So usually my blog is an update on our day to day life in Japan and traveling, but I have had some words on my heart lately that I would like to share and I hope they might relate to some of you too.
The subject: Being Content in the "now"
Ever since I can remember, mainly in my school days, there has always been a need to look ahead and/or wish time away. Whether it was for summer vacation, prom, a sleepover, leaving for college or waiting to visit Will at school on the weekends...wishing time away has been a constant in my life. I'm not trying to say that being excited for something or looking forward to something is a bad thing, I just know its sometimes hard for me to live in the moment and to be content with the "now".
More recently this has applied to our new life here in Japan and the speed bumps that have surrounded us. Ever since day one of moving here, I have had a countdown of when we get to leave. Of course its hard moving across the world suddenly leaving everything you know and love behind, and on top of that your husband being gone more then half the year, but I have realized lately that wishing our time away here is keeping me from truly understanding our purpose of being put here in the first place. I know Jesus has such a bigger plan for this time of our lives and I need to set my focus on the "now" instead of the "after now".
I feel like so many of us can relate to this in more then one way. We get so caught up in our day to day lives and what is to come, and forget about how the Lord is using us in that exact moment.
The verse that has been in my head lately is Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God".
Be still. Two small words but with such a great impact. It is so hard for me to just "be still". So many times I want my prayer answered right now because waiting just seems impossible. Life can be so busy and can pass us so fast but all God wants from us is to be still and let him handle the rest. Such a simple message yet so easy to forget.
Moving to Japan is such an easy go to when I think about wishing time away, but there are other areas in my life that this applies as well. With waiting for Will to come home, waiting to see my family again or waiting for orders to our next duty station...there are constant unknowns surrounding me.
Probably the hardest and most emotional time of waiting in our lives recently is waiting for a baby. This subject probably hits close to home in so many people and even makes me partially uncomfortable to talk about something so personal. This past year God has really asked us to trust him and to know that his plan is perfect, even if that means waiting to be parents. Automatically I want to look ahead and try to get answers right away, to know when that day of being a mother will happen, but instead I have been praying to try and understand what he is doing with my life right "now". I have had to learn that God doesn't make us wait for things to punish us or to make us feel abandoned. God wants us to trust him in all situations, big or small.
I hope some of you can find comfort in reading this in some way. We all have reasons to wish time away and to not be content with our lives in the now. I will be the first to say I struggle with this every day. Whether its waiting for a new job, an engagement, a marriage, a baby, or even just smaller day to day things, I encourage you to find your contentment in the now and listen to where God is leading you.
Please continue your prayers for us as we continue this sensitive time and get more answers! Pray that I can just "be still" and find peace that I am not alone even when I feel like I am out here in Japan!
Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Love you all,
xoxo
Caroline
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Friday, June 3, 2016
Making the Most of Little Time
It's 11:45pm and I'm lying in bed with an all too familiar feeling of sadness. I just got back from dropping Will off at the boat to begin Deployment number 2...womp womp. Driving away from him once again as he walked to the Ronald Reagan was tough but I have decided to take a page out of my sweet husbands book and try to make this post a positive one. With a few unexpected extra weeks together, Will and I have stayed busy exploring Japan and making the most of what little time we did have together.
In the military you meet people constantly. We have been so blessed with the friends we have made out here in Japan, especially those certain ones who instantly feel like family. Sadly with 3 year orders, its only natural that your friends start rotating out of Japan and headed to their next duty station. After Will got home from training in Nevada it felt like we were having a lot of "goodbye" dinners with some of our favorites. As bittersweet as they were, we know our paths will cross again at some point whenever and wherever that may be!
The last weekend in April we had Friendship Festival. This is when the base opens up for all the Japanese locals to come enjoy the day and activities. The flight line has every aircraft parked in a row so they can see them and take pictures, along with squadron tents where everyone was selling items. It is always so fun watching how excited everyone is to be there and how much money they spend on merchandise! It was an exhausting day but well worth it!
After we heard the boat wasn't going to be pulling out on time we were SO excited. Not knowing when it was going to actually leave, we packed every weekend with whatever we could so we wasted no time together. This included a trip to Mount Fuji for the Shibazakura festival, a weekend in Tokyo, a day at Disney Sea, and a trip to Shimoda Beach.
I could not be more thankful for the extra time we got together. Being away from Will is one of the biggest challenges I have, and will ever have to face. He has a heart of gold and to say I'm proud to be his wife is an understatement. I know he gets to do what he loves everyday flying jets, but he also sacrifices a lot and never complains. It would be so easy for me to be negative right now but being able to write this post and relive our past month together is just what I needed.
Please pray for everyone on the Ronald Reagan and all the families who stay behind to wait for their loved ones!
I am excited to see what this summer has in store and the places my girl friends and I will visit. Visitors always welcome...seriously...anytime.
Love you all!
Caroline
In the military you meet people constantly. We have been so blessed with the friends we have made out here in Japan, especially those certain ones who instantly feel like family. Sadly with 3 year orders, its only natural that your friends start rotating out of Japan and headed to their next duty station. After Will got home from training in Nevada it felt like we were having a lot of "goodbye" dinners with some of our favorites. As bittersweet as they were, we know our paths will cross again at some point whenever and wherever that may be!
The last weekend in April we had Friendship Festival. This is when the base opens up for all the Japanese locals to come enjoy the day and activities. The flight line has every aircraft parked in a row so they can see them and take pictures, along with squadron tents where everyone was selling items. It is always so fun watching how excited everyone is to be there and how much money they spend on merchandise! It was an exhausting day but well worth it!
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| Always find me with the babies |
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| My english students came! |
After we heard the boat wasn't going to be pulling out on time we were SO excited. Not knowing when it was going to actually leave, we packed every weekend with whatever we could so we wasted no time together. This included a trip to Mount Fuji for the Shibazakura festival, a weekend in Tokyo, a day at Disney Sea, and a trip to Shimoda Beach.
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| Picture of a Picture...jumping with Japanese girls |
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| Soba noodles with fresh wasabi |
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| City of Shimoda from the gondola |
I could not be more thankful for the extra time we got together. Being away from Will is one of the biggest challenges I have, and will ever have to face. He has a heart of gold and to say I'm proud to be his wife is an understatement. I know he gets to do what he loves everyday flying jets, but he also sacrifices a lot and never complains. It would be so easy for me to be negative right now but being able to write this post and relive our past month together is just what I needed.
Please pray for everyone on the Ronald Reagan and all the families who stay behind to wait for their loved ones!
I am excited to see what this summer has in store and the places my girl friends and I will visit. Visitors always welcome...seriously...anytime.
Love you all!
Caroline
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Home Sweet Home
After a 2 hour bus ride to the Tokyo airport, a 14hr flight to Minneapolis, a 2 hour delay because of Tornados touching down in Raleigh (so random), another 2 hr flight to North Carolina and finally a 20 minute car ride...I was home! My sister Elkie, my mom, Liam and Bennett picked me up and after 2 days of travel I couldn't have been more excited. I was a zombie but nothing could have made that moment more special.
The next few days/weekends were a blur. I got to catch up with my family, all the Cravens, my friends and of course my fur baby Tubbs.
The next few days/weekends were a blur. I got to catch up with my family, all the Cravens, my friends and of course my fur baby Tubbs.
Wills parents got to fly out to Fallon, Nevada to visit him while he was training. They haven't seen each other since Will and I left Raleigh in December 2014, so needless to say there was major catching up to do. I of course felt like I was missing out a little bit, but this meant I got to keep Tubbs at my parents house for a while and get some more time with my family as well. I would say I threw the ball or the frisbee for Tubbs about 12 times a day and walked him as well. Definitely reminded me how much energy this boy has and how incredibly thankful we are to have parents who keep him while were gone. Nancy and Tommy...ya'll are saints and we love you!
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| All smiles in Fallon! |
Here are more pictures from my trip including Tubbs of course, family, and Easter week at the beach!
Just like my last trip, this one came to an end WAY too fast. Saying goodbye this time was a little harder being that Christmas will be the earliest I am home or see anyone again. I have never been away from my family this long ever so I know it is going to be a challenge! Thank God for FaceTime and family who doesn't leave each other alone...I know I will talk to everyone a lot. Thank you to everyone who made my trip so special. I am so thankful that I have a family and have friends that make leaving home so hard for me. I already can't wait to see y'all again, whenever that may be!!!
Back to Japan to get a few weeks with my hubby before he deploys again!
Love you all so much!
xoxo Caroline
Sunday, February 14, 2016
2016 so far!
Happy New Year!
Since Will is leaving for 2 months of training soon, we decided an overnight trip to Tokyo was long overdue. We took a train Saturday afternoon and checked into our tiny Japanese hotel....seriously the room was basically just the bed. We then took a train to Kappabashi street which is also known as "Kitchen district", to walk around and shop a bit. We didn't buy anything because our kitchen is already overflowing with things we probably don't need, but it was fun to see yet another shopping street in Tokyo. After working up an appetite we went to dinner at another favorite amongst our friends out here...the famous "Devil Ramen". With a name like that I decided to go for the good ol' regular flavored...no spices...ramen. Will of course went for the numbing spice and said it was delicious. Ramen in Japan has yet to disappoint.
Finally...the best part of the night and the big reason we were in Tokyo.
MARIO KART!
We had heard about this a few times while living here and we had some friends try it out the weekend before...said it was amazing. Of course we had to try...
We got our choice of character costumes and our own go-cart. I chose to be Luigi and Will was Bowser...turtle shell and all. We had a tour guide who drove the go-cart in the front and we followed him through the streets of Tokyo! It was amazing getting to see Tokyo like this. We drove to the Tokyo Tower, through the streets of Roppongi and my favorite the Shibuya Crossing. Only in Japan is it legal to drive a go-cart, dressed as a Mario Kart costume on the street with taxis and cars surrounding you. Will and I agree it was one of the most incredible things we've done out here. Highly recommend if you ever get the chance!
After another successful weekend in Tokyo, we are happy to back home for Valentines day. Will leaves soon for training so we are trying to make the most of every day together. I'd say after wearing costumes and mario karting through Tokyo...we are doing just that.
Oh and another thing...when Will leaves for training I'm headed back to the states for some much needed family time!
U.S.A. Im coming for you!
xoxo
Caroline and Will
How in the world is it already 2016? As of January 3 Will and I have lived in Japan for exactly 1 year calling it our "Japanniversary". There have definitely been some long days but it is mind blowing that 1 year is behind us.
In pure Craven fashion we have not slowed down. For New years we had friends over to our house to celebrate, I have been teaching english classes nonstop, Will has been busier at work then ever and we have added some weekend travels in there too. After all of our friends returned from holiday travels we also had a White Christmas party at our house. It was so much fun and the Japanese gifts given were hilarious. Most recently we returned from our Squadron ski trip which was a blast. Here are some pictures from the year so far.
Japanese Light Show
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Cooking Japanese food with my english students
One of my best friends had a sweet baby girl!
Squadron Ski Trip
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| Will hitting people with snow balls...of course |
Since Will is leaving for 2 months of training soon, we decided an overnight trip to Tokyo was long overdue. We took a train Saturday afternoon and checked into our tiny Japanese hotel....seriously the room was basically just the bed. We then took a train to Kappabashi street which is also known as "Kitchen district", to walk around and shop a bit. We didn't buy anything because our kitchen is already overflowing with things we probably don't need, but it was fun to see yet another shopping street in Tokyo. After working up an appetite we went to dinner at another favorite amongst our friends out here...the famous "Devil Ramen". With a name like that I decided to go for the good ol' regular flavored...no spices...ramen. Will of course went for the numbing spice and said it was delicious. Ramen in Japan has yet to disappoint.
Finally...the best part of the night and the big reason we were in Tokyo.
MARIO KART!
We had heard about this a few times while living here and we had some friends try it out the weekend before...said it was amazing. Of course we had to try...
We got our choice of character costumes and our own go-cart. I chose to be Luigi and Will was Bowser...turtle shell and all. We had a tour guide who drove the go-cart in the front and we followed him through the streets of Tokyo! It was amazing getting to see Tokyo like this. We drove to the Tokyo Tower, through the streets of Roppongi and my favorite the Shibuya Crossing. Only in Japan is it legal to drive a go-cart, dressed as a Mario Kart costume on the street with taxis and cars surrounding you. Will and I agree it was one of the most incredible things we've done out here. Highly recommend if you ever get the chance!
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| The Bowser Costume |
After another successful weekend in Tokyo, we are happy to back home for Valentines day. Will leaves soon for training so we are trying to make the most of every day together. I'd say after wearing costumes and mario karting through Tokyo...we are doing just that.
Oh and another thing...when Will leaves for training I'm headed back to the states for some much needed family time!
U.S.A. Im coming for you!
xoxo
Caroline and Will
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