Tis nobler to lose honor to save the lives of men than it is to gain honor by taking them.

~David Borenstein

War creates peace like hate creates love.

~David L. Wilson

Wisdom is better than weapons of war.

~Ecclesiastes 9:18

Happy Thanksgiving from Japan!!  Today, I am not only counting my blessings and thinking thankfully, but I am praying for peace.  Yesterday, our ship went out to protect us and others from harm.  It hits so close to home like never before.  You can see how close we are here near Tokyo to South Korea-less than 400 miles.   Japan and Korea are as close as Minnesota and Michigan, we are neighbors.  North Korea shot a missile into South Korea the highest intensity of violence between the two in over fifty years.  They are warning of shooting another one and South Korea warns they will fight back.   The US has 30,000 troops stationed in South Korea alone.  If I had known that Korea has shot missles over Japan in the past, I really don’t know if we would have moved here!  But for everything there is a meaning and I have my faith in God.  So the United States and United Nations are taking allies, preparing, and hopefully, praying.

Lets all pray for peace between Korea, pray for peace everywhere and be so thankful for our troops who are protecting us. I believe the only way humanly possible to stop evil, war, violence, and hate is by wisdom, education, and compassion.  I understand we must defend ourselves, we must stand up for those who cannot protect themselves, and today I am so thankful for all the men and women out there who are doing this.  Love and compassion are amazing and powerful.  As I sit here in my apartment, I can hear the fighter jets and planes practicing on this Thanksgiving Day and I cannot help but feel a great awareness of how close war really is and how fragile life really is-it is not a good thing or a bad thing-it just is.  But this awareness reminds me to be so much more thankful and grateful for each moment.  So many military families are without loved ones this holiday, people around the world are suffering form tyrant dictators and famine.  I pray those who are suffering can have faith in God, that they have a purpose and can overcome.  I am thankful I can give my son, my unborn child, and myself what I need and more.

Some call me preachy, but that is okay.  I am!  It is in my blood, it is in my heart and soul.  Part of my God-given talent, and each of is given this when we feel passion and motivation towards something.  I feel so strongly about doing our part, even if it is prayer, to help not just our friends and family, but our neighbors, our allies, and anyone who is suffering in this world.   I am so thankful today for all my blessings, for my family and friends back home who send their love and support to us here.  So thankful for my mom who sends us monthly care-packages filled with love and goodies!  I am very thankful for my husband who works hard every single day and then comes home to help me and give me his support as I go to school and teach English.  I am thankful for all the wonderful people I’ve met here in Atsugi, Japan.  Each one of you has been an inspiration.

It is so easy to get caught up in everyday frustrations and chores, so I love having a day like to day where it is all about gratitude and our blessings and giving back.  I am reminded that I need to focus each day a little more on all my blessings and all the good life has to offer.  Us at a temple on Enoshima Island.

Zeller, F.  (2010).  N. Korea warns of more strikes as US ship pulls…http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/nkorea-warns-of-more-strikes-as-us-carrier-heads-in-20101125-188k7.html