Sunday, March 20, 2011

The Shelves Tell a Story

As we were out and about yesterday (we won't go in much above Michael's daily trip to the base in an effort to conserve gas) we checked out the BX supply.....most the BX is fine.....but....

No Sleeping Bags

Toe warmers, flint starters, lighters and matches were depleted.

 Suitcases are now a high demand item and grace the end caps. 

Flashlights are gone

Electric heaters are gone - though the note reminds all that they are PLUG IN. ::snort:: 

The city has gone to once a week trash pick up. We needed to buy another trash can and the BX was out. We stopped by two stores on the way home. It would appear that TRASH CAN LIDS (you buy them separately here) have been in very high demand. The shelves off base tell the same story...with batteries, blankets, sleeping bags gone. We were told NOT to buy supplies of this sort off base as we can buy on base and don't want to deplete Japan's resources. 

Batteries are all gone

Whereas snack food, granola bars and canned food seem to have been the item of choice at the commissary, off base it seems that various frozen convenience foods were snatched up. 


Supply lines are opening and I don't look for these to be long term shortages.....we are far better off than those south of us. 

Yes, I realize these are rather trivial posts...Mike reminded me today that I should write my story before it grows dim...and he said he needs to do the same. Maybe it will be a family project. At this point...I'm happy to deal with surface emotions, hug on my kids and deal with the whole story aspect on another day. LOL 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Quake Map - part 2

The Japan Quake Map I shared is really interesting to watch (at least to us). It's time lapse and so is slow at the first and then BAMMO the big one, followed by all the others at a rapid pace. Here's a screen shot of the completed map - we're up to 652 quakes since March 11th.  Observant readers will note that means there has been 31 quakes since last night - it's early afternoon here now. 


It's incredible to watch the visual and get a sense of  what it is like over here. Watch it, and then pray for Japan. We are East of Morioka...on the coast. 




Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sunday Update

Have you ever wondered, "What would church be like without the trappings?" Sweet. Chapel continued, though we had no lights, sound system, multi media....folks were forced to move in close so they could hear, we sang familiar songs and God met us.

I've been meditating on Ps 46 all week - as I know many of us have. Ch. Beyea had a wonderful message from this psalm - really summarized the points well - so very encouraging. God is our Refuge so don't fear; God is our Warrior so trust Him; God is our King so bend a knee. Awesome message.

It was fun to note the French Relief Team at mass.

Michael is currently working 2 - 10 p.m. Jared and Arielle went with him again to help out with children of families who are choosing to depart. I feel for those waiting in the long lines...but honestly I feel more for those working the long lines. Those leaving are choosing to leave and the system is working as fast as it can (always room for improvement). Most are patient, realizing they will be taken care of and all are working hard. Those volunteers and Active Duty members manning the processing center, however, are doing this day after day.....in the midst of having worked very long hours before the quake and since the quake....in the midst of all else going on....and they've now moved to 24 hour shifts. Praying planes are soon here, energy continues, graciousness for all continues. If you are processing, please consider a grateful, "Thank You," to those who are staying and are working so hard to  pave the way for your departure. They are heroes as much as the relief teams flying in from around the world. I think this has turned into a huge practice of the contingency plan to see what needs to change in case there ever IS an evacuation...obviously some glitches...but all working hard to keep it moving.

The youngers and I did our part by shopping for candy to "fill the pig" at the chapel table in the processing center.
I know it's not much, but they were greeted as heroes when they brought in the supplies....and that was sweet for them to feel they were doing something to help. It's hard for me to find things THEY can do and things I can do with them along...because my first ministry, even during this time, is the children.

I'm in contact with relief organizations in Japan, looking for ways to funnel PWOC offers of help and a way for PWOC Asia Region to help out too.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Quake Map

This is a very interesting Quake Map. It shows the earthquakes in Japan - you can set it for hours, days etc.  We are just north of Morioka on the map.  There have been 631 "quakes" or aftershocks since the big one on March 11th.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...