Family

I recently filled out a survey asking "what 3 things are you thankful for?"
この間、『人生に三つの感謝をしていることは何ですか？』というアンケートに答えた。

My answers were :

1.Family
2.Close Friends
3.Corrective Lenses (otherwise I would be blind as a bat)

僕の答え：

１．家族
２．親しい友人
３．メガネとコンタクト



#3 Yes in all seriousness I am thankful for corrective lenses. Without them, the world would be a very different place for many many people. 0_0

メガネとコンタクトがこの世界に欠かせないことですよ。あれがないと大勢の人、この世界が困る。

#2 My close friends, highschool, university and the ones who are currently where I live now are the relationships that have sustained me through every tough time, new season and stages of personal struggle and growth. For them I am forever thankful to God for his great blessing. I would have probably not lasted very long out in this country if it wasn't for them.

高校、大学、現在の友人達を感謝しています。嬉しい時でも切ない時でも僕の事を支えてくれた友達のおかげで成長が出来たような気がします。日本に来てから今までいい思いでがたくさん出来ました。


#1 However, last but not least to mention, is family.  As I get older I become more and more thankful for the family that I have. Even though they are far, I still look forward to seeing them when I can.  These relationships are the ones that can always pick up where they left off.  No matter how long you go without contact or what arguments and differences you may have, at the end of the day they love you and are there for you.

だが、一番感謝しているのは僕の家族です。年をとる次第、家族の大切さをもともと気付く。遠くに住んでも、いつも皆に会えるのを楽しんでいます。長い間会えなくても、このような関係は消えない。どんなけんかがあっても、どんな考えが違っても、家族は愛してくれる。


As summer is starting, I got to check one thing off my bucket list.. or at least partially.  I wanted to do something different this summer, so I made a bucket list, which I will share as I accomplish each goal.　今年の夏は前よりと違う過ごし方にすることにした。バケツリストを作った。だが、そのバケッツリストは目標を果たす次第、シェアします。もう、一つができました！

One thing that got checked off was getting to see family.  I was lucky enough to have my dad visit to help start of my summer.  It was fun finally getting someone to come visit me here and showing them a little bit of my life and what this place is like. We got to see everything from high tech car museums ...

家族と会うことができた。夏休が始まった同じ日、お父さんが日本に訪れてきました。やった！日本の人生が少しだけでも、誰かとシェア出来た。 色んな場所を案内した．．．トヨタの博物館から．．．

to countryside living retreats... 
田舎の場所まで．．．

Kawazu is a nice little town on the way to Shimoda.  Great place to find good scenery!

伊豆半島の下田市に行途中で河津と言う超田舎の町で泊まった。景色はきれい。

One highlight of the place we stayed at was the bath. You can reserve the whole thing to yourself rather than sharing and going buck naked in front of strangers. 

泊まった場所のナイスポイントはお風呂でした。知らない人とシェアせずに、自分、一人でも使えるように予約が出来ます。

 Even though relationships with family can pick up where they left off, one thing I do realize as well is that time with family is irreplaceable.  Family should be invested in and always put first.
家族という関係は本当に欠かせない。長い間会えなくても愛してくれるって言ってたが一緒に過ごす時間は言葉で言えないぐらい大切です。自分の心を家族に注いだ方が増しです。ファミリーファースト。

By family, I dont mean just blood relatives, but actually, there are some close friends I would consider family as well.  The kind of friends that walk into your house and open your fridge without permission. The kind of friends that refer to you as "uncle" when addressing you to their children.  These are the friends who want to be with you simply for your company. They are your brothers and sisters.
僕に取って、家族は血で繋がっている人だけではない。僕のことを良く知ってる親しい友達です。自分の家に入って冷蔵庫を勝手に開けるよな友達。一緒にいたいからいるような友達。その友達は私の兄弟です。


As much as I love my life here in Japan, mannn I really miss my friends and family in the states.  Missing all the important events in my friends lives is starting to catch up with me.  But, I need to be where God calls me. 日本の生活が大好きだがアメリカのファミリーと友人を恋し。皆の大切なライフイベントを逃してしまって苦しい。でも、神様の行って欲しい場所にいないといけない。

The time off I have this summer is a real blessing. Im on the way to doing something new, going on a personal retreat and coming back wiser and stronger.　夏季節が始まって、休みが取れる日が多くて祝福されます。この時間をよく使って新しいことを体験します。

I just wanna say thanks to my Dad for coming! I know what I need to do now.
お父さんが来てくれて感謝します。僕は何をするべきか、もう知っています。

Joshua 1:9 (NIV) ヨシュア記１：９

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

『さあ、男らしく勇気を出せ。恐や迷いを蹴散らせ。いいか、どこへ行っても、お前の神である私が、ついているのだ。』


 One thought God has been letting rest on my mind is to just go.  Ive been complaining about having more time to do the things I want, but getting that free time every weekend only to waste it away with unproductive unfruitful things.  Yet, I am still blessed with this next short season. "No more excuses, just get up and go somewhere, do something,... anything. I don't wanna hear you complain at the end of summer that you didn't have time. So now, take a break from your normal life and do something crazy with your time that I have given. And don't fear anything, for I am with you."  Its adventure time!