undeserving...

Before I update you all on the latest trip to see my boyfriend Mikey, I have some other news... my niece ADELIA TRUE was born March 22nd, 2008.

Becca almost didn't make it to the hospital in time, Adelia True Schupbach came when she was ready. :) Isn't she the cutest?

Welcome to the world, Miss Adelia. I spent 11 days in CA this March. I had some time and money so I flew into LAX and spent the time getting to know Mikey, his friends, and his parents. It was such a great trip and I feel so undeserving to have had that special time.

Mikey spoiled me rotten the entire time with him taking me to see so many different people, places... he also spoiled me with his thoughtfulness. When I arrived he had bought me tulips. (my first time to receive tulips!!) Mikey also surprised me with a trip to AZ to see our friends there. It had been too long since I had seen everyone and Mikey made it happen.

He told me, "Get a bag packed for overnight." and then we started driving. I was actually praying when I saw the LAX sign and so I lost my train of thought (oops!) but I managed to finish the prayer and ask, "Are we flying somewhere?"

To which Mikey soon replied, "Look in the glove compartment."

There inside were two tickets to Phoenix AZ with a rental car to road trip down to Tucson.

I was so surprised. I don't think I've ever had anyone outside of my family, do anything this special for me....

Mikey is such a great guy. I have no idea how I ended up in this relationship, aside from God's grace and mercy, but here I am... dating the most amazing man. His words and actions are focused on the Lord. He is intentional in serving me and serving those in his life. He is wise and cautious in the things that he says and does. Mikey is a man that you would want in your friendship circle. He is honest and generous, serving, kind, thoughtful, fun, and most of all he is just a great guy to be around...

flying to Phoenix together was fun because usually in our long distance relationship we fly AWAY from each other. It was fun to get to travel WITH him.

My dear friend Krista Morrison. I had not seen Krista in five years... Krista and I went on the SIJ trip 2003 together. When Krista brought up funny stories of things I said or did in Japan at that time I can only THANK GOD that I am a work in progress. Ah! I did some silly ridiculous things back then.... Krista is another friend you want to surround yourself with. She shared things God has been teaching her and I was so encouraged and challenged to look into those lessons myself. I am so blessed to have such amazing friends.

Christy Randl, whom I haven't seen in two years, and I hugging. What a blessing to reconnect with such beautiful people...
Krista, Christy, Ariel, me, and Meaghan...

It was so great (i can't stop saying that) to see everyone.

Krista and I in her home, the Strudel. for more on Krista, AZ, the Strudel and her adventures click on her link to the right "pinky swearing friends"
While in AZ, I realized we might have a little time to see my old college roommates... we called Holly and Rachel on our way back to the airport and asked if they had time to meet... so Mikey officially met two of my 36 Valley Ave. roommates and they drove us from the rental car place to the airport. A solid five minutes of hanging out but hey! that's enough for old friends like us. We're flexible. :)
Mikey and I spent a lot of time talking, dreaming, and getting to know each other in many coffeeshops. This one is a cute little cafe called Literati's.

I enjoyed meeting Mikey's parents and eating authentic Chinese food with them. They are really great people and so kind to me. They asked me all sorts of questions about my life, what I find attractive in Mikey, what Japan is like, my family... etc. The best part of the night (well, there were many) but one of the best parts was the story Mikey's Mom told me about dropping Mikey off for pre-school. I guess she dropped him off and started driving away and Mikey started running after her.... how adorable is that story? awwwwww
Mikey's dad surprised me with flowers. Aren't they goregous?
Playing card games or Settlers with James and Liz (mikey's teammates)
Mikey and I got up early one morning to go snowboarding...

We're crazy!
It was a lot of fun. Mikey is awesome at boarding. He was hitting all the jumps and rails and doing tricks and stuff... and I was just following behind him. It was fun to watch him and see him enjoy one of his favorite sports. I was really proud of him. It was fun for me (i love to board) but I just enjoyed watching him...
It is nice to finally be together...
Chilling in the hammock...
Drinking boba together..
enjoying the warm California weather...
Oh man! I love ice cream.

I also really love coffee.
One thing you gotta know about Mikey....

he enjoys good food. He has a standard for good food, actually. He won't let me eat just any old thing or any old restaurant. He wants the very best (taste and price). So that was fun for me. I always eat amazingly when I eat with my boyfriend. Here Mikey introduces me to shrimp tacos. They were so good.
And we ate dim sum (or a la carte)

and I ate chicken feet.... the taste is good, the look of it was a little hard to take in. I couldn't actually think about it. I just had to eat it.
this is me eating it...
and then me saying, "Mikey stop taking pictures of me."

Our last dinner together... Thai curry with rice and noodles. Man, that makes my mouth water just looking at it. I think the Thai curry was one of my favorite dishes.

Our last "date"
Overall, it was just a blessing to be with my boyfriend. It's a bit surreal at times to go back to America... I feel like I wake up in Japan and then wake up in America... it's hard to think of doing two months apart from Mikey again but I am so blessed by this time in Japan to be with my friends here.
God really spoke to my heart on the plane ride home. He gave me a lot of courage to continue living here...

it is by His grace and strength alone that we live here. A good lesson for me to learn because whether I am far away or near to those I *like* God is always going to be the Only One who can sustain and satisfy. :) Doing long distance is teaching me a lot about life...

thanks Mikey for being my amazing boyfriend and generously giving me your time and energy.

thank you Lord, for my time in CA. Thank you for all you are doing there and all that you are doing in Japan. Thanks for letting me be a small part in both of those.