Monday, February 20, 2006

of Spring Retreat...

Well, Spring Retreat is finally over. I was a lot more involved in the preparations this year, so the past few weeks have been busy. But it looks like I'll just have to get used to busy. Anyway, I helped provide bedding, and I escorted the coordinators to Costco for food and stuff. It was a good retreat. Anyway, the big news was announced at the business meeting, so I can write it here now. Beginning in March, I will be the new Assistant Director of our program. It was funny because everyone was shocked. Everyone, (including myself) had thought this other girl would get the job. But the director explained why she chose me, and that was good. I'm really happy about it. It's nice to have a vote of confidence. There will be a lot of changes going on, so we will see what happens. I'm a little nervous about this new leadership position, but I'm sure God will see me through it.

Anyway, it was a good weekend over all. I didn't get much sleep, but that's normal for retreats. I did however get to see the Niigata crew one last time before two of them return to America for good. I also got to have many good conversations, and I got to go bowling for the first time in forever. I was also voted to be one of the next retreat co-ordinators. (well, I have been campaining for this for a while now) Things will be exciting. I was also involved in cutting my director and another girls hair at unseemly hours of the night. That was a fun experience. I hope I didn't mess up their hair too much. I also got some more insight of how I am viewed by others. I give off many impressions I didn't know I did. I wonder if I should start trying to become more professional in my appearance. I don't know. It's very interesting. I'll see how next year goes.

Speaking of next year... The time is coming up soon again for missionaries to go home. The program is 2 and 1/2 years, so once a year we get new missionaries (October) and once a year the old ones go home (March/April). It makes for constantly changing dynamics. I'm wondering what the next year will bring. This is certainly a time of changes for my program. I'm excited to see how God is going to change things here. But watching people get ready to go home makes me think. I only have one more year. I used to think a year was such a long time. In America, before I came, I was thinking, "Man, two and a half years is such a long time for something like this." Now I know how short a time that is. It's hard to build relationships and then just leave them. Esp in a country like Japan where it's hard to build deep relationships quickly. A lot can happen in just one year. But it still feels like my time is ticking away. I've always considered extending. I don't know if it's possible, but I really love this country and these people. I don't want to give up what I have started yet. I don't know God's plans, and I trust that His Will is best, but I'm really hoping to stay in Japan longer.

I really feel like I have grown and become a better person here.

In other news, I'll be going home in roughly a month to visit family. The plane tickets have been provided, and I even got my re-entry permit today. Seems like things are going smoothly. I'm really excited about this. I came here prepared to stay for the full term without returning to America. But now that the opportunity is here, I'm super excited about it. It'll be good to get back and see people. I can't wait to see the horizon again. I can't see anything at all in Japan but lots of a.) buildings or b.) mountains. It'll be exciting to be back where things are flat again. :-D

Anywho, I think that's most of the exciting news. I'm sure I've forgotten things, but well, I do that, so people should be used to it by now. Good news is, I have a day off tomorrow! It's awesome! But for now, I think it's time to crash. I'm pretty tired and all my muscles hurt. Hopefully I'll write more later. Ja ne~ (later~)

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