Withdrawal. Symptoms.

Since our decision to not re-contract, we have been moving towards accomplishing whatever else we want to do in the remaining time that we have left, and of course, looking forward to whatever else we want to do when we get back home.

And since my unemployment began in mid-March, I have also been pretty caught up in the somewhat continual state of activities that followed. The return from a week of Okinawa was followed immediately the next day by the FIL's visit for 11 days. The real breather, and the idleness really started to kick in last week.

It was a blessing though, to have found alternative employment as an eikaiwa sensei (English conversation teacher) by a (BIG) stroke of God's hands in it. It never ceases to amaze me how God provides, at just the appropriate time, not too soon, not too late. The new employment may not fill the clock quite sufficiently, but it certainly gives me abundance of time to isshoukenmei benkyousuru (study with utmost efforts) for my N3 nihongonouryokushiken (JLPT) in July; strive even harder to move at least a chapter in my Bible reading every day; motivate myself to complete 10km jogs around my inaka every non-rainy day, and meet up with at least 3 friends every week for informal Japanese studies during tea. My 65 year-old friend/student/Jap 'mother' has made appointments to join me for morning walks in an attempt to lose weight. Unfortunately she has since only clocked 1 session due to inclement weather.

As I climbed up the initial steep learning curve and now somewhat reaching the plateau of our stay here so far, the thought of going home in another 3 months tugs at my heartstrings. Becoming comfortable with the language, bonding with friends, fitting into the life rather than feeling out of place, knowing the neighbourhood (well enough to give directions to even Japanese, hehe)... all these will add to the fondness and attachment we have for this place and its people that will leave a trace of sadness when we finally lock up this abode for the final time.

Yes, all good things come to an end. But yes, we are hopeful, and willing, to return in future. And yes, we have kakushin (confidence) that if the Lord be willing, we will be back in this country once again to dwell.