn't leave in groups either - it would end with a very crabby me.) I haven't had time to train them on my expectations and requirements. It is nice to have enthusiasm from the kids, however, so I will try to work with it.
2. My "Bradly" had his first episode today. He chose to have it as he was coming into chapel first thing. I very badly did NOT want to give him attention for his behavior - nor did I want to deal with it during chapel. I had every intention of getting to him as soon as chapel had come to an end, when I could speak with him alone. He was not causing a disturbance and he was on the end sitting right next to me anyway, however, the elementary principal (who had also warned me about this young man) opted to deal with his situation for me. I still talked with the young man before class started and we had a great day. I will remain alert to potential issues, however.
3. I have had a migraine for the past two days, so sleep has been in short supply - again. I took a larger dose of medication after school today and I feel great right now, as far as my head goes. Hopefully that remains true throughout the night.
4. My head may feel great, but somehow I am covered from HEAD to TOE with little gnat/flea/itchy red bug bites of some sort. There is a lot of discrepency over at school over what they are. A large group of people thinks that it is from the hairs off of what they call "hairy caterpillars". I guess they are very "poisonous" and cause some pretty bad allergic reactions for people who encounter them. I complained and said that I haven't been around that many hairs! They told me they are minute and airborne - especailly in the wooded areas where I have been walking every morning. Option 2 (which I tend to agree with) is that they are "no-see-um bites". One of our kindergarten aides (who everyone says is the expert) sent me down to the store to buy a spray that I was supposed to put on all the furniture in my home - then vaccuum. Well, the vaccuum in this apartment doesn't work so well - welcome to OCSI. I have, however, spent the majority of my day cleaning the apartment quite completetly, washing all my bedding, and clothing. I am going to take a benadryl and pray that the itching and irritation goes away tomorrow, or at least improves. Otherwise, I don't know what I will do. I will also alter my course of travel while working out for a few days; I will give up my training on the "steps" at the castle for a few days.
5. Tomorrow is a work day at the Baptist Camp up in a Northern part of the island. I will be driving a friend up there so we can help out for the day. It is a long drive (around 1.5 - 2 hours) but it is one of the prettiest drives on island. Hopefully we can be of some use to the camp in our service.
Thank you all for praying.
1. School went OK today. I wanted the kids to get the feeling of rejoicing over it being the last day so foolishly I thought they could handle learning math via stations of various games. In a classroom full of active, talkative, unfocused yet highly enthusiastic 5th grade boys, that was a bad call on my part. Over the weekend I need to develop a new plan and flesh it out. This is going to involve a lot more curriculum development on my part. There is a "Math in a Box" summer school curriculum I could resort to, but I very much dislike it and would prefer to actually adress the needs that I know the class has. The problem is, HOW! In my high school rooms, I could split them into groups and hopefully attend to one group at a time, but in this crew? (OK, I take that back. I have one class in high school that I know I couldn't leave in groups either - it would end with a very crabby me.) I haven't had time to train them on my expectations and requirements. It is nice to have enthusiasm from the kids, however, so I will try to work with it.
2. My "Bradly" had his first episode today. He chose to have it as he was coming into chapel first thing. I very badly did NOT want to give him attention for his behavior - nor did I want to deal with it during chapel. I had every intention of getting to him as soon as chapel had come to an end, when I could speak with him alone. He was not causing a disturbance and he was on the end sitting right next to me anyway, however, the elementary principal (who had also warned me about this young man) opted to deal with his situation for me. I still talked with the young man before class started and we had a great day. I will remain alert to potential issues, however.
3. I have had a migraine for the past two days, so sleep has been in short supply - again. I took a larger dose of medication after school today and I feel great right now, as far as my head goes. Hopefully that remains true throughout the night.
4. My head may feel great, but somehow I am covered from HEAD to TOE with little gnat/flea/itchy red bug bites of some sort. There is a lot of discrepency over at school over what they are. A large group of people thinks that it is from the hairs off of what they call "hairy caterpillars". I guess they are very "poisonous" and cause some pretty bad allergic reactions for people who encounter them. I complained and said that I haven't been around that many hairs! They told me they are minute and airborne - especailly in the wooded areas where I have been walking every morning. Option 2 (which I tend to agree with) is that they are "no-see-um bites". One of our kindergarten aides (who everyone says is the expert) sent me down to the store to buy a spray that I was supposed to put on all the furniture in my home - then vaccuum. Well, the vaccuum in this apartment doesn't work so well - welcome to OCSI. I have, however, spent the majority of my day cleaning the apartment quite completetly, washing all my bedding, and clothing. I am going to take a benadryl and pray that the itching and irritation goes away tomorrow, or at least improves. Otherwise, I don't know what I will do. I will also alter my course of travel while working out for a few days; I will give up my training on the "steps" at the castle for a few days.5. Tomorrow is a work day at the Baptist Camp up in a Northern part of the island. I will be driving a friend up there so we can help out for the day. It is a long drive (around 1.5 - 2 hours) but it is one of the prettiest drives on island. Hopefully we can be of some use to the camp in our service.
Thank you all for praying.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Thursday, June 23rd
The past two days at school the kids have been a bit more antsy and a bit harder to keep on track; I think they are getting comfortable with the situation. Perhaps too comfortable. :) I felt kind of badly coming down hard on some of them both days, but they really haven't seemed too bothered by any of it. I guess that's good.
My classes continue to go by very quickly. I feel like my time with the kids barely starts and then it is time to send them either down to recess or to lunch. I do know that I have three kids that I am worried about math skills for them. The rest are fine, or well above fine. They are in Summer School for the English and continued practice, not the math.
Yesterday, during chapel the kids were learning about Jesus' teaching and his being taken up to heaven in a cloud. However, before covering that story, our speaker talked about how Jesus commissioned his disciples to serve in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. We talked very literally about that that meant with the teacher showing a map of the area for the kids. When I brought the kids back to my room, however we had a good talk about what that call could mean for each of us too. I drew it on the board and then transitioned that into a lesson on Venn Diagrams for the kids. It made me think of my pastor in MN sermons before I left. :) Isn't it neat how God ties everything together?
Yesterday, Wednesday, after school I ran some errands around town and ended up at the vegetable market above the school. My plan was to buy the ingredients needed to cook my first meal over here (outside of breakfast that is.) I loaded up my basket and did the math - it would come to around 1,500 yen (about $15) then I turned the corner and they were marking pre-made bentos on sale for about 100 or 200 yen (1 - 2 dollars). Um, I made a quick decision that I would NOT be cooking. All my meals will be eaten in bento format for the next three weeks. It is far cheaper that way, but when I get home I may be craving a good salad of some sort. :)
I came home by around 6 PM yesterday and proceeded to fall asleep on a chair. I was basically asleep from 7 PM - morning. I was up for about and hour or two in the middle of the night, but that was my first good sleep in a while. Hopefully tonight can be a repeat? Thank you for praying.
Today, after school, I have a friend who is house-sitting/cat sitting at a place up North just a little ways. The house is right on the ocean and they own two paddle boards. We went up mid afternoon and spent the day up there. It was a fun way to relax this afternoon.
My only big prayer requests at the moment are for my 3 children who are struggling with math and that Jesus remain real to the kids. Today marks the anniversary of the end of WW2 - or the surrender of Japanese troups here on Okinawa. Apparently in the Okinawan religion/superstitions this is a day that nobody should be in the ocean. They believe you can/will die if you are in the water. We were supposed to have a field trip today, but due to some legalities with paperwork it had to be postponed a day. The kids who spoke to me were sure it was because of the water death situations. I told them that if we believe in Jesus, we don't have to be afraid of that situation. Every year this comes up during summer school and every year it leads to long discussions with the kids. I never remember what day it is, but they always bring it up in class. They obviously hear about it a lot at home and it remains in their thought processes at school. So far, I really get the feeling that my students love Jesus. They are very well educated in the Christian faith at school; I only hope it remains real for them. That they understand they don't need to fear all of the spirits and things that the people of Okinawa often do.
My classes continue to go by very quickly. I feel like my time with the kids barely starts and then it is time to send them either down to recess or to lunch. I do know that I have three kids that I am worried about math skills for them. The rest are fine, or well above fine. They are in Summer School for the English and continued practice, not the math.
Yesterday, during chapel the kids were learning about Jesus' teaching and his being taken up to heaven in a cloud. However, before covering that story, our speaker talked about how Jesus commissioned his disciples to serve in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. We talked very literally about that that meant with the teacher showing a map of the area for the kids. When I brought the kids back to my room, however we had a good talk about what that call could mean for each of us too. I drew it on the board and then transitioned that into a lesson on Venn Diagrams for the kids. It made me think of my pastor in MN sermons before I left. :) Isn't it neat how God ties everything together?
Yesterday, Wednesday, after school I ran some errands around town and ended up at the vegetable market above the school. My plan was to buy the ingredients needed to cook my first meal over here (outside of breakfast that is.) I loaded up my basket and did the math - it would come to around 1,500 yen (about $15) then I turned the corner and they were marking pre-made bentos on sale for about 100 or 200 yen (1 - 2 dollars). Um, I made a quick decision that I would NOT be cooking. All my meals will be eaten in bento format for the next three weeks. It is far cheaper that way, but when I get home I may be craving a good salad of some sort. :)
I came home by around 6 PM yesterday and proceeded to fall asleep on a chair. I was basically asleep from 7 PM - morning. I was up for about and hour or two in the middle of the night, but that was my first good sleep in a while. Hopefully tonight can be a repeat? Thank you for praying.
Today, after school, I have a friend who is house-sitting/cat sitting at a place up North just a little ways. The house is right on the ocean and they own two paddle boards. We went up mid afternoon and spent the day up there. It was a fun way to relax this afternoon.
My only big prayer requests at the moment are for my 3 children who are struggling with math and that Jesus remain real to the kids. Today marks the anniversary of the end of WW2 - or the surrender of Japanese troups here on Okinawa. Apparently in the Okinawan religion/superstitions this is a day that nobody should be in the ocean. They believe you can/will die if you are in the water. We were supposed to have a field trip today, but due to some legalities with paperwork it had to be postponed a day. The kids who spoke to me were sure it was because of the water death situations. I told them that if we believe in Jesus, we don't have to be afraid of that situation. Every year this comes up during summer school and every year it leads to long discussions with the kids. I never remember what day it is, but they always bring it up in class. They obviously hear about it a lot at home and it remains in their thought processes at school. So far, I really get the feeling that my students love Jesus. They are very well educated in the Christian faith at school; I only hope it remains real for them. That they understand they don't need to fear all of the spirits and things that the people of Okinawa often do.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Tuesday Evening, June 21st
This is why my posts get so long, I'm sorry. I should be posting every day -
Sunday: I was able to attend church at the "new" Central Baptist Church. The church I attended while here on island recently moved from a city quite a ways away from the school to just down the road. It actually bought out a former store that I used to shop at and converted the building into the new church. I was sceptical and worried about what I may find, but wow! It is a beautiful new building. I am happy for them for that, but even happier because this church has been having some issues finding a long-term pastor. Actually from the time I lived here (in the early 2000s) until now the poor congregation has really hopped from one preacher to another as they saught the right fit for their congregation. Sunday, marked the installment of their new missionary pastor and his wife. It was a precious ceremony and I truly pray that this new pastor will be a good fit for everyone. It was an exciting day!
An entertainment story for you - this happened on Sunday. Well, when I lived here before we had been given careful instructions on how to care for our apartments. We had rules on how to clean the air conditioners, how to wash the typhoon bars, and how to wax the floor every year, or at least every other year. I have waxed many a floor in this apartment building. Well, I wanted to try to leave the apartment I am staying in a little better than it was when I got here, and one way I thought I could do that to help would be to strip and wax the floor for them. I was hoping to just tackle the kitchen.
Well, after lunch, I went to Makeman (makumanu) to buy some floor wax and the stripper and whatever equipment I needed. I was recalling the feeling of accomplishment I got after waxing and enjoying that, so I was looking forward to the project. I found the floor wax. I actually had to ask a customer:
"Sumimasen, kore wa waxu?" - that was my version, of "Excuse me, is this wax?"
"Hai, so desu" - "Yes, it is"
I was excited and I remembered that my roommate Jenn and I had used some special spray bottle to remove the wax. It had worked well, so I went up and down the isles trying to find it. Believe it or not, in 20 years, I seem to have forgotten what that bottle looked like, or else they switched lables/artwork/colors. So, after much searching and attempting to reach my Japanese, I found a gal who worked at the store:
"Sumimasen, waxu desu?" - This is wax - I held up the bottle and showed the woman.
"Hai,so desu" - yes, it is.
"Strippah, ga arimasu?" - my attempt at "Do you have any stripper?"
At this point, I got a very odd look from the store clerk. I realized, strippah wasn't translating the way I thought. As a matter of fact, "stripper/strippah" may actually refer to a woman who likes to remove her clothing. Quickly, I realized I needed to switch gears!
"waxu - bye bye" -- "wax, bye-bye"
"Mmmmm, lemovah" - "oh remover!"
"HAI! So desu" - yes, that's right!
She then brought me over to the "remover" and I felt complete. Kind of stupid and amused at the events, but complete. 8 hours later, however, I wasn't so sure that was a good idea. How could I have thought I enjoyed waxing? OK, the waxing part is fine, but the stripping? CRAZY!
Monday: First day of school.
I got to meet my kids and we spent most of the morning getting to know each other and I was assessing where they were at so I knew what to try to work on with them. It was a great day with very little to report as far as being great or negative. That's a good sign for a first day! After school, I met up with a couple of the missionaries who live in the apartments now. One of them went to the beach with me and we swam some laps. Then we came back home and picked up the other gal for a dinner down at my favorite little "ramen" shop. A very good day.
Tuesday: Second day of school. I am very much appreciating your prayers, especially for "Bradly". Everything has gone more than smoothly with him. I have had NO ISSUES at all, and I am praising God for that. However, there is one little boy in his class that did get some rather firm correction out of me today. He was enjoying his summer school experience, and the friendly competition that I was bringing to the math experience, a little more than was needed. However, trying to reign in enthusiasm, that's a problem I don't often have to contend with in the secondary realm, so that was a fine thing.
My second group of kids are my 5th graders. They are a widely varied group of kids as far as ability is concerned. I have a high school helper with me in both classes, and I'm grateful. They all seem to need help at the same time, so I very much appreciate her being there to assist. It is nice! I have some little boys in that class that I vividly recall from the last time I was teaching here. One of them was our permanant talker during chapel, recess, or every field trip we took. He always had something to say and some story to tell us. THe moment he walked in the room on Monday, I knew that I recalled him. I even greeted him by name. Of course he had no memory of me, but I smiled thinking "I could never forget you,however." :) He is a bright young boy however, so I have enjoyed having him in class. He is still rather talkative and enthusiastic, but he seems to enjoy math and works hard at it. It is fun getting to know their personalities.
This evening, some of the office staff that I worked with when I lived here took me out for a very special and very fancy Okinawan meal. I was thrilled just to be out with them, but the meal was very special too. It was a fun day!
As far as my current prayer requests go, I am starting to get a little concerned about my sleep. I have been waking up about 3 AM every morning, which is rather normal with jet lag. This morning, I actually thought I could sleep in after waking up. I got up to use the restroom and then thought I'd get a drink of water. I walked to the sink and as I grabbed a cup - zip...a big cockroach ran right under my hand. My heart started pounding immediately and the battle to catch the bugger was one. I did NOT go back to sleep, but that cockroach will not be bothering me, or anyone else, any more. (Funny aside, one of the office staff decided today was a good day to bring in a bag of plastic roaches and just leave them in odd places: desks, offices, bags . . . for her coworkers to find today. I guess a work order was put out to buy some roach traps and the maintenance men were placed on the job. HA! Masako-san brought levity to the day, at least in my opinion she did!) Anyway, I've been averaging about 5 - 6 hours of sleep each night. I actually feel pretty good in spite of that, but I don't want to wear down and get sick. I love getting up in the morning to work out, but I do need a little more sleep too.
Well, after lunch, I went to Makeman (makumanu) to buy some floor wax and the stripper and whatever equipment I needed. I was recalling the feeling of accomplishment I got after waxing and enjoying that, so I was looking forward to the project. I found the floor wax. I actually had to ask a customer:
"Sumimasen, kore wa waxu?" - that was my version, of "Excuse me, is this wax?"
"Hai, so desu" - "Yes, it is"
I was excited and I remembered that my roommate Jenn and I had used some special spray bottle to remove the wax. It had worked well, so I went up and down the isles trying to find it. Believe it or not, in 20 years, I seem to have forgotten what that bottle looked like, or else they switched lables/artwork/colors. So, after much searching and attempting to reach my Japanese, I found a gal who worked at the store:
"Sumimasen, waxu desu?" - This is wax - I held up the bottle and showed the woman.
"Hai,so desu" - yes, it is.
"Strippah, ga arimasu?" - my attempt at "Do you have any stripper?"
At this point, I got a very odd look from the store clerk. I realized, strippah wasn't translating the way I thought. As a matter of fact, "stripper/strippah" may actually refer to a woman who likes to remove her clothing. Quickly, I realized I needed to switch gears!
"waxu - bye bye" -- "wax, bye-bye"
"Mmmmm, lemovah" - "oh remover!"
"HAI! So desu" - yes, that's right!
She then brought me over to the "remover" and I felt complete. Kind of stupid and amused at the events, but complete. 8 hours later, however, I wasn't so sure that was a good idea. How could I have thought I enjoyed waxing? OK, the waxing part is fine, but the stripping? CRAZY!
Monday: First day of school.
Tuesday: Second day of school. I am very much appreciating your prayers, especially for "Bradly". Everything has gone more than smoothly with him. I have had NO ISSUES at all, and I am praising God for that. However, there is one little boy in his class that did get some rather firm correction out of me today. He was enjoying his summer school experience, and the friendly competition that I was bringing to the math experience, a little more than was needed. However, trying to reign in enthusiasm, that's a problem I don't often have to contend with in the secondary realm, so that was a fine thing.
My second group of kids are my 5th graders. They are a widely varied group of kids as far as ability is concerned. I have a high school helper with me in both classes, and I'm grateful. They all seem to need help at the same time, so I very much appreciate her being there to assist. It is nice! I have some little boys in that class that I vividly recall from the last time I was teaching here. One of them was our permanant talker during chapel, recess, or every field trip we took. He always had something to say and some story to tell us. THe moment he walked in the room on Monday, I knew that I recalled him. I even greeted him by name. Of course he had no memory of me, but I smiled thinking "I could never forget you,however." :) He is a bright young boy however, so I have enjoyed having him in class. He is still rather talkative and enthusiastic, but he seems to enjoy math and works hard at it. It is fun getting to know their personalities.
This evening, some of the office staff that I worked with when I lived here took me out for a very special and very fancy Okinawan meal. I was thrilled just to be out with them, but the meal was very special too. It was a fun day!
As far as my current prayer requests go, I am starting to get a little concerned about my sleep. I have been waking up about 3 AM every morning, which is rather normal with jet lag. This morning, I actually thought I could sleep in after waking up. I got up to use the restroom and then thought I'd get a drink of water. I walked to the sink and as I grabbed a cup - zip...a big cockroach ran right under my hand. My heart started pounding immediately and the battle to catch the bugger was one. I did NOT go back to sleep, but that cockroach will not be bothering me, or anyone else, any more. (Funny aside, one of the office staff decided today was a good day to bring in a bag of plastic roaches and just leave them in odd places: desks, offices, bags . . . for her coworkers to find today. I guess a work order was put out to buy some roach traps and the maintenance men were placed on the job. HA! Masako-san brought levity to the day, at least in my opinion she did!) Anyway, I've been averaging about 5 - 6 hours of sleep each night. I actually feel pretty good in spite of that, but I don't want to wear down and get sick. I love getting up in the morning to work out, but I do need a little more sleep too.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Sunday morning, June 19th
I have a lot of thoughts going through my brain at this time. Early morning walks are a good time to clear them, so I'm going to be taking off here shortly to do that. Before I go, however, I just wanted to give you a little update.
Yesterday morning I took off on my first walk back here in the Okinawan environment. When I left, the temp read as 82 degrees but "real feel" was 102. I learned last night that we hit 90 yesterday with a "real feel"of 120. It makes some of what I'm going to share make sense to me, but it still makes me think. I have two little analogies out of my day.
I have had a relatively sedentary winter. Either due to laziness or business, but I think the latter more than anything. I know I am not in the same kind of shape that I had been in, whatever the case. Be that as it may, I know I have to go on a big mountain hike in August, so I made a vow that every day I was going to go out and try to hike the hills around here, and we have plenty!
Straight out the gate from school I went up the hill towards a castle that sits on one of the highest overlooks. I found myself thinking, "Oh, this really isn't so hard." Yet, when I attempted to hold things I realized that my hands were just one big sweaty mess. Then, I realized that my hair was starting to drip (beautiful picture, I know). My arms and legs "glistened" and my shirt wasn't quite as "fresh" as it had been 10 minutes earlier.
Once reaching the castle grounds there is a section of the trail that is, well, for those from the "North Shore Area", kind of like the Split Rock Lighthouse stairway multiplied. There are some wooden platforms and stairs connection this trail as it progresses up and down through some deep "jungle" area. I was beyond out of breath by the time I reached the old cobblestone stretch back out of the valley and up to the castle. Reaching the castle grounds, I was winded and reflecting on the fact that it barely phased me before.
I then thought about that when compared to our walks with Jesus. If I do not remain disciplined, focused, and make the effort to spend daily time in His Word and with Him, then I spend my day - the beautiful days that He gives us - winded and under-prepared for them. I can still enjoy them, because I truly enjoyed my hike, but I was NOT prepared in the same way I used to be. It took me longer and I wasn't as efficient. I pray that I don't do that with my real days. I want to efficiently deal with and respond to situations/darts thrown my way. I need to remain in His word!
My second musing comes from that stretch of wooden stairs through the woods, that I mentioned above. Before I started yesterday morning, I had reminded myself that I needed to remain alert for spiders along that trail. I recalled that it is less often used than some others and often the webs are build all across the trail. Well, that reminder didn't last while I was plodding along the way. I walked right into not just one, but TWO webs, upsetting the big spiders and causing them to flail around dangerously close to my head. After those two, I was more alert and was able to only graze the other webs I found.
Well, that got me to thinking again. We can know the struggles we are going to face. Sometimes we know what bumps will be in our path, but unless we remained focused and remind ourselves to maintain that focus - we are going to fall right into the traps set out for us. I do NOT want to do that!
I want to know where God is working here. I want to be prepared. I want to be patient and helpful and serve our Lord with gladness. I can already tell you some of the things that are going to try to trip me up along this journey. I want to remain focused on Him and let Him use me even when my own selfish ways want me to just throw my hands up and say, "whatever!"
That leads me to my prayer request. Right now, I am seeing more and more ways the school - the make up of the school and priorities and operations - has changed. It is a very different place from the one I used to serve. I need to remember that change is not bad. I need to remain open, go with the flow, and serve where I am. As I type I have one of those pictures in front of me that reads "Bloom where you're planted." Well, I am planted here, and I want to bloom!
Yesterday I spent the morning working at school and trying to plan my first day of lessons. Until I know the level my students will be at, it is hard to plan beyond that one day.
In the afternoon, I ran some errands to pick up some things I need in my classroom and I tried to find some fun "Japlish" or "Engrish" shirts. Unfortunately, I struck out on that one.
The evening involved a church service at Koza Baptist with some of the missionaries here at school.
Yesterday morning I took off on my first walk back here in the Okinawan environment. When I left, the temp read as 82 degrees but "real feel" was 102. I learned last night that we hit 90 yesterday with a "real feel"of 120. It makes some of what I'm going to share make sense to me, but it still makes me think. I have two little analogies out of my day.
I have had a relatively sedentary winter. Either due to laziness or business, but I think the latter more than anything. I know I am not in the same kind of shape that I had been in, whatever the case. Be that as it may, I know I have to go on a big mountain hike in August, so I made a vow that every day I was going to go out and try to hike the hills around here, and we have plenty!
I then thought about that when compared to our walks with Jesus. If I do not remain disciplined, focused, and make the effort to spend daily time in His Word and with Him, then I spend my day - the beautiful days that He gives us - winded and under-prepared for them. I can still enjoy them, because I truly enjoyed my hike, but I was NOT prepared in the same way I used to be. It took me longer and I wasn't as efficient. I pray that I don't do that with my real days. I want to efficiently deal with and respond to situations/darts thrown my way. I need to remain in His word!
My second musing comes from that stretch of wooden stairs through the woods, that I mentioned above. Before I started yesterday morning, I had reminded myself that I needed to remain alert for spiders along that trail. I recalled that it is less often used than some others and often the webs are build all across the trail. Well, that reminder didn't last while I was plodding along the way. I walked right into not just one, but TWO webs, upsetting the big spiders and causing them to flail around dangerously close to my head. After those two, I was more alert and was able to only graze the other webs I found.
I want to know where God is working here. I want to be prepared. I want to be patient and helpful and serve our Lord with gladness. I can already tell you some of the things that are going to try to trip me up along this journey. I want to remain focused on Him and let Him use me even when my own selfish ways want me to just throw my hands up and say, "whatever!"
Yesterday I spent the morning working at school and trying to plan my first day of lessons. Until I know the level my students will be at, it is hard to plan beyond that one day.
In the afternoon, I ran some errands to pick up some things I need in my classroom and I tried to find some fun "Japlish" or "Engrish" shirts. Unfortunately, I struck out on that one.
The evening involved a church service at Koza Baptist with some of the missionaries here at school.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Friday, June 17th? Is that the right date?
I am quite unsure what the actual date is, but I am 90% sure that it is Friday evening/night here. I am so appreciative of all the prayers of those of you who prayed for me on this journey! I needed them, especially today. To be very honest, my personal irritations wanted to overtake me all day today: call it fatigue, call it stress, call it travel "fun", but all I know is I do not look back at my attitude with much happiness. I need to ask for forgiveness for it.
My trip from Vancouver to Shanghai actually went very smoothly. The plane boarded and took off on time, but I wound up sitting next to a little Asian lady who seems to think that she payed for half of my seat as well as her own. First, she had a plastic black top hat that she placed on the arm rest between us. It was positioned so that the brim of the hat stuck straight into my rib cage. When it would slip, I would get a sharp jab. I did get ornery a few times and I just locked my arm in place so that she couldn't push the hat into my side.
When, she wasn't using the hat, she got out her extra large purse bag thing and placed that on the arm rest to sleep on. Again that pushed into my seat. I guess every time I started to nod off, I got a sharp jab. One time I actually jumped and made noise. It didn't work. She continued. Then, if it wasn't her "stuff" on me it was literally HER. I was more than happy when that flight ended. I did get a few hours of sleep, but they were spread out over the 12 hour flight.
My hotel transfer went smoothly as did getting through customs and security. I had forgotten how pushy and aggressive the crowds at the airport in Shanghai were. I was very glad that I had written communication from my hotel because everyone who wanted to "help" me gave me a different story about what I needed to do, or how I couldn't get a transfer to that hotel. I continued, very bluntly I am sorry to say, to respond that I did NOT need their help and that I could take care of it. Glad I did. My transfer arrived early and I made it safely to my hotel.
This morning, I was able to go for a short walk around the neighborhood, looking for a huge park I had walked through last time I stayed there. Unfortunately, believe it or not, I was not given accurate directions from the hotel staff and I gave up my search after a while. I had one little rickshaw driver who kept smiling at me and following me around, however, to his credit at least he smiled at me. Everyone else just stared at me; I guess I kind of stood out as a foreigner though.
The hotel had suggested that I get to the airport 3 hours before my flight. I reluctantly did so, not looking forward to the wait at the airport again, but I'm glad I did. I spent every single moment of those 3 hours in a some line of some sort. It was actually quite frustrating and my patience was tested beyond measure. First, I was dropped off at the wrong end of the building and all of the entrance doors were locked shut. I had to drag my luggage all the way to the other end of the airport to get in. (And this after attempting to convince the hotel staff that I really did need to go to terminal 1. They believed me eventually and I'm glad they did!)
Once getting through the doors, I followed signs for the "China Eastern Airlines" international counters. I found one and stood in line for 35 minutes. I got up to the front to find a tiny little sign that said if I was flying to Japan I needed to stand in a different line. I switched lines, only my new line stretched through two different sections of the airport and was twice as long as what I had already waited through!
Finally, I got up to the counter, checked in via computer and then waited in line for another huge chunk of time just to drop off my luggage.
That line was followed by the line to go through customs, then security. I think that wraps up the lines.
Then, I finally got to my gate just about the time we were to begin boarding only to learn that there was some sort of air traffic control issue. Flights were delayed indefinitely. I had no way to connect to my ride in Okinawa to tell them. I had no chair to sit on - as they over-pack their airports in Shanghai apparently. I sat on the floor after a while and didn't care at all if it was culturally inappropriate or not. I still can't honestly say I am sorry for that.
When we were finally given the go-ahead to board the plane it was an all out pushing/shoving match just to get there. They have to shuttle us out to the planes via buses. (Oh, the day before we were unloaded in the craziest/wettest/tropical rain downpour I have ever encountered off an airplane.) I finally got to the plane to see that I had a window seat with two Chinese young men already in the other two seats. Of course instead of getting up to let me get in, they just expected me to climb over/around them. About then was when my facial expressions were probably less than ideal. My struggle to be a light for Jesus was a losing battle at that moment.
When I finally got to OCSI (at 6 PM) I was greeted by a nice note tucked under a plant on my front steps. Linda Griffith was inviting me to supper. I realized that I had no money and no food, but I should probably go anyway. I had my first bowl of Okinawa soba and opted to just come home and unpack for the rest of my night.
Now fed with real food for the first time since Winnipeg, I am feeling better and more able to face the days ahead. A little more sleep will help too. :)
The only updates that I have for school are as follows:
1. Praise - I know how I can print items for summer school on Monday
2. Praise - I have a friend who has a master key and can let me in to do the work!
3. Request - I learned I have a very challenging young man who will be my student in 4th grade. I will call him Bradly (obviously not his real name). Bradly, from all I am hearing, has some pretty severe autistic tendencies and behavior issues are abundant with him. Please pray that we can transition smoothly and have as few episodes as possible in class.
My trip from Vancouver to Shanghai actually went very smoothly. The plane boarded and took off on time, but I wound up sitting next to a little Asian lady who seems to think that she payed for half of my seat as well as her own. First, she had a plastic black top hat that she placed on the arm rest between us. It was positioned so that the brim of the hat stuck straight into my rib cage. When it would slip, I would get a sharp jab. I did get ornery a few times and I just locked my arm in place so that she couldn't push the hat into my side.
When, she wasn't using the hat, she got out her extra large purse bag thing and placed that on the arm rest to sleep on. Again that pushed into my seat. I guess every time I started to nod off, I got a sharp jab. One time I actually jumped and made noise. It didn't work. She continued. Then, if it wasn't her "stuff" on me it was literally HER. I was more than happy when that flight ended. I did get a few hours of sleep, but they were spread out over the 12 hour flight.
My hotel transfer went smoothly as did getting through customs and security. I had forgotten how pushy and aggressive the crowds at the airport in Shanghai were. I was very glad that I had written communication from my hotel because everyone who wanted to "help" me gave me a different story about what I needed to do, or how I couldn't get a transfer to that hotel. I continued, very bluntly I am sorry to say, to respond that I did NOT need their help and that I could take care of it. Glad I did. My transfer arrived early and I made it safely to my hotel.
This morning, I was able to go for a short walk around the neighborhood, looking for a huge park I had walked through last time I stayed there. Unfortunately, believe it or not, I was not given accurate directions from the hotel staff and I gave up my search after a while. I had one little rickshaw driver who kept smiling at me and following me around, however, to his credit at least he smiled at me. Everyone else just stared at me; I guess I kind of stood out as a foreigner though.
The hotel had suggested that I get to the airport 3 hours before my flight. I reluctantly did so, not looking forward to the wait at the airport again, but I'm glad I did. I spent every single moment of those 3 hours in a some line of some sort. It was actually quite frustrating and my patience was tested beyond measure. First, I was dropped off at the wrong end of the building and all of the entrance doors were locked shut. I had to drag my luggage all the way to the other end of the airport to get in. (And this after attempting to convince the hotel staff that I really did need to go to terminal 1. They believed me eventually and I'm glad they did!)
Once getting through the doors, I followed signs for the "China Eastern Airlines" international counters. I found one and stood in line for 35 minutes. I got up to the front to find a tiny little sign that said if I was flying to Japan I needed to stand in a different line. I switched lines, only my new line stretched through two different sections of the airport and was twice as long as what I had already waited through!
Finally, I got up to the counter, checked in via computer and then waited in line for another huge chunk of time just to drop off my luggage.
That line was followed by the line to go through customs, then security. I think that wraps up the lines.
Then, I finally got to my gate just about the time we were to begin boarding only to learn that there was some sort of air traffic control issue. Flights were delayed indefinitely. I had no way to connect to my ride in Okinawa to tell them. I had no chair to sit on - as they over-pack their airports in Shanghai apparently. I sat on the floor after a while and didn't care at all if it was culturally inappropriate or not. I still can't honestly say I am sorry for that.
When we were finally given the go-ahead to board the plane it was an all out pushing/shoving match just to get there. They have to shuttle us out to the planes via buses. (Oh, the day before we were unloaded in the craziest/wettest/tropical rain downpour I have ever encountered off an airplane.) I finally got to the plane to see that I had a window seat with two Chinese young men already in the other two seats. Of course instead of getting up to let me get in, they just expected me to climb over/around them. About then was when my facial expressions were probably less than ideal. My struggle to be a light for Jesus was a losing battle at that moment.
When I finally got to OCSI (at 6 PM) I was greeted by a nice note tucked under a plant on my front steps. Linda Griffith was inviting me to supper. I realized that I had no money and no food, but I should probably go anyway. I had my first bowl of Okinawa soba and opted to just come home and unpack for the rest of my night.
Now fed with real food for the first time since Winnipeg, I am feeling better and more able to face the days ahead. A little more sleep will help too. :)
The only updates that I have for school are as follows:
1. Praise - I know how I can print items for summer school on Monday
2. Praise - I have a friend who has a master key and can let me in to do the work!
3. Request - I learned I have a very challenging young man who will be my student in 4th grade. I will call him Bradly (obviously not his real name). Bradly, from all I am hearing, has some pretty severe autistic tendencies and behavior issues are abundant with him. Please pray that we can transition smoothly and have as few episodes as possible in class.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
I did it! I found a way to log in again! - - I forgot the horrid formatting of this site. I have used paragraphs and punctuation better, but this site gets rid of it all. Sorry.
For those of you following my progress in my "trip" this summer, here is my current update for you.
#1 - I have two days of school left this school year (not counting today - Wednesday)- one with students one as a teacher workday.
#2 - Tomorrow after the school day is over, I will be driving to Brainerd to pick up my nephews and then returning to Silver Bay so they can have "camp Amy" before I go.
#3 - Sunday, after church, I believe that Janice Skillman and her mother are coming to stay at my house for the night. I haven't been able to reach Janice in a week to confirm, but that was the most recent plan. Hoping that I can enjoy my visit with them and that my nephews can still enjoy their time as well.
#4 - Monday, June 13th, all of us will leave my house mid morning. I will have to make up a chore chart and have the boys help me get my house in trip ready condition. They don't usually have to "work" at "Camp Amy", but I know they are capable, so I may employ their help in this case. I will take the boys up to Fargo (a 6 hour drive) so they can get to baseball practice that evening, and then I will try to get to Fergus Falls in time to get my car "tuned up" so that Lisa (a friend/missionary on furlough from Okinawa) can use my car while she is in MN.
#5 - Tuesday, June 14th, I will pick up Lisa at the bus depot in Fergus Falls (HA! Olson's Oil gas station) and we will start the drive up to Winnipeg Canada.
#6 - Wednesday, June 15th, I fly out from Winnipeg at 6:50 AM. Lisa will then take ownership of my car for the next 4 weeks and I will catch a shuttle to the airport. That afternoon, I will have a several hour layover in Vancouver, Canada, and then that evening I will fly to Shanghai China.
#7 - Thursday, June 16th, I will hopefully be landing in Shanghai, China at around 4:35 PM - that is 2:35 AM for Central Time Zone people. I have already arranged to meet the hotel shuttle at 6:30 PM, so I'm hoping to clear security and customs in time to reach it with ease. However, I'd like to not have to sit and wait for a long time after my two day journey. Please pray that they don't hassle me over not having a visa to enter China. Also pray that the shuttle is easy to find and that I don't have to wait too long. I have spent time this week trying to get all of this arranged, but it will be a relief to make it (with all my luggage).
#8 - Friday, June 17th, I will catch the last leg of my flight and journey from Shanghai to Okinawa, Japan. I believe my friend, Ruth Jerome, is going to be picking me up from the airport in Okinawa, but by the time I am "home" I think I'll just be happy to be there!
Stay tuned as I will update you on prayer requests and daily happenings. I covet your prayers and will do my best to keep everyone posted.
For those of you following my progress in my "trip" this summer, here is my current update for you.
#1 - I have two days of school left this school year (not counting today - Wednesday)- one with students one as a teacher workday.
#2 - Tomorrow after the school day is over, I will be driving to Brainerd to pick up my nephews and then returning to Silver Bay so they can have "camp Amy" before I go.
#3 - Sunday, after church, I believe that Janice Skillman and her mother are coming to stay at my house for the night. I haven't been able to reach Janice in a week to confirm, but that was the most recent plan. Hoping that I can enjoy my visit with them and that my nephews can still enjoy their time as well.
#4 - Monday, June 13th, all of us will leave my house mid morning. I will have to make up a chore chart and have the boys help me get my house in trip ready condition. They don't usually have to "work" at "Camp Amy", but I know they are capable, so I may employ their help in this case. I will take the boys up to Fargo (a 6 hour drive) so they can get to baseball practice that evening, and then I will try to get to Fergus Falls in time to get my car "tuned up" so that Lisa (a friend/missionary on furlough from Okinawa) can use my car while she is in MN.
#5 - Tuesday, June 14th, I will pick up Lisa at the bus depot in Fergus Falls (HA! Olson's Oil gas station) and we will start the drive up to Winnipeg Canada.
#6 - Wednesday, June 15th, I fly out from Winnipeg at 6:50 AM. Lisa will then take ownership of my car for the next 4 weeks and I will catch a shuttle to the airport. That afternoon, I will have a several hour layover in Vancouver, Canada, and then that evening I will fly to Shanghai China.
#7 - Thursday, June 16th, I will hopefully be landing in Shanghai, China at around 4:35 PM - that is 2:35 AM for Central Time Zone people. I have already arranged to meet the hotel shuttle at 6:30 PM, so I'm hoping to clear security and customs in time to reach it with ease. However, I'd like to not have to sit and wait for a long time after my two day journey. Please pray that they don't hassle me over not having a visa to enter China. Also pray that the shuttle is easy to find and that I don't have to wait too long. I have spent time this week trying to get all of this arranged, but it will be a relief to make it (with all my luggage).
#8 - Friday, June 17th, I will catch the last leg of my flight and journey from Shanghai to Okinawa, Japan. I believe my friend, Ruth Jerome, is going to be picking me up from the airport in Okinawa, but by the time I am "home" I think I'll just be happy to be there!
Stay tuned as I will update you on prayer requests and daily happenings. I covet your prayers and will do my best to keep everyone posted.
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