Friday, June 25, 2010

Our Biggest Adventure YET!

Well, maybe parenthood should get that classification, but this is certainly a close second...



As some of you may or may not know, Ben and I have been hoping, praying, working, and waiting for a particular job offer.  And today it came, and we couldn't be more excited.  Ben has accepted a position to teach Math and Japanese at an American naval base in Japan, Yokosuka Naval base to be exact.  

It's something that we have felt very strongly about for the past 18 months and it is so gratifying to see the evidence of our prayers, faith, and hard work (not to mention the prayers of many loved ones).  We'll probably leave around August 1st, and luckily since we have been living with Ben's parents for the last year, the majority of our stuff is already in boxes.  Here's some quick answers to questions you might have:

Ben served his mission in Fukuoka, Japan (the southernmost bit), so we won't be totally lost in then language and culture.

It was my idea to apply for the job in the first place, so yes, I'm beyond excited.

Yokosuka is about an hour train ride south of Tokyo (see map here: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=yokosuka%20naval%20base&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl )

In all likelihood we will not be living on base as they have a housing shortage, though we will still be able to go on base and use all the facilities there (like American style shopping and the hospital). The lovely thing is that they will cover our rent and utilities!  Woohoo!  They will also pay for our travel and the shipment of our "household goods."  

The contract is for two years, though we most likely will try to stay there for a few "tours of duty."  But we'll come back to visit during the summer!

They drive on the left hand side of the road.  We'll see how that goes over for me...

Yes, you can come visit us!  But not all at once please.

It felt kind of like receiving a mission call.  Only the packet was HUGE!  And chock full of government forms.  Well, something to keep us busy I guess.

Summer (and Ben and Eleanor, who is totally oblivious to the whole thing, but is excited cause we're excited)

 Eleanor, who is totally oblivious to the whole thing, but is excited cause we're excited.  And she loves peas.

3 comments:

  1. This is just too exciting!!! Congrats!

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  2. Ah! I'm so exicited for you guys! We're still waiting. *sigh* Stephen is coming out there July 24th through July 30th. You will definately have to stop by July 4th weekend. The kiddies can have a play date. We'll be in Lehi. my e-mail address is sirenmelly@yahoo.com so e-mail me and I'll give you my number and address. otay! see ya!

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  3. Wow!!! That's SO exciting!!! Congratulations! That will be one fun adventure!

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