Kotomi is Here!

Tuesday was an exciting day for us. The girls were running around the house saying, "It's Kotomi day, Kotomi day!" Brooke, Ali and I drove to the airport Tuesday night to pick up our Japanese student who will be living with us during March. We were told to make a sign with her name on it and meet her at baggage claim with the other American host families and their students.

Brooke was so adorable with that sign. There wasn't a Japanese person in sight, but she stood there with her arms raised in the air, just waiting to be recognized! Finally, Kotomi arrived and we exchanged hugs and introductions. We got her bags and headed home. This must be such a neat time for her. She is 22 years old and has never been outside of Japan before. I know that if we swapped places, and I was visiting Japan alone, I would just want to soak it all in. We are all still getting to know each other and communication can be challenging at times, but she has a pocket translator that helps when we need it (for words like crime, ancient, legal, independent to name a few). Kotomi spends the day with about 20 Japanese students at Northland church in English classes and Bible classes. They also do sightseeing and shopping while they are here. At night, she comes home with us and will spend the weekends with us. She said she wants to see "American Culture" and I'm still trying to figure out what that is!! Last night she wrote the girls names in Japanese and ever since Brooke has been copying it and trying to write other words too.

She also brought origami paper for the kids and some fun Japanese candies and cookies for us.

She will get to experience the chaos of a five year-old's birthday party this weekend!