November: sickness, loss, soba, and more

Hanging out at church for the Thanksgiving meal.
Yoko, me, Young Ju Kim, and Sarah

November is drawing to a close and I’ve got to admit, we miss the family during this holiday season. The church was very kind to host a Thanksgiving meal for any AETs and church members who wanted to come. It was so nice to have something to help us feel a little closer to home.

Sickness

November was a very busy month. During the first weekend of the month, Mason came down with a cough. Two weeks later, after nights of no sleep (for the both of us), he finally saw a doctor and found out he had an acute case of bronchitis. They gave him some medication, and his symptoms were improving after just 24 hours of treatment. He is finished with the meds now and back in great condition.

David & Jordan

He didn’t let the illness keep him from being busy, though! He had a school event to attend three weekends in a row. He also went on a couple hiking escapades with a couple AETs and a Japanese friend named Saiki whom he got to know when he was studying abroad during college. I think we were both surprised at how much he has enjoyed hiking. He now intends to do at least one hike a month. Don’t worry family. Saiki will soon be an official hiking guide. This guy knows what he is doing. Mason is in good hands.

Saiki

Loss

On the 6th, a friend of ours from back home passed away. Rick Reed was a great friend and teacher. We met him at Bridgeway church and developed our friendship on the basis of our love for God and Japan. Rick had lived in Japan for a number of years and was teaching Japanese at a high school in Oklahoma City. He was very kind to tutor Mason and me before we moved to Japan. He was so supportive, positive, and loving. This is our first loss to experience since we’ve come.  I had a good number of tears to shed for Rick at first. Mostly because I was not aware of how sick he was. We knew he was in the hospital, but it was a shock when we discovered only a few days before his death just how serious it was. Nonetheless, we have peace and joy for Rick. He truly loved God. We trust he is well.

Overall, this experience showed me just how distant we are from everyone back home. While I thought I knew what was going on with our friend, I really had no clue. This is simply going to be the case while we are away, and that is just part of choosing to live abroad.

Soba

As for other events in November, hmmm.. Oh, I had a Japanese cooking adventure!! That’s right, soba lessons! And boy let me tell you, I don’t think I’ll ever successfully make that at home! Making noodles is really hard!!! It also requires a bunch of counter space that just doesn’t exist in most Japanese apartments. I’m thinking most people who make this from scratch are only making it in restaurants. Nonetheless, it was a fun experience.

And more..

I took this on my iphone, with no filters, and it was even prettier in person

The one “just us” thing Mason and I were able to squeeze into our busy month was a quick trip to Daigo. Daigo is the home to Fukuroda Falls, one of Japan’s top 3 waterfalls. The area is famous for its apples and we went in time to enjoy the kouyou (the autumn leaves). It was a MUCH needed day spent together. We had so much fun and will definitely return when we don’t have to be hurried back to Mito. 

That same night, I was volunteering to hang out with some students that are a part of a “Leadership Camp.” This is pretty much an honor society that hosts multiple events for the kids in our city. I got to eat dinner with some kiddoes, play bingo, then star gaze and peer through an INCREDIBLE telescope. It was a fun night. (I’m sorry that I can’t show you any photos).

Our apples from Daigo. They were  おいしい!!! 

Finally, Mason was given the honor of speaking to a church congregation for the second time last Sunday (his first time was in October). This small church of about 15 members is SO SO SO SO sweet. We really have enjoyed the two times they have invited us to join their worship. The minister of the church is my former college roommate’s father, Jim Holmes! (Those of you who don’t know, I potlucked my sophomore year of college and was roomed with a Japanese student named Anna! She is a dear friend who happens to be living back here in Mito, Japan with her family. Small world, huh?!)

And this all brings us to this week. I attended an enkai with a few teachers from my school. The enkai was for all of the schools within the "ichu" block. (In other words: in our neighborhood). There was only one other AET at the party, but we hardly talked. The whole night, I met and chatted with many Japanese teachers. It was a lot more fun than I expected. It was especially nice to joke and laugh with teachers from my own school that I don't teach with and therefore don't have much opportunity to get to know.

The origami flowers were prizes for a game we won.

Last night, I went to EBC (English Bible Class). I mentioned this to you guys in the last post I think. Since the retreat, I've been going more. We didn't have normal class last night, but instead we made ornaments in celebration for Christmas and simply shared the story of Christmas. Here is a clip of a little girl reading a story about the first Christmas for all of the adults. (かわいい!)

If you didn't see our last posts to update you on September and October, don't forget to check them out. 

Things to come:

-Today, Mason has gone to Nikko with a teacher who has a convertible. Sounds fun at first, but then when you consider the cold weather….. errr.. LOL should make for a great story about a new friendship.

-I’m going to begin tutoring with a Japanese friend, Yoko, from church to improve my Japanese starting Thursday. (she is pictured in the first photo of this entry)

-I’ll be hosting an ornament exchange party for the AET girls next Friday.

-My folks will be here in 3 weeks!!!! 

Thanks for your prayers. Happy Thanksgiving & we love you!!