I admit that we miss Japan - that is,we miss our friends and family that became so special to us. We miss the beautiful mountain drive that we took each week between Ikoma & Kyotanabe. We don't however miss the summer humidity. Our home here in Sonora has been peaking at 100 degrees but it is a dry heat and our nights have been nice and cool and we are enjoy sitting out on our deck in the evening with a glass of ice tea.
We have been so busy that we haven't had time to think about reverse culture shock. I know I still find myself talking slowly and using my hands and a couple of time I have caught myself saying "arigatoo" or "sumimasen" when I have been in the store.
The Lord went before us and smoothed out some rough spots on our last day in Japan. Traffic was smooth to the airport, the airport wasn't crowded, our luggage, that was overweight, sailed through customs without any hassle or cost, we were granted our reentry permits at the airport so we can go back to Japan anytime in the next 3 years without going through the whole visa process and to top it off, we were bumped up to 1st class. Talk about luxury-sugoi-we had lots of leg room, our seats reclined and so we both got some good sleep. That really helped in jet leg recovery. When we arrived in San Francisco our friends were there at the curb just as we rolled out our luggage. When we got home we found our house aired out, windows open and a cool breeze blowing and food in our refrigerator. All we had to do was bring in our luggage and drop into bed for our first nights sleep in our own bed in 5 months.
During our last days we were gi
ven a special gift of a 24 hour get away from and with our dear friend Noriko and her 3 daughters to Kobe's Fruit & Flower
Resort. What a wonderful R & R. Here is a picture of the hotel we stayed in. There were so many fun things to do at this hotel from miniature golf to a monkey show.After our stay at the hotel we went to downtown Kobe and visited the site of the big earthquake and drove down by the water front.
Our last week was filled with ministry as well. We
did our last Ladies English Class on Tues, July 6th and I combined an English lesson on recipes with a going away party. It was great fun and the ladies brought some yummy snacks. We talked about what the difference was between cooking and baking and what snacks were cooked and what snacks were baked. I "baked" an apple pie for them. It was a wonderful time tho' sad.
On Wed, July 7th, our departure day, we had our last Ladies Bible Study in the morning. The ladies shared what they had learned from the book of Philippians, we cried, we laughed and yes, we ate. We had a great good-bye party and then they all lined up beside the van and waved good bye as we drove away to the airport at 1:00 pm. Our wonderful "tennis" friend, Mrs. Kiyo Sato stopped by to say good bye as well and to give us a gift she and her husband bought for us in Egypt. They had just arrived back in Japan the day before. Our plane was to leave Kansi Airport at 6:00 pm. Our cousin Gregg Hutton, Jim & Barb Blocksom, our dear house mates, and precious Kana-chan came to the airport with us. They were such a big help to us, getting us through the many steps needed to get us on our way. Our "son" Hiro and his family also came to say good bye. We were thrilled to see them one more time. Nanami, their 3 year old daughter became very solemn when we walked through the checkpoint and she had to stay behind. She held up her hand to the glass panel and we "touched" through the glass.
Our trip was uneventful - and our descent into Seattle was amazing. The Lord gave us a clear day and we could see Mt. Baker, Mt Rainer, the snow covered Canadian Rockies and the San Juan Islands. Even the crew on the plane were looking out the windows. I am glad the captain remained at the controls.
Our last week was filled with ministry as well. We
did our last Ladies English Class on Tues, July 6th and I combined an English lesson on recipes with a going away party. It was great fun and the ladies brought some yummy snacks. We talked about what the difference was between cooking and baking and what snacks were cooked and what snacks were baked. I "baked" an apple pie for them. It was a wonderful time tho' sad.On Wed, July 7th, our departure day, we had our last Ladies Bible Study in the morning. The ladies shared what they had learned from the book of Philippians, we cried, we laughed and yes, we ate. We had a great good-bye party and then they all lined up beside the van and waved good bye as we drove away to the airport at 1:00 pm. Our wonderful "tennis" friend, Mrs. Kiyo Sato stopped by to say good bye as well and to give us a gift she and her husband bought for us in Egypt. They had just arrived back in Japan the day before. Our plane was to leave Kansi Airport at 6:00 pm. Our cousin Gregg Hutton, Jim & Barb Blocksom, our dear house mates, and precious Kana-chan came to the airport with us. They were such a big help to us, getting us through the many steps needed to get us on our way. Our "son" Hiro and his family also came to say good bye. We were thrilled to see them one more time. Nanami, their 3 year old daughter became very solemn when we walked through the checkpoint and she had to stay behind. She held up her hand to the glass panel and we "touched" through the glass.
Our trip was uneventful - and our descent into Seattle was amazing. The Lord gave us a clear day and we could see Mt. Baker, Mt Rainer, the snow covered Canadian Rockies and the San Juan Islands. Even the crew on the plane were looking out the windows. I am glad the captain remained at the controls.
