Welcome to Japan!

Hello Everyone!

Well, I finally made it! I suffered so badly in business class on the way here, let me tell you! ;) haha. Anyways, I am here and loving it! It was a bit overwhelming at first. And it's not going to be easy, I can say that. I am going to hear a lot more Japanese than English, and I am already learning how to write in Japanese, thanks to Mr. Mori, my host "dad." He is a talented calligraphy artist, and a talented artist in general. Mrs. Mori isn't bad herself. They are a very sweet couple, and they have made my first night very comfortable. They are so sweet, and I love hearing them talk and explain to me what the people are saying on TV, for an example.

Yuko, Riko, Hikari, and Mrs. Edith were all there to welcome me once I got off my flight and had gone through customs. Unfortunately and fortunately, my plane came in over an hour early! But going through customs took up most of the time I would have been waiting. It was interesting trying to figure everything out, and I'm not gonna lie, it was a little scary realizing I was doing this all by myself. But then I remembered, I'm not by myself! God is there, and He is watching over me. So I go through customs fairly easily, and I was relieved to see all the girls welcome me with open arms!

We had about a two hour drive back to Hongodai, but I was able to talk with Mrs. Edith and everyone else along the way. I learned about how busy my Tuesdays are going to be. Mrs. Edith and I are going to be teaching little children, older children, and I believe even older adult neighbors. I asked her about her "better half" as she likes to call her husband, and she replied that he is doing very well. She still remember Kristofer from our trip last summer. I think she loved how sweet he was, and still is, and how truly interested he was about her life. She is truly a sweet and very straight forward kind of person. Yuko and Riko asked me as we passed Disneyland if I wanted to go to Disneyland "Land" or "Sea." They told me that Sea is the best one to go to if you like fast and exciting rides. Uh, yeah! That's where I want to go! (If any of you know me, you know I love roller coasters!) So I'm really excited about that!

We went to go see the new Crystal Chapel. I had seen many pictures, but I was excited to actually see it in person! I felt very blessed, and I was excited to see the inside. The trees that are growing in the building in little boxes are really cool, and the openness allows the Japanese people to see that Christians are not threatening and are open to them and the world. The lights on the ceilings are shaped like a cross, and the trees within and outside the building are based on the Biblical trees mentioned within the Bible. I met some of the teachers, including one of my host family's mom from the Suzuki family. She was really nice and really happy to see me!

From there, Yuko, Riko, Hikari and I all left for the Mori house. I was really nervous about meeting the family and doing something wrong. However, I really didn't have much to worry about. Mrs. Mori greeted me with a big hug, and dinner went well. Mr. Mori kind of intimidated me at first, but I am learning very quickly that he is a very sweet man with a big heart. He is willing to teach me all there is to know about the Japanese language and the ancient art of calligraphy! There is still much to be learned, and it's only been a twenty-four hour period since I arrived, but I already feel like I'm learning so much! Please continue to keep me in your prayers and in your hearts!

Sayoonara! And peace to you all!

Keri Lynn