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Wednesday, August 31, 2016

We survived our first Typhoon

Yesterday we were notified by the base that we would be hit by a Typhoon through the evening.  The non-essential employees were sent home at 1300, the kids after school activities were cancelled, and most of the base was closed down by 1600.  We were also notified that personnel did not have to go to work the next morning until 900 and the kids would not be expected to school until 1030. At the time, it seemed like a lot of "bluster."  I would be proven wrong.  Josh was able to come home and secure our outside items as much as we could.

Around 1700 the weather got really bad.  The wind and rain was driving against in the back of the house and it was very dark.  The kids were scared and Bub instituted some calming yoga.  My boy!!

Around 2000 we heard a terrible crashing.  I yelled to look outside and we could not see our shed. The top was completely gone.  Josh and I bundled up and ran out to find the shed on it's top laying in the neighbor's backyard.

We started grabbing our things and moving them to the back door.  The rain was moving so fast and it was so loud with the lightening and thunder.  It was really unsafe actually but we did not know if our stuff would be picked up and blown away either.  I felt like we were in a movie set, where the actors have to yell to each other over the storm. We came inside sopping to the bone.  The rain and wind died down around midnight.
Our things are piled up against our back door.  On the Right is the remains of our neighbor's shade screen half in our yard.
We woke to a bright and sunny day.  The storm was gone leaving lots of destruction in it's wake. Trees were down, trampolines bent, fences bent, debris all over the ground.  The kids in the circle went to work gathering fallen branches.  They felt very productive and helpful.  Josh and our neighbor broke down the shed and put it out for the trash.  The bottom is all that is left.  Now we need to figure out how to store our things.  I am not sure what we will do without the shed and I hesitate to buy another that may blow away in the next storm.  It was amazing to see the work crews this morning all over base chopping up falling trees, and hauling away debris.  I appreciated the late start to work and school in hindsight.  Score- Typhoon 1, Turner Shed 0.
Pile of trees gathered by the circle kids
Remains of our shed, the floor.  You can see the shed top in our neighbor's yard.  Their new blue wood shed survived the storm.
Felled tree in our circle.  It is laying across three yards and has crushed the fence underneath.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

First Summer in Misawa

We have finished our first summer in Misawa.  We have been here for about two months and are settling in.  Our house is sung but holds all our things with a little room to spare.  I like it better now that we have our pictures on the wall and all the boxes unpacked.  I do sometimes feel that I am moving backward though in my progress as an adult.  I have sold two homes, have downsized my square footage in the last two moves, and am now using a folding table and chairs and in my kitchen.  But I live in Japan.  I guess you trade one thing for another.

I enjoy the convenience of having the kids activities five minutes away from our house.  This summer the kids have participated in community theater, soccer camp, karate camp, cheer leading camp, and Vacation Bible School. They have enjoyed summer days and nights out in the green circle behind our house, being with friends, and being carefree summer kids.  We have spent days at the beach, both the base beach of Lake Ogawara, and the pacific ocean beach.  It is strange to be at the ocean at sunset though as the sun sets on the shore side, not the ocean side.  It is still wet, and huge, and lovely. We have attended festivals, both right outside our gate in Misawa and in Aomori.  There is a festival in Japan somewhere for most of the summer weekends.  I love the colors, the sounds, the clothing, the food, and the culture at the festivals.

I have been struck with the feeling many times that I am meant to be here, among these people. There are no coincidences in life.  It took some amazing circumstances to bring us to Japan, to the place that my father lived 40 years before me.  I have at times struggled with the feeling of being untethered, to my Heavenly home, to both of my Fathers that are there.  I get stuck in the monotony of being a mom and a wife as I do the laundry, run the errands, and make food all day.  I sometimes wonder what the point is.  But then I find myself here and I see these people.  I feel my father, I recognize my Heavenly Father's hand in my life, and I know that I am not alone.

Tanabata Festival in Misawa


Pacific Ocean- 15 min from our house

Nebuta Festival in Aomori



Tribute to Earl Kartchner

My grandfather, Earl Kartchner, is a remarkable man.  I have the lucky privilege of being the first grandchild so I always felt I held a special honor, if only to have been able to spend the most time with my grandfather.  I spent many weekends at my grandparent's house for sleepovers.  These are some of my favorite memories.  I remember one time I asked him to read me a book.  He very animatedly told me about about all the pictures in the book. I wanted him to read me the words but I did not stop him because he was so excited about those pictures.  Grandpa loves his grand-kids and it shows in his words and actions.  
Summer 2016
I treasure my memories of Moon Lake with grandpa and my grandma.  Grandpa taught me how to fish since my father was not here to do so.  He was very patient as he showed me how to properly cast. He was always kind and gentle in his instruction and direction.  Whenever I go fishing with my son, I think of my grandpa and lazy days at Moon Lake.  Grandpa loves the beauties of nature and shared this love with us all.
Easter 2009
 I loved watching grandpa play the violin as a child. He had such passion for music which he passed on to my dad and which was passed on to me.  He had a passion for all the arts which he shared with me because I have that passion as well.  He asked me about my ballet and shared music from famous ballets with me. He also would show me clips of Swan Lake, Nutcracker, and others, and would get very emotional watching the beautiful performers.  As I have developed my teaching skills in yoga, he remained interested, always discussing the form and artistry of the discipline with me.  Grandpa loves the beautiful things in life.
At Bryce and Claire Kartchner's wedding- October 2014
I find myself across the ocean from my grandpa, unable to say goodbye and hug him.  I did not anticipate this sacrifice of my husband's military service.  I am grateful that he is surrounded by those he loves and that he has many, my father included, waiting for him in the eternities. I send my love across the sea.