We had a fabulous time in Shizuoka. We stayed in a resort called Tsumagoi. It was a beautiful resort with a ton of activities to do, but we were so busy we didn't get to do them. Dana was able to go to an onsen, which is a public bath. That's right, he got naked! Going to the onsen is actually a Japanese custom that you do with your friends. Dana won't usually get to go to an onsen because of his tattoos, so he decided to take the opportunity with all of our missionary colleagues. I was invited to go with all the ladies but I opted out. I just really didn't want to make anyone jealous....:) Instead a couple of gals and I went and sat in massage chairs. It was so relaxing. Afterward we decided to put our feet in these machines that massage your feet. Big mistake! I completely spaced the fact that my feet are like double the size of the Japanese women's feet here and my feet were nearly crushed and disfigured by the machine! They're the size of the Japanese women's feet now!
Caden and Ashton had a great time at Tsumagoi! While Dana and I were in sessions the boys were being well taken care of by a volunteer group from the states. They used their Vacation Bible School material to teach the older children during the day. On the last night of our stay there they had the children perform for us. It was so cute! Ash's class didn't do anything since he's so young, but Caden's group sang a song and danced to it. Caden did very well, and didn't seem shy at all.
We are back in language school and I have found myself really pumped to be back. Being on vacation for 3 weeks was just too long. I had my first test and I did well...84/100. Hey, that's pretty good when most of my points were docked for using hiragana instead of katakana. At least I was speaking correctly! Dana was fortunate and did not have the idea of a test hanging over his head, though he did have a surprise oral exam when we returned. He got 100%! He's jumped right in with ease, as always. The highlight of my week so far has been this morning. I dropped by Starbucks after dropping the boys off at hoikuen to pick up coffees for Dana and I. I made small talk with the girl helping me but I'm always a little hesitant because I don't feel like I know enough and I want to get what I do know just right. Well, they ran out of receipt tape as my order was going through and were having difficulties replacing the tape, but I couldn't leave because they needed my signature. So, the girl and I spoke to one another in Japanese for a whole 10 minutes! I couldn't believe it! She was asking me what I did for work and when I told her I was a student she asked what I studied, where, and it just went on from there. It gave me such a confidence boost that I do know enough for a conversation, even if it's only 10 minutes. Dana blows my mind everyday with how much Japanese he is speaking. He's made phone calls in Japanese!
Praises:
1. Safe travel to Shizuoka.
2. Our Japanese is coming along! Yay!
3. We are overall healthy, though Dana is battling a cold presently.
4. The Lord is with us!
Prayer requests:
1. Whatever the Lord puts on your heart this week for us.
Love and prayers,
Amy
2 comments:
Amy, so good to hear from you!! I love your postings, they make me laugh!! Sorry you have to miss American Idol!! That's a bummer! Glad you and Dana had a great time away, although I'm with you..NO public bathing!! I was cracking up over your foot massage! That would be me too!! I am so excited for both of you as you continue to learn the language! God is so faithful!! Miss you lots! Hugs and kisses to everyone!! Love and Blessings, Sheri
I love ya, girl, and I'm so excited about your conversation with the Starbux "barista." :) I feel so chic when I say use that word! But seriously I know how great it feels to have a decent conversation with someone, and I'm speaking a much easier language. I can only imagine in Japanese!
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