a thousand blue fish

We have been in Japan for a month now.  It has been exciting and awe inspiring, but today more than anything I have wanted to be home.  I am typing this at our croc computer with tears streaming and my nose running.  I have felt more fragile today than all the fragile days combined.  Just before I left for work this morning I checked Facebook and found a message from my sister to please pray for her boyfriend.  He is really sick.  As I read her message I felt all my resolve come shattering down.  I am the eldest child.  I am the big sister and for so long it has been my ...I have no words.  I managed to smile through the day. But the minute I could I felt my eyes stinging.  I want to be with my sister and her daughter.  I want to go and visit her boyfriend and tell him we love him and are praying for him. I know God has led us here and I know that He will comfort better than I could. Please pray for my sister, her boy...

We are completely overwhelmed by all of the treats and yummy things we walk by every day. The Japanese really seem to love their sweet stuff.  It has really not helped that fruit and vegetable are pricey, meat is not and the deli food tastes better than my cooking at the moment.  Aagh !!!! I could really pull my hair out!  My children were eating so well! My husband was eating so well!  Aagh!!!! The truth is I cannot understand a word written on the labels of any product in any of the stores.  We're also waiting to pick up our Alien Cards, then we can open up a bank account and then get a credit card.  We've never wanted to do that but for our particular needs online shopping is a necessity. Tomorrow marks two weeks in Japan!  We have gone through a whole range of emotions, many of them calling us home to the freedom and space and familiarity of South Africa, but more importantly to the warmth and comfort of family.  Friends, we miss you to...

We applied for our Alien Card and got medical (provided by the state) and some other grants yesterday.  The experience was overwhelming for me.  It made the differences just so much more evident.  The Japanese run things so efficiently and smoothly.  I am most definitely not saying this is a bad thing.  The experience was overwhelming because of my children.  The place we went to is open plan- everyone sits together.  This shouldn't be a problem, but with Alexander performing like a circus animal (by Japanese standards) my nerves were shot.  And with the noise he made I expected the workforce to come to a standstill but they didn't, they didn't even acknowledge him.  In South Africa my son has caught the attention of everyone in the grocery store. I am not overwhelmed now, I am missing my family so bad, but I know God has called us here and will comfort me here.  We are excited to be in the Will of God, the sweetest spot to be. ...

I am saying outright that there will be no photo's with this post-its late and I'm just too tired.  We're still feeling the jet lag and the time difference. Japan is feeling more and more like home, that being said I am still referring to my beloved South Africa as home.  I wonder can I have two homes?  Alexander is still asking to go granny's house.  We spent so much time at my parents house... I am trying heard not to think to much about family, because I miss them so intensely and I just know that I'll spend days in tears if I do. We went to Costco today.  For those of you that are wondering what that is, it is a huge wholesale store (American) and they sell everything.  The experience was rather thrilling.  We bought loads and spent very little (we think).  We found raw almonds which is a bonus as the only nuts we've found are roasted. A side note:  Beatrice has woken up and is screaming!!!! Emiel is trying to get her back to sleep ...

 The first pic is of...well...me packing and my little brother watching a movie. This next one is of Alexander snuggled up on the plane.  We flew with Emirates and it was amazing!  The Dubai airport at 1am is, however, overwhelming.                                                                               Our first experience of a Japanese supermarket.                                                                                  Takashi and Tiffany are a couple from the church.  They picked us up from the airport and then took us to the store. ...