We arrived home last night after two weeks in Japan. The last time we were there was November of 2023, and we were mostly in Tokyo.
This time we attended a fabulous wedding in Kyoto, toured that lovely city for 5 days, then we moved to the Osaka area for the remainder of the trip.
We saw castles and beaches, shopping districts and gardens, temples and simple homey things.
We brushed with a typhoon, too.
God took care of us every single experience. We felt His presence constantly, even though for me, the spirit of Japan is rather dark.
So much beauty and order, yet there is a coldness. I could not escape that.
As this was our second journey to Japan we were more aware of the protocol. We behaved ourselves as best we could, remembering things like quiet talking, not eating in public, keeping to ourselves.
The Japanese are sick of tourists and foreigners. They are such a rigid culture, and other cultures tend to offend even unknowingly. Granted, there are some terrible examples of rude behavior by foreigners.
I made every effort to say my thanks (arigato!) with every human interaction.
It wasn’t our first “rodeo!”
We came home last night after a day and a half of travel. Things are so green and lush and our yard is desperately in need of mowing today. Grandma and the pets got through our absence fine.
I am so grateful to my brother and sister-in-law for traveling here to Minnesota to take care of Grandma for a week. Her accidental fall changed a few things.
Anyway, we are back to things being normal, right?
Memories of a beautiful event (the wedding!) and the trip are fresh in our minds and we will savor them for years to come.
I have such a grateful heart.
Cheri leaves for the North tomorrow, so today will be busy getting her off.
I am about to immerse myself in the Corgi Hollows Mentoring Program. I am hopeful that this will be of great help to young moms and educators. Goals!
Onward…!
And always, always looking for the return of the KING!
MARANATHA!