Movin' On

We'll probably be up all night tonight finishing up our preparations for the movers tomorrow. In one hour our internet will be cut so I wanted to post to say I am not sure how long it will be before I post again, but probably not too long since the internet is so accessible. So all you loyal blog checkers please stay tune. Thanks.

Diaper Loading

Just a little entry to say I haven't been blogging as much because we have been so busy trying to get out of here. Our house is a wreck. The packers will be here on Friday so we're preping, getting rid of what we don't need via garbage or thrift shop, and organizing. It is such a grand feeling to rid yourself of your junk, but kind of a downer to realize how much we waste.

Also, we stocked up on a few things while we still have access to tax free, cheaper-than-usual stuff from the commissary, namely diapers and formula. In case you didn't know, babies are expensive, but... well worth it.

Two Years Later

Two Years Later
Originally uploaded by Dinkins - Made in Japan.

Today was our second anniversary. We took the day off and went to where we had our wedding, Yonekura Hotel. As you can see in the picture, it was a beautiful place to have a wedding. We strolled around the Japanese garden, took a few pictures, reminisced, and of course kissed. The garden wasn't as near as beautiful as it was two years ago, I think because of the harsh winter. Then we ate at the Indian restaurant, Golden Palki, that is located in the hotel and which catered our reception.

Two Years Later
Originally uploaded by Dinkins - Made in Japan.

After doing a little shopping we went to our favorite secluded beach for a relaxing time in the sun. It really just turned in to nap time, a savored experience these days. We gathered a few sand dollars and I scrolled a "HAPPY 2nd ANNIVERSARY" in the sand for all to see.

Last year we were in Hawaii so we didn't get to eat the famous anniversary cake so we took this day to courageously open the Tupperware to try two-year-old cake. And, it was still GOOD.

Two Years Later
Originally uploaded by Dinkins - Made in Japan.

I am so thankful that God has given me such a wonderful life with Trish and now Roxanna too. I'm in awe of the change that can take place in such a short time, not only in circumstances, but in my heart. My love for Trish continues to mature and I am grateful that I have such an awesome wife to grow with.

July 8th

July 8th will go down in history as the day the Dinkins left Japan. That's right we're flying out on United Airlines. June 30th they pick up our express shipment which should arrive in Seattle in 30 days, and on July 1st they'll pick up the rest of our household goods which should take 90 days to get to Seattle. Then we move in to the base Inn until our departure. So that is our timeline in case you wanted to know. Anyhow, it is good, big news for us. The rush is on.

thanks papa day

thanks papa day
Originally uploaded by Dinkins - Made in Japan.

The Japanese have adopted some of the American holidays, or at least the marketers have. One such sign at the mall read, "thanks papa day." Anyway, I found that amusing. So my first Father's Day was enjoyable. Roxy got me Chicken Soup for the Father's Soul. We spent a good portion of the day shopping for Japanese things we won't be able to get when we move, mainly at the 100 yen store, one of the most attractive things in Japan. All sorts of stuff for about 95 cents, the Dollar Store doesn't even come close. We also took a stroll at Swan Park and ate udon for lunch to round out a wonderful day. Wow, I'm a papa!

Conclusion

Do you ever struggle with just how does God lead or guide you? I sure do. How do you think God's leading plays in to the following:

Over two years ago I overheard Don Weber and Jeff Wills talking about a book in which the author described an ideal ministry training institute. I had been thinking about going to a seminary when I got out of the Navy so later on I asked Don about this conversation. It turns out the author was Brian McLaren with whom I was not, but now am, familiar. I wanted to find what seminaries, if any, that McLaren would recommend because I liked what I heard about his non-traditional view. Don also wanted to know and decided to look in to it. For some reason Don was unable to get me an answer. A couple months later I decided to do an internet search on McLaren. That led me to his church web site in which I came across the fact that he was on the board of Mars Hill Graduate School in Seattle. So I looked at their web site and liked what I saw: contextualization, community, diversity, and more. I shared it with Don and he was equally excited. So much so that he ended up applying, being excepted, and taking a one-week intensive class. So after about a year and a half of praying, contemplating what to do after the Navy I applied to MHGS in January and on August 22nd I will begin my studies. That's my story. Do you see God's hand?

It is Finished

We're out! Our early release from the Navy have been approved! We'll probably leave Japan July 8 or 15. Our official separation date will be August 5. Now I have a warm fuzzy. We're elated. More details to follow.

Jesus in Japan

According to the people of Shingo, a small town about an hour drive from here, Jesus came to and was buried in Japan. In fact, they have a burial mound to deify him that you can visit. I first heard of this legend over two years ago and today I finally visited the "tomb." According to the legend Jesus came and lived in Japan from the time he was 21 to 33 to learn about divinity from the sages. Then he went back to Judea and was rejected. When they crucified him, his brother Isiori (or something like that) casually took his place and then Jesus traveled back to Shingo, Japan and had a family of eight kids and died at the age of 106. Strange, huh! Of course, most Japanese don't believe, but the people of Shingo supposedly do.

BSBA

It's official... I am a college graduate. Today's date is what my Bachelor of Science in Business Adminstration diploma will have on it. I assume it is in the mail.

Still counting

Still counting
Originally uploaded by Dinkins - Made in Japan.

Today Roxy is three months old. She is changing and growing everyday. She has discovered her vocal cords and makes all sorts of strange noises. Not gooos and gaaahs like I would expect, but more like eeeuuuuooooooooooo and uuuoooouuuhh. Cute as could be and elicits laughs and ahhs from all who hear. I'd say she weighs about 14.5 pounds and is still tall. Her neck is quite strong and she usually only has a wobbly head when she is tired. She loves being able to see all around, lights, taking walks outside in the stroller, and when I hold her up above my head. Oh yea, one of the greatest joys is that she laughs now. What a great feeling!

This week was her first week with her nanny and it is working out great for us. She seems to adore Roxy. We all do.

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

I just finished listening to a A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens on my iPod. It was about 14 hours of audio. I've never read a classic on my own accord. Only assigned ones in school. It's a shame though because every time I did read one I was impressed and glad that I did. Duh, there is a reason they're classics. Anyway, again with this I was impressed and surprised at my suspense for what would happen next. I don't want to write a book review, but I want to say I love how Dickens left gaps in between the story lines for you to use you imagination to fill.

Random Update

Nothing big to write about, but I wanted to post. On Friday, our request for an early out was approved by our commanding officer and faxed to Pensacola to be approved by "big Navy." It should take 2-4 weeks to hear back. Rest assured, I will tell you when we have an answer. We were expecting our CO to sign it so no surprise there, but now the real wait begins.

In other news, my poison ivy has painfully spread over all parts of my body. I have used everything to ease the itch: cortisone cream, hemorrhoid cream, calomine lotion, alcohol, hair dryer, hot water, and clearasil. I have been good about not scratching, but it keeps spreading. The worst is on the back of my neck and the tops of my hands, and oh yea, my ankles. If it's not better tomorrow, I'm going to the hospital.

Also, this is my first blog from our new computer. We bought a Sony Vaio laptop. We bought now because we like Sony, had a $100 off coupon, will get a $100 rebate, and as always it's tax free at the BX. We have been thinking about getting a getting a new computer for a while. I've had the one we've been using three years, and it has been flaky for a while now.

Three Cubed

Three Cubed
Originally uploaded by Dinkins - Made in Japan.

Three cubed, that's me.

I took the day off with a 24-hour liberty I earned for being a good sailor. I was so impressed by Kitayamazaki Point (see Monday's post) that I decided to go back. So I went by myself on the 140 minute drive and listened to A Tale of Two Cites on my iPod. What a good novel!

Anyway, there is a 3.7 km trail along the ridge of the cliffs that drop into the Pacific Ocean. I wanted to experience it so off I went. I ended up only making it 1.2 km because I kept going off the trail being that it was wooded and didn't afford any views of the shoreline.

At one excursion off the beaten path, I happened upon a rope that was used to steady yourself as you descended through a steep, wooded area to the shoreline. Based on the condition of the rope and the untrodden vegetation upon the path of the rope, I assume few people have been down this area. I felt like a privileged explorer, and the painstaking descent proved to be well worth it. When I came to the shoreline, I found myself in an area about 100 yards across with arches that jutted in to the ocean on both sides. The shoreline was composed solely of boulders, small and large, that you could still tell were rubble from the cliffs above. I felt as if God was saying "Happy Birthday! Look what I have created and shown you."

I was elated. I ate my lunch, climbed around, washed off in the cold, dark blue ocean water, and then headed back up. I spotted a dried up creek bed and decided to take it back up instead of using the rope. Well that was a mistake. It proved to be too treacherous and so I had to carefully shimmy over to the wooded area and used the roots of small trees to climb back to the top. It was quite an exhausting and frightening trek that yielded lots of scrapes and the dreaded poison ivy. Yes, I am typing here in the discomfort of itchiness, but it was worth it because I will remember my adventure long after the rashes are gone.

I was back by 4 p.m. and had a tasty yakinuku dinner with my new family and a beautifully decorated, yummy cake prepared by my lovely wife.

View from the Top

View from the Top
Originally uploaded by Dinkins - Made in Japan.

Off the beaten path.

Overlook

Overlook
Originally uploaded by Dinkins - Made in Japan.

View from the trailhead. Imagine it on a clear day!