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Yokosuka, Japan
Beth, Active Duty Navy Spouse

Green Rugs and God:
He is in the Details

I was thrilled to begin our "Asian Adventure" in Yokosuka, Japan, but the adjustment was more challenging than I anticipated with our two pre-school children. We arrived after 34 hours in transit and learned that my husband's ship would deploy in a few days and be gone for four months. After he left, I began to search for a home in town because military housing would not be available for a year. Eventually, I decided upon a home but our furniture hadn't arrived so we had a barren house. I clearly remember lying down one night with the children on the tatami mat floors and covering us with a blanket. The kids thought it was a great adventure to sleep on the sweet-smelling hay, but that night I was feeling especially lonely and missing my bed - which wasn't due to arrive for another week or two.

I realized that my thoughts were not very grateful, and I mentally chastised myself and determined to have a more positive outlook. I decided to focus on what I needed to do the next day. The rental agent recommended that we purchase tatami rugs to protect the tatami since any damage to them could be very expensive. I mused about what color rugs I'd like to get. Strangely, mint green kept coming to mind. That did not seem to be a very traditional idea, so I laughed at myself and tried to imagine some other color I might prefer. But mint green came right back. I told myself that it was a silly idea, and I needed to get some sleep!

The next day I went to the store and walked down the middle aisle, searching for the tatami rugs. I found myself looking at the signs, but realizing that I could not read the language. Finally, I was about to give up and leave, but when I neared the exit, I noticed people coming down a flight of stairs so I took the kids up to see the second floor of the store. When we reached the top, I scanned the signs out of habit and my eyes were drawn to a bright red sign that made my heart sing, "SALE!"  I didn't care what it was; I was simply overjoyed that the Japanese had decided that "SALE" was a universally beautiful word! I went toward the sign and there were mint green tatami rugs at a great price!

God has a sense of humor, and He knows what language communicates His love and care for me.