The good, the bad and the ugly

I am really thinking of changing the name of the blog to

the GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY

It seems like here lately that has been my day.  A little good, a little bad and a little ugly.  So lets review today.

The GOOD -

Today is our 15 year anniversary.  I am married to my best friend.  Read more about that here.  I have a great little family.  I am serving my Lord in Japan. 

The BAD -

I have been homesick.  I am really missing my family. 

The UGLY -

I cried at Kumon* today.  Not just a few tears but big ugly boo-hoo, make-up running, can't catch my breath crying.  I am not proud, in fact I am embarrassed.  I am pretty sure I scared the little old lady who was trying to teach me.  I had high hopes for today.  I was excited about going to class.  I had done my homework, all 30 pages of it.  I had been practicing my vocabulary words.  I had even made flash cards.  I had listened to my CD every day and repeated the words just like they said.  I was ready for class ~ or so I thought. 

The class started off on the wrong foot. 

She asked if I had my pencil.  
Me - "YES!" grabbed a pen from my purse. 
Her - "No! Pencil, pencil."
Me - "No pencil.  I only have a pen."
Her - hands me a pencil, "Next time pencil"
Me - "OK"  I look at Mike.  He didn't tell me it HAD to be a pencil.

A few minutes later

Her - "CD?"
Me - "No"  I look at Mike again.  He didn't tell me to bring the CD to class.
Her - "Sigh"  She heads off to find a copy of the CD.
Her - "CD next time"
Me - "Yes ma'am"

After listening to the CD she asked me to read what was on the paper.  As I began to speak, she began to cringe.  She would stop me and have me repeat after her.  After the fourth time trying to say this simple sentence, a tear began to roll down my cheek.  In my mind I was thinking, "I am never going to be able to speak Japanese." As I tried again and failed again, another tear.  She asked if I was OK.  And then the flood gates were opened and down came the tears.  I felt like a big failure.  First I can't speak Japanese and second I am crying like a baby.  She comforted me and sent me to the computer to review the alphabet.  After Mike had finished his lessons, we head out the door.  Mike said, "What just happened in there?  What was that all about?"  and then the tears fell again.  Mike hugged me, assured me it was all going to be OK.  In my mind I am still having doubts.  I just don't know if I can change my good ole' Texas, Southern accent into something that sounds like Japanese. 

The BEST -

When we got home I had a card waiting for me.  It was from my Japanese friend.

Thank you Lord for the reminder . . .



 of why I will learn Japanese.

Thank you Lord for loving me, knowing what I need and encouraging me!

*Kumon is the language school we attend. 



A letter to Mike

*please see the note at the bottom

To my best friend,

I can not believe that we have been married for 15 years.  I can't be old enough to be married that long!! 

It's funny how somethings stick in your mind so clearly.  I can't tell you what we had for dinner last week but I remember this story like it was yesterday.  It was early July 1997, I was working at Toy R Us in Springfield, MO.  I worked at the returns counter.  I was talking to a co-worker about married life (I had been married over a month and was an expert for sure).  A lady and her two children walked up to the counter to return a toy.  As she filled out the form, I was finishing my conversation.  The lady asked, "How long have you been married?  You look so young."  I happily replied "34 days" or something like that, I don't remember the exact number of days now.  She smiled and said, "I have been happily married for 15 years and let me tell you, it only gets better!  Just remember, he is your best friend, make him always feel like he is."  I handed her the money for returning the toy.  She smiled and walked off with her kids.  I stood there for while and watched her walk away.  Two thing were going through my mind - 1.  Am I going to look that old when we have been married 15 years?  2.  How am I supposed to make Mike feel like my best friend?

Every year around our anniversary I tend think back to this and ask myself two questions -  "Do I look old yet?" And, "Did I make Mike feel like my best friend?"  For years, I have to admit, I was very consumed with diapers and bottles and laundry and kids that I don't know if I was a very good best friend.  But let me tell you, Mike, you have been always been an awesome best friend.  You have listened to me tell my stories about the kids, about work, about the lady in front of me at the store in the express line with 12 items. (don't get me started about this one) You have gone shoe shopping or purse shopping more than any husband should have too.  And you don't get mad when I can't decide which ones I want.  We have laughed - oh how we have laughed!!  I could remind you of many stories about us laughing so hard we were crying about grapes, tennise courts and cleaning the shower. Since this is on the Internet for the world to read, I will not tell the whole story!!  Date night for us has not always been going out.  One of our best date nights was sitting around the computer listening to music on itunes and remembering the 80's and early 90's.  I love how you know the words to almost every 80's tune!!  You never cease to amaze me with your useless knowledge. (and this is why I never win at Trivial Pursuit)  I could keep going on and on about why I fall more and more in love with you.  I just hope that after all these years that I have been as good a best friend to you as you have to me!  I am excited to see what God has in store for us in Japan.  I can't wait to see what the next 15 years will hold. - Oh and I don't think we look old enough to have been married for 15 years!! 

This song sums up our life -

Everything is great,

Everything is grand,

 I've got the whole wide world in the palm of my hand.
Everything is perfect,

It's falling into place,

 I can't seem to wipe this smile off my face
Life's a happy song when there's someone by your side to sing along.

I love you  . . . . forever,
Cristy

* I was not able to bring my photo albums and scrapbooks with me to Japan.  My mother took a picture of our wedding photo and emailed it to me.  Thanks Mom!!

I want this park

This is our neighborhood park.  My kids play here almost everyday.  And almost everyday my doorbell rings.  It's one of the neighborhood kids wanting our kids to play.  And almost everyday I think, "Thank you Lord, that You provided an apartment so close to the park."  It's a real blessing.  The park is close.  I can step out my front door and see the kids playing. 

Lord, I want this park.

Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
 thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.

Not for me personally, but for the Lord.  You see, everyday there are many children coming and playing at this park.  Everyday there are many moms coming to this park.   This park is full of possibilities.  Full of promise.  Full of souls.

Lord, I want this park.

I Thessalonians 5:17-18

Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the

 will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

 

Next week I start language school.  I am scared.  I know it's going to be hard.  If you know me well you know I don't even speak good English. I could give many examples of how I have mispronounced simple words, how I have given the wrong definition (and been sent to the office) or even how, at 35 I am still learning new words, like Tyvek!!  How am I going to learn this new language?  How am I going to learn to speak Japanese? 

Lord, I want this park.

Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God

If I am going to claim this park for Jesus, I am going to have to learn this language.  I know with much prayer, much studying, and much work, I will learn to speak.  I will learn to understand.  And someday soon I would love to teach Bible stories at this park.  I would love to share some cookies and kool-aid and tell them about my Jesus. 

Lord, I want this park.

II Thessalonians 3:1

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course,

and be glorified, even as it is with you:

Will you pray with me?  Pray for this park.  Pray for my language studies.  Pray for more opportunities to reach out to this country.

Psalms 29:2

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name;

worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness



He's still working on me . . .

Today God has been reminding again and again that HE is still working on me.

First try is on the left.  Second try (with baking soda) on the right.

This morning I got up with the plans to make eggs and toast for breakfast.  We have eggs, toast and sometimes (when it's on sale) bacon on Saturdays.  I started this our fist Saturday in our apartment.  I did it again the next Saturday.  Jonah said, "Mom I love how you have started a family tradition so quickly in Japan.  I love having eggs and toast every Saturday."  So from those sweet words I have made it a point to always have eggs and toast on Saturday mornings.  So this morning, I again planned for eggs and toast.  As I was getting things ready to start cooking I saw the bottle of syrup that my mom sent in the box we got this week.  And then the idea hit me!!  Let's have PANCAKES instead!!  So I went to the computer and found a recipe for Fluffy Pancakes.  I jotted down the ingredients and off to the kitchen I went.  I mixed the flour, the egg, the milk and oil together.  Poured the batter on the hot griddle and TRIED to make pancakes.  They were so flat - more like crapes than pancakes.  I went back and checked the recipe again.  Flour - check, Egg - check, Milk - check, Oil - check!!  I looked up another recipe to compare.  The second one had an extra ingredient - Baking Soda!!!  So I added baking soda and prayed they would turn out better.  The kids had figured out my surprise and were excited about Fluffy Pancakes!  They did turn out a little better, a little thicker but not much.  (They were so bad I didn't want to take a picture.)  While cooking the rest of the batter the song "He's Still Working On Me" came to mind.  I am still learning how to do things the Japanese way.  I am still learning about His Grace and Mercy each day.  I am still learning how to show grace and mercy each day (I have three active boys and an almost teenage daughter - lots of grace and mercy needed each day).  I am still learning how to make things from scratch.  I am still a work in progress.  And I am so thankful that He's still working on me!!

This afternoon I had to go to the store for a few important items - milk, juice and toilet paper.  I have been struggling with not having a car.  I want a car so bad.  I want my freedom to go and do when I want.  I don't mind riding a bike.  I don't mind walking places.  I don't mind taking the bus or train.  BUT I really want a car.  {insert whinny voice here}  God is still working on me!!  On the way to the store I began to think about why I am thankful I don't have a car.  No gas to pay for, no maintenance, no parking fees, I am losing weight on my bike, I have a chance to see more people when on a bike, and so on. 

So as I am talking to God, telling him I am OK on my bike.  I will be alright on foot.  I pull up in front of our apartment and see this bike.  I have never seen a bike made by Hummer.  Didn't know they had a bike division!!  All I have ever seen are the big box like SUV.  I smiled.  Just felt like it was God's sense of humor.

So you see . . . .

He's still working on me. 

To make me what I ought to be. 

It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars. 

The Sun and the Earth and

Jupiter and Mars.

How loving and patient He must be. 

Because He's still working on me!!

Boys will be boys

On Tuesday late afternoon, Mike and I noticed that the kids had been outside playing for a while.  No one had come to tattle, no one had come in to complain about being tired, no one had come in for a drink of water.  We laughed to each other that they must really be having fun at the park.

Then, Rachal came in and said, "Mom, get the camera.  You have got to see this." 

So outside Mike and I went, camera in hand.  We noticed a few kids standing around the sand pit.  Rachal started giggling.  I said, "What is going on?"  And then from around the corner we saw . . . . this little project that had kept the kids happy and playing all afternoon.

I hope you enjoy . . . we sure did!!  :)

 Yes, my boys buried Eli in the sand . . . .

 . . . . up to his neck!!

 He lost his shoe.

 Found it!!

She is asking us - "What are you doing?"

Well, sweet girl, they are just being boys!!