My family came to Japan with a lot of hope. Hope of finding great friends (for the kids and for us parents). Hope of finding joy in our new home. Hope of fitting in within our new ward family. Hope of loving the culture and food experiences in Japan.
Being in a new place and starting one's life anew can be depressing. Even despite the love and hope you bring with you.
In Italy and then South Dakota Sterling and I were happy and strong. We were not afraid to get out and explore in our new areas. We didn't need a lot of love and help from ward members or military members.
Here in Japan I was surprised to learn that I am now one of the helpless and sad newbies. I don't like the Japanese food. I don't love being in Japan. I want to stay on the military base most of the time and live an American life while here. Waiting until I move, hopefully, back to America and close to family.
Despite the long list of wonderful things about living here now I was not happy. And Sterling in his new job...is not happy.
We want to be strong and thrive. So we keep trying.
I received some clarity from Heavenly Father within the last week on spiritual struggles I have faced. The revelation God gave me helped me to get out of my spiritual rut. And that led quickly to getting out of my unhappiness as well!
Another factor towards my frown turning upside down is this idea:
Sterling is not doing well at his new job training. And if he continues to do poorly he will wash out of air traffic control. This would mean 2 things; we would move away from here, Ster might have one last chance to apply for his dream job (OSI).
That thought helped me feel better about being happy now. We might leave within a year instead of at the end of 4 years.
I started praying for Sterling to succeed though. It is no fun to fail at anything.
Technically Sterling is not doing any worst at his job training than other people but for some reason his trainers are holding him back saying he is doing poorly.
The big issue is the language barrier. With the Japanese radioing to the Americans it can be impossible at times to understand the message being sent.
Sterling failed a test yesterday. A test he says he should not have failed ...that he has the knowledge to pass. But for some reason (nerves or destiny) he chocked.
This gives me hope that it might be God's plan for Sterling to wash out of air traffic and apply for OSI.
If it's God's plan for us then I hope Ster washed out. But if not, I am rooting for him to be successful in his job.
I love the safety the air force base supplies for our children to go out and play. I love the amount of playgrounds around the neighborhoods. I love that there are plenty of friends from our ward who live within a short bike ride away from our house.
This morning a group of mom's with children from our ward were going to an obstacle park about ten minutes drive from the base. We got invited. We took two extra kids in our car with us.
The park was so awesome and the kids had a blast! Free parking and no park entrance fee.
Then this evening my kids went to a friend's house to be babysat while Ster and I went on a real date! Our last date ended up being grocery shopping after our dinner. This time we needed to just have fun!
Sterling and I walked from our home, off base and to an Indian restaurant. It was a fairly short walk and we enjoyed it.
The food was amazing! Sterling and I had eaten Indian food in Italy and in South Dakota. This restaurant served bar far the best Indian food we'd ever tasted! It tasted home made and fresh and the flavors were wonderful! We will definitely be going back there again.
We then walked a different route and went to a wooded area I had not known about. Fussa is a small industrial place busy with vehicle traffic. But there are some wood parks (paths and trees) placed around. Ster took me to one of those little paradises. It was very pleasant.
Then we went home where we got comfortable and watched tv for an hour before picking up the kiddos.
As soon as we got home (8:30pm) I sent the kids next door for a campfire and smores. Our next door neighbor had messaged me that her promise to Athena was ready to come true (smores).
Misty is so sweet and her husband too. They have a baby and a toddler and a dog named Birdie.
The kids had a blast over there then came home for bed.
Today I feel so happy and comfortable. I feel like I have family around me. Helping take care of my children and doing what they can to get me comfortable here in Japan.
Athena is 5 years old. We still have caution and always will about protecting her. But she is old enough to tell us if something bad has happened. She is old enough, we know her well enough, to know if she starts acting different than her normal self.
We let her go to friends' homes that we trust and we send her big brothers with her. And if something were to happen to her when she went somewhere with Luke we would not put the blame on him. He does his best to protect his siblings. We have wonderful children.
This summer should be pretty awesome! The kids have loved their first week off of school for summer break. And next week we start Roundy summer school. Our kids have things they need to learn or improve on before the new school year starts.
Enrichment night:
Mine and Ster's date:
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