In November, my principal pulled me into a meeting. This meeting would be the first of what I like to call, "Meeting Marathon." The first meeting went something like this... "Stephanie we really like you and want to keep you at our school. That being said, since you got married and could potentially have a baby, we cannot rehire you in August." My pride, my stubbornness, and my Americanism wanted to scream, "YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" You cannot refuse to hire someone because they have a uterus. Everything in me wanted to be angry, and I was for about a day or two. But then I remembered why I came to Japan.
I was hired to be a missionary here. I was hired to tell my girls about Jesus. Yes, I can be angry about this, but it's important that I respond in love and handle this situation with love. For the rest of November and all of December, I got pulled into meeting after meeting about the situation. The school could not risk giving me a normal contract again because it would be really difficult for them to find a replacement if I got pregnant. They were trying to figure out how to keep me as long possible, but also have an English teacher in the evident that Baby Strehlow enters the world. This part I understood a bit more. They really do need to ensure that our students are getting and will continue to get a good education. I cannot fault them for thinking about our students. In fact, it makes me happy that they do.
Anyway, at the end of December my principal called me in for a meeting and basically said, "Ok we either need to hear you say you will not get pregnant, or we need to know when you will so that we can prepare for it." He even laughed when he talked about it because he knew how ridiculous that sounded. I just laughed too. Kevin and I agreed that we would not tell my school either of those options. I just told him that I will work at my school as long as my school will let me, but I cannot guarantee I won't get pregnant and I surely cannot tell when that will happen.
Before Christmas, it was decided that I would seek employment through an agency that hires English teachers in Japan. My school would then hire me through that agency and then if I do get pregnant, they will be able to find a relatively quick replacement.
So we left for Thailand and spent the remainder of 2012 underwater getting our Scuba Certifications.
We got back to Japan on January 1st. The agency was calling me to set up interviews and e-mailing about applications.... and then.... we found out...
I'M PREGNANT!
(Yes, Kendon, I lied to you and I am so sorry and it really tore me up to do that)
Crazy huh? I am only 5 weeks pregnant, which I know is oober early to tell people. However, we ended up having to tell a couple people in Japan because of a thousand different reasons that I will spare you of. We just didn't want people in Japan to start figuring it out before our loved ones in the States new about it. Plus, Kevin and I are are WAY TOO EXCITED TO KEEP THIS IN! So we just ask that you will pray for us and our lil' bean. We know it's early, but if something happens we would really want and need the love and support of our friends and family. Somedays I worry and start to fear about telling people so early because of what could go wrong. However, a very dear friend of ours reminded me that you can always find a reason to worry, but we need to praise God for what we have right now. And right now, I am pregnant and I will praise Him for this new life that is in me today.
2013 is indeed off to a wonderful start! We are overjoyed. Overjoyed. Overjoyed. Overjoyed!!!! And we have so many reasons to be! Our families are giddy and so excited. They have been filled with tears of joy and their love is overflowing. I have a best friend, who is a nurse, and keeps tabs on me everyday. She has been such a great support and friend. Her excitement is freeing! I cannot even begin to explain how much she has helped me and loved me. We have two new and very dear friends, Jill and Sam, who are filled with wisdom and God's love. They have been such a blessing to us in their short time in Japan so far. They have two beautiful little girls that keep Kevin and I eagerly expectant. We have a lovely Doctor who prays for us often and is very relaxed and calm. We are simply overjoyed.
