We are leaving Japan.
The Firm called in late July to say, "Come home. Now." It took 2 months for things to materialize, but the house is near empty of recently acquired goods and the packers come on Monday. We've been giving away stuff left and right. It was still a comfortable place until Saturday when the big couch made it's way out the door - but the rug is so soft where it used to sit. It was still emotionally comfortable until I told the girls' school teachers. Both of them broke down in tears and I didn't think Ueno Sensei (twin's teacher below in pink) was going to stop. I started looking around for a paper bag, no lie. A's teacher has decided that she is just moving to the U.S. She is totally serious. She is continuing her English classes and looking for an American husband (preferable a returned missionary) and plans on visiting us next year. She's really awesome (2nd photo) so if you know anyone...
It's the same thing every time we leave a "home." It's not the culture, food, tourist sites or the stuff to do. There isn't a thing that I really love, except the people. We have the best friends! I know people that would give me a limb. Or their car. Or anything. I love the Japanese people!
We're a walking freak show with our over-sized stroller and five little kids and some times the looks we get are really annoying. But when we are face to face, interacting with people we are treated so well. (EXCEPT by the butcher at U-STORE. That guy is a pig and a half! If I want 5 packages of 500grams of his stupid ground 70%pork/30%beef combo, just sell it to me and keep your snide comments to yourself. He is a real jerk and no, there is no lean ground beef in Japan outside of Costco. He's such a jerk, even Scott hates him. And Scott likes everybody.)
So. The movers come on Monday, the suitcase movers on Friday, and we drive to Nagoya on Saturday. We'll spend the night with the Johnson's, whom we love, and fly out of Nagoya on Sunday to...
MICHIGAN.
We spent weeks looking at properties in San Antonio, just sure that's where we were heading next. That feeling of "I don't like any of these houses" was really a stupor of thought. I love those! We were looking in the wrong place. Then the Firm called. Michigan? Didn't I swear NEVER MICHIGAN? Technically I swore never Detroit. And I'm standing firm there. We are looking away from Detroit and keeping our distance from Flint - although I found this amazing place that looks like only 2 or 3 windows have been shot out. If we built a wall...
The cool thing about this move is that my man is so important to the Firm that they are bringing him home early to save the day. They had a fight with the Japanese over him. The Japanese wanted him to stay for another year... WWII all over again. That's why it took 2 months. The Americans won, but let the Japanese think they won by letting them pick our moving date. Then the Americans said, "Be home October 6th." See, it's just like WWII.
I've been working really hard, but don't have much to show for it. It's time to pack suitcases and everyone is fighting a cold. Poor JJ spiked a fever yesterday and I've been nursing her. I'll get to the suitcases. I gotta take care of my baby.
The bummer thing about moving is that our children are doing so well in their Japanese. A gets a compliment daily from the people who speak to her. She is learning to read Hirigana too! My man says if we were to stay 3 more years she would be fluent for life. What a skill that would be. We are hoping to find an opportunity for her to continue her Japanese study in Michigan. The twins have just hit that mimicking stage - they are ripe for learning. They are all doing so well in their English study too. A is writing sentences and reading little words. She's so funny. She loves puzzles, but gets so impatient with word finds. She says, "I'm not old enough to do those."
The twins are excited to return - they understand there are toys in storage that they own, but do not remember. This is intriguing and every once in a while they say something like, "Will we have a place to ride a bike in America?" Every conversation includes the phrase "in America." They are very excited that Gramma & Papa will be at the airport.
I think my main feeling about this move is relief. I was released on Sunday from the Primary Presidency (although I still have to pull off next Sunday). It doesn't matter in the least what my next calling is because, chances are, I will speak the same language as those I am called to teach. What an enormous challenge it is to teach people who speak another language. I was a lazy missionary, called to teach people who speak English with an Irish accent. What a breeze! New missionaries come here and I feel their pain - but I watch what the Lord does as they put forth their best effort and learn. He blesses their inability and it becomes enough. I have no Japanese ability, but the personality of one who will open her mouth and insert a size 9. It is enough to open our mouths. Thanks to a translator I have been able to teach the children. Thanks to the Lord, A's teacher is attending English class and she will soon have a Book of Mormon.
And here's one for the journal...I wanted to take home something tangible and meaningful from Japan. My idea was pottery. I've been looking and haven't been inspired. Then I found something left behind by previous tenants of this home. It's a board, smooth and varnished, with Japanese kanji characters written in calligraphy. Sachiko read it for me - it's a sign for a florist's business. It inspired me and I asked her about getting one done for us. She has a friend...
So she takes the Book of Mormon to her friend and asks her to write this verse (#26) on a board in Japanese calligraphy for me. The friend is floored. She was so inspired by the verse, she asks for a copy of the Book of Mormon. She asks Sachiko, "This is about Christ? Mormons believe in Christ???" Sachiko asked me if I would be the one to give it to her. I tell you now, the Lord will make a way if we will only ask. I am so thankful for opportunities to share the gospel!
