What about the love?

"...I went to see my brother
On the 32nd floor
Of a building down on Wall Street;
You could hear the future's roar.
He said, "Here we make decisions,
And we trade commodities;
If you tell me where there's famine,
I can make you guarantees." I said,
"Is this all there is, Power to the strong?"
Something's wrong.

Something's wrong in heaven tonight.
You can almost hear them cry.
Angels to the left and the right, Saying,
"What about the love? What about the love? What about the love?"

Years ago, our family friend, Amy Grant Gill, wrote a song called "What about the love?" In light of yesterday's election, I have to ask the same question...

WHAT ABOUT THE LOVE?

My friend, Nicole and her family, are of the Mormon faith; like Presidential candidate Mitt Romney. She might be one of the most fun and sweet people I know. However, she suffered much criticism regarding her faith yesterday OVER FACEBOOK. "Thanks, Romney's god?" "His god sure showed them." How could that possibly do anything to serve and uplift others when one is disappointed by the election results?! That demonstrates pure hatred, not love.

Then we have the race issue.... people calling for another OJ riot situation if their man doesn't win. Or the Black Panthers showing up to initimidate people at the polls. How does that serve to unite our broken country? The ONLY thing that will unite us is Jesus and all of us showing each other the love of Christ.

The first thing we MUST do is pray for our president. Pray that if he doesn't know Jesus, that his heart is changed 100%. And that if he isn't making Christ based decisions, that God touch him and win his heart and mind.

My family is serving (in as much of a selfless manner as is possible) in a foreign country that was once our enemy (Pearl Harbor 1941). There are days that we long to be back home, that we wish that service before self wasn't a requirement. But, if people like Dan don't do it, who will? We deserve no thanks or glory - we are just choosing to serve Christ in a way that is challenging and sacrificial for us. Others do much more extreme things - like serving in forsaken places far and wide. Where there is no drinking water, etc.

Let's remember in this time of challenge and not much transition that we are ALL God's babies and that we must treat each other as such: Muslim, LDS, Christian, Buddhists, no matter what - let's show the love that was shown us thousands of years ago when Christ died for ALL of us.... no matter the color or religion. No human or candidate is an "awful human being." We are all the beloved of the Most High God.

 

Forever...

If you want to see a snippet of true love, then please watch this. It is a 4 minute montage of my sister and Adam's wedding on October 20. Be blessed by this as I was.

http://vimeo.com/52519912

We're Here!

We are here! Actual residents of Misawa-Shi, Japan. This is crazy!! It is absolutely beautiful, quaint, full of lovely Americans and Japanese families and there is SO much to explore and take in. We are within one hour of the mountains and resorts where we will spend the winter skiing/snowboarding and within one hour of some of the most beautiful, rocky coastline in the world.

Noah will start school off base next week. He will attend Pre k at an all Japanese school and wear a uniform. Ellyotte will go to MDO out there as well. What better way to immerse our children!?

I am hiring a mamasan to come in and clean once a week and watch the kids when I need her. They are typically older traditional Japanese women - and are supposed to be the most attentive, wonderful caregivers and cleaners. I am looking forward to all of us learning Japanese culture through having someone come into our home weekly.

Dan is off tomorrow so we are going to go exploring! There are apple orchards everywhere - and about 2 hours away they have some mountains where wild horses run. Bonsais and evergreens are everywhere - it is so cold here and the snow starts in a week or so.

I received my Japanese drivers license yesterday - they drive on the other side of the car and the other side of the road. I am scared to take my SUV anywhere!!!!

The trip over here took about 40 hours total - we were exhausted. But so thankful to be here and a family again in our own home. Gumbo kitty was happy to have us here too.

The kids and I went off base with a friend today and had our first real Japanese sushi - let me say: it puts anything in America to shame! I got an entire fresh order of two rolls for 200 yen (about $3.00). What?! It was divine. I think this might be a good diet plan that I actually will enjoy for the next 2-3 years.

The kids had  a great Halloween. Noah was a ninja and Elly was a monkey. So cute. We went to the squadron Halloween party then trick or treated on our road, which is Commander's Row. It was a fun MOB scene! So cold so everyone had out their firepits and handed out candy - most houses elaborately decorated. I never lived on base before but this is HEAVEN! Grocery store, gym, mall - all within one mile. Not to mention the amazing people who live around us. Truly a patriotic and all American place to be!

Jet lag has taken its toll on us! We passed over 6 time zones (14 hours ahead of Central time - the future) so they say to give yourself a day for each zone to get over jet lag. I cannot sleep past 3 am each morning. And Noah and Ellyotte have wanted to take marathon naps so theyve had some issues at night.

There is so much to write and share. This is going to be the adventure of a lifetime. Stay tuned if you are interested in hearing what living in Japan is truly like!