It's been a year

 One year ago today we were leaving America and arriving in Fukuoka.  We were scared, excited, tired and a little over whelmed to say the least.  We have had all of our "first" in Japan.  We have seen things and done thing and even eaten things I never imagined.  We have laughed, we have cried, we have grown, we have prayed.  We have grown closer as a family and closer to God.  We have survived our first year on the mission field.  {insert round of applause here}

Here are a few highlights from our year. 
Most are funny, some are sad but remember

everything that God brought us to this year,

 HE also brought us through.
At the end you can click on the link to
see a short video of pictures from our year.

• We arrived in Japan.  You can read about that day HERE.

• Rachal made our first trip to the doctor in Japan.  January 20, 2012 was the beginning of "Flu Week" for us. 

• January 28, 2012 we moved into our apartment. You can read about that HERE.

• February Mike passed a large kidney stone.  This was also his first ride in an ambulance (ever).  This was hands down the scariest thing we had to deal with this year.  Being in that much pain and not speaking the language.  When Mike arrived at the Red Cross Hospital and the doctor spoke English, tears of JOY (and pain).

• We were talking to a friend over skype.  She asked, "Can you cook the same foods you use to cook in America?"  I replied, "Yes, I can make most of the foods we used to eat in America.  The only difference is here in Japan we make a lot of things from scratch."  Jonah then chimed in, "We never ate scratch until we came to Japan.  I really like eating scratch."

• I made a Japanese friend.  You can read about that HERE.

• Mike's mom was asking the kids what they thought about Japan.  Eli said, "Japan is exactly like America, except only it's WAY different."

• We were attacked by Mothra the killer moth.  You can read about that HERE.

• In June I cut my finger while cooking dinner.  I was sure I needed stitches.  I called our missionary friends to come over and take me to the hospital.  Once we arrived at the hospital, the nurse was asking for my medical history.  She would ask the question, Mike Winters would interpret, I would answer and Mike would again interpret.  She asked if I had ever had surgery before.  I said, "Yes, a c-section."  Mike explains it to her.  She looks puzzled and asks again.  Mike says in Japanese, "Yes, a c-section."  Again the puzzled look.  After a minute she just nods and walks away.  Mike pulls out his electronic dictionary to double check and make sure he was saying the word "c-section" correctly.  Turns out he was mispronouncing the word.  He was saying Uranus (the planet in outer space) not c-section.  No wonder she was confused!!!

• I started language school.  You can read about that HERE.

• We saw our first Rainy Season.  Growing up in West Texas I was excited about the rain . . . . at first.  You can read about that HERE.

• We had the chance to help with Vacation Bible School and serve with a Missions Team. 

• Mike and I both lost family members this year.  It has been hard to be away from our family when we know they are hurting.  We have wanted to  jump on a plane and run home.  God has given us that comfort that we needed.  Thankfully, we have Skype.  It makes life a little easier!!  :)

• We started back with home school after a nice summer break.  You can read about that HERE.

• I cut my finger in the most unusual way and I found out that I have been introducing myself with the wrong word.  You can read about that HERE and HERE.

• We have tried some really crazy food and some really yummy food.  The hardest thing was eating rotten beans.  My brain kept saying "Don't eat this!"   You can read about that HERE.

• Speaking of food, I have really had to work on my "Betty Crocker-ness" this year.  I have learned to cook all sorts of things, like a cake.  Without a box cake mix.  :)

I hope you enjoy this video!