Our first DVD from Netflix is here. We were very pleasantly surprised at the speed with which it arrived. We signed up on Sunday, and we received our first movie yesterday. And it fit in our mailbox, so if it we can't pick up our mail when the package window is open, we can still receive a movie.
Ever since we got here, it has been a struggle to entertain our movie-loving teens. The acceptable choices in the theater on base were few and far between. The choices in the rental shop were rarely to our taste.
We had been putting off joining Netflix, hesitating about relying on the military mail system for movie delivery. Then we returned from the States and found the movie rental situation just as awful as it has always been and looking more awful because we had just seen the vast selection of family and classic movies available in retail stores and rental shops back home.
What finally pushed me to join was Patrick's social situation. A group of kids were going out to the movies last weekend, and every choice available, while rated PG-13, was also A-III. He's limited to A-II and lower movies, so he couldn't go. And there wasn't anything in the video store that he thought would appeal to the group and be acceptable to us. So we were stuck. I wanted him to be able to see his friends, but they wanted to see a movie.
Enter Netflix. Now, Patrick can order an acceptable and entertaining movie, invite his friends here, serve food and drink and generally have a good time. That's the plan anyway. Our house was a teen gathering house in Yakima, so I hope it can be here, too. Patrick will have to work at inviting people, but once the pattern is established, it can work really well. He still can't go out to many movies, but at least he won't be left out of teen social life completely.
So that's why I'm happy with Netflix this week. Oh, and I get to watch Fiddler on the Roof tonight. John and Patrick let me choose the first movie. They're nice like that.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Matthew notices
Matthew and I were sitting at the table eating afternoon snack.
"Tommy is gone again," he observed.
"Yes," I said, "He is at Reach."
At this point our conversation was interrupted by a phone call from Patrick whose cross country practice finished early. Matthew and I hurried out to pick him up.
As we paused in the garage while the door opened, Matthew said, "We went to Reach....we ate dinner there."
Thank you again, Mark Urlacher for that dinner invitation last June. Now Matthew has a frame of reference for Tommy's whereabouts.
It should at least explain why Tommy keeps missing dinner.
"Tommy is gone again," he observed.
"Yes," I said, "He is at Reach."
At this point our conversation was interrupted by a phone call from Patrick whose cross country practice finished early. Matthew and I hurried out to pick him up.
As we paused in the garage while the door opened, Matthew said, "We went to Reach....we ate dinner there."
Thank you again, Mark Urlacher for that dinner invitation last June. Now Matthew has a frame of reference for Tommy's whereabouts.
It should at least explain why Tommy keeps missing dinner.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Grocery Shopping
I took Patrick's camera to the local grocery store with me yesterday because I wanted to show you these apples. Notice the price for 1 apple. To convert yen to dollars, move the decimal point two places to the left. Yep, it's about $1.98 per apple.
smaller apples
Produce here is phenomenally expensive (Click on the photos to see a larger version). Our main consolation: the produce is always fresh and delicious. No grainy apples or peaches here. We have never had even a single moldy berry from this store.
peaches
Once I was inside, I thought that you might like to see what else I see each week.
Universe exterior
(on Sundays this parking lot is completely full)
grocery aisles
The store looks about the same as any U.S. grocery store from the outside. And the aisles are set up like an American grocery store with produce, fish and meats, dairy, and the bakery around the perimeter and everything else you can think of in the aisles in between.
octopus
the bakery
Crab is only .38/100 grams. Bread prices are comparable to the US. So is milk.
crab
shopping cart
There is a campaign throughout Japan to get more people to carry reusable shopping bags instead of the ubiquitous plastic grocery bags. They sell many styles. This one entertained me because I'm sure that it fails in translation. But it makes me smile.
shopping bag
Thanks for shopping with me!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist
Benozzo Gozzoli
The Feast of Herod and the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, 1461-1462
Samuel H. Kress Collection
"You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace."
Luke 1: 76-79
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace."
Luke 1: 76-79
Happy name day, Tommy!
You are in our prayers today.
(We ate tasty ice cream with chocolate sauce in your honor, too.)
With love from all of us
Sunday, August 26, 2007
12 hours
That's how long I was gone on Friday. And in 12 hours everything changed.
There's an empty place at the table now, and a sadness in our hearts.
Tommy's last few hours at home were not as crazy as I expected. We had sent his luggage ahead with a delivery service, so there wasn't much last-minute packing. But John had gone in to work in the early morning and arrived home only about 20 minutes before the train was scheduled to leave. Luckily, the station is only about 10 minutes away.
So the farewell blessing had to be given in the car on the way to the train station. Not quite the way I had imagined it, but it was too important to skip. Since John was driving, I read the "Blessing on Leaving Home for School, Employment, or Ministry" from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers.
I think there is a reason that fathers usually give blessings. I only got as far as the introduction before my voice broke. It was just too hard to read the words, "Gathering all our memories of good times and difficulties together, and full of hope and concern for the days ahead, let us ask God's blessing on Tommy." I got to "good times" before I cried.
There were a few damp eyes on all parts at the train station. The hugs and handshakes and baby high fives were many. But there wasn't much time, and we had to hurry to the platform.
My tears started again on the train, so I got out my trusty rosary and started in, which was very calming. After a decade or so, we had to change trains. The Shinkansen (bullet train) is fast and comfortable (and air conditioned!). Tommy and I kept busy: he, writing a few remaining graduation thank yous, filling out his voter registration form, and working on a checking account application. I, going through his senior year papers and exams to be sure I had all my questions answered while he was still nearby. We arrived in Tokyo in less than four hours and switched for the airport express train.
At the airport, he picked up his luggage, checked himself in, and joined me for lunch. Then I saw him to the gate. He's getting good at security by now. He had packed his soda tab bracelet and other metal in his checked bags, and he had his shoes off and laptop out. He and the guard had a chuckle over the shoes because in Japan you don't have to take them off in the security gate--which is kinda funny if you think about it. We remove our shoes in a lot of other places here, even restaurants, but apparently not at the airport. He put his shoes back on and headed toward the metal detector.
He turned and smiled and raised his hand in a wave. Then he went through the gate on the way to his new life.
And then my tears flowed freely.
It's not so much that I don't want him to grow up or leave home. Or that I don't like where he's going. Because he is going to do a very good thing. But not an easy thing. And we won't be there to help. There's not much you can really do from a continent away...except pray.
Saint Monica, pray for us!
There's an empty place at the table now, and a sadness in our hearts.
Tommy's last few hours at home were not as crazy as I expected. We had sent his luggage ahead with a delivery service, so there wasn't much last-minute packing. But John had gone in to work in the early morning and arrived home only about 20 minutes before the train was scheduled to leave. Luckily, the station is only about 10 minutes away.
So the farewell blessing had to be given in the car on the way to the train station. Not quite the way I had imagined it, but it was too important to skip. Since John was driving, I read the "Blessing on Leaving Home for School, Employment, or Ministry" from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers.
I think there is a reason that fathers usually give blessings. I only got as far as the introduction before my voice broke. It was just too hard to read the words, "Gathering all our memories of good times and difficulties together, and full of hope and concern for the days ahead, let us ask God's blessing on Tommy." I got to "good times" before I cried.
There were a few damp eyes on all parts at the train station. The hugs and handshakes and baby high fives were many. But there wasn't much time, and we had to hurry to the platform.
My tears started again on the train, so I got out my trusty rosary and started in, which was very calming. After a decade or so, we had to change trains. The Shinkansen (bullet train) is fast and comfortable (and air conditioned!). Tommy and I kept busy: he, writing a few remaining graduation thank yous, filling out his voter registration form, and working on a checking account application. I, going through his senior year papers and exams to be sure I had all my questions answered while he was still nearby. We arrived in Tokyo in less than four hours and switched for the airport express train.
At the airport, he picked up his luggage, checked himself in, and joined me for lunch. Then I saw him to the gate. He's getting good at security by now. He had packed his soda tab bracelet and other metal in his checked bags, and he had his shoes off and laptop out. He and the guard had a chuckle over the shoes because in Japan you don't have to take them off in the security gate--which is kinda funny if you think about it. We remove our shoes in a lot of other places here, even restaurants, but apparently not at the airport. He put his shoes back on and headed toward the metal detector.
He turned and smiled and raised his hand in a wave. Then he went through the gate on the way to his new life.
And then my tears flowed freely.
It's not so much that I don't want him to grow up or leave home. Or that I don't like where he's going. Because he is going to do a very good thing. But not an easy thing. And we won't be there to help. There's not much you can really do from a continent away...except pray.
Saint Monica, pray for us!
Correction
Joseph tells me that I was almost right in saying that he and Matthew love their new shirts.
He said, "I LIKE my new shirt, but you can only LOVE people...(thoughtful pause)...and God."
He said, "I LIKE my new shirt, but you can only LOVE people...(thoughtful pause)...and God."
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Sponsors
Welcome to Japan!
The sponsors (that's us) usually help with reservations in the Misawa Inn, a temporary living facility on base. We stock their fridge with necessities to get them through the first few days of jet lag and help them in-process on base. We also will invite them to tag along with us to cultural events, work activities, and other stuff until they feel comfortable enough to go about on their own.
Katie and Joseph are very excited about their arrival because their children are ages 10, 9 (girls), and 6 (a boy). They decorated fans to give them as welcome gifts. It was a great idea since the Misawa Inn has no air conditioning, and our high temperature today will be a very humid 90 F.
"Our" family arrives at nine a.m. We plan to help them (carry all their luggage) check in at the Misawa Inn, take a quick base tour, have lunch, attend a housing meeting, take dad to driving class, take mom and kids to new parent/student orientation at the school, and have everyone over for dinner at our house. If they are still awake after that, I will be extremely surprised!
Tomorrow, I will babysit while John takes them to look at houses with a local, Japanese realtor.
Between sponsoring and Tommy's departure on Friday, I probably won't have time to post much in the next several days.
Please keep Tommy in your prayers for safe travel back to the U.S. on Friday.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Cousins
When we unpacked after our family rendezvous, we found a belt that belonged to a cousin. It got me thinking about this summer. What a gift the three weeks at Mom and Dad's were! The first week was a bit sticky as everyone tried to figure out how six kids and three parents and two grandparents would manage to live in one house without driving each other crazy. Beth and I were too hard on Mom about healthy eating (sorry again, Mom), and the kids were so excited to see each other that they went a little crazy.
Fourth of July
But as the excitement and newness wore off, something amazing happened. Somewhere amid the lightning bug catching, frozen yogurt eating, bike riding, farmers' marketing, swimming, field tripping, and storytelling, bonds of true friendship solidified.
Frozen custard
On one of our last evenings together, Beth and I were standing together near our toddlers in the baby pool and looking over at the big pool where the older kids were jumping off the diving board into the deep end. They were having a marvelous time, each acting according to his or her comfort level. The Josephs were hanging out on the side of the pool. Katie was diving--her first time, and Ben was gleefully jumping off the board.
Beth said, "I think we will always look back on this as a golden summer."
She's right. That evening is one of the many moments from our visit that I want to hold forever in my heart.
Like the belt mixed into Joseph's suitcase, our lives and hearts were mixed together during those three weeks. The belt has been returned to its proper home, but I pray that our hearts will remain entangled forever.
cousins=friends
Thank you to t for the photos.
Fourth of July
But as the excitement and newness wore off, something amazing happened. Somewhere amid the lightning bug catching, frozen yogurt eating, bike riding, farmers' marketing, swimming, field tripping, and storytelling, bonds of true friendship solidified.
Frozen custard
On one of our last evenings together, Beth and I were standing together near our toddlers in the baby pool and looking over at the big pool where the older kids were jumping off the diving board into the deep end. They were having a marvelous time, each acting according to his or her comfort level. The Josephs were hanging out on the side of the pool. Katie was diving--her first time, and Ben was gleefully jumping off the board.
Beth said, "I think we will always look back on this as a golden summer."
She's right. That evening is one of the many moments from our visit that I want to hold forever in my heart.
Like the belt mixed into Joseph's suitcase, our lives and hearts were mixed together during those three weeks. The belt has been returned to its proper home, but I pray that our hearts will remain entangled forever.
cousins=friends
Thank you to t for the photos.
Prayer request
My sister is in the midst of a monumental examination that she must pass in order to continue with her doctoral studies in Medieval literature.She is a brilliant young woman as well as a loving wife and mother. She has been a great sounding board for me for educational ideas, especially in my navigation from traditional preschool toward Montessori in our home. And she is a wonderful little sister.
Please pray with us that Beth passes her exam.
Blessed Julian of Norwich, pray for her!
Burnout
It seems very strange, but I feel burnt out, and school hasn't even begun yet. I don't want to plan. I don't want to get back to school. So for the past several days, I have been thinking about why.
What is it that is making me feel so drained before we even begin?
Several things come to mind. One is clutter. When school ended, we left directly for the U.S. for Tommy's graduation. We left much in disarray here. Then we stayed there for almost 8 weeks. And they were wonderful weeks. But when we got back, on top of my jet lag, it seemed that all I could see was the clutter and disorder of our bookshelves, Joseph's little learning closet, and my upstairs work table.
And Tommy is leaving. So we have been caught up in his preparations. Packing, talking, visiting, laughing, remembering. It is bittersweet.
And big boxes of curriculum in the front hall. I feel overwhelmed by our curriculum. And yet I love the classical approach. So I need to think about how we are working and where our time is spent and what is good and what is bad and what is most important.
Late Friday night, with John and the teens away and the little ones in bed, I dug into Elizabeth Foss's blog, Real Learning. She has four wonderful posts on burnout that sent me to the laundry room first thing Saturday morning to storm heaven. And, wouldn't you know it, when I asked, God immediately responded. I had a better day on Saturday. Why do I forget to turn to Him? I was just on retreat, for goodness sake.
Today, the heaps of laundry are reduced. The clutter reduction has also begun...slowly but surely. And as the clutter in conquered, I know my brain will clear, and I can begin to think about the coming year. I'm not ready to plan yet. The ideas are germinating, though.
When he got back from the campout, John and I talked about this, and we are going to remember (and write down!) some things we talked about on our morning walks in Massachusetts back in June. Then I'd like to look back to the things we thought about when we started this adventure, bringing the oldest two boys home nine years ago. At that time, I wrote down what we wanted from home schooling. What we hoped for our children. What we needed from God to do it. I need to dig that out and remember.
With much prayer, in silence and in thoughtful time with the children, we will start anew.
I am grateful to Elizabeth for reminding me from whence cometh my help. And to my husband who pointed out, "The real work of a retreat always comes after, doesn't it."
What is it that is making me feel so drained before we even begin?
Several things come to mind. One is clutter. When school ended, we left directly for the U.S. for Tommy's graduation. We left much in disarray here. Then we stayed there for almost 8 weeks. And they were wonderful weeks. But when we got back, on top of my jet lag, it seemed that all I could see was the clutter and disorder of our bookshelves, Joseph's little learning closet, and my upstairs work table.
And Tommy is leaving. So we have been caught up in his preparations. Packing, talking, visiting, laughing, remembering. It is bittersweet.
And big boxes of curriculum in the front hall. I feel overwhelmed by our curriculum. And yet I love the classical approach. So I need to think about how we are working and where our time is spent and what is good and what is bad and what is most important.
Late Friday night, with John and the teens away and the little ones in bed, I dug into Elizabeth Foss's blog, Real Learning. She has four wonderful posts on burnout that sent me to the laundry room first thing Saturday morning to storm heaven. And, wouldn't you know it, when I asked, God immediately responded. I had a better day on Saturday. Why do I forget to turn to Him? I was just on retreat, for goodness sake.
Today, the heaps of laundry are reduced. The clutter reduction has also begun...slowly but surely. And as the clutter in conquered, I know my brain will clear, and I can begin to think about the coming year. I'm not ready to plan yet. The ideas are germinating, though.
When he got back from the campout, John and I talked about this, and we are going to remember (and write down!) some things we talked about on our morning walks in Massachusetts back in June. Then I'd like to look back to the things we thought about when we started this adventure, bringing the oldest two boys home nine years ago. At that time, I wrote down what we wanted from home schooling. What we hoped for our children. What we needed from God to do it. I need to dig that out and remember.
With much prayer, in silence and in thoughtful time with the children, we will start anew.
I am grateful to Elizabeth for reminding me from whence cometh my help. And to my husband who pointed out, "The real work of a retreat always comes after, doesn't it."
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Hiking in the Hakkodas
On August 11th, Tommy, Patrick and I went on a day hike organized by the military Outdoor Recreation service. By coincidence, Boy Scout Troop 14 had planned a camping trip to the same place the next weekend, so we did the same hike again. Tommy and Patrick actually did a slightly longer version of the hike the second time. I returned to camp with the group who had had enough hiking after only 6 miles and 1000 feet of elevation gain. The boys and I thought both hikes were pretty easy compared to what we had done at Philmont less than a month ago. The weather the first time was mostly sunny. This time it was mostly cloudy and a little rainy. The pictures below are from both days.
Looking up at O-dake
Troop 14 on top of O-dake
The caldera on O-dake
JC, Scott, Tommy, and Andrew on the "knife edge"
A mountain-top shrine in the Hakkodas
Looking up at O-dake
Troop 14 on top of O-dake
The caldera on O-dake
JC, Scott, Tommy, and Andrew on the "knife edge"
A mountain-top shrine in the Hakkodas
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Seitai Hoshikai
This is the shrine of Our Lady of Akita, Japan. After our ignominious arrival, we went quickly to sleep with fans blowing to push back the humid night air.
In the morning, we awoke and found that the feast day schedule was the same as the Sunday schedule, so we had an extra half hour to get ready before morning prayer. Another unexpected blessing, allowing the kids a few extra minutes of sleep.
Guest house (left) and Church
Here's what we did during the day:
6:30 - morning prayer in the main chapel with the sisters
7:00 - Eucharistic Adoration
7:30 - Holy Mass
- breakfast following Holy Mass with the other pilgrims
- help clean up from breakfast
9:15 - outdoor walk in Carmel Woods and Joseph's Woods with the younger children
(shower time for Tommy and Patrick)
10:00 - morning discussion: Mary, the Immaculate Conception, and the Assumption; read from Tomie dePaola's Mary, the Mother of God
10:30 - art project: illuminated letters
12:00 - lunch with other pilgrims
1:00 - 3:00 nap time/quiet time/silent reading time
3:00 - Gift shop for most while Matthew slowly awakens from his nap with parental assistance
3:30 - Chaplet of the Divine Mercy in the Mary chapel (the Statue of Our Lady of Akita)
4:00 - Outdoor stations of the cross and walk on the outdoor paths
4:40- quick pack-up and load the van
5:00 - Rosary
5:30 - Evening prayer
6:00 - Dinner with other pilgrims and the sisters
7:00 - depart for Misawa
We spent a hot and humid, but peaceful Assumption day with the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
The sisters are gracious and joyful. They also cook wonderful meals. We had boiled eggs, bread and jam, and tea for breakfast. For lunch, there was spaghetti, which Katie and Joseph said was "totemo oishi kata naze nereba" (delicious because) it had white noodles and the sauce had hamburger in it. For dinner, there were fried chicken cutlets, salad, corn chowder, and rice. The watermelon after lunch and the ice cream after dinner were especially fine treats, considering the extreme heat and humidity of the day.
Stone marker at entrance to Stations of the Cross
The opportunities for prayer are many, whether in the main chapel, the Mary chapel, or walking outdoors. We enjoyed formal prayer, the adoration time, and time to pray silently.
There is a holy silence there, and it inspires one to interior prayer in a way that is difficult to explain. It got me thinking about the uses of silence in prayer. I may post more about that some other time.
Gate at the entrance to the Mary Garden
We also found the family time really fruitful. I especially enjoyed the discussion about Mary. Each could participate; each learned something. The older boys didn't have to answer every question, but they did need to answer some. And everyone illuminated a letter. And everyone put serious thought into it. They were working quietly for over an hour. John and Matthew worked together, and even Matthew stayed with us at the table for most of the time. John and I felt we both needed a lot more time: that our letters were very unfinished. I now see the reason why the monks of old spent so many hours illuminating pages. And I appreciate again the meditative silence that this activity inspired.
Illuminations
(l-r, t-b: Judy, Tommy, Patrick, Katie, John & Matthew, Joseph)
(l-r, t-b: Judy, Tommy, Patrick, Katie, John & Matthew, Joseph)
Their explanations afterwards were also illuminating--children reveal much about their faith in their art.
Please keep the sisters at Akita, the Handmaids of the Holy Eucharist, in your prayers. They are a marvelous witness of Catholic Christianity in this Buddhist/Shinto country.
Statue in the Mary Garden
Friday, August 17, 2007
Another Reason to Love Japan
John sent me a link to a Japanese weather website, and when I went there, I found this:
It's the logo for the Japanese Earthquake Early Warning System. There's also a pamphlet in English to help us know what to do in case of an earthquake.
Now before you start worrying about us (this means you, Mom, and you, too, Mom), we have such small quakes that we almost never feel them. And when we do, they are so minor that the worst that has ever happened is the crystal vibrates a little in the cabinet.
It's just not a big concern. And besides, with such a cute logo, how can earthquakes be bad?
It's the logo for the Japanese Earthquake Early Warning System. There's also a pamphlet in English to help us know what to do in case of an earthquake.
Now before you start worrying about us (this means you, Mom, and you, too, Mom), we have such small quakes that we almost never feel them. And when we do, they are so minor that the worst that has ever happened is the crystal vibrates a little in the cabinet.
It's just not a big concern. And besides, with such a cute logo, how can earthquakes be bad?
Leave takings
On Real Learning, Elizabeth Foss is blogging about her son's departure for college this week. My heart goes out to her. I know I will be just as much of a basket case next week when Tommy leaves home. It's hard to think about, let alone write about.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Chapter 15
In which we prove that we are truly "baka gaijing " (stupid foreigners) and the Japanese prove, once again, that they are among the most gracious people in the world.
Most Japanese people travel by train or bus because the public transportation is reliable, speedy, and comfortable. It is also expensive. Which is why we decided to drive the family to Akita for the Feast of the Assumption. We have a road atlas of our own, and I had made a special trip to ITT, the travel office on base, for a map of the Akita area. It showed the Shrine of Our Lady of Akita, so I figured we were all set.
We left a little later than planned, but only about 15 minutes late, a minor miracle in this family. I felt confident that we would arrive at the promised 8:30 p.m. I know the sisters go to bed early because they rise at 5:30 for 6:00 morning prayer. And the lights out time is 10:00 p.m. in the guest house. No problem.
So I thought.
It is not as easy as I believed to find Seitai Hoshikai. In the dark. When I had only been there once before. And I was busy talking in the car that time and didn't pay close attention to the roads. And we didn't have any minutes on our cell phone. Which didn't really matter since I had forgotten to print out the page with the phone number on it anyway.
Note to self: ITT maps are not detailed enough. (and a few other things...)
In spite of a longer-than-planned dinner break at the Morioka Mall (something about the deep teenage need for a Jimi Hendrix poster to be hung on the wall of the guest house--I think you had to be part of Patrick's Confirmation class for this to make any sense at all.), we took the exit for Akita at approximately 8:20 p.m. Perfectly timed. Then we headed toward the road we thought we should take. We stopped to double check the map. It looks like if we keep going toward the right....
None of us expected to still be driving around on darkened country roads on the outskirts of Akita at 9:30 p.m. Which is when we stopped the second time for directions. Brave Patrick accompanied me into Lawsons (a quick shop) to try to help me interpret Japanese. I was praying mental Hail Marys like mad. The clerk spoke some English AND he knew the place we were looking for. Hooray!!
He took one look at our nearly useless map and pulled out the phone book. He called the sisters. Sr. Clara, the English-speaking sister who I contacted to make our reservations, phoned back in a few minutes.
Within 15 minutes, Sr. Clara and the sister who can drive the car, along with their dog, Megu, were in the Lawsons parking lot and led us to their home. She did not chide us for our lateness or lostness. Like a very patient mother, she only said, "We were a little worried about you. I am happy you are safely here."
We were deeply embarrassed at our lateness and the trouble we caused. But everyone who helped us was so gracious. It was as if helping lost foreigners who speak only about 5 words of Japanese (much credit is due to Patrick, who speaks many more than 5) was their most important job. Two different clerks looked at maps, one found a phone number, made telephone calls for us, and to top it all off, when we had to wait outside on a sultry night, the Lawsons clerk brought us 3 bottles of cold Pocari Sweat, a Gatorade-like lemon-limey drink.
He told me he was a Protestant Christian, which was why he knew about the statue and Maria garden. He was an answer to prayer, I think. Someone who knew where we needed to go and was willing to expend the extra effort to help.
Most Japanese people travel by train or bus because the public transportation is reliable, speedy, and comfortable. It is also expensive. Which is why we decided to drive the family to Akita for the Feast of the Assumption. We have a road atlas of our own, and I had made a special trip to ITT, the travel office on base, for a map of the Akita area. It showed the Shrine of Our Lady of Akita, so I figured we were all set.
We left a little later than planned, but only about 15 minutes late, a minor miracle in this family. I felt confident that we would arrive at the promised 8:30 p.m. I know the sisters go to bed early because they rise at 5:30 for 6:00 morning prayer. And the lights out time is 10:00 p.m. in the guest house. No problem.
So I thought.
It is not as easy as I believed to find Seitai Hoshikai. In the dark. When I had only been there once before. And I was busy talking in the car that time and didn't pay close attention to the roads. And we didn't have any minutes on our cell phone. Which didn't really matter since I had forgotten to print out the page with the phone number on it anyway.
Note to self: ITT maps are not detailed enough. (and a few other things...)
In spite of a longer-than-planned dinner break at the Morioka Mall (something about the deep teenage need for a Jimi Hendrix poster to be hung on the wall of the guest house--I think you had to be part of Patrick's Confirmation class for this to make any sense at all.), we took the exit for Akita at approximately 8:20 p.m. Perfectly timed. Then we headed toward the road we thought we should take. We stopped to double check the map. It looks like if we keep going toward the right....
None of us expected to still be driving around on darkened country roads on the outskirts of Akita at 9:30 p.m. Which is when we stopped the second time for directions. Brave Patrick accompanied me into Lawsons (a quick shop) to try to help me interpret Japanese. I was praying mental Hail Marys like mad. The clerk spoke some English AND he knew the place we were looking for. Hooray!!
He took one look at our nearly useless map and pulled out the phone book. He called the sisters. Sr. Clara, the English-speaking sister who I contacted to make our reservations, phoned back in a few minutes.
Within 15 minutes, Sr. Clara and the sister who can drive the car, along with their dog, Megu, were in the Lawsons parking lot and led us to their home. She did not chide us for our lateness or lostness. Like a very patient mother, she only said, "We were a little worried about you. I am happy you are safely here."
We were deeply embarrassed at our lateness and the trouble we caused. But everyone who helped us was so gracious. It was as if helping lost foreigners who speak only about 5 words of Japanese (much credit is due to Patrick, who speaks many more than 5) was their most important job. Two different clerks looked at maps, one found a phone number, made telephone calls for us, and to top it all off, when we had to wait outside on a sultry night, the Lawsons clerk brought us 3 bottles of cold Pocari Sweat, a Gatorade-like lemon-limey drink.
He told me he was a Protestant Christian, which was why he knew about the statue and Maria garden. He was an answer to prayer, I think. Someone who knew where we needed to go and was willing to expend the extra effort to help.
Requiescat In Pace
We pray for the repose of the soul of John's Uncle Michael.Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let your perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for him.
Prayers for Aunt Ann and all of the cousins are also being offered on this side of the world.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Today we are
baking cupcakes for the parish nursing home visit, packing for Akita, and mailing Tommy's bass to Reach.
It's getting harder for me to remain in denial about Tommy's departure. He keeps packing things.
It's getting harder for me to remain in denial about Tommy's departure. He keeps packing things.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Prayers, please
For John's Uncle Michael, who has been taken to a cardiac intensive care unit.
He is hanging on, but could use all the prayers you can offer.
Thank you.
He is hanging on, but could use all the prayers you can offer.
Thank you.
St. Claire
Happy name day to my dear goddaughter, Claire!
On the way home in the plane a couple of weeks ago, Matthew suddenly got the happiest smile on his face. When I asked what he was thinking, he said, "She is Clairie, dairie, strawberry," in a most pleased voice.
Then he said, "I love her best in whole world."
Thank you, God, for Claire. May He bless and protect you always.
Missing home
Living overseas is an amazing experience for all of us. But sometimes, we really wish we could be home. Like today. We are missing a long-awaited family wedding today. And as much fun as our name day celebration and other plans are, we know we are missing a major family event this weekend. It's hard to be so far away.
We are overjoyed that this wedding is taking place. We are so happy to welcome Heather into our family. We wish we could be there to celebrate with everyone.
So tonight we will offer our rosary for Paul & Heather: for happiness and joy, for strength in sorrow, for the gift of children. And our children will know that we can be joined in prayer, even if we can't be joined in time and space.
We are overjoyed that this wedding is taking place. We are so happy to welcome Heather into our family. We wish we could be there to celebrate with everyone.
So tonight we will offer our rosary for Paul & Heather: for happiness and joy, for strength in sorrow, for the gift of children. And our children will know that we can be joined in prayer, even if we can't be joined in time and space.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
The Feast of Saint Lawrence
Happy name day to Tommy!We have a lot of fun with name days here. First, in the children's eyes anyway, it means a weeknight dessert other than fruit, which is a treat. But there is also family Mass attendance and a special blessing for the name day child from Dad--before the dessert, just to keep the priorities straight.
So today we celebrate St. Lawrence, Tommy's Confirmation patron. He was a deacon in the third century who, when asked by the greedy Roman government officials to turn over the treasures of the Church, took them to the house of the poor. This was not appreciated, and Lawrence was sentenced to martyrdom by roasting. The story goes that when he was on the grill, he told the judge, "You can turn me over, this side is done," and just before the end, "I'm cooked now."
In the Church's good humor over these things, Lawrence is the patron of cooks, as well as deacons and the poor.
Tommy has requested a flaming dessert. It seems only too appropriate, so I am scouring cookbooks this morning for a good one.
Thanks be to God for this opportunity to have Tommy at home for just one more name day!
Deo gratias
Great news! We are going to Akita for the Solemnity of the Assumption. I am very excited about taking the family on a pilgrimage to celebrate the day.
Patrick and I have each been on retreat at Akita, but no one else has been able to get there. I really wanted Tommy to visit, and now that he has these extra weeks with us, we are able to take him. Also, it will be our first family retreat. Now John and I get to plan the day.
I am grateful to God for this blessing and to the Handmaids of the Holy Eucharist, who are able to accommodate us in their guest house.
If anyone has any prayer requests, please email them to us. We will be happy to take them to the sisters.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
The Feast of Saint Dominic
Happy name day to Joseph Dominic!
Our current plan for the celebration is to meet John at 11:30 Mass after Joseph's play practice. After dinner this evening, there will be blue Jello with lifesavers and gummi worms on top (the name day child gets to choose the dessert). And family rosary.
The rosary is a prayer we have not managed to make a permanent part of our daily lives. We have tried, with some success to pray it regularly, and one year prayed it daily, but then our move last year threw everything off, and we never reestablished the rosary portion of family prayer. We have managed a regular Sunday evening rosary, but I want more. John and I are hoping that tonight will be the (re-) start of our family's evening rosary.
St. Dominic, pray for us.
Prayer of St. Dominic
May God the Father who made us bless us.
May God the Son send his healing among us.
May God the Holy Spirit move within us and
give us eyes to see with, ears to hear with,
and hands that your work might be done.
May we walk and preach the word of God to all.
May the angel of peace watch over us, and
lead us at last by God’s grace to the Kingdom.
Amen.
Spirit
Yesterday, Katie and Joseph auditioned on base for the Missoula Children's Theater production of Rumplestiltskin. Joseph made the play. Katie did not. Afterwards, she was disappointed, but did not show it in front of Joseph and congratulated him heartily. During a private moment later, she said to me, "I wonder what I'm going to do this week."
Then she set about choosing a play of her own to do at home (with all her brothers, of course). She spent the afternoon hunting for a script on our shelves and online and finally settled on The Wolf of Gubbio, a story of St. Francis of Assisi, because it has a lot of male roles, but not too many for her ready-made cast. She made copies of the script for each actor and arranged a practice schedule for the next two weeks. She wants to make this a last family play before Tommy's departure.
That's my !
She found the play in this book, from Catholic Heritage Curricula:
Then she set about choosing a play of her own to do at home (with all her brothers, of course). She spent the afternoon hunting for a script on our shelves and online and finally settled on The Wolf of Gubbio, a story of St. Francis of Assisi, because it has a lot of male roles, but not too many for her ready-made cast. She made copies of the script for each actor and arranged a practice schedule for the next two weeks. She wants to make this a last family play before Tommy's departure.
That's my !
She found the play in this book, from Catholic Heritage Curricula:
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