Full Circle - Tying Up Loose Ends

Zander and Stacia desperately wanted to find glass floats before we left Japan. They didn't find them last weekend at Shipwreck Beach. Tomorrow and Monday are full.  Michael suggested we head to Cape Shiriya Lighthouse (Shiriyazaki). It was fitting. 

Our first adventure in Japan landed us in this spot - purely by accident. We were looking for Shipwreck beach and had been told to "drive up 338" - no one mentioned you needed to TURN.... ::snort::  Directions are here.  We found the spot at about 4:55 p.m. and were kicked out at 4:58 p.m. as they lock the gate at 5:00 p.m. That has happened to us once in four years! This is when we learned the meaning of "Dame, Dame" and the crossed arms. 

We popped into a Lawsons for quick road food....I LOVE nikuman and declared when I went vegan that I would have it one more time before we left Japan. Today was the day....

Pure Awesomeness right here - Curyman

This was a BEAUTIFUL DAY!  Not too cold (we remembered Jim, Marvie and kids)...not too hot (last summer)....perfect.  We started at one end of the beach and went to the fence....climbed under the fence and kept going.....in search of glass floats. 

Zander found two floats right off the bat! His day was MADE. He made my day later in the day when he offered to hide one of his floats so Stacia could find it. I love his heart to be sure she wasn't disappointed. 

Lighthouse from below on the beach

The horses haven't been out much this year...but I rounded a corner today and there they were!

I "think" these are tiger lilies. They were plentiful and beautiful. 

What can that blob on the grass be? 

Why, YES, it IS Arielle! 

Stacia looked down in the water, up high in the debris, through every net she found....and didn't find a float. 

 She and I hit the fence first and we climbed it....because I thought maybe there would be floats on the other side....We didn't find any but Michael caught up with us. I told him Zander's plan and he said he was going to take Stacia to the point and see if they could find a float....We'd hide Zander's while they were gone and she could find it if she hadn't found one. She didn't know this plan. She  knew the point was the last hope.

Zander left to retrieve a float from our van...and was chased down by a man in a van with sirens blaring. The man was yelling at him. I went to see what the problem was. OOPS...it was 5:00 p.m. We're always careful to follow the rules..... We climbed the fence as we guessed it was too keep horses in and not to keep people out. I tried to phone Michael but the cells weren't working (of course).

There was nothing for it but to send Zander to where Nolan now was, have Nolan run on to alert Michael and Stacia to the fact that a siren-blaring time-keeper was declaring the search over, while I continued to try to explain why I wasn't obeying and jumping in the van.  Zander took off running and the man and I continued to try to communicate...."Gomennasai"....."Dame, Dame - Gate closed!" Finally he caught on to the idea that I still had family who we needed to locate. He told me to hurry and he would wait at the gate.

And look at THIS - the final Gherkin to find a float in Japan....at one of our very favorite spots.

 They RAN to the van, we hopped in, and  Mike DROVE....until this gal was determined we were not going any where fast! ::snort::

We waited for she and babies to pass....and then met the van heading back towards us...he escorted us out....things were a bit tense until he saw Stacia waving at him and then he was all smiles...and told me "Dijobu!"

Full circle - a fitting adventure to end this season of our lives in Japan. 

I really can hardly believe we leave on Tuesday. It's all happened so quickly....I thought four years would be long enough in Japan. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Chapel Staff Farewell

We're continuing to work check lists. One alarming moment was when the gal at the CTO insisted we were NOT in the computer and were NOT on the plane for Tuesday. I called Michael and he said he'd already picked up the tickets  - so she checked again. She told me AGAIN we were not in the computer. I told her six of us and a beagle have tickets for Monday.  She went back again and then told us we were ready to go. I was glad I had decided to go in to change two of our meal choices to vegan.  LOL 

Today's highlight was the chapel staff farewell. We've had an incredible four years here. It was fun to remember and celebrate bits of it today. I'm going to miss these folks....

Sgt. A (Will) shares where he and Michael were when THE quake hit....2nd floor of the Torii building. I wish I'd caught his quake moves on video. A shared connection for sure. 

The staff gave Mike this lovely Samurai sword - engraved with his name, years and the last chapel coin

Great staff - blurry photo

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

We Passed with Ease

FMO showed up at 0715 to pick up our loaner furniture and appliances.

Nolan had his final appointment with flight med at 0735...we're praying about all the pieces which  need to fall into place to get him a referral in CA before he is out of meds. The meds are tightly controlled.

I had an appointment for a dental cleaning at 0930 but after Nolan's appointment we went up to see if they could work me in. They'd had two cancellations already and I was in and out before 0915.

We all headed over to the house to do a final cleaning.  NOW - here's the irony - when we were in Korea, Michael made all the final inspection appointments and he paid for cleaning. What a gift he gave me. For weeks he has said, "De'Etta we're paying for someone to do that." Today, HE was busy cleaning floors and *I* said, "Mike, I thought this is what we were paying for." I suspect we are just psycho! ::snort::

Our final inspection was a breeze.  Usually your landlord shows up with a cash refund for the rent you've paid. She contacts all the utilities companies and they show up with a final bill, you pay them yen/cash, they stamp your checklist sheet and you're done.   I feared we'd get nothing back from our deposit and have to use this months rent for damage as well. It appears our standards are a bit higher than norm? In our case, Ms. Koishi was the last to show up and we'd already paid everyone. She was in the mood to chat - and that is always fine with us.  She finally looked at the gouge in the floor, walked around the downstairs, told me to throw out our entry mat and gave us all our money back!!! She didn't even look upstairs or dock us for the small patch (6 -9 inches) of ruined wall paper  - which she'd seen previously.

Our garbage man made me cry. As he was leaving he bowed low, spread his arms wide and said, "Nice to have known you." I teared up and bowed.

If you're looking for us at the Inn - look for the flip flops! ::snort:: Not sure what the next stop will be for them!

We had dinner at Papa Genos with Akikosan. After dinner the gals did sticky pics and the guys played in the arcade. A fun night for all of us.  Akikosan summed up what I've been feeling all day, "It seems it all went so quickly!"

Check out the dessert on the left! It's in honor of Tokyo Sky Tower...which is 634 meters high. This is 63.4 cm tall...jello, cornflakes, whipped cream, ice cream, fruit..topped with an ice cream cone and pixie stick.

I can't scan in our sticky pics...but it was a lot of fun. Akikosan has a couple on her phone and will email them to me....here they are adding final touches.

I'm not sure how we kept the boys from discovering these until tonight - but it's probably good for the budget that it was a late discovery. These are PODs -  Panoramic Omni Displays. A person sits in them and has action all the way around them and above them. The seats vibrate and move. You actually play with eight other players from various stores and the Internet at the same time. 

Zander is getting ready for his next round (and has many new ideas for the game he is creating). 

We really and truly are moving.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

California

"A song for every occasion and an occasion for every song." We LISTENED to this album on our drive to Shipwreck and never focused on it.....then today....Arielle was clicking through the ipod as I drove the kids to the dentist...."You've Had a Bad Day," "Praise you in This storm," - a melancholy lineup to match our somber mood....and then she clicked on this..... It is PERFECT for our PCS season. 

We're still trying to decide which song is perfect for our Japan season....

I am a stone
Stuck here in the ground
Holding onto nothing
Why
Is comfortable uncomfortable right now?
I was made for more

Chorus:

California, far from me
Across the desert to the sea
A million miles away to
Somewhere I don't know
Lift my feet from where I stand
Down the street to foreign land
Anywhere you lead me I will go

Still
Before You now
But I'm not standing still
Move me now according to Your will
I am ready for...

California, far from me
Across the desert to the sea
A million miles away to
Somewhere I don't know
Lift my feet from where I stand
Down the street to foreign land
Anywhere you lead me I will go

I will trust in You
Wherever I am found
Send me somewhere, Lord

Chorus

It's perfect...California, foreign lands, my season of stillness, our determination to follow Him in every area of our lives....

....and it's much more upbeat than the previous songs. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Checked In at the Inn

We're moved into the Misawa Inn until the 16th. I wouldn't say we're "settled." 

This is the pile which I thought would be 1000 lbs - our allowance for the fast ship. Many send this EARLY - we opted to send it right before we leave. I also had four boxes of blankets, coats and Korean ceramics I planned to mail this afternoon.

Five packers arrived and made quick work of this last pack out. They were sure I only had about 500 lbs and so we sent the boxes with them as well.

Yuuki provided entertainment as we put the wash in her ears and drops for her infection.

Rubbing her head, shaking her head....

We also had FOUR dental appointments for the children today...x-rays, seeing the dentist AND cleaning in ONE appointment. It seems if you are marked "fly" you are in a different category for appointments. *NO CAVITIES*!!

I was so GLAD Michael had the day off today....not sure how I would have juggled all this with one car if he was at work.

Our first trip in to the base - Michael checked in at the Inn while Stacia visited the dentist. We also dropped Yuuki off at  Doggie Prison  the  "Doggie Hotel." This is actually the nicest kennel I've ever seen.

Our second trip to base. 

A couple of last minute packages for friends and swords for Jared. 

Arielle and I went to bust Yuuki out for a walk. ::grin::

We've come full circle. It was sad to pull out of our neighborhood today. Tomorrow the loaner furniture will be picked up and we'll have our final inspection.  As we visited at the park and walked back to our room, Arielle commented she feels like the "ghost of Arielle" is all over here....and that's what it feels like to come full circle.

Arielle and Nolan walked to Youth Group.....Stacia, Zander, Michael and I went to dinner and now movies in the room.  It's NICE for the older ones to be able to walk to their activities. ::grin:: BUT we wouldn't have traded living in the rice fields for ANYTHING!

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

SAD

I move through this day fully aware it is my last day in my home. Tomorrow we leave our neighborhood and home to move into the Inn. We have loved these four years in the midst of Japanese farm lands. We’ve loved our gentle Japanese neighbors, shared fireworks  and Japanese drinks in the summer evenings, mutually shoveling each other out in the winter. We’ve loved our American neighbors.

Suitcases are laid out in rooms. Boxes have been filled and sealed. I suppose I SHOULD address them and get the custom forms filled out – soon.  Blankets are being washed. Yuukis many blankets and kennel “things” are washed. Cupboards are empty….still need to empty the fridge.  My deadline for this is 6 p.m. when we will make our last trip to Hachinohe and bless another with our “leftovers” – and more.

I’m trying to make time for the kids to play outside with their friends…there really can’t be enough time.  How much time does one need to  prepare to leave friends of the heart? They are also aware this is their last day with their friends…and so I work frantically in the house trying to get it all done without calling the kids in.

I DID schedule an hour of play for myself as well – time to connect face to face one last time with a fellow chaplain’s wife. I’ll see her again at a staff farewell , and a chapel farewell but this will be it for intimate  connecting of the heart.

 My back aches. My head aches. My heart aches.

My heart says, “I can’t,”  my soul reminds “cherish – don’t cling,” and my spirit shouts, “Be strong and of good courage!” 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

One Call From the Uniformed Member

Nolan had to come in with me this a.m. to take Michael to the office. He had a fasting lab. Our plan was for me to drop him at the Mokuteki- where he’d enjoy a leisurely breakfast and read a book, while I worked out at the gym. I do miss having exercise equipment at home.  We had several errands to run before we headed home.

All went as planned (or so I thought) until I came out of the gym.  The café was closed to strip and seal the floors (my best guest). I had no idea where Nolan was. About this time the phone rang and Michael said if I could get the dog to a 1:00 p.m. appointment she could be seen TODAY. ONE CALL FROM THE UNIFORM and BINGO they found an appointment. I’ve called 2 – 3x a week for 3 weeks. All at once,  I was both ticked and elated. Our problem was that I had errands to run, the dog was across town, I didn’t know where Nolan was and I had a farewell lunch starting at noon. We knew I wouldn’t be able to be back on base with the dog at 1:00 p.m.

PLAN C (and it was only 0900) kicked in….I found Nolan, picked up Michael, we drove home, loaded Arielle and Yuuki into the van and off they headed. 

Meanwhile I began sorting through the things which remain in our house to see which should go in a suitcase, which should go with our fast ship, which should be mailed and if there happened to be more which could go to the thrift store. 

I broke from moving madness to enjoy an oasis of sanity with the chapel spouses…the only jarring note is that it was MY farewell.  I so enjoyed this chance to rest and visit with these ladies…we missed those who couldn’t make it…and I’ll keep looking for an opportunity to say goodbye.

Jen drove us all back to the base…I picked up Yuuki and Arielle. Yuuki now has a health certificate, shots and meds.  She is fighting an ear infection. She’ll fly with us on the 16^th.

I stopped by Pass and ID and finished our paperwork on vehicles.

I stopped by Hero Net and returned our modem and paid for the 5 days of Internet use we had in July. 

We got home in time for Arielle to watch Colton and Lawson. Today is probably the last time I’ll have a solo conversation with Christina. How we’ll miss this dear family.  Christina was the very first mentor group member….

Stacia saying goodbye to her plants. We purchased slips when we were in the Misawa Inn for three months. I promised the kids we’d have a house one day for the plants to grow in. I headed back to the chapel to get Michael and to drop off a few chapel things I found I still had – AND THE PLANTS – which will be picked up there by a new owner.

We continue to eat down the freezer and cupboards.  Shepherd’s Pie tonight for the meat eaters in our midst…and the last two Lentil Loaf Patties for Arielle and me. 

After family circle, a bit of discussion and regrouping on the packing….Michael and Arielle disappeared (bed I presume) and these three played a new Japanese card game Nolan learned on this weekend’s Club Beyond trip.

This week is going to be CRAZY busy and then we’ll fly out. Eight more days. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...