its a new day

middle names are not given in Japan, but being American, and that I do have one, my middle name, 'Dawn', is on everything. mostly there is confusion as to which name is my first or second and whether or not it all one name. I never gave much attention to the meaning of my middle name until coming here when people began asking me about it. the meaning of "Dawn" is "first light of day". the morning time brings to mind many favorites for me though. i love breakfast time. i love the stillness of the morning. i love the possibilities of a new day.

: ouchi san :

a story was recently shared with me about how satellite images of Tohoku were taken the evening of 3.11.2011 after the disasters here in Japan. the images show Tohoku in complete darkness... void of any light. all of Japan is normally very well lit, so this image is etched into my brain. it will take many months + many years to recover + rebuild what was lost in the disasters. most of it will never be the same. but hearts can be healed. i both know it + believe it. Tohoku (as a place + people) are special to me + i am right where I am supposed to be right now i think. just as "dawn" means "first light of day" I hope to bring a little encouragement for a new day through this blog: good morning tohoku.
i am only one small person.... i cannot do anything on my own, but i am confident that if we all come together to be "lights" present here in Tohoku, life will be strengthened by the greatness of LOVE. the capacity to bless life is in everybody. all of our lives have purpose.

work in progress

I have wanted to get this up and going for longer than you can know... but with my lack of computer saviness, and the dilemma I face here currently of no regular internet use .... things have been delayed. Still no excuse, but please know this is a work in progress, as am I! I hope that in the days, weeks, months and years to come that you will travel this journey with me in my hopes to love on Japan if even in the smallest ways.