The things I'll do for attention...

Just want to let my blogmunnity know that I was put back in the hospital again today. I'm not happy about it, but no one asked me! They want to "beef me up" nutritionally for a while. I'm in room 372 of St. Michael's hospital in Texarkana in case anyone is wondering. I'll let you know where there is more to be known!

Going Monastic

As I have been pondering my future lately, I have found myself half-wishing that I was a Catholic so I could be a nun. It seems like a nice lifestyle. Anyone else out in blog-land ever found themselves wishing for the monastic life?

PS- I tried to think of a clever title for this post, but came up short. The pressure got to me. Can any punsters out there think of a good one?

Bittersweet

This is a letter I sent out to many of my friends today.
-----------

This is difficult to write, but I want to let you know that after much prayer I have left my job with Hitachi City teaching English. It is a very bittersweet decision, but the fact is that I don't have much choice in the matter. My body is making the decision for me. I had a date of Aug. 1 to be back at work by if I was to keep my job, and right now I'm just too weak to do it.
For you in Japan, I'm so sorry. You are what makes this so difficult, because I love my Japanese family and you have blessed my life so richly. I do hope to go back to Japan after I'm well enough to wrap things up better. Forgive me for telling you in such an impersonal manner.
Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to try to recover, and as I start looking towards the future to see where God is leading me next.
Love you all.

Sashiburi!

I've gone over a whole week without posting. For many this would be fairly normal, but in Ann-blog time that's like 7 weeks I think. :) So here's a few brief tidbits to update you all.


I've been to a couple of doctors since I've written. Doctor number one (family doctor) diagnosed me with hepatitis, doctor number two (stomach doctor) isn't so sure. Both ordered some unfortunate tests that I reluctantly went along with. No results back except for the fact that my liver is healing and I don't have a parasite. Hopefully more results soon.


I'm feeling so-so. In some ways I'm sicker but in others I think I'm getting better. I am resting well, though.


I'm being an absolute communication recluse, which is probably unhealthy. I'm sorry if you've written and I haven't written you back. I'm going to work on that today.


I was in OKC to see my doctor last week, which was nice but odd. I got to see some good friends, but didn't get to see a lot of the people I associate with OKC because either 1- the moved, 2- they were out of town, or 3- I was too sick. Kind of frustrating, but what are ya going to do.


My mom's birthday was yesterday. Since I've had a driver's license, in our family I am usually in charge of all things for our mom (mother's day, Christmas, birthdays). Since I am rather incapacitated this year I was frustrated that I couldn't do anything special for her, especially since she's done so much for me lately. I vow to make it up one day after I'm well again.


Well, that's all for this installment folks. I'll try to write something entertaining someday soon. To add some color to the blog, here is a random picture. It's my desktop wallpaper. This was taken at the Texas/Oklahoma border between Paris and Hugo.

Book Thoughts

Well my friend Gabe over at Postmodern Christian (who is actually my real life friend, not just a blogger buddy) has tagged me to do this survey on my blog. Since my blog has had nothing interesting nor is there much interesting in my life right now, I'll play along!

1. How many books have I owned?
How many books have I owned? That's a dangerous question, since at different times in my life I have owned almost the whole collections of the Boxcar Children, Sweet Valley High, Babysitter's Club, and Bearenstein Bears. Presently I probably own about 150 books, but I'm not sure because I'm really bad at guessing numbers. And mine aren't catalogued like Gabe's. :)

2. What was the last book you bought?
I bought the TNIV Bible a few months ago. I don't buy a lot of books in Japan, ya know.

3. What was the last book you read? Hmm. I think the last book I read and actually finished was The Good Earth by Pearl Buck.

4. What are FIVE books that have meant a lot to you.
*besides the Bible, which is a given*

1. Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
2. Leaving Ruin by Jeff Berryman
3. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
4. Race, Class, and Gender in the United States by Paula Rothenberg
5. He Still Moves Stones by Max Lucado

5. Tag five people who haven't played yet
Consider yourself tagged if you're a bibliophile.

Hmm, this inspires me to do some reading. I think I'll go pick up East of Eden again.

Made it

Just wanted to let you all know that I made it back to T-town. That 24 hours of travel was possibly one of the hardest things I've done in my life, but once again God provided for me along every step of the road. I got to meet some really nice and interesting people, and I ate more on the flight from Tokyo to LAX than I ate in the last two weeks, I think. I am a few steps beyond happy to be back in Texas with my family and sleeping in my own bed. I'm exhausted and jet lagged, both of which may take a few days to get over, but my family is also here to help me out whenever I need it. Probably won't be blogging much in the coming days, but I will keep you updated on doctor visits and such. I love you all. Your prayers and support helped get me home.

"My bags are packed...

...I'm ready to go."

That's mostly true, at least. I do need to throw in some last minute stuff before I'm officially ready. I have all my medical records, I went and had an IV done today, my apartment is reasonably clean, and my flights are looking good. I think I'm just about ready.

I'd like to thank everyone so much for their prayers, encouragement, and help. This is a difficult situation, but with so many people helping to carry the load I know it's going to be ok.

I'll let you know when I'm home. Home... sounds so sweet right now.

Love to you all.