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posted by Norman @ 10:53 PM
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Melodie kept us up a good bit of the night last night so it is a little
hard to get going today. We have a Bible study at church at 10:30 and
Joel and I have other studying to do after that. Saturday we are going
to check out potential rock climbing places for a group in October, if
we have time after that, my RC airplane club will be flying in the area
so I might break my plane out of mothballs and see it it still flies!
Good news from Ryouji! He has been wanting to attend church for about 9
months but his job always had him working Suandays or really late
Saturday nights so he couldn't make it. He recently quit his part time
job and has been at church in Aira. Pray for Ryouji, he is looking for
something but isn't sure what. Monday, Joel and I will be going to
Kagoshima to spend some time with him, pray that we will be able to help
him answer some of his questions about the Bible and the relationship he
can have with Christ.
As our first term ends, we are thinking alot about next term. We are
gradually focusing in on Kikuyo, just outside of Kumamoto, as a possible
place to start a church. We still have questions and are looking to God
to provide His leading for our next place of ministry. God is good and
we look forward to seeing what he will do in the future! He turns
Friday morning blues into "It's gonna be a great day!"
posted by Norman @ 9:44 AM
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How do you develop character?
I have been thinking about character alot recently as I put some
thoughts on paper about church planting and leadership training in
Japan. Pastor Kishimoto has often told me that today's young men in
Japan "have no backbone". They don't believe anything strongly enough to
defend it, even in casual conversation. Of course , this carries over to
new Christians as well, although you would think that the indwelling
of the Holy Spirit would empower them to stand up for their beliefs. I
wonder if a large part of the problem is not a real lack of discipleship
in local churches. In thinking about character development, a firm
foundation and understanding of Scripture is primary. We definitely need
Living Theology. However, when this theology and Bible teaching is
divorced from service and accountability relationships provided in some
kind of discipling or mentoring setting, real character is not forthcoming!
This summer's GRIT team studied alot about mentoring and it's impact on
believers. It was definitely a challenge to me to work on my mentoring
skills and think about how it should be taught and applied in a church
planting setting.
So, that's what I'm thinking about...what are you learning these days?
posted by Norman @ 8:58 AM
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We survived Japan's Typhoon 13! Since we live so far out in the country,
we were afraid we'd be without power for a week. Norman was supposed to
preach in the afternoon service, but that service was cancelled since
the typhoon was expected around that time.
We shut the huge storm shutters, causing our living room to be quite
dark, and waited for the big one to hit. We heard lots of wind and some
rain...and then the power went out. The kids were ready to use the
candles even though it wasn't really dark yet. However, before long, we
lit them, ate our romantic dinner of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,
and then had fun. Memories were made as we sang songs to guitar, read
aloud, drew pictures, and played with glow sticks. For once, Dad had
lots of undivided attention to give to the kids! We washed our hands and
brushed our teeth using water from 2-liter bottles. And we were
lullubied to sleep with wind howling and the plastic of the awning
whapping away.
The electricity was restored sometime in the early morning hours. How
wonderful to have those conveniences once again! Water! Lights!
Refrigeration! Computer!
Thanks, Lord, for keeping us safe!
posted by Susan @ 3:18 PM
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posted by Norman @ 7:20 AM
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September 12, 2006
Well, I'm finally getting around to filling in the details of what's
been happening around here in the last month or two (or three).
June was a busy month. About 10 college-aged young people arrived from
America to participate in a program called G.R.I.T. (God's Recruits In
Training). My main ministry (besides caring for my family) was helping
with food preparation. One of the challenges is the fact that the
nearest real grocery store is 20 minutes away by car. Being 8-months
pregnant was also a factor! The young people helped cook...which was
good and bad, I guess. Most of them were guys who had very little
experience in the kitchen, so some meals took an extremely l-o-n-g
amount of time to put on the table. (For instance, one guy was cutting
chicken breasts using only one hand.) I learned a lot about training
others instead of doing everything myself.
July was the month of my due date. Norman and I decided that it would be
prudent for me to move temporarily to city of Izumi where my doctor and
hospital are located. There were several reasons for that: 1) Izumi is a
45 minute drive from Nagashima; 2) I didn't really want to bump for that
long up and down curvy, mountainous roads while in intense pain; 3) With
my last pregnancy, labor lasted a total of 3 1/2 hours--If I was like my
mom, each child's birth came more quickly than the last one; we didn't
want to have the baby on the go; 4) During those last weeks of
pregnancy, doctor visits become more frequent; driving an hour and a
half for each one while pregnant wasn't desirable. SO, we rented a tiny,
2-bedroom apartment located 10 minutes from the hospital. My sister
Merilee came for the summer to help out. (She participated in the GRIT
program during June; then moved with me to Izumi.) Of course, Chloe (4
years old) and Cameron (2 years old) also moved with us. Norman commuted
as much as he could to visit us. He was super busy with leading GRIT and
caring for the needs of 10-12 people!
Chloe was born 2 weeks early; Cameron was born 2 days early. I was
certain this one would come early, too. Wrong! July lasted an eternity!
I kept wondering, "Maybe it'll be today!" Kind of like waiting for the
Lord's return! It was a blessing in a way to have more time together in
our little apartment. For example, the kids were able to get to know
Merilee better and become used to living with her, minding her, and
being taken care of by her. When I finally did leave, they were not in
shock.
Another blessing was being able to spend time with my sister again after
many years of being apart. We were able to talk deeply, pray frequently,
and reacquaint joyfully. We pray that she will be led by God to return
to Japan to teach our children next term (2008).
Yet another blessing regarding the apartment was the availability of an
air conditioner! We enjoyed the coolness during day after day of temps
in the 90s with humidity near that, too.
What did we do for a month? We went to the library every other day. (We
read every English book available, I think.) We shopped at the "dollar"
store (100 yen store here). We took the kids to the park. We went
grocery shopping. We took walks. We spent some time with our landlord
and his wife who lived next door. We read lots of books, played with the
kids, talked, ate out, and WAITED.
Now, I'll turn this musing over to my journal I kept during those days
of anticipation.
Monday, July 17, 2006 (39 weeks and 3 days pregnant)
It's the week of my due date! Friday is the day! I've been having a bit
of swelling of ankles and hands lately. I finally got the phone number
for the taxi across the street...just in case!
I fluctuate between excitement of this impending birth and a sense of
dread and a bit of fear at the thought of the pain involved. I worried
aloud to Norman about my fear of going into labor in the middle of the
night and having to go tot he hospital alone...Merilee would be here
with the kids, and Norman will take 40 minutes to drive here. He
reminded me that God can work out all the details. I can trust Him.
Faith is a gift! It always brings peace.
I think I see more of Norman here! Instead of seeing each other in
passing at church, surrounded by people, we've actually had two "dates"
all by ourselves! How wonderful! Of course, he's usually so tired by the
time he gets here after a long week or a full day, he's been taking
short naps, too. The kids see him so little right now. When he spends
the night, they get to see him for about an hour before their
bedtime...and he's gone by the time they wake up. Oh, well. Only 3 more
weeks of GRIT. Hard to believe.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006 (39 weeks, 4 days)
I've gained 32 pounds so far. The doctor estimates the baby is 3.5
kilograms (around 7.5 pounds). He's always surprised at the length of
the baby's legs.
They strapped me to the baby monitor today...supposed to be for 20
minutes, but it seemed shorter. I had a slight contraction or two during
it, so I was glad. The baby's heart rate was mostly in the 130-134
range. All looked well. My cervix is still closed. "Walk!" the doctor urged.
I had more contractions last night in bed, starting around 1:10 a.m. My
mind kept racing: "Do I need to call Norman? Is this the time?" Then, I
figured I'd know when they became real. They didn't. Instead I dreamed
of a fat man chasing me through manure in a junk yard!
Friday, July 21, 2006 (40 weeks!! DUE DATE!)
I went to be checked again. Of course, the baby hasn't dropped yet, and
my cervix is unchanged (thick, unopened). I didn't really expect a
change, but it seems that Dr. Hirose does. He predicted I'll give birth
next week. I'm supposed to go back in on Tuesday.
I also had another non-stress test (NST). It's interesting to me to see
how Baby's heart rate changes (or doesn't) with my slight contractions.
Everything looked fine. This is the longest I've ever been pregnant!
Part of me (physically) doesn't feel ready to give birth. I'm not
uncomfortable enough!
Last night (or rather at 4 a.m. this morning), the baby was
super-active. I can't remember a time I felt so many knees, feet, and
hand poking and bicycling away. Then I had a thought: maybe this was a
sign of fetal distress. I sat up, and instantly, all movement
ceased...and didn't start back again. My uterus was hardening a bit just
then, too. It rather concerned me. I stood up, had to use the bathroom,
and still no movement. I finally woke up Merilee to tell her about it,
and as I spoke aloud, the baby began moving again. Whew. We discussed
the situation, but things seemed okay then. She prayed, and we tried to
go back to sleep--somewhat unsuccessfully. I had contractions on and
off. Baby got super-active again...and I finally slept. Thankfully,
since it's been so overcast these past several days, the kids have slept
in till 8 a.m.
Today, we went to the doctor, were visited by Kimiko and Mrs. Miyazono
(who had made home- made spaghetti sauce for us), dropped off books and
a video at the library, and went to eat at Joyfull (restaurant). The
Kishimotos came by for the 2nd time when we weren't home. :( They
brought KFC chicken for us! Now, it's naptime. Around 4 or 5 p.m. Norman
plans to come and stay the night! Yippee!
I'm so ready to return home to Nagashima. It's definitely been a plus to
be here, close to grocery stores and the hospital, but it's been three
weeks now! Merilee commented, "It feels like we're going to live here
forever!" It's true. And I feel like I'll be pregnant forever, too.
Monday, July 24, 2006 (40 weeks, 3 days)
Well, we had one exciting weekend. For a while, we thought we'd have to
evacuate due to a deluge of rain for 4 days straight and flood warnings.
But we were able to stay put, thankfully. However, there was flooding
near the library and my hospital. So the hospital told Mr. Osako (our
landlord, who kindly called them for me) that I could go to the hospital
across the street from us if I went into labor. Kimiko began praying
that I wouldn't have the baby till after the rain quit.
I finally got to take a walk yesterday. Felt great! I started out full
of energy...and ended up walking more and more slowly. When Norman came
over and we headed out to Mos Burger (restaurant), I could hardly walk
around! Slow, achy...tough going!
This morning, Mr. Osako called me again. Apparently, the hospital's
phones aren't working right, so if I go into labor, I can just go
without calling them.
I haven't been sleeping very well. I think I went to the bathroom 3-5
times last night. I come back and can't go back to sleep. I've also had
some stronger contractions this past week that have lasted about a
minute. When they finally actually do start, I'll have to remember,
"This is almost over!" and "I'll son meet our new child!" and "No more
waiting!" (Better to dwell on that than "Ow!")
Tuesday, July 25, 2006 (40 weeks, 4 days)
Went to the doctor again today. They had water damage due to the
flooding. That whole section of town did, I think. There was major
cleaning going on today. Anyway, the kids were disappointed that the
hospital playroom was closed. The carpet had been ruined.
Dr. Hirose said my cervix is open 5 millimeters or so. Merilee drew hope
from that! I've been feeling increasing pressure in that area, too. I
think the baby is dropping lower. The doctor had difficulty getting a
good shot of the head circumference during the routine ultrasound.
As for the baby's weight, he's given up estimating! The measurements
give on the ultrasound are set for Japanese babies and don't even
register anymore. The doctor is always amazed at the baby's leg lengths.
I saw a knee and a leg today. He said the placenta looks very healthy
and so does the baby. "Nothing to worry about," he said. I'm to go back
on Friday. We're hoping the baby doesn't come on Thursday since Norman
has to take Dan (GRIT member) to the airport and then have a quick
meeting in Aira (with missionaries). If the baby comes, I guess I'll try
to get Hiroko to watch the kids and take Merilee with me.
Unbelievably, I gained 2 pounds since last week! Isn't that outrageous?
My swelling and blood pressure have been quite good this summer. Not
like with Cameron at all--though I'm nearing the weight I was with him.
I think I've gained 35 pounds now. Not SO bad, really.
Thursday, July 27, 2006 (40 weeks, 6 days)
Melodie Jeane is here! And so tiny and precious! I think this was my
easiest labor yet. And one of the nicest places to give birth. No IV
till the very end, a nice chair to give birth in, a doctor and nurses
who remedied my pushing perplexities and helped get the baby delivered
in record time (I think I pushed 4-5 times), and freedom from being
strapped to baby monitors or being made to lie down during labor. I have
much to for which to be thankful!
Let me back up a bit! Norman ended up not going to the airport or the
missionary meeting. Instead, he was persuaded to take the morning off
from GRIT. So when my water broke around 7:15 a.m., he was actually in
the same room with me! Praise God! My trickle increased some, I called
the hospital, and they said, "Come on in." We got there maybe around 8
a.m.. Contractions hadn't really started yet, but it didn't take long.
I'd have a strong one, lean on my knee with my hands on the bed, and
Norman applied counter pressure on my hips/back. Then we'd sit and talk
till the next one came.
I was 2 centimeters dilated upon arrival, and within an hour or so (of
not having many contractions) I was already at 5 cm! Contractions got
closer together (from 4 minutes apart at the beginning to 2 minutes
apart). They hurt pretty good. A nurse came in to check me...and said
there was no change in cervix dilation, but she thought I looked ready
to go to the labor room due to tthe frequency and intensity of my
contractions.
So we went. More and more intense. Whey checked, I was 9 cm. Around
10:30, they rang the doctor (who was seeing patients downstairs), and
soon I felt the urge to push. I pushed 2 or three times...and then heard
them say the baby was sort of pushing up against something (pelvic
bone?). They changed my position, and the next push or two did it. Ouch!
The head was out...then the body. Ah! I got to sit up a bit and see the
baby. So small! (3644 grams or exactly 8 lbs.) Norman cut the cord. He
had been busy giving me sips of Aquarius and blowing on me to cool me
down...till they gave him a fan! Our daughter was born at 10:52 a.m.
Melodie was sucking on her fingers and looking hungry. She cried a lot
while they tended to her...and me. I pushed the afterbirth out and felt
SO much lighter. The doctor was amazed at its size. The baby was 52 cm
long or roughly 20 inches. Fingernails were too long already. Anyway, I
finally got to hold her after I was sewn up, and her crying stopped
immediately after I started talking to her. She knew me! I began to feed
her, she knew right what to do and went to town. After she nursed maybe
7-10 minutes, they laid her in an incubator thing, and she was finally
content and went to sleep. Been sleeping ever since!
My afterbirth pains have been pretty strong. I took some pain medication
with lunch--which I finally got to eat at 1:15 p.m. Ravenous! My arms
and legs are super tired and shaky with all the exertion. No visitors
yet--but Merilee and the kids will come after naptime. It's almost 3
p.m. now--so soon. Couldn't call our folks due to phone difficulties--no
place to call internationally.
It's over! God gave the grace to get through! I wasn't sure I could do
it. Didn't think I could face it today. But He helped me. Thank you so
much, Lord!
I'm just so tired.
posted by Susan @ 4:30 PM
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posted by Norman @ 8:52 AM
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posted by Norman @ 8:31 PM
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