Saturday, March 12, 2011

Update! !

Hi everyone! Let me first tell you how much I feel loved and overwhelmed by your kindness and support through this experience. Thank you so much for your comments & emails. I am sorry that I can't return emails to all of you, but they all touched my heart and strengthened me through this difficult time.

Also I want to say thank you to all my friends, neighbors and family for being there for me and my family in so many different ways.

I have news! Good news!

I just got off the phone with my sister!!!

I heard the land line in that area was totally dead, if not, spotty at best. I kept calling desperately throughout the day. Wishing this time someone might answer... it didn't happen.

Tonight, while I was upstairs my husband called her house again (I had no idea he was doing that for me). And, it went through... the phone started to ring.

He said he heard a voice on the other end "Hello? Hello?" That's when I heard him screaming coming up stairs "Sachiko! Sachiko! Your sister is on the phone!!!"

I couldn't believe it. I took the phone and said "hello?!” Then I heard a familiar voice... "Sachiko?"

There were so much I wanted to say or ask but I started crying so hard and I wasn't making any sound that she could understand. We were so excited to talk to each other, but also afraid that the phone might cut off at any minute. We were talking so fast and furiously.

She told me that after the quake, she wasn't able to use her phone at all. Every now and then it made some noise (I think that was when we were trying to call) and when she pick up nothing happened. Tonight, the ring was different. She picked it up and the call went through. I believe in prayers, I believe in prayers couple with fasting. I am thankful to so many of you who prayed for us. I feel like I just witnessed a miracle. I can't tell you how happy I am right now!

She told me that her house is damaged a little bit here and there, but so far it's standing and seems to be ok. Although, there is no running water, electricity, no phone, none of that. She is thinking that when their food runs out, they are probably going to an evacuation center, because they can't buy food anywhere. With two little children, that must be hard. I wish I could just send stuff to her overnight.

Funny thing is, she doesn't know much about what's happening in her prefecture. She said, she gets to listen to the radio every now and then, but it’s so spotty, she can't get much the information. I know more about what's going on than she does. I told her what I have been seeing in the news. The area we used to drive around is under water, our friends homes are washed away, so many lives lost. She believed me, but still it didn't click to her. I don't know if I am making any sense, but without seeing it; it is hard to believe that much devastation.

I am so happy that my family is alive and ok, but there are so many people suffering in Japan. Please keep them in your prayers.

Through this experience, I learned a couple things. We need to show and tell people in our lives how much we love them and appreciate them whenever we get the chance to. You never know, that might be the last time you get to do so. There is no time to waste in fighting and holding grudges. Unexpected things happen and when we want to show love, it might be too late.

Another thing is, I need to be prepared. Our church advises us to have food storage (and some other items too). We have some but not nearly enough to sustain us through months at a time. Listening to my sister talk about food and how people would fight over toilet paper made me think even more about how much being prepared is very important.

Again, thank you all for being such a great support. I feel so blessed to have this community in blog-o- sphere, you guys are such nice, caring friends. Thank you!

I usually post link love today, but after the quake, I just couldn't do it all. I will post link love next week.

This week, I am off to bed. :) I can finally rest.

86 comments :

  1. I'm so happy to hear that your sister and her family are ok!!! Thanks for updating us.

    We will continue to pray for those suffering.

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  2. Wonderful news. So happy for you and your family. Sleep well.

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  3. I am so glad! So happy your sister and her family are well and safe! Now you can get some good rest. :)

    I will continue to pray for all of the suffering people.

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  4. Oh Thank God! I have been watching the news footage and thinking about your personal situation. We will continue to pray for the people affected by the quake.

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  5. I am so relieved! When I read this post, I cried tears of happiness for your family.
    It is hard to see all of the devastation that has happened in Japan over the past two days. I will continue to pray for those who lost so much
    Thank you for the update.

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  6. I'm so happy for you and your family - and I am still in prayer for Japan. Tone

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  7. I have just read your post and can't imagine what you must have been going through! I was so grateful to hear that your sister and family are okay.
    Much love ~x~

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  8. I've been thinking about you all day and I'm sooooo very pleased your whole family is safe. I hope they manage well in the next few weeks. I'm going to make a proper kit for our family this weeks as well. You have to these days!

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  9. Thanks for updating us! I am so glad your family is ok!
    now; all of my thoughts are for the rest of the people from japan. I can't watch the news any more. All I do is cry

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  10. Thank goodness, I'm so relieved for you! So glad they're OK!

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  11. Sleep well. Fantastic news. I'm so happy for you. Thanks for posting.

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  12. What a relief! I'm so happy you were able to hear from your sister! My brother and his wife live in Ichihara, five miles from the refinery fire, and they are okay. His wife's two sisters and their families live in Miyagi Prefecture about ten miles inland, but they haven't heard from them yet.

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  13. That's great news for you, Sachiko. I'm so pleased your sister is safe. We continue to think of the suffering people in Japan; what a terrible situation :-(

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  14. I am so happy for you! I am sure you will sleep peacefully tonight knowing that she and her family are safe.

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  15. Reading your post made me have goosebumps all over! I am so glad to read at least some good news. My thoughts and prayers continue to go to Japan.

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  16. I am so pleased that your sister is ok, I can't imagine what an awful time it must have been not knowing xx

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  17. Oh, so happy that your sister and her family are fine! The devastation there is hard to believe even when we see it on television. So much loss. We are praying for those who have lost so much and are suffering. Thank you for letting us know!

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  18. I am so pleased that your sister is well and alive! So happy for your both..wonderful news. I will keep praying for all those suffering families in Japan though.

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  19. What a beautiful post, in so many ways.

    Thank you for updating us Sachiko. I have been thinking about you and your sister since I read your post.

    You and she, and the people of Japan, continue in my prayers.

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  20. That is such great news!! Thanks for the update! Our hearts will continue to pray for your family and others affected.

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  21. I am so happy for your good news, prayers were answered. xooxoxoxoxox

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  22. That is wonderful news, I am very happy for you!!!

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  23. I am so happy for you! What a Loving Wonderful husband you have!

    Prayer is such a powerful tool and I will keep the people of Japan in my thoughts and prayers.

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  24. Your sister's well-being has been weighing on my mind. I'm so glad you finally reached her and that she was okay!

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  25. I'm so glad I checked my bloglist early today as you have been in mind constantly since I read about your sister missing. Now I feel relieved - I am so very, very happy for you. And thank-you for the message on lessons learned from this terrible experience. Have a great day!

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  26. Amen! I'm so happy to find out your family is safe and will continue to pray for them all.

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  27. Also we here (in Norway) pray for Japan. We are sending our best and warmest wishes to all the people there and glad to hear about your family :)) Thanks God!
    All the best from Oslo!

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  28. I'm up early reading this and I am so happy your family is Ok!!...It brought tears to my eyes!! We will continue prayers for all the rest!
    Denise

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  29. Very happy that you got in contact with her! I will keep praying for Japan and those who are in the dark as you were.

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  30. Thank God!!!!! When I read your update post, I started crying. I was so thankful to hear that your sister and her family are safe! I will continue to pray for your sister and her family and all in Japan in this terrible time of suffering.

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  31. I just got a little teary-eyed reading your post.. I am so happy that you were finally able to talk to your sister and her family and know that all is well. My prayers are definitely with all who have been affected by this earthquake and tsunami, Im glad the prayers of many were able to help answer yours and bring you some peace.

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  32. So glad for such a happy bit of news! My heart continues to go out in prayer and fasting for those suffering. I know God is watching over all.

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  33. Sachiko, I am so very glad for you and your sister! The whole situation is so overwhelming for those of us not even involved... I just could not imagine. Sending prayers!

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  34. Hi, I read just now your posts, I was away from the net yesterday, I'm happy your family is fine!!!

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  35. Thank God they are OK!

    I would love to be able to do something for those who has lost someone, or their homes...

    All the world is with Japan now

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  36. Sachiko I am SO happy that your sister and her family are safe! And I am so glad you finally got to connect to her. We're continuing to pray for everyone affected, both in Japan and those who are safe but waiting on news from loved ones.

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  37. So glad to hear your good news. Will continue to pray for Japan.

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  38. I think this is one of the best posts I will ever read, or at least for a long time. Thank you God! I am so happy that you have heard from your sister. And yes, prayers will continue. There is so much devastation. Brings tears to my eyes. Blessings to you and all your family and all those in Japan.

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  39. I'm so happy to hear that our sister!!
    Seguiré rezando por todas las personas de Japón.

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  40. What a relief! I am so happy for you and your family! Thank you so much for allowing us to support you.

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  41. I am so glad to hear that your sister and her family are alright. We will to continue to pray for Japan and all those that are suffering!

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  42. So happy for you! Thanks for the update!

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  43. Dear Sachiko,
    Thanks for the update! I'm so happy for you and your family. I'm still praying for the families that still waiting for news.
    Thanks for sharing your life experiences with us. You're a really inspiration to me.
    Muchas Gracias! Hasta pronto,
    Gloria x

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  44. Oh, Sachiko, I am so happy for you and your family! I will continue to pray for your sister and her family, and for all others in Japan who have been affected.

    You have gotten me thinking about my disaster preparedness as well. It is so important, yet in day to day life it doesn't tend to be at the forefront of our minds. What a reminder to its importance.

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  45. Wonderful post, wonderful news!

    We've been praying each and every prayer for those survivors in Japan. I am sure they need every single prayer and good thought everyone can spare.

    Here in the Pacific NW, I guess we sit on a fault line similar to the one in Japan. AFter the earthquake, they were talking on the radio how it could happen here. It made me think I really need to recheck my 72 hr kits, and put some shoes under my bed, just in case it hits at night.

    Tragedy makes you stop and think, doesn't it? Hopefully it will also spur us to action.

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  46. So happy to hear this! Thanks for the update. I've been thinking of you and your family. I hope conditions improve for them soon.

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  47. YES! I am so glad you made contact with your sister. How wonderful to hear she and her family are safe. I am so happy for all of you! Sleep well!

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  48. So glad your sister and her family are okay! :)

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  49. Sachiko, I'm so happy your family is doing ok. I read your previous post yesterday, and this morning I read your update. It made me cry. What you say is so true and it made me think of the things I may be doing wrong. Prayers work though. Let's keep Japan in our prayers!

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  50. Oh I'm so happy for you!!! What a relief that must be. And I believe in prayer, or positive thoughts, or whatever it is one wants to call it--it's all good energy :)

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  51. Thank you for sharing. I can't imagine what your sister must be going through. (And what you went through waiting to hear from her) And thanks for the reminder to refocus on emergency preparedness. I need to relook at all that too. Esp. water.

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  52. That's fantastic! God is so good. This post really brightened up my day! So happy for you.

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  53. Thank you for sharing this wonderful news with us!! So happy for you and you family of course!!

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  54. That is wonderful news! I'm so glad they are ok. I will keep praying for their safety and for God to make provisions for them.

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  55. Oh my goodness! I am so so happy for you! I started crying just reading this! I too believe in prayer! Your prayers were answered!

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  56. i held my breath as i read this. so very, very glad that all is well with your family. i can't imagine your relief.
    i believe in the power of prayer & fasting.
    so very happy for you guys!

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  57. Amazing! Just simply fantastic news. Thinking and praying for all of the people in Japan.Wanting to help in any way possible.

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  58. The best news to be had in such trying times! Miracles do happen and you have shared one with us. Thank you for the reminder to let go of all of the little things that weigh us down-keeping us from having wonderful relationships with others.

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  59. oh friend, that is SUCH good news. oh my goodness- I can't imagine what the hours of not hearing anything were like...
    we're joining you in praying and praying for Japan... if you figure out a way to overnight food (or other ways to be tangibly helpful!), let us know!

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  60. I'm so glad your sister is okay, reading through the comments I'm not the only one with tears in my eyes, that's more than enough linked love to go on, will keep your family and all of the people of Japan in our hearts and prayers.

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  61. I am so glad to hear that she is well & safe! Still praying for you & the rest of your family as well as your sister!

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  62. I am so happy to hear that you were able to speak with your sister, and that so far everything is okay. Rest well - the rest of us will continue to pray for Japan!

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  63. Do you know anything about Aomori? Was it in the path of destruction, too? A college roommate of mine lives there. I have no idea how to contact her. I am worried.

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  64. I've been reading a while, but don't think I have ever commented before. I found myself crossing my fingers and holding my breath as I click on your post in my reader. I am so VERY happy for you that you family is all okay.

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  65. I will continue to pray for Japan as we never know what may happen next. I am praying that your family has food, water and other necessities that are safe. God does answer our prayers.

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  66. I am so happy for you and to know that your sister is OK. I have been checking to see if you had heard any news and this was wonderful news. I spent the morning at the Boise Temple yesterday and the prayer given for the people in Japan was very touching and emotional. The spirit was so strong. I wish there were more I could do to help the suffering but I will continue to pray for our brothers and sisters there.

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  67. I am so thankful that prayers are answered, I've been checking back to see if you had heard anything and this is wonderful news. I will contine to pray as so many are for our brothers and sisters in Japan! God bless!

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  68. I am literally crying tears of joy for you and your family. God is good! We will continue our prayers here, but I'm so releived for you.

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  69. Ohhh I am so happy to hear
    that your sister and her
    family are okay and that their
    home is okay ~
    I cannot even begin to imagine
    the devastation and I will
    continue to pray ~

    xoxo
    Lori

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  70. Thank God...your sister and her family is safe. I kept on calling my friends in Tokyo moment after the news came over TV. All the lines are down. I email them, no reply. At last on Saturday, some lines came back to normal. Still I can't contact some of them. Pray that all of them are safe. God bless Japan.

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  71. I'm so happy for your news. I started to cry when I read it. I'm trying to track down informatinn about a friend I lost track of a few years ago, that last I knew of had moved back to Japan (he just came here for collage, where we met). I think having his face in in my mind when I pray is helping me to pray even more sincerly for so many, many people. It's such an overwhelming tragedy that we need to hold on to wonderful, hopeful news like that of your sister.

    And thank you for your testimony. It is beautiful and worded so wonderfully.

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  72. I am so happy for you and your family. I didn't see the update until just now. Great news.

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  73. what a relief! I'm so glad yr sister is ok!! I'll be praying for your family and Japan. Keep us updated!

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  74. I've been following your blog for sometime now, and am so grateful to hear that your family is safe.
    We live in Japan, here with the US Navy, just south of Tokyo. Today they started setting up donation boxes. I'm going through all my kids stuff because I know there are people like your family in need. And several sisters in our Relief Society are getting together to put together some quilts. All our prayers are with our brothers and sister here!

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  75. I'm so glad to hear your family is ok! ...and praying for those who weren't so fortunate.

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  76. Sachiko,I am so glad you were able to connect and your family is safe. My heart goes out to the Japanese right now, what profound loss and devestation.

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  77. Sachiko - I am so glad to hear the news that your family is ok. Thank you for updating us. Prayers are with your family and friends who are still in Japan.

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  78. I'm really glad to hear that your family is ok!! I'll continue praying for Japan.

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  79. So glad you talked to your sister. We all need a food stach. I have family in hurricane country - they kept a basket of canned food & water. They have a plan - gas up the car, fill the bath tub with water, etc.

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  80. I'm glad your family is okay! I can't begin to imagine the anxiety you must have felt not knowing if your sister and her family were safe. I'll pray for them and everyone else suffering through this disaster.

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  81. I praise God with you that your sister and family are safe. It's strange how things happen. I connected with you for the first time through your link party #45 and you wrote me a lovely note in response. The next day the quake happened. I saw your distressed post. I saw the place that your sister lives - the exact same place that my niece and husband just spent two years teaching English. I couldn't believe it. Bethany and Brian have been home for almost two years now but they have many, many friends in Sendai. They are beginning to hear of their safety also. Connecting with you and having the connection with my niece has made this tragedy a bit closer to my heart that just watching the news and not knowing anyone involved. It goes to show how we are all connected and how loving the Lord is toward all of us. Above all He sees the big picture and we can trust Him with our lives and with the lives of our families! I am so happy for you. Continue to get that good rest! We will continue to pray for all those who are still in the midst of suffering . Linda
    My niece Bethany's blog is:
    http://b-logmartin.blogspot.com/

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  82. I'm really glad that you managed to learn news about your family.Iknow that being away from them doesn't seem an easy thing.If any of them listens please listen your daughter and go away.We all know that leaving your roots is very difficult but if an earthquake happened before it can happen again.I will pray for them.Kisses.

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