Mt. Aso = Mt. Awesome!

A family in the church invited us to go on a day trip with them in August. 

They wanted to take us to the area where they grew up. 

We jumped at the idea of seeing more of this beautiful

 country we get to live in! 

Here are some pictures from our trip. 

The smoke is the active valcano at the top of Mt. Aso

Noah enjoying the view

Mountain roads and Rachal = dramamine and sleeping through the trip

Looking down into the valcano.  The sulfer smell was awful.

While we were there, it "burped". 
The gaurds made us all leave the area due to the increased sulfer in the air.

We had the chance to stop at an old train track turned water park.  They were building a new track through the town in 1977, that would include an underground tunel.  As the men worked on the tunnel they found an underground spring.  As they dug the tunel it kept filling with water and some men drown.  After many tries to keep the turnel they decided to give up.  The city later turned the water filled tunel into a fun place to enjoy.

Jonah and Eli playing in the water.

 

Inside the tunel is decorated by different schools and businesses. 

Mike and Rachal with Totoro

Castel made of plastic bottles

Awesome Waterfall.
They use sound waves and lights to make the water
look like individual drops of water.
Everyone wanted to touch and see if it reallly was water....

 

 

...everyone

The end of the tunel still has water rushing out.

Three little words that mean so much!

This summer I learned three little words in Japanese.  Probably not what you think of when you hear the phrase "three little words".  I learned ......

健康保険証

 

びょうき

 

くすり

That would be

 

health insurance

 

sick

 

medicine

 

for those of you who don't read Japanese! 

This summer has been full of medical issues for us. 

First of all we ended May with Jonah falling down in the parking lot of the church.  He and a few kids were playing tag when Jonah's foot slipped on the rocks.  Next thing ya know . . . . . tears, blood, weak knees, upset stomach and swelling.  (I have a family of fainter's at the sight of blood)  After a trip to the doctor the next day they put his arm in a cast for a few days.  It healed up great and he is left with an awesome story. 

In mid July, Mike started having some stomach issues.  Upset stomach, fever and pain.  After three trips to see three different doctors, over a five week period, it was determined that Mike would need to have an endoscopy done.  Upon having the endoscopy done they found a polyp in his stomach.  So that was sent off for a biopsy.  Two weeks later we get the report back that everything was clear.  So that was a huge blessing.  Praise the LORD!!  The doctors put Mike on some stomach medicine and that has really helped too!

{I had planned to post a picture of Mike's polyp but didn't want to gross anyone out!  :) }

The last week of July, Jonah decided he had not seen the inside of an ambulance and that this would be a good time. :)  Jonah and Eli had been outside playing when Eli fell down and scraped his knee.  Jonah being the good big brother came running into the house to tell us.  But before he made it inside he ran into the stairs out front.  So in came Jonah with a large gash on the top of his head.  {remember I have fainter's in this family}  Long story short,  Jonah got to ride in an ambulance to the hospital and ended up with three staples in his head.  He has been checked out with numerous x-rays and he is great!  No cracked scull and the doctor said, "He is normal."  So I am just going to go with that!! 

To end this "Summer of Fun", I had to have one of my wisdom teeth pulled.  Lets just say, I don't do pain very well.  I cried.  No pictures to post. 

I am glad to say that through all of this that God blessed us.  He took care of us when we were hurting.  He provided the money to pay the medical bills.  He lead us to some awesome doctors that spoke some English.  He calmed my heart many times when my child was hurting.  He steadied my nerves as we waited for the test results.  He was right beside me every step of the way.  I love the Lord and I love serving Him - even when we are sick and hurting and far from home.  Because slowly, over the last two years, Japan has become HOME.