The Past 3 Months

First of all let me begin with an apology for not writing in here for a LONG time. A lot has happened and I have been a lot busier which I guess is a blessing in disguise. First, let me jump back to December. December was a busy month with various Christmas parties at churches I’ve been actively participating in since my arrival in Japan. From last picture entry there are pictures from various Christmas parties, I even went caroling in Japan. (Unique experience to say the least!)


Even with all the Christmas festivities going on, Japan just didn’t feel right for Christmas. I’ve been away from my physical home before…but never have I been without family on Christmas…it just didn’t feel right. So I made the decision to go home for Christmas. It was a hard decision to make considering I had only been here for three months, but it was right what I needed at that time. I had begun to be a little burnt out on things here, and my battery was running on low and was not being recharged…I needed to fix that. After going home and spending time with friends, family, going to a Razorback Bowl game with some friends, and attending an ENGLISH church, I finally began to feel recharged. Going home was just what I needed in order to remember why I came to Japan in the first place and was a good chance to recharge my spirit, and to become rededicated to the mission I’ve been sent here to do, granted its still hard but has become easier since I came back in January.

After spending time back in Arkansas I was actually excited to come back to Japan and to return to my life here with a better attitude. Since coming back to Japan I have had some more “traditional” experiences. My language class has gone to a Kabuki Show, a Sumo tournament, and had my class even had a calligraphy lesson.


I also went to Hakone, which is a area known for their hot springs close to Mt. Fuji with a friend from church. That weekend was AMAZING and very relaxing. We rode there in the front car of what they car the “romance car”; I’m still not sure where the name comes from, but it was a gorgeous view, and we even got to see Fuji.

The onsens (hot springs) there were very interesting. We got massages, laid in a stone sauna type place and I even got a chance to be submerged in Green Tea, Coffee, Wine and Chocolate to name a few. Its something you’ll have to come experience for youself if you ever come to Japan! But it was probably the most relaxed I’ve been in a long time.






I have been trying real hard to make myself busy in Japan since I’ve been back, and think I might have succeeded a little TOO well in that area. Things have picked up very much so lately. Classes are coming to an end on March 5th, culminating with a skit we will be putting on. Pictures will come soon…its going to be good. Then everyone will be moving to our new assignment areas, and preparing to start teaching the beginning of April. During that break time my friend Kayla is coming to visit from the States which I am really excited about. Hanging out with a friend around Tokyo and being able to show her around is going to be really great, and I’m looking forward to it very much. Then shortly after she leaves I will be moving apartments, and then another missionary, Carolyn, and I will be going on a vacation of our own to Thailand and getting a chance to relax and eat some amazing food before teaching starts again.
I promise I will try to update this blog more often and on a more frequent basis!