Stacia in Japan

 By Stacia via her Facebook

Found wifi! I'm here! We arrived in Osaka and got through customs. Some of our codes weren't right so we had to go through twice, but we still got through decently fast. Very efficient system.

Once in Japan we made our way to J-House and settled in for a wonderful dinner. That's about when I realized I had no appetite and felt like puking. Still, I hate being 'rude' so I slowly ate all the food...and it was really yummy. I wanted it. We went to a convenience store, picked up some supplies then headed back to J-House where we finished the night with a team meeting.

Yesterday we prepped for ministry and went over J-House rules. By 1 I realized I was still feeling like puking and now I was chilled as well. Yep. I had a fever. I let our leaders know I was sick, and they had me stay back to rest. I took a lot of meds and mom found a way to call which was amazing.

This morning, I feel way better. I think my fever broke . I was able to sleep for a long time, so I have energy again.

One thing I hadn't been prepared for was how emotional being back would make me. We rode on a train to get to J-House the first time and sitting there watching cherry blossom adorned Osaka pass by I felt joy, peace, fear, grief, nausea (cause why not???), and confusion. It's been so wonderful to be back. I already have done everything I'd hoped for (see cherry blossoms, shop at a convenience store, and witness a proper vending machine) and the trip is just beginning! So many adventures left to have over the next week.

On the other hand, being back has forcefully reminded me that Cy will never be able to visit me. He used to talk about someday bringing his girls over or taking a Goecker wide trip to Japan. It's hard knowing that he will never be here to do that. I miss him.

Please pray for emotional and physical resilience. Also, wisdom as our team goes through the tricky process known as cross cultural ministry. We could all use some prayers for wisdom as we go forward. Everything is done so beautifully different here.

(Cherry blossom and donut photo courtesy of Lonicera)

Wrestling...

I am DETERMINED to stay current and possibly make progress on back blogging so I must stay with it.....

Thursday, I spent the entire day once again discussing "issues" with a lawyer, the state, and Dad's care coordinator. I hear of others who find this process painless and quick, and I just don't know WHY we are having so many issues. I submitted the trust back in June 2024.  The state and our lawyer have now discussed their miscommunications directly, a template was finally sent to the lawyer, he filled it out USING THEIR TEMPLATE,  Dad and I did the signature and notary thing AGAIN and for the 4th time I registered this trust with the court and sent it to the state. I can only assume it will fly through the process now that it's their own template being used. Our lawyer asked for a template the first time they rejected the trust he created.  I find it ironic the things they required be changed in March are NOT on the template...but what can I say?  OK - this probably makes little sense to anyone, and I don't plan to go into more details at this point - just know I spent another whole day doing things I have done and submitted several times before. LOL We are on a quest to get the best situation we can for dad. 

While I wrestled with bureaucracy - Michael wrestled with installing a new water heater as the old one finally went out. Michael has had a new one waiting in the garage for 3 years. The heater is up on a stand...At one point Michael called me out to help him "walk the new heater onto the stand." We finally reached a point where he (with his fractured discs) and me (always a wimp) needed to lift the thing onto the stand.  It wasn't long into the process I began a mental checklist... "Stacia is in Japan, Allie won't be home until 7:30, Nolan and Alex are working, Izaak has shoulder issues...and I called Cory!"  Their dinner was in the oven, but he agreed to come over after they ate. We set the heater back down on the pile of boards we'd assembled, grabbed dad and went out to eat.

CoRielle made it to our house before we did. Charles came running as I got out of the car yelling, "Bachan, where's YayYa (Stacia)? She's in Apan!"  Arielle and the kids' visiting was a bonus to calling Cory! It all worked out great. Danny bought that sword with his "OWN MONEY." 

Charles and Danny

Ellie is drawn to fuzzy blankets

Benny - 7yo

Allie and Arielle

Cory & Michael 

GG & Charles

Ellie & Bachan

In the midst of this craziness, I saw I had a text from Stacia. The things she had set up for communication weren't working but texting was and then I clicked the video camera, and we were able to do a google video call. I can only assume because our text is google it can be web based...as neither of us has international minutes on our plans. LOL 

It was SOOO good for all of us to be able to see Stacia. Charles asked her if she knew she was in "Apan."  Stacia had a rough start to the trip. She arrived with a bug she picked up somewhere on the 20 hour trip.  I do think I'll just capture her Facebook posts and add them to the blog. We had been unprepared for the emotions which would hit being back in Japan. It's good to hear from others who have gone back that they had the same reaction. Japan was a meaningful time in all of our lives. It's worth a bit of wrestling with emotions and grief to return. 

This morning, we woke up to discover we've either been enjoying a false spring or this was the shortest summer on record. To be fair it is typical to have 3 - 5 feet of snow in our yard at Easter so we are still well into spring....

Whacky Wednesday

 Stella enjoyed the fruit of my labor...she seemed suspicious of my offering. These are the results of thinning out some of the seedlings.

The celery, marigolds and celery are still not sprouting but everything else is starting to sprout. I planted cabbage and cucumbers today. The cucumbers are all from older dates so if they don't germinate I'm ready to plant more. 

I now have 7 trays of seedlings on the growing rack. I've used about 1/3 of the growing space. I am dreading the need to up plant all these in a couple of weeks. LOL 

Michael spent the day recovering from the work of the day before. GG spent the day reading and working on a puzzle. 

I attended the Women's study at Wasilla Community Church. I have enjoyed getting to know this group of ladies, being part of a Bible study again, and Arielle is pure joy to study with as a leader! Good stuff.

Bre and the kids dropped by after AWANA to pick up a platter she wants to use for Bella's upcoming birthday party. 

The weather is still whacky! Sunny, snowy...spring, winter. Who knows?  

Comings and Goings

The highlight of the day was certainly taking Stacia to the college to begin her quick trip to Japan. She is so excited to be going on the trip. We are excited for her to be going. I believe the trip is going to be around 19 hours. 

Snow flurries continued off and on all day. It's colder than it has been but still warm enough that nothing is sticking...

I ran to the store and picked up a few things for Dad. IHe hasn't been feeling good but woke up singing and wanting to eat a "full breakfast" so he is officially well. LOL  Michael spent the day in Eagle River helping Jamin as he remodels one of his units. It was a good day for him. 

📷by Jamin 

The broccoli wins the early germinating game in the seed roulette. I obviously need to thin them out. The pink light is certainly vibey. 

Stacia and Allie both finished their victim impact statements and mailed them off to the Victim Service Unit at the Department of Corrections. 

Stacia wanted to visit Josiah for a bit before she left the country. After she finished her statement yesterday, she and Millie went to the cemetery. We've never taken Millie before but when she let her out of the car Millie ran directly to Josiah's grave... and waited for Stacia to catch up. It's amazing to me she could catch all our scents. 

📷via Stacia

Michael got home after dinner. Allie was working away on an assignment and GG was in bed. We spent 90 minutes in the hot tub...a good end to the day. 

It's Magical

It was magical! And IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES!!!!  I balanced THREE accounts without making a single adjustment or needing to hunt for any pesky accounting errors or missing dollars!!!!

I entered all the gathering receipts, I balanced all 3 accounts, I paid tithe for two households, paid all bills, and collected all tax papers for our accountant. Yes, we ARE late once again...but I am guessing we'll be back on our game next year. ::snort:: Believe it or not we are earlier this year than we were last year. I feel we should get some credit for that. Michael went to deliver tax papers to Nicole, and I finished the bills. My favorite moment of the day was burning all the stuff I didn't need to keep. 

Dad is feeling better today! 

A word about Alaska's weather - I thought the snow this morning was also magical! A nice new clean covering on the entire yard....and an excuse to stay inside and do bookwork (which needs done) rather than start on the season's battle with Devils' Club. I guess we are supposed to have a couple of snow days this week....but it's not 3 feet of snow!!!!!

I'm pretty sure there are members of my family who did NOT think the snow was magical at all this morning. 

It's time to get dinner on and then relax....

The Priceless Burned Bread

There are times when one loses track of threads while multi-tasking.  This can lead to an oven timer going off and no one recognizing what it is! 

Ah, back from my errands I immediately find myself remembering the loaf I began before the errands.

 Oops. 

Not to fear! Very few things are truly wasted when one has a yard of chickens! LOL 

I broke the loaf open and tossed it to the chickens. 

This immediately propelled Millie into a frenzy. She LOVES the ends of the sourdough loaves! She sits prettily in the kitchen each morning while I fix GG's breakfast and hopes against hope it will be the day I toss her the very end.... She obviously considered this burnt loaf of bread to be priceless. It must have been meant for her. She ran, barking up and down the length of the fence. The chickens ignored her. 

They finally got the bread just a bit too close to the fence line and Millie was able to get her snout in far enough to snatch it right out of their beaks. 

Maybe I should just make them a loaf every once in a while. It makes for good entertainment. 

Annie and More!

 Backstory: GG was sick yesterday. Sometimes when GG is sick it isn't a big deal, he sleeps. Yesterday, it was a big deal. Lots of laundry, sleeplessness, and concern. I slept 2 1/2 hours last night as I was on "alert" and simply couldn't sleep. 

Today: The day was planned to begin with me (De'Etta) going to Benny's soccer game, then a play with Bre and her 3 oldest, Arielle and Benny, Krista, Allie and I, followed by Chosen Part 1 with Jamin, Allie, Stacia, Michael, GG and me. We rearranged the plan. GG feels better, but no one wants to be out and about when he is hit with another attack. Our new plan allowed Michael and I to tag team so GG could have a day to recuperate at home.  We'd skip morning soccer, hit the play, and some of us would hit Chosen. 

Allie went out to walk with a mentor. 

Stacia is packing and checking list for her Japanese trip which begins on Tuesday. 

Krista called and wondered if the girls and I would like to meet her for lunch before the play. She had come out for Benny's game. Allie was out but Stacia and I met Krista. We went to Burger Jims. This is a new spot for Krista and I. HOW COULD WE HAVE LIVED IN THE VALLEY FOR NEARLY 8 YEARS AND MISSED THIS? I ate 1/2 my hamburger and we split an order of fries (AHmazing!) three ways. 

"Bacon fries" and sautéed onions, jalapenos and sauce....

We headed to the theater early because I lost my email which told me how to access tickets. I had a visa statement and a screenshot of my order. They said not to worry, this happens A LOT, and they simply sent me a new email. ::shew:: 

📷by Arielle

Arielle and Benny showed up shortly after Krista, Stacia and me. Since we were there with lots of time to spare Krista and Arielle took Benny up to show him the orchestra pit. He was suitably impressed. 

📷by Arielle

The play, Annie, was FANTASTIC. Wow, we have some talented singers in the valley. The sets were great, the adaptation of the script was smooth, and the actors/actresses carried us to another world. It was a first-rate job.  We enjoyed seeing friends preform.  As the curtain came up, Benny leaned over and whispered to Arielle, "This is going to be really good."  (I'll correct this statement if Arielle helps me remember his exact words). 

Stacia, me, Krista, Arielle, Benny📷by Arielle

Sadly, the others arrived when they were telling us to put our cameras up and I never got a picture of Allie or Bre and kids. I found myself misting up as I sat between Krista and Allie. We are going to miss them both so much next season. I won't think about it yet!!!  

We raced home for a quick dinner. Michael and the girls left to meet up with Jamin at the movies. GG admitted he feels "so so" after eating a normal breakfast. He went bland for dinner...toast, bananas, cheerios... I'm sure hoping he sleeps well tonight. 

I LOVE attending plays! Going with the girls and their kids elevates the enjoyment.