our new normal

2 months after the March 11 earthquake finds our family getting back to normal...well, our "new normal" which includes life with earthquakes. Even though Japan is a country used to living with earthquakes, the almost constant, good sized quakes these past months have definitely shaken us all up. We were just commenting with relief that we haven't had any for about a week now. A few weeks ago we had 6 out of 8 nights with earthquakes which made us so tired since it was hard to get to sleep or back to sleep after those big jolts.

A teacher at the boy's school said that the kids too are used to the earthquakes. She said the other day while a student was giving a presentation, they had an earthquake. The kids immediately and silently dove under the desks. As soon as it was over everyone got back into their seats and the student just continued his presentation as if nothing ever happened.

Some of the interesting "gadgets" that you will find around our house to help combat the shaking are pictured here. Like I said, Japanese are used to earthquakes and are very prepared. Pictured above is this device that clamps tight between the ceiling and a big cabinet to hold it more secure and keep it from falling over. Pictured below you can see hooks on all of our cabinets in the kitchen. We usually don't lock these as it makes getting food and dishes rather bothersome, but lately they have been shut tight.

Another new normal for me is working at the CRASH Japan headquarters office 3 full days a week. This network of Christians ready to do relief work has become a fast-moving organization reaching out to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami of March 11. A friend described the work going on at the CRASH office as building a plane, while it is taking off. I have been really stretched as I help screen and process Japanese Christian volunteers as well as volunteers from around the world. I am thankful for this opportunity that God has given me to be a part of the Christian Relief Assistance, Sharing and Hope that CRASH stands for.
(double click on any picture to see it bigger)