Since then, seeing images like these next few, and even more as each new day begins, makes me wish I could do more than just pray, and feel incredible sadness for Japan…

(photos courtesy of Kyodo News/Associated Press/Reuters)

But tonight I proudly join in on a great crusade of giving, led by the wonderful people of Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours, aptly called “For Japan With Love”. This website leads everyone to collaborate together by spreading the word of a very noble organization, Shelterbox, one of the first to be on site and assist the Japanese people with much needed items.

For Japan With Love has a direct link on the website to our fundraising page for ShelterBox. ShelterBox was one of THE first organizations asked by Japan to help and were on hand on the Saturday after the quake. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.

Please check it out and whatever you can contribute will be so appreciated.

And to even further spread the news, it would be great if many bloggers the world over would participate in tomorrow’s Bloggers Day Of Silence. While not posting on any of your blog(s), you can also proactively spread the news about donating to Japan, to the many various causes and organizations available, such as ShelterBox, The Red Cross, Save The Children, and Doctors Without Borders, whether via facebook, twitter, or word of mouth.

My family and I will support however we can, and we will continue to pray for those who have suffered the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunami, and we hope you’ll join in too.

“The Trade, Health & Environment Impact Project is a community-academic partnership focused on reducing the impacts of international trade on health and community life. THE Impact Project seeks to develop an information network to share knowledge on the health and community impacts of ports and goods movement and appropriate strategies for preventing and reducing those impacts.”

Highlights from this year’s Trade-Health-Environment conference:

It was amazing seeing family I haven’t seen in a while and meeting family for the first time (many from Uncle Thomas’ side). The living room and den were filled with different conversations, laughter, reminiscing, and a few happy tears that could warm anybody’s heart. And despite us being there for Auntie Nani and Uncle Thomas, and my cousins (their daughters) Anne Rose and Mary Grace telling us the family presence was the best gift their parents could have received, I would like to express my utmost thanks for their planning and strategizing to get us all together in Virginia. It was doubly rewarding for me to be surrounded by so many great people, sharing so much love.