I am excited, nervous, and stress all at the same time! I have been planning my trip home for the last 2 months and in less than 5 days I will be embarking on my journey back home. :)  I have never been so excited to go home in my life.

Though my time in Japan as been nothing short of amazing. Just thinking what I did  today reminds me of how blessed I am be able to embark and journey into a whole new world from my own. Who we are and how we think are shaped so much by the people we are surrounded by and our environment. We would all like to think we are different and are not affected by our surroundings, but we all carry some form or another of  our parents, family, friends, and society mind set. And has we grow and experience different thinks we also changed a bit as we figure out how to understand what is happening around us. Journeying into Japan allowed me to jumped right into a  different world as a observer. Things here shocked and frustrated me at times. But things also  taught me and encouraged me.

 I am still constantly amazed by the vast difference in lifestyle and energy of this place and the place I call home. :) Each  has their own feel, their own pulse, and own way. And I am happy to be a part of it. I love learning about all the hidden things behind each place. And I think these hidden things lies behind the people in these place. What makes a place special or unique is the people who help shape and form it (good and bad people a like). What I will remember from my time here will not be the beautiful mountains and fastness of this place. Or the many amazing and strange food here. It will be those embarrassing, frustrating, and fun times I had with the people here. The surrounding and the activities are the things that add to the memory, but not what makes it memorable. 

This idea also works backwards too. Being away from loved ones makes me a bit more reflective as I think about my times in Cali. Sometimes a change in weather or a familiar object brings back a taste of home and brings a smile to me. Because it reminds me of those I love and those that love me. It reminds me of those daily days of nothing to do at my house, times I fight with my sisters, times I get to talk to friends, and times I get to just joke around.  Things that are not so amazing, not so special, but things are just so normal and ordinary. :) And I miss those ordinary days now, because now it those days aren't as easy to come by any more.  (Sigh......what growing up does to you.)

There is a beautiful Japanese song that just beautifully express my feeling as I think about home. It isn't as beautiful when translated into English though. (Something that is just lost in translation.)  It is called "Home" from Angela Aki. To see it on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn2dSXKO9js
  

While in college, I learned a lot about prayer especially through "A Call to Prayer" from J.C. Ryle. This short book or sermon (not sure what it is) changed my prayer life and the way I talked to God. Although now....I am ashamed to say talking to the Lord earnestly has not been a large priority. This beautiful prayer I found below reminds me of the earnestness we should have when we apporach our Heavenly Father.  And it is also a good prayer to give for our Preseident elect, Obama.  Hope you enjoy.

"Father of Lights, the time is dark and our eyes are dim. Our kings, ordained for the protection of the weak, expose them to death, yet cry 'hope.' Our people have lost their way and are deceived. Light in the Darkness, we call upon you that we may be undeceived and follow you once more. We humbly and earnestly implore you, not only that the evils in the land be turned back, but that we have the courage to stand against them. Holy Spirit, hear our intercession for the repentance and conversion of those highly placed who do wrong. Renew a right spirit within them. We beg the same mercy for ourselves, who have stood by and called evil good. Assist our prayers, and enable us in all times and places to give you thanks. In the Name of the Trinity, Amen."