Normally when someone makes a Wizard of Oz crack, I get very annoyed. It seems as though every person I have met on the planet makes some sort of reference to the Oz when finding out that I am mostly from KS. I say mostly because I am from NM, TX, KS, NE and have lived in 5 places since leaving NE. So after moving around so much and meeting so many people you can imagine that these "jokes" become crazily annoying. If you are one of those friends who made a joke about the Wizard of Oz, I have forgiven you! (Since we are still friends).
However, as I was driving to a home goods store today called Nitori, I realized here I am driving on the other side of the road, with the steering wheel on the other side of the car and the blinker is on the other side of the wheel as well. I am learning to understand signs in Japanese (no I cannot read them, but I am figuring them out). When I am out on the island, I make small attempts to use some Japanese. "WOW!", I thought. This is a far ways away from where I was 14 years ago. That is when the title of the post occurred to me...making fun of myself a little for how annoyed I get at people just being people.
You see, I am a somewhat strong-willed person. Ok, very strong-willed with lots of thoughts and ideas of how things should be done. Fourteen years ago, I was so much more strong-willed with the opinions of an 16 year old kid who had been no where and done nothing. I frequently stated that I would not leave Lawrence, KS and I was certainly not going to be driving outside of Lawrence, KS. Now here I am driving in a foreign country and really loving living here too. I am glad that I have learned in some areas to go along for the ride and enjoy the life that God has given me. To have stuck with my opinions of 14 years ago would have kept me going nowhere and now I get to go every where!
I still struggle with stating my opinions and thoughts. I frequently speak before thinking and blurt out ideas without all the facts. I often have to eat my words or apologize for what I have said. But, I am working on it! I am grateful for the opportunities God has presented in my life and I hope I continue to learn to keep my mouth shut and enjoy the ride.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Friends
If you read this blog, you know friends are important to me. You also know that I like to let others know how blessed I am for the friends I have! New friends have entered our lives. One gals name is A (not sure how she feels about me using her name). A is my one of my amazing next door neighbors.
You see, when we moved here I was praying that we would be able to live in a 4-plex so I could plant a flower garden. I have planted things in the past but have not lived in a place long enough to see anything grow back. I think I have probably killed whatever I planted, but I don't even know cause we move!!! Also, we knew we pregnant and I hoped for a place on ground level so that I could get the kids in and out more quickly and easier than an apartment building. We arrived on Okinawa and the only option was to live in a tower. We were frustrated for several reasons, but I figured God had a plan and even though I was disappointed that my prayers were not answered with what I wanted, I figured there was a reason. Turns out there were lots of reasons!!!!
The reasons being our fabulous neighbors. On either side of us live Christian families! God-centered families who were wanting to help and support and love the way you know --- the way Christians are supposed to be known for. Both families immediately jumped into our lives and we are making what I am sure to be are going to be amazing relationships. One family has two kids (one girl old enough to babysit!!!) and the other family is a couple. Both have offered help and support as we found out about the two creatures growing in me. Both have been just great!
That brings me to A. She has a SIL who just had twins and A called her to find out what kind of support a mom with twins would need. SIL shared that cleaning was a big thing, so you know what?!?! A came and cleaned my bathrooms. Both bathrooms!
The neighbor on the other side is a stay-at-home-mom who has offered to be the "in the middle of the night" support. If we have problems or need to get to the hospital, she has offered to be there for L!
Can you imagine being so blessed as to move into an apartment that you like surrounded by such God-given people. I truly believe God gave us these friends! I hope that in some small way I can bless them and love on them too!
Even though we did not get what I prayed for, we got more than we had thought to pray for. Isn't is so great when God does that in your life! Another terrific part of these new friendships, we are going to be having a weekly Bible study together. I am excited to really build God-based relationships in these new friendships. PTL!
Ok, now for some very serious prayer requests. My friends and family out there who pray, please oh please pray with me!
A friend from many years ago has been on my heart. She is about 21 weeks pregnant. Her baby is predicted to 100% die after he/she is born. To know this know as she carries her bundle of love is heartbreaking. She and her husband treasure each little kick and each little proof of life when the baby moves. Please pray for this family. I want a cure for the baby's kidneys and for the lungs to develop in spite of what the DRs. are predicting. The couple has been amazing and so focused on God!
Other prayer request...One of my mom's closest friends has an 18 year old daughter. On Sunday almost 2 weeks ago she was taken to the emergency room with stomach pain. Turns out this girl is in the beginning stages of kidney failure and the Dr.s can't figure out why. The girl's blood pressure was dangerously high and is now taking blood pressure medicine. The girl had just started college this past August and now probably needs to withdraw from her classes. She has a kidney biopsy on Tuesday.
Please, please pray for these two families. I am not sure how many people read this blog, but if you do, please pray! Prayer works and I know it can change the course of peoples' lives. Thank you.
You see, when we moved here I was praying that we would be able to live in a 4-plex so I could plant a flower garden. I have planted things in the past but have not lived in a place long enough to see anything grow back. I think I have probably killed whatever I planted, but I don't even know cause we move!!! Also, we knew we pregnant and I hoped for a place on ground level so that I could get the kids in and out more quickly and easier than an apartment building. We arrived on Okinawa and the only option was to live in a tower. We were frustrated for several reasons, but I figured God had a plan and even though I was disappointed that my prayers were not answered with what I wanted, I figured there was a reason. Turns out there were lots of reasons!!!!
The reasons being our fabulous neighbors. On either side of us live Christian families! God-centered families who were wanting to help and support and love the way you know --- the way Christians are supposed to be known for. Both families immediately jumped into our lives and we are making what I am sure to be are going to be amazing relationships. One family has two kids (one girl old enough to babysit!!!) and the other family is a couple. Both have offered help and support as we found out about the two creatures growing in me. Both have been just great!
That brings me to A. She has a SIL who just had twins and A called her to find out what kind of support a mom with twins would need. SIL shared that cleaning was a big thing, so you know what?!?! A came and cleaned my bathrooms. Both bathrooms!
The neighbor on the other side is a stay-at-home-mom who has offered to be the "in the middle of the night" support. If we have problems or need to get to the hospital, she has offered to be there for L!
Can you imagine being so blessed as to move into an apartment that you like surrounded by such God-given people. I truly believe God gave us these friends! I hope that in some small way I can bless them and love on them too!
Even though we did not get what I prayed for, we got more than we had thought to pray for. Isn't is so great when God does that in your life! Another terrific part of these new friendships, we are going to be having a weekly Bible study together. I am excited to really build God-based relationships in these new friendships. PTL!
Ok, now for some very serious prayer requests. My friends and family out there who pray, please oh please pray with me!
A friend from many years ago has been on my heart. She is about 21 weeks pregnant. Her baby is predicted to 100% die after he/she is born. To know this know as she carries her bundle of love is heartbreaking. She and her husband treasure each little kick and each little proof of life when the baby moves. Please pray for this family. I want a cure for the baby's kidneys and for the lungs to develop in spite of what the DRs. are predicting. The couple has been amazing and so focused on God!
Other prayer request...One of my mom's closest friends has an 18 year old daughter. On Sunday almost 2 weeks ago she was taken to the emergency room with stomach pain. Turns out this girl is in the beginning stages of kidney failure and the Dr.s can't figure out why. The girl's blood pressure was dangerously high and is now taking blood pressure medicine. The girl had just started college this past August and now probably needs to withdraw from her classes. She has a kidney biopsy on Tuesday.
Please, please pray for these two families. I am not sure how many people read this blog, but if you do, please pray! Prayer works and I know it can change the course of peoples' lives. Thank you.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Tired
This twins thing is killing me. I am so tired! For moms who have been pregnant with twins were you extremely tired during the pregnancy? The whole pregnancy or just until a certain point?
Few updates:
Matthew is out in the field for about 10 more days. We love him and miss him. L keeps asking for him so we talk about how he is at work. To fill in until Dada comes home, we are kissing pics of dada and saying good night to those photos.
The two babies growing in the uterus seem to be doing well. I saw them on a sonogram last week and the Dr. days all looks well. We go in Nov. 4 for the anatomy super duper sonogram so maybe we will get to see what boy or girl parts are in there. This will be fun cause Matthew was gone when we had L's anatomy scan. Will be nice to have him in the room with us rather than on the phone!
L is doing well. She has cut one tooth and 3 more are on their way in bringing us to a total of 12 toofers in the mouth. She is communicating up a storm! She has a very strong will, but is easy most of the time. When the will shows its ugly little head, there is no stopping her. She likes to kiss my belly. We are working with her on "how many babies are in there" and her holding up 2 fingers. She will show you that she is 1 when asked her age by holding up one finger. All of her hair now fits into pig tails which is super cute. She adores her uncle Brandon who we get to see about twice per week. She calls him "BaBa" and will run to him with open arms and the biggest smile when he shows up.
L is working on potty training. Every time mama goes pee-pee L sits on her potty. She lets us know when she has pooped by telling us "Butt." And she pees on her potty every couple of times when she sits without a diaper. I hope we can get potty trained before the bundles arrive!
We love living in Japan. My favorite part!?!?! It is cold in Jersey and not at all here. It is cold in KS and not here. I am enjoying that we still wear flip-flops and shorts. Though yesterday it was cool enough in the evening that I turned off the AC and opened the screen door. We haven't gotten out to see much but have tried a few food places. I love tepenyaki (sp). Where they cook it in front of you. A friend showed me the restaurant and I have gone back 4 times since. When I find food that stays down and tasted good, I stick to it.
Few observations about living in Japan:
**I think it's interesting that the many to most of the advertisements that the Okinawans use have Caucasians as opposed to Japanese or even Asian people in them
**I have been told , after expressing my surprise at the ugliness of the buildings, that it is Typhoon season. That is why everything looks as if it needs to be painted. They nationals won't paint because it could just get torn up by a Typhoon. Come Dec. the buildings will all be worked on again. This makes sense to me.
**Socialized medicine (and other Gov.-run programs) result in astronomical taxes and not any better care. Maybe everyone gets covered, but the quality of care drops significantly.
**Living in Japan is not too different than living in Hawaii as far as culture and interactions with the locals.
Few updates:
Matthew is out in the field for about 10 more days. We love him and miss him. L keeps asking for him so we talk about how he is at work. To fill in until Dada comes home, we are kissing pics of dada and saying good night to those photos.
The two babies growing in the uterus seem to be doing well. I saw them on a sonogram last week and the Dr. days all looks well. We go in Nov. 4 for the anatomy super duper sonogram so maybe we will get to see what boy or girl parts are in there. This will be fun cause Matthew was gone when we had L's anatomy scan. Will be nice to have him in the room with us rather than on the phone!
L is doing well. She has cut one tooth and 3 more are on their way in bringing us to a total of 12 toofers in the mouth. She is communicating up a storm! She has a very strong will, but is easy most of the time. When the will shows its ugly little head, there is no stopping her. She likes to kiss my belly. We are working with her on "how many babies are in there" and her holding up 2 fingers. She will show you that she is 1 when asked her age by holding up one finger. All of her hair now fits into pig tails which is super cute. She adores her uncle Brandon who we get to see about twice per week. She calls him "BaBa" and will run to him with open arms and the biggest smile when he shows up.
L is working on potty training. Every time mama goes pee-pee L sits on her potty. She lets us know when she has pooped by telling us "Butt." And she pees on her potty every couple of times when she sits without a diaper. I hope we can get potty trained before the bundles arrive!
We love living in Japan. My favorite part!?!?! It is cold in Jersey and not at all here. It is cold in KS and not here. I am enjoying that we still wear flip-flops and shorts. Though yesterday it was cool enough in the evening that I turned off the AC and opened the screen door. We haven't gotten out to see much but have tried a few food places. I love tepenyaki (sp). Where they cook it in front of you. A friend showed me the restaurant and I have gone back 4 times since. When I find food that stays down and tasted good, I stick to it.
Few observations about living in Japan:
**I think it's interesting that the many to most of the advertisements that the Okinawans use have Caucasians as opposed to Japanese or even Asian people in them
**I have been told , after expressing my surprise at the ugliness of the buildings, that it is Typhoon season. That is why everything looks as if it needs to be painted. They nationals won't paint because it could just get torn up by a Typhoon. Come Dec. the buildings will all be worked on again. This makes sense to me.
**Socialized medicine (and other Gov.-run programs) result in astronomical taxes and not any better care. Maybe everyone gets covered, but the quality of care drops significantly.
**Living in Japan is not too different than living in Hawaii as far as culture and interactions with the locals.
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