Enjoying the Journey

Life here is SO crazy busy right now but overall LIFE IS GOOD! I have a little over a month left here so now starts the farewell parties, packing, goodbyes, tears, and preparations for my next teaching job. I have decided to not let my stress get in the way of me enjoying my last few weeks here. I have come to appreciate each day that I am here, love my students, and be amazed at all the blessings God has given me. I am especially sad at the thought of having to say goodbye to my softball girls. I can't even begin to express how much they have meant to me this year. It is so fun for me to get to know each other them with their own personality, dreams, and skills. They make me laugh every time I am with them and amaze me with their desire to speak English. I told one of them this week that I would be leaving on July 19th. She wrote on her hand "7/19 Amy to America . I am sad. " I have been having students write a message to me in a book. One softball girl wrote "I want to become a woman like Amy". Wow! I have come to realize that I would be sad to leave Japan no matter how long I were to stay. I have absolutely NO regrets about my year here and definately feel as though I have changed from this experience. Now comes the hard task of showing others here my appreciation for them. This weekend is the big junior high school sports competitions all over Mutsu. So, I will be getting on my bike to go to as many events as possible to cheer on my students! LIFE IS GOOD!