Livin' in America

I've been getting emails from people saying 'Where are you? Did you make it back yet?'. My sincerest apologies for being MIA, although I'm sure everyone understands why. :-( Yes, I made it back to the States safely.

It's been surprisingly busy since then. Two days after I got here my friend, Mika (from Hokkaido) arrived and I was hanging out with her and my friend, Joni. We had a nice Japan reunion. Then a day or so later five other ladies from Hokkaido, including missionary Debbie Griffin, arrived for a week and we spent time with them. In between all the fun of running around Nashville I also had several doctors appointments and went to Georgia for a day (we spent more time in the car than anything else!). After my Japanese friends left I had one week before starting my part-time job at our International Missions home offices. I used that week to buy a car that I absolutely love. It was kind of scary, but it was the right move. Then I made a spontaneous trip to Huntsville, AL with my cousin and friend to rescue a cute little dog from a madwoman. Good times :-) Then I started working three days a week and also found out that I have rheumatoid arthritis. Oh, and most recently we had a wedding shower for my cousin, Heather, who is getting married June 2. I think that covers the big stuff, except for the hours I've spent looking at and applying for jobs in Chicago and graduate school applications and research. I'm tired.

I can't believe I left Japan almost a month ago. It's the strangest feeling in the world and I think I'll just not talk about it right now. To my friends in Japan, I love you and miss you. This transition for me is a lot about learning to be content in all circumstances I suppose. I've seen God provide many times already. He knows what I need, and don't need.

I hope I haven't lost too many of my readers from being absent this past month. If you've left...come back! But if you've left, you'll never know I wrote this, will you?