First Graders Have Cooties!

...Day number 150 on the island of Okinawa. Just kidding! But nearly five months in, things are feeling a little more permanent and a little less vacation-like. A few weeks ago, we drove out toward the Pacific Ocean to try and find a new place to park our beach chairs. We found an amazing little area that appeared hidden from all the tourists and the water was crystal clear. So we spent the day swimming and feeding the crabs salted almonds.

In this picture, you can see how the little hermit crab has dragged his almond through the sand!


Since then, we haven't gotten out much. I finally started my full time job at the School Age Program, which is an after-school program for kids. Even though it's completely different than the corporate world I'm used to, I am really enjoying it. I have 12 little first graders that I'm responsible for and they are adorable. Of course they all have cooties and germs, so I have developed a pretty nasty cold. I guess I need to become immune to them :). I've also been trying to juggle my new work schedule while making time for my demanding classes that I started at the beginning of the semester. I'm really excited that I'm back in school, it's been a long time coming. I'm going to try aggressively to finish with my degree by the time we leave here or shortly after. Tiger seems to really want to help me study, but I have to keep telling him no.

Mark has been working the last couple of weekends and keeps excelling in his job. He's taken up running also, (it runs in the family... no pun intended :), and he even got a 100% on his Physical Training test on Friday. That was really important to him and I'm super proud. He also bought himself a bike this week so that he could ride it to and from work. Okay, the truth is, with me working, we needed another form of transportation and he offered. In return, I feed him well. Ha-ha-ha, marriage is all about compromise right? :) I appreciate that.

Japanese Festivals & Sandy Beaches

Mark & I are now festival junkies. The Japanese really like to party it up during the month of August and we've done our share of participating! I can't even count the number of times I've seen their famous Okinawan Eisa Dance and heard their pacific folk songs. A couple weekends ago, we joined half the population living on the island and went to the Orion Beer Festival. They had booths selling yummy teppanyaki & yakitori dishes, games, fireworks and a mass of drummers & dancers. Many japanese ladies & children dressed up in their Kimonos. It was a great time!

This last weekend. we got ourselves a four day vacation over Labor Day, courtesy of the United States Government. We were so excited! With extra work to be done and emergency drills, Mark has been working very long hours this past month. So we packed our bags, filled our coolers and drove up north to Okuma beach. Once we got there, we pitched a tent, slathered on sunscreen and spent our time playing in the waves and basking in the sun. It was awesome.

Grace Like Rain

Last night, I laid awake in my bed listening to the rain. I could hear big heavy drops beating against the windows and the roof of our house. It was pouring so hard, drenching everything. I imagined all the birds and bugs caught in the storm and how they were scattering about trying to save themselves. The experience brought many different feelings. At first I felt a few nervous flutters, I guess you could say a little fear mixed with amazement. I wasn't sure if we were about to experience a powerful storm. Then I felt an urge to run out and let it soak me through. I knew it'd be cold and might even hurt a little, but it'd be totally worth it. I fell asleep enjoying the sound and feeling an overwhelming sense of peace.

I want to experience God like that. How awesome to be drenched by Him, completely and suddenly enveloped in Him. I think of Abraham when he greeted God on his porch (Genesis 18) or Moses who stepped onto holy ground unknowingly (Exodus 3:5). I bet their hearts stopped! I know that God desires to meet us in the most intimate ways possible, again and again. That's what he created us for. It's just up to us to let him.