Now is now

A year ago things were shutting down rapidly. 

Ten years ago Jim & I had arrived in Japan to introduce him to my Japan world, but instead we experienced (from 240 miles away) the 4th most powerful earthquake in the world.  

But today is today.  "Now is now," as Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote. (See article here.)

We are hopefully winding down a virus that has gone through our family.  The children are back at school.  Yesterday we had a play date outside (in 70*F weather!) and I drove carpool to swim lessons.  

There are piles of dishes, mounds of laundry, and boxes of hand-me-downs to sort and put away in drawers or pass on to friends. 

On the farm there are hogs to send to market, machinery to prepare such that in a month we will see tractors dotting the landscape, and always paperwork to complete for the IRS or the USDA. 

In all of this, how do we process & remember the past, complete the necessary tasks of daily life, and live in light of eternity?  

Tim Keller writes about facing eternity here. It's a profound and sobering read.  

If you're looking for stories of hope, my friend Roger's books written about the events in Japan 10 years ago are free for download March 10 & 11.  

Pippy the Piano & the Very Big Wave is a children's story available in either Japanese or English. 

Aroma of Beauty is also available in either language.