Monday in Japan by Stacia

Editor note: Jared found the following picture and shared it in our family chat. This was taken when the kids and I FINALLY reached the Temporary Lodging Facility in Misawa after our PCS adventure  - stranded in Seattle. Stacia's first night in Misawa in 2009. Such good memories - a little girl ready to soak up Japan. 

Take it away Stacia!

So...grief stuff has been really hard on this trip. 

Today was our tourist day and we went all over the place. Osaka, Kobe, Nara, and a little bit of Kyoto, I think. It was a very fun day. I loved getting to see the different aspects of Japan.  We took a TON of trains. On the way back it was Osaka rush hour. People everywhere. Loud noises. Vibrating. Very crowded. The exact type of place I avoid.

 But, I was fine. In fact, I felt calm and determined. 

Then I saw a Japanese guy in an oversized blue flannel just like Cy's. It was like I could feel him smiling at how far I've come from having a panic attack at the state fair. It felt like he was right there with me. Just for context, that was the ONLY flannel I've seen this whole trip.  

Sakura - Cherry Blossoms

Osaka Castle

Nara

Side note, I've never seen my name out in the wild before...and I did today!

Editor again - it was suggested by Bre in the family chat that Stacia means shopaholic in Japanese. ::snort:: Stacia  thought it was some sort of credit card as it was talking about the Stacia Card. 

Bella's Friend Party

 Bella is turning 9 and today was her friend party. We rushed home from Eagle River so Allie and I could join the fun. 

Bella chose an around the world theme for her party. She dressed as a flight attendant. Bre decorated several different stations to represent different locations. Each child had a passport and received stamps in their passport as they went to the different areas. 

There was face painting in the Amazon Forest, a photo both at Disney (either LA or Tokyo), treats in Paris and gifts/treasures in Egypt. It was all really cute. 

Facepainting by Joelle and Rebekah

📷by Jamin 

Uncle Jamin and Trudy

A favorite memory for me was arriving early and helping Bre replenish the shrinking rain forest. Arielle, Allie and Bre in this shot...

Shots from the Photo Booth 

Annie

Bella

Gideon

Lucas, Gideon & Morgan 

Lucy & Jojo

Cousins - Jojo & Danny

Annie

Trudy

It was a fun party. I enjoyed meeting Candace. She and her family are looking for a church home in the valley.  I know churches in the valley. They are looking for a Bible teaching, un-legalistic, walking the word church....Y'all be on the look out for Candace, two kids and a hubby and don't make a liar out of my recommendations. LOL 

Nine years already! Wow. Time is moving right along. LOL 

Allie and I spent a couple of hours in the hot tub - a great place to process and connect. Taxes were submitted.  We gathered at the table with Michael late in the evening and discussed the upcoming week and my propensity to believe most things that go wrong in the world are somehow my fault. ::snort:: 

Note: If the photo isn't marked with Courageous Joy or a photographer they are from BreAnne. 

Sunday in Japan - Stacia

 By Stacia

Today was very full. It was amazing but very full. We had two church services, GT (grow together) groups, kids English (basically a condensed vbs), J-Sports, and a dinner.

The service I attended was cool because there was a genuine dependence and longing for God that is not something I've seen very often.

The GT group was amazing! I loved getting to break away and intentionally connect with a smaller group. While I have been trying to use Japanese, this group setting was hard to follow, and I was very grateful for their willingness to translate for me. It was very kind.

Kids English was probably the most natural thing for me we've done thus far. I know how kids' ministry works; it felt very normal. I love how despite all the cultural differences kids will still be kids.

J-Sports was probably the most unnatural. Athletic is a word NO ONE would ever use to describe me so this time of sports at a gym was trying. I had fun getting to know more people and playing volleyball very poorly.

The dinner was so fun. We all sat at different tables and chatted. I loved this time of conversation and games.

After all these events we had a group meeting and called it a night. I didn't take any photos because...well...I didn't want to. It was easier to be in the moment if I didn't take photos because of how fast the day was going. However, many other people were able to snag some photos and I'm borrowing some of theirs. These are from kids English.

Goldfish all the way from Alaska! 

Another Saturday, Another Gym

I look forward to socializing with Arielle in gyms around the valley! What will I do with my Saturdays when I can't go watch Benny play soccer? I left before Dad or Michael were up. Allie was moving so I knew if Dad needed anything beyond what I'd left out for him she would lend a hand. 

Myself and Arielle

Benny kicked that ball...

Benny loves the running, stealing the ball and kicking. 

Guess which position he doesn't enjoy? 

Goalie

Allie met up with a friend for a hike and then she headed to Eagle River to help Jamin paint one of his units. Michael woke up with a raging headache and went back to bed. GG read and worked puzzles. 

We ordered 24 new chicks....I'm excited as these old ladies are not holding up their end of the bargain. We got THREE EGGS yesterday...from 24 hens? Not good. LOL  We ordered 18 Black sex link which look too be good layers and great with cold weather and we ordered 6 that will lay blue and green eggs. 

GG and I had dinner and watched an episode of Father Dowling. Allie made it home and we are calling ot a day.

Second Full Day in Japan - Stacia

By Stacia Via Facebook

Full day. We hiked up a mountain to see some Buddhist temples. It was a great time of fellowship with our hosts. I was very glad to get to practice my Japanese. They were so patient with me! It was an absolute blast! I look forward to more practice as the trip continues.

Also, found soft serve ice cream and 'peach water.' Peach water is a drink I always asked for out of vending machines as a kid. Now that I can read, I know it's actually peach tea. Weird. Probably still gonna call it peach water tbh

Turns out, having a fever really impacts one's emotions. Yesterday was so hard. The whole day felt impossible. But now that my fever is gone I am having a much better time.

Stacia and Lonicera (other girls on team)

Editor's Note:

About that peach water...the vending machines in Japan are amazing! One can buy almost anything from them. One even sold eggs! I was in my uber healthy phase when we lived in Japan. We didn't do soda....but Stacia loved the peach water and that seemed like the healthiest choice. She OFTEN had lots of peach water when we were out and about. Now we discover Princess Chatterbox may have been over stimulated and caffeinated those years of her life. LOL Stacia swears she hates tea...maybe she'll play around with some of the peach tea I have here when she gets home. LOL

Also - I find it funny that Life 360 is still letting me know where she is and that she is 3685 miles away from me. LOL