tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64913246956404743822024-02-19T09:16:48.189-08:00Radical HeartAerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-29713109847332831682014-04-04T16:24:00.002-07:002014-04-04T16:24:59.669-07:00countdown
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6 days remaining.</div>
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Working at the school is pretty much
back in full swing with school starting on Monday.</div>
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We have been moving partition
walls/room dividers, shelving units, etc; setting up classrooms.</div>
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I'm pretty sure we hung that last light
yesterday, and Brad spent his whole day burning up drill bits trying
to drill through stainless steal; making a gate for the playground.
He did finally get it done though and it looks pretty good.</div>
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Today, I think we will be finishing up
some work with speaker wires and suspending the projector for church
tomorrow. A Doctor/spiritual mentor friend of the the Bostrom's is
coming, either today or tomorrow and he will be preaching for church,
but I guess his daughter is coming with him and she does worship
dance – so I'm kind of excited to see that.</div>
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Your continued prayers are much
appreciated.</div>
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I'm currently exploring the
possibility of coming back in May to teach for a few weeks while some of
the Bostrom's are in the states, but I'm looking for other mission
opportunities here to take part in after the teaching would finish
(since it would only be like 3 weeks). I guess I'm just trying to
find the next step.</div>
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So yes, thank you for praying and
please continue to do so.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; line-height: 25px;">For pictures: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151996510163543.1073741828.661548542&type=1&l=aeb8296b60" style="color: #d653cb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Japan 2014</a></span></div>
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Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-16358457636248368232014-03-30T01:24:00.000-07:002014-03-30T01:25:12.097-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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Today is Sunday.</div>
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Hard to believe that another week has
passed (again). I know I say that like every time, but when you are actually counting days you realize how fast they slip away....</div>
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This week we were at Youth Camp, in
Kiyosato (up in the mountains). It was great!</div>
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A nice break from work, reuniting with
Asami and Alex, wonderful time of fellowship, worship, and devotions ~
all in all very refreshing and encouraging. One of the most awesome
things, I think, is to be on the other side of the world and be able
to worship with other believers, it encourages my heart like nothing
else! But of course there were some sad goodbyes afterward – so
that was hard.</div>
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That's about all I have to say at the
moment but prayers would be appreciated as there are some decisions
that I'm trying to make, and also as I try and work out some travel
details for trying to get back up to Sendai to visit some people
there! Thank you so much!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;">For pictures: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151996510163543.1073741828.661548542&type=1&l=aeb8296b60" style="color: #d653cb; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Japan 2014</a></span></div>
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Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-77455496401266297682014-03-21T06:26:00.002-07:002014-03-21T06:28:50.452-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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Today was graduation day!</div>
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Which basically means that somehow we
pulled off the impossible – because the ceremony was in the room we
have been working on. It's been incredibly insane, but in a good way.
I don't think that I have gotten to bed before midnight at all this
week. But anyways, with the help of the Bostrom kids, some of the
high school students, and others we finally got rid of all the paper,
finished our movable platform/scaffolding, painted the entire ceiling
black (using brushes and little tiny rollers – seriously took
forever but we had a BLAST!), scrubbed/scraped the whole floor and
laid carpet tiles.
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So yeah. Busy. Which of course explains
why I haven't blogged very much.....
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The ceremony today went really well,
except for the fact that the dance that some of the kids did moved
the carpet tiles (because they hadn't been secured down due to lack
of time) and they almost tripped during their performance.... but
other then that it went really well I thought. Carissa and Alex
graduated. It will be strange now not having Alex around, he was such
a great help with the painting and stuff and endlessly entertaining.
And Asami is leaving for Tokyo tomorrow – I will miss her SO MUCH!
It's sad – I pretty much cried at the ceremony today cause I am
losing two of my new bestest buddies. Gosh, I hate goodbyes. *sigh*......</div>
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That's really all I can think of. Obviously there is way more that has happened but my brain is kinda dead currently. </div>
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Thanks again for prayers and support!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">For pictures: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151996510163543.1073741828.661548542&type=1&l=aeb8296b60" target="_blank">Japan 2014</a></span></div>
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Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-15020301740078490552014-03-07T17:11:00.000-08:002014-03-07T17:14:15.003-08:00<br />
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Wow. I can't believe it's been a week
already! Time goes so fast...</div>
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Things are going well here. I've gotten
to do a bunch of different things this week.</div>
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Yesterday (and Monday) - Carissa, Joel,
Mr Bostrom and I drove in to the city to an office building, an old
printing company apparently, that has closed down, and we loaded up
tons of boxes of papers, folders, and books into the bus. I guess we
are going to have them recycled to help raise money for the school,
which is great but we have all decided that it's probably not worth
all the time and work that it's taking to get the stuff ready to be
recycled. Because we have to sort it all – which means that we have
to go through everything and pull all the papers out of the files,
and all the staples out of the papers, etc. which is taking forever (
I'll probably be heading over to the school in a little while to work
on papers for a few hours, because they will be picked up on Monday
and we still have a ton to go though.)</div>
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Needless to say, I will be thrilled
when all the paper leaves, because then we can really start working
on the building.</div>
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Umm..... let's see.</div>
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Other then papers - I got to dig a
trench in the gravel (with a crowbar) to stop water from running
right through the playground. The day after, it rained a ton – and
my little barrier wall worked! I was pretty happy. Other then that, I
finished building our movable platform/scaffolding that we will be
using to work on the ceiling. Started taking down the water pipes and
all the florescent lights, and got myself a 100volt shock – it was
very exciting.....</div>
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And yeah – we have pretty much done
everything that can be done with all the boxes of paper laying
around.</div>
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Life outside of work is great too. I am
loving the Bostrom family, and Asami (who is also staying with them)
– we are probably having to much fun with our crazy inside ostrich
jokes, singing '<i>frozen</i>' songs, and walks in the dark. I love them all
already – it's funny to think I've only actually known them for a
week...
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Well, thats about all I guess –
thanks to everyone who is praying for me, supporting me, and have
been in touch. I'll try and keep this updated as best as I can.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">For pictures: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151996510163543.1073741828.661548542&type=1&l=aeb8296b60" target="_blank">Japan 2014</a></span><br />
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Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-6152524956735641982014-02-28T19:02:00.003-08:002014-02-28T19:02:42.953-08:00March 1st, 2014
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March 1<sup>st</sup> , 2014</div>
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I have officially arrived back in
Japan!</div>
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All of my flights, layovers, etc. went
really well. Well mostly. I was a little concerned that I'd miss my
flight to Nagoya from Tokyo because I had to get though customs,
security, claim my baggage, recheck my baggage and find my gate all
in like 45 minutes.....
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But I made it - praise the Lord.</div>
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The exchange rate was really good too,
so that made me happy. But then the teller guy accidentally gave me
too much yen but didn't realize it till after I boarded my plane in
Chicago. So he ended up calling me and whatever, but said it was fine
since it was too late anyways.
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I probably looked like deaths cousin
when I arrived though; I only slept a total of 3 hours (max) of the
20+ hours of travel. But anyways, I'm pretty much settled now in the
church/basement of the Bostrom's home, I've unpacked and yeah.</div>
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It all still feels very surreal –
probably because it happened so fast but I'm sure it will sink in
eventually. </div>
Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-9649147334978764362014-02-16T14:35:00.001-08:002014-02-16T14:35:03.943-08:00My Favorite Thing<div style="text-align: center;">
Some have probably heard me say it before, but I was telling a friend again today (which of course serves as a great reminder to myself) - That my most favorite thing in the whole world is seeing God do the impossible. And it really is. Whether it's the little impossibles or the big ones - He can do them all and I think He likes to.</div>
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Why bring it up again?</div>
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Because He's doing it again, and I live to give Him glory.</div>
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First off I never thought it was possible for me to go to Japan, 'cause I'm a poor kid without overseas connections, but it happened. Then I thought that I could never possibly go back - but I did. And then I thought that twice was absolutely incredible - but probably never gonna happen again. But yeah well we know how that turned out. So trip to Japan number three..... </div>
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I agreed to go, still a poor kid, and told the Lord that it really felt like this was what He wanted for me, so I was totally all for it - but I couldn't afford it so He would have to pay for it. Yeah - guess what...</div>
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Plane tickets dropped $500 dollars that next day, and then people started giving me money, and I currently have more money right now then I did before I bought my ticket. </div>
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Jesus you are awesome. </div>
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Only He could do it, because honestly I'm not sure how half of the money in my account right now got there, but it's there. So praise the Lord! When He sends His people to do His purposes He provides the resources!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>'Jesus <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24609A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>looked at them and said, <span class="woj"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24609B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>“With man it is impossible, </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="woj">but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”' </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="woj">- Mark 10:27</span></i></span></div>
Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-469957949144096152014-02-06T08:47:00.000-08:002014-02-06T08:47:40.132-08:00An Open Door<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, I'm not gonna lie. The last month has been very challenging.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As many already know I had an internship opportunity in Bulgaria set up for this April, but after much prayer and consideration I realized that the Lord was closing that door, which gave me peace but was still disappointing in a way. Of course this then led to yet another mid-life crisis of wondering what I should be doing instead. And then - it came. Everyone says when God closes one door He opens another (or a window - depends which you've heard), and that's what He did.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Again, as most of you know, has been two years since I first set foot in Japan and nearly a year and half since I left, but although my body returned I truly left my heart behind.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and apparently the time has come that the two were reunited. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will be leaving the end of this month and heading back to Japan for just over a month. I am very excited to be helping a friend's missionary family move/renovate </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(framing,carpet laying,etc.)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> their english school/church, and possibly reconnect with some friends there.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Being that this is rather impromptu, I would be deeply blessed if you would keep me in your prayers but also, if it is laid on your heart, to support me financially, on this journey.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Thank you all in advance for your prayers and support!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">More updates to come!</span></span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, plans for good and not for evil, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-19647B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>to give you a future and a hope."</span></i></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">-Jeremiah 29:11</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-47702819097924368452014-01-07T16:10:00.001-08:002014-01-07T16:10:40.249-08:00Singing a Prayer<br />
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<li class="first" style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know it's been forever and hopefully I'll be updating this soon with news of my upcoming adventure but until then -</span></li>
<li class="first" style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></li>
<li class="first" style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We sang this song on Sunday - Forgot how much I loved it!</span></li>
<li class="first" style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love singing but I really love songs that you can sing as a prayer.</span></li>
<li class="first" style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></li>
<li class="first" style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And this is my prayer: </span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<li class="first" style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>May the mind of Christ, my Savior,</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Live in me from day to day,</i></div>
<i><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>By His love and pow’r controlling</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>All I do and say.</i></span></div>
</i></span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>May the Word of God dwell richly</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>In my heart from hour to hour,</i></div>
<i><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>So that all may see I triumph</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Only through His pow’r.</i></span></div>
</i></span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>May the peace of God my Father</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Rule my life in everything,</i></div>
<i><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>That I may be calm to comfort</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Sick and sorrowing.</i></span></div>
</i></span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>May the love of Jesus fill me</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>As the waters fill the sea;</i></div>
<i><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Him exalting, self abasing,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>This is victory.</i></span></div>
</i></span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>May I run the race before me,</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Strong and brave to face the foe,</i></div>
<i><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Looking only unto Jesus</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>As I onward go.</i></span></div>
</i></span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>May His beauty rest upon me,</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>As I seek the lost to win,</i></div>
<i><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>And may they forget the channel,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Seeing only Him.</i></span></div>
</i></span></li>
</ol>
Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-64971782492884263372013-06-13T10:46:00.001-07:002013-06-13T10:47:53.091-07:00'Holding Out For a Hero'<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not sure where this came from, my mom sent it to me in an email this morning, and I'm not sure where she got it. If I knew who wrote it I would totally credit her - but I don't.<br />
I <u>did not</u> write this but I agree with everything said - and I couldn't help but share it. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold;">Holding Out for a Hero</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT33L1YCxIp4A32-nqnaHDffUhpd0xlXd83zgWjVLNxWpvTp-TWXy7CSMzpo_7s9Xuj9bYTu2fItPJuVJG_Dh18hDVgZzbhmncfZmx-3uaC_FKoHo3J2Z2xgWelgCPJDLNMC8iQZ_ISU/s1600/chris-evans-captain-america-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT33L1YCxIp4A32-nqnaHDffUhpd0xlXd83zgWjVLNxWpvTp-TWXy7CSMzpo_7s9Xuj9bYTu2fItPJuVJG_Dh18hDVgZzbhmncfZmx-3uaC_FKoHo3J2Z2xgWelgCPJDLNMC8iQZ_ISU/s320/chris-evans-captain-america-21.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">It can be easy to "settle" mentally for the thought of marrying someone less than what I really want in a future husband.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">What I mean is, when I see my friends all around me getting engaged and married and wonder when (or, more often, if) my time will come, I start mentally reviewing the things I am looking for in my future husband and wonder if I could maybe fudge on those a little bit.</span><br />
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<i>Sure, I want him to be a man, not a boy ... but maybe I could deal with it if he were at least on the way to becoming a man.</i></div>
<i></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></i></div>
<i>
</i><i style="font-family: Helvetica;">Sure, I want him to be as in love with the Lord as I am ... but maybe it would be okay as long as he was pretty close.</i><i style="font-family: Helvetica;">Sure, I want him to be at least as educated/intelligent as me and enjoy discussing and working with abstract topics ... but maybe a concrete thinker wouldn't be too bad, or maybe I could get used to him.</i></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Normally, I'm very strong in my independence and my commitment to waiting for just the kind of man I want (maybe </span><i style="font-family: Helvetica;">too </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">strong? more thoughts on that another time). But when I meet a good-looking guy in class, or listen to a friend talk about what fun she has with her boyfriend, or scroll quietly through someone else's engagement pictures, then the doubts start to creep in.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKwzCPRNXDnpOYFcQEomSzlXUWnyIQORzgPtiZ2rmty_nAFnKFlQ5kwVQXUFMCViEHNyh3OaRJyXQZzKOfKkpmXTjdvM9m4YFp61YbaOexD0koQqGo25-QKNCyrmhfgGYvNKJXh0ZYww/s1600/jjfeildhenrytilney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKwzCPRNXDnpOYFcQEomSzlXUWnyIQORzgPtiZ2rmty_nAFnKFlQ5kwVQXUFMCViEHNyh3OaRJyXQZzKOfKkpmXTjdvM9m4YFp61YbaOexD0koQqGo25-QKNCyrmhfgGYvNKJXh0ZYww/s320/jjfeildhenrytilney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: center;">
<i>What if I'm too picky? What if I'm unrealistic? What if my man only exists in an Austen novel or a Disney movie?</i></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Then it seems like I would be better off to "settle." Yeah, he's immature, but at least he's a Christian ... yeah, he's a little less churched than I would like, but at least he gets along well with his parents ... yeah, we share virtually no interests, but at least he would be able to financially support me ...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">No.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">I say no. I don't want to settle for someone who will not lead me higher and closer to the Lord. I don't want to settle for someone who will not challenge me, help me grow, and have ways in which I can do the same for him.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">I know the kind of man I'm looking for is hard to find, but he does exist, and I'm not going to get impatient and let my desperation push me into a mediocre, "meh" relationship.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-b3Di47aHQXKPyKtr2vTRMsKoQNh3etwzjvLCGj1oHbx3h8d0kG7Xs4AWpY0_AgNFQU53weSCgI51Qx9y3itfLFYbihEy0HrBh32zgaH1i46VxmFT4ZwPWn1to0gWZhRqY3rju52HME8/s1600/MV5BMjExNjc5NzY3OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMDkzNTEwOQ@@._V1._SX640_SY502_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-b3Di47aHQXKPyKtr2vTRMsKoQNh3etwzjvLCGj1oHbx3h8d0kG7Xs4AWpY0_AgNFQU53weSCgI51Qx9y3itfLFYbihEy0HrBh32zgaH1i46VxmFT4ZwPWn1to0gWZhRqY3rju52HME8/s320/MV5BMjExNjc5NzY3OF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMDkzNTEwOQ@@._V1._SX640_SY502_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">I want a marriage that is spectacular, not average. I want to marry a man whom I respect, admire, look up to, and am excited about being with. I want my children to have an awesome father.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Does he have to be perfect or superhuman? Absolutely not - if he were, he wouldn't be interested in someone like me! Each of us has flaws, and I will do my best to help my future husband get stronger in his faith and relationship with Christ, just as I know he'll do for me. But what I mean is, if I settle for a man whom I don't look up to, whom I don't understand or respect, just because I'm tired of being alone ... I will be doing a huge disservice to him and to myself. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">I'm holding out for a hero.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">I'm holding out for a man who is radically in love with the Lord and isn't afraid to let people know it. I'm holding out for a man who has not compromised with this sinful culture, even though he seems old-fashioned. I'm holding out for a man who is a </span><i style="font-family: Helvetica;">man,</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"> not a boy, not a "guy," not a man-child who lives only to please himself - a man who gives his time and energy to help others, a man who protects the vulnerable, a man who is willing to stand up for himself and for his family. That's what makes a hero in my book.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">There aren't very many heroes today - truly, there haven't been many in any age. But a man doesn't have to be big and outgoing and world-shaking to be a hero, either. It's heroic to give up a Sunday afternoon to watch your sister's kids for a few hours. It's heroic to tell the classmates or coworkers you care about that you still believe abortion and homosexuality are sins. It's heroic to dare to ask a girl's father if it's okay to take her out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4HKSk_1aKNwXlTSQRbFVOTvj2YDGHC-Gxy7PfzFRLy6E81AAv1UV1bRSkaN0TWBoOb9RQGSdSzoXiKaorDjXkg4Lgi8Q2gwNi5pfm-LjtHJNXgSpTABIL9u1ze-u4L1MPlh8ulbFQxw/s1600/luke-skywalker-tatooine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4HKSk_1aKNwXlTSQRbFVOTvj2YDGHC-Gxy7PfzFRLy6E81AAv1UV1bRSkaN0TWBoOb9RQGSdSzoXiKaorDjXkg4Lgi8Q2gwNi5pfm-LjtHJNXgSpTABIL9u1ze-u4L1MPlh8ulbFQxw/s320/luke-skywalker-tatooine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">That's what I'm looking for. That's my hero.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">He might not be Captain America - he might be small, geeky, soft-spoken, and shy. That's fine by me. He's my hero ... and I will wait and save my heart for him. </span></div>
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Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-52534056568889966262013-05-05T18:33:00.002-07:002013-05-05T19:47:49.145-07:00 The Suicidal Situation <br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
guess the past two weeks or so have been leading up to this point.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I'll
spare you the details, but the past few weeks have been really hard
for me, which I really hate saying because in comparison to most of
the world the worst days in my life here are not so bad.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But
honestly they have been challenging. We all have those days where
everything seems to go wrong, nobody has a good attitude, etc. Get
enough of those days in a row and it takes a toll.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So
that's where I was at - emotionally, spiritually, and physically
exhausted.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Then
today happened. All it took was one comment and I snapped.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">All
the emotion of the struggles that I had fought to keep contained
erupted, and I found myself screaming at God from the depths of my
soul:</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">WHY?
Why am I here? It's suffocating, it's KILLING me!”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And
God answered:</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;"><i>I
know.”</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
sobbed.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;">Why?
Do you want me to die here? Is that what you want?”</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And
He said:</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;"><i>yes”</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Yes</i>.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
word echoed off the walls of my heart.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Yes</i>.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">That
was what He wanted. He had been telling me that for the past two
weeks.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Then
He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'”</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>-Luke
9:23</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;"><i>When
Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>-D.
Bonhoeffer</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Somehow
I hadn't fully grasped it until I asked.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
wants me dead. Because it is only then that <i><b>He</b></i> can live
in and through me.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
must die daily.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
must die to myself: my desires, my expectations, my dreams, my hopes,
my ideas, my flesh, all and everything that is not Jesus Christ must
<i><span style="text-decoration: none;">die</span></i>.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;"><i>But
God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, </i></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>by
whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>-Galatians
6:14</i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Today I die.</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Aerin
Marie</b></i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>December
24<sup>th</sup> 1991 – May 5<sup>th</sup> 2013</b></i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>I
have been crucified with Christ; </b></i></span>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>it is
no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”</b></i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>-Galatians
2:20a</b></i></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-90637652863165984172013-04-11T07:33:00.000-07:002013-04-11T07:33:06.256-07:00I will place my trust in You
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Well....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
I've been meaning to update this for
quite some time now, but hadn't found the time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
And I was suppose to work today – but
there is currently 7-8 inches of snow on the ground and it's still
coming down, and the roads probably won't be plowed until later this
afternoon. All this to say I suddenly have a day without any plans
(yet).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Anyways.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
It's been a long time, and a lot has
happened since the last time I posted – since getting home from
Japan. And recently the Lord has been really working on my heart, and
honestly I'm not sure where to start with this.....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Just before Thanksgiving I began a
course in chalk art, a form of art that combines speed drawing with
chalk and storytelling. A few weeks ago I got to travel to North
Carolina for the second part of the class, and as it turned out I got
to see Justin (my crew lead while in Japan) while there, and I
actually ended up staying with his family for the week. I was so
incredibly blessed and encouraged, as he and his family are very
involved with ministering and serving the people in their community.
Between class time and running around with them, singing at the
nursing home to feeding the homeless – there was never a dull
moment! The whole trip was amazing!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
The unfortunate thing is that every
time I leave – I have to deal with coming home, which is actually
<i>really</i> hard for me. Not that being home is bad – but every
time I go somewhere the Lord changes my heart a little more, and I
come back a little different. But every time I come back I have to
pick up the pieces of life one more time – I put my self back on
square one. I have the option to change the way life is or to go back
to how it was before.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i>Do I look for a new job or keep the
old one? Is there a ministry I can get involved with here? What am I
working towards now?</i>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Every time- the same questions. It's
hard. So those are the things I've been working through once again
for the past two weeks. But the Lord is faithful, and He has been
guiding me. But..... it's not what I would have chosen for myself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
For the first time, in possibly my
whole life, the Lord is telling to stay. Up until now it's kind of
been working from one trip to the next- but I guess not this time.
Which is hard to hear, if you're me and you like traveling and doing
missions, but in the same way it's exciting because I know that that
means the Lord has work for me to do right here where I'm at.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"Trust in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, and do good;
</i></span></div>
<span class="text Ps-37-3" style="position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness."</i></span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>-Psalm 37:3</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-55688846571859071582012-08-17T17:01:00.001-07:002012-08-17T17:01:43.864-07:00State-Side
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
8-17-12</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well I have officially been home for a
week now.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was really difficult to leave Japan.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The last day that I worked/was there a
bunch of homeowners stopped by the house just to say goodbye – I
felt really special but it made the day rather hard. I realized that
I had never had to say goodbye to non-christian people that I may
never see again – and that was HARD!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Said goodbyes to the Morigo family
Friday morning and then headed out. Had 3 flights (one which ended up
being delayed 2 hours), and was awake for approximately 22 hours –
but finally made it home. And then broke my record by sleeping in
until 1pm Saturday.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This week has been quite challenging.
Trying to read adjust to life here and missing everyone super much, and
having REALLY bad jet-lag! I still feel a little off even a week
later.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I guess that's kind of all....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It looks like the Lord is providing me
some work for a few weeks coming up here, and other then that really
just seeking what He has next for me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thank you all once again to everyone
who supported me with prayer while I was gone!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And to everyone still in beautiful
Japan – Keep pressing on and finish well!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
-Erin</div>
Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-3246405483744160542012-08-04T05:39:00.002-07:002012-08-04T05:39:55.831-07:00The 'A' Team<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
8-4-12</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
WHAH! Another whole week of my life has
already flown by!!!!!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well – it been another interesting
week here in Japan.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We finished the house we were working
on on Monday – which has ended up leaving us houseless for a
week..... So this became 'special project' week for the 'A' team
(which is apparently the name of Justin's crew. Who knew right?!)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Project #1 -
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tuesday- We worked putting insulation
and flooring back in, in a house that SP had done much earlier in the
year – apparently he thought he needed more dirt under the floor so
they pulled a bunch or the sheets of plywood up to do that and he
wanted us to put them back....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After we finished that we went back to
Nihei's house (the on ewe had just finished) and put in a few pieces
of drywall in a place that they decided they did want us to do.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Project #2-</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wednesday- We worked with Hide and his
crew, and between Justin and I (who were both automatically assigned
to drywall) most of the house got sheet-rocked!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- (I can't remember for the life of me
what we did on Thursday – I think we worked with Hide again...)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Project #3-</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Friday- our crew minus Justin went with
Yuki and Yu-kun to do mud-out. First time I got to try mudding out.
It was kinda fun. Did lots of sweeping and then was helping Simon
knock out walls. But it only lasted for about 2 hours – Because
Justin called Simon and I off for Special Project #4.....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Project #4-</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Still Friday- Simon, Justin, and I were
asked to plywood the inside walls of a rice farmer's barn.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So.... Huge building- high ladders
holding OSB.... not my favorite job. I stuck mostly with framing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Saturday (today) – Worked on the rice
barn project this morning until about 12 – then met with Shoji-san
and a bunch of other people from Shichigahama that I hadn't seen in a
while for lunch (sushi).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After lunch we stopped and visited the
Otomo-san's had coffee and looked at their garden, then we drove to
Shichigahama and walked on the beach a little and helped some other
carpenters get their van out of the sand. After that we stopped and
visited Suzuki-san (Justin's very first homeowner), and then finally
headed back to base.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And I have just spent the last hour of
so learning a cup and clapping game and having a bilingual
conversation......</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
SO TIRED!!!!!!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So yeah. That's what's happening over
here....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tomorrow – Church and then maybe some
errands.....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
till then S.L.E.E.P!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Anyhow this is probably my last post from Japan as I will be home next Friday - the 10th.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So until next time!</div>Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-25400171498570380232012-07-25T14:03:00.000-07:002012-07-25T14:03:02.663-07:00Busy, busy, busy!<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
7-25-12</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whah! It's been such a busy week!Which
pretty much explains why I haven't updated this until now...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And it's already getting late so this
is going to be kind of choppy but here is kind of a glimpse of what
is going on over here:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Saturday-</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We had a BBQ here at camp for the
homeowners in the Shichigahama area. There was a pretty good turn out
– I think about 30 or so homeowners came. We had a little concert
for them, an amazing Christian singer from southern Japan came up and
sang for us – and I think she really touched a lot of the people –
and I heard from a few of the translators that she really conveyed
the gospel with the music and with what she said between the songs.
Praise the Lord!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sunday-</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I ended up going with Mami and Becca
first to get my hair cut, then our for lunch and then to Ishinomaki
for church in the afternoon. It was a really fun girls day out. The
church service was really casual but really good (and all in
english), and after that we went to a recycled shop and then the mall
– in all we ended up being gone ALL day and didn't get back to camp
until like 8:30pm!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Monday-
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Was totally exhausted from my busy
Sunday. Worked but quit early so that we could go visit our little
japanese carpenter volunteer man, Okoyama-san, who had gotten hit by
a car while on his motorcycle on Saturday. Stopped and bought sushi
before surprising him by showing up at his doorstep. All in all it
was a very interesting visit. We (Justin, Simon, and I) were
literally FORCED to stay for dinner, after being given coffee, tea,
and pudding – and they tried to talk us into staying for the night
– which didn't happen but anyways.... it was really fun though. Got
to meet his wife – who is a super sweet lady. And he is doing
pretty good – His leg was the only thing that got hit I guess and
it was wrapped but didn't look to bad. Got back to camp really late
again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tuesday-</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Still REALLY tired. More work!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For lunch we took our bentos to the
Nihei-san's temporary housing unit and ate lunch there so that we
could make a suprise visit to 'Oba-chan' aka – Grandma. The almost
90 year old lady who had taught us Taiso the other week. Ended up
being there for a really long time – and almost fell asleep –
because I was so tired, full and there was air conditioning.....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Anyways – it was another fun outing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wednesday (today)-</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A bunch of new volunteers came in last
night. And we got one of them added to our team today. Okayama-san
showed up to work today again – and shocked us all 'cause we
thought he should still be resting, but he said her had just been to
the hospital and it was fine. It was interesting though because it
seems like we've made a better connection with him through the whole
accident thing - so it's good. It was kinda funny to though today –
we were talking about how and when I'm heading back and Okayama-san
pipes in that his daughter's room is empty now that she lives in
Tokyo. Lol – So yeah, I have officially been offered a place to
stay here in Japan... :) it was sweet of him....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So yeah - making progress on the house
– Justin thinks we will be finished by Saturday – but I think it
may take us a little longer then that....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And that is about it. Tomorrow another
day of work and then lunch at Yunome-san's house.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well – now it's really late.... off
to bed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Erin-chan</div>Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-20387339475312204102012-07-15T20:27:00.003-07:002012-07-16T05:32:44.516-07:00In Weakness Made StrongJul. 16<sup>th</sup> 2012<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well I think I can honestly say that
today is one of the hottest days since I've been here. It rained
pretty much all day yesterday and today is cloudless – therefore
making it VERY humid and just plain HOT!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So what did I do? I went for a run up a
mountain obviously!! - I think I must be crazy....
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Anyways – Now just killing time until
4pm when our work crew plus a few others are meeting up with the
Kikawa family for dinner at some fancy French restaurant that they
really wanted to take us to.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But yeah. Going back a little bit – I
just really want to thank everyone for their prayers for me, everyone
here at base, and for Rebekah and Josiah's family. Through the week
we were being informed of when the visitation and funeral were taking
place and were constantly praying for them. I kept looking on
facebook to see if there was anything from Rebekah and watched as her
page got covered with notes – and then as I opened it up on
Saturday there was a post by Rebekah on the top of the page that
literally blew me away. Here is it:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgnuc-R_4LwOxHUAUYsYc9d-CFbUfyutDW0Lq4T8pJFgLDSK98z8gFLqkSL3RW75mrvJsUz5R7z0VVlCxZZJxir7_QLEB7kcZ8pmx8jBbE1tXx_0kFLeclPwmrIht6cplSexsNtG4Acc/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-07-14+at+7.44.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgnuc-R_4LwOxHUAUYsYc9d-CFbUfyutDW0Lq4T8pJFgLDSK98z8gFLqkSL3RW75mrvJsUz5R7z0VVlCxZZJxir7_QLEB7kcZ8pmx8jBbE1tXx_0kFLeclPwmrIht6cplSexsNtG4Acc/s400/Screen+shot+2012-07-14+at+7.44.40+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I cried.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
God is truly incredible. He is indeed
close to the brokenhearted and gives grace to the humble. The
strength that the Lord has given her is simple amazing. And I wonder
if I could possibly say the same thing if I were in her place. It has
definitely challenged me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On another note. This week is filling
up with things. Obviously today we have our dinner appointment,
Justin's birthday is on Thursday, on Friday the states volunteers are
heading out with means we will be losing “grandpa” Nigel, and
before he goes we are going to take him out for dinner, Saturday we are having a BBQ for a bunch of our homeowners, and then Sunday Yunome-san is getting baptized! It's all very exciting. And after all that the last wave of
volunteers will be coming in – I can't believe that phase 2 is
almost over...... so sad. :(</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well – that's all I can really think
of at the moment....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Many blessings to you all!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pressing on!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Erin-chan</div>Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-15004480238375848622012-07-08T00:24:00.000-07:002012-07-08T02:18:34.626-07:00In a Moment's Time<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
7-8-12</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Life is a breath, merely a vapor in the
morning air, and as soon as the sun rises is evaporates.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yet we don't always live as though it
were. Instead we live our lives as though we'll live forever –
forgetting that there will come a day when our anticipated tomorrow
will never come.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are reminded of this reality when
someone we know and love doesn't follow us into tomorrow. When what
we planned to do or say ceases to matter and for a while time itself
seems to stop. Our hearts break and we question everything we once
believed in. We find is unfair – wrong even that such a person
should be deprived of their tomorrows, and we wonder how such a thing
could ever be allowed to happen. But the Lord says that His ways are
not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts – but that His are
higher. So we may never understand the reasons behind the things He
does or allows – but this is my thought:</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That life and breath are a
gift from the Almighty, but they come with an expiration date, and
everyones date is different. He gives us everyday that He desires for
us to have and not a day more, and to each man is given enough breath
to accomplish everything the Lord has for him to do.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And for those of us who
are still breathing at this moment in time:</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Live. Live everyday to the
fullest. Live every moment, breathe in every hour – because you
never know which one will be your last. Don't leave things unsaid and
don't put things that could be done today off until a tomorrow that
my never come.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“So teach us to number
our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.”</div>
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-Psalm 90:12</div>
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Just less then a month ago,
Morigo camp bid a bittersweet farewell to the beloved Josiah Bubna
and Rebekah Falcone. They had both been here in Japan for many many
months serving, had met here and gotten engaged and were finally
heading back to the states to prepare for their wedding in August.
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<br /></div>
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Today SP Japan and Morigo
camp received the news that Josiah is no longer with us. He
apparently went for a run and had a heart attack and has gone to be
with the Lord. He was 22.<br />
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Please pray for his family, and friends – and especially for Rebekah, as I can't even imagine being in her shoes right now.</div>
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</div>Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-12169749542658800382012-07-03T05:14:00.001-07:002012-07-03T05:14:18.804-07:007-3-12<br />
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7-3-12</div>
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<br />
</div>
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July 3<sup>rd</sup> already. I can't
believe it. Especially since the weather here is still cool –
although I think this week it's going to get a bit warmer this week
(like in the 70's – lol).</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Well - I do apologize (again) for the
lack of updates – but I'll be completely honest with you – it
wasn't on my top priority list this week. I'm kinda going through a
bit of a rough time right now – just trying to figure out where God
is leading and what lays ahead for me – so most of my spare time
has been spent reading, praying and just sitting in the dark
listening.
</div>
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<br />
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Anyways. Going back to Saturday.....</div>
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On Saturday our crew was the only crew
that worked, which is typical, but this time we kidnapped the
keyboard from the dining hall before leaving for the day, and stopped
at the store to buy flowers before getting to the house. A short
while after we got to the house Mrs. Kikawa-san and her two daughters
arrived – we stopped working and talked for awhile, and then
brought in the keyboard. We had been told in one of our previous
conversations that both of the daughters played – so we had brought
it for them – But as I thought, I was the one who ended up having
to have to play for everyone – which was...yeah. For those of you
who don't know – I don't actually play piano..... so yeah it was
interesting.</div>
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But Justin later informed me that while
I was watching my fingers, he was watching them and they were crying.
So I suppose God can use us in anyway He chooses and can even show
Himself strong in spite of our weaknesses. But yeah. They ended up
staying for quite some time – we had tea, got to share the gospel
with them, and had an all around time. They all agreed that they
hadn't laughed that much since the tsunami and they wanted to stay
with us all day (which of course they couldn't). but it was awesome –
we gave them the flowers and then later that day Mr. Kikawa showed up
– and apparently the girls had stopped at his work office to show
him the flowers and tell him about our visit and he was so grateful
for everything. It was such a great time.</div>
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<br />
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Sunday I went to church in Izumi with
Simon and Justin (and Yuki). And we ended up being there until 4pm!
After the service they had a curry lunch for everyone and then a
testimony time and they wanted Justin and I, and another guy from the
states who is here are an english teacher, to all give our
testimonies as how God brought us to Japan. So yeah... full day. Had
a headache for most of it – which has stuck with me into today. :P</div>
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<br />
</div>
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The rest of this week is looking pretty
busy on the social end of things. We are having a 4<sup>th</sup> of
July thing here at camp tomorrow after work, going out for Ramen with
some of the people from church on Thursday, possibly going out to
Shichigahama to visit so old homeowners, and going to a flower
arranging show in Sendai probably on Sunday to see the Kikawa girls
who are a part of it.</div>
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<br />
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So yeah – it's getting late and I've
got another full day tomorrow – finishing our current house and
moving to the next one!</div>
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<br />
</div>
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–</div>
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Prayer:</div>
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The Kikawa family – especially the
girls who have shown interest in coming to church with us.</div>
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All of the homeowners – we claim them
for the kingdom in the name of Christ!</div>
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That the fears of returning was
dissipate – and that the traumatic memories would fade.</div>Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-21715661420082754762012-06-24T00:12:00.000-07:002012-06-24T00:54:26.093-07:00Breakfast with the Crawfords<br />
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6-24-12</div>
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<br /></div>
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Wow it's been an eventful week!</div>
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Started a new house on Tuesday, and are
making good progress – gotten most of all of the floors in and
should be able to start drywalling tomorrow. Yes!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thrusday was a day of fasting and
prayer for the local pastors. And well..... it maybe wasn't the
greatest idea. We discovered that fasting while working construction
in a warm humid climate just don't mesh well. I was shaking so bad in
the afternoon that Justin made me sit down and take a break, while
Simon was laying on the floor in the other room because he stood up
to fast and got dizzy. So yeah – we did make it till the end of the
day – but we probably won't be doing that again anytime soon.</div>
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<br /></div>
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On Friday we got to meet our homeowners
for the first time. The minute the wife stepped through the door she
totally lost it – and kept crying until they left (which was quite
some time later). She was just overwhelmed by memories, but also so
grateful for the work that we were doing. We learned a little about
them and their family – And I guess they have two daughters but one
who has been in the hospital for some time ( she is home now) but has
basically been mentally unstable since the tsunami. Interesting thing
is though that the minute that they walked in the house I could feel
the Lord telling me that I really needed to pray for them – like
REALLY strongly. And before they left I got to– really for the wife
and the daughter. And after that the wife kept looking at me and
bowing and saying thank you over and over – it seems like it meant
the world to her. So that was really cool. Please keep them in prayer
– especially since they informed us that they do 'honor their
ancestors' but the don't have a religion – and they seem soft and
open to us. Please pray that we will get to see them more and for
their salvation.
</div>
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After that we worked for a short time
and then our crew along with Steve's crew were all treated to lunch
by 'Yankee'-san, the second homeowner that Justin worked with when he
came over. He took us all out to a super nice place where we had soba
and tempura. So good!</div>
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Yesterday (saturday) we worked for half
a day. Took our morning break at 'Yankee'-san's to see how his house
is coming along, and visit. And while we were there (unfortunately we
had no interpreter this whole time...) they were showing us pictures
of their daughter and stuff and then they start going back and forth
– him and his wife – and then next thing I know they want me to
stand up and they're trying to figure out how tall I am – so they
measure me with this stick and leave the room and I'm super confused
and Nigel and Justin are just laughing and telling me 'they're seeing
how deep they need to dig the hole'. Anyways – they returned a
minute later with a beautiful blue yukata – a summer kimono –
which they had me try on then gave to me as a gift. Yeah – I felt
quite honored since I'd only met them like 2 days ago.....
</div>
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After that we came back to base grabbed
some stuff and Becca and Lesley, and left for Marumori (Katie the
cook's home) for the weekend. Got lost on the way there but
eventually made it. It was SUPER gorgeous! Closer to the mountains –
and we went to a park with a river and waterfall and sat there for a
good couple of hours – it was soooo refreshing and relaxing.
</div>
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For dinner we ate with Katie and Faith
and their mom, then went to Naomi's house where we hung out with her
family till late in the night – it felt kind of like a night back
home – with like 15 people in one little house. It was fun. Went to
bed totally exhausted.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This morning we had breakfast with
Naomi's family – felt like I was back at home again...lol.</div>
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Then went with them to church in
Sendai, where I was once again talked to about teaching or interning
at the Kindergarden that they have there and it looks like they want
me to come and just talk with some of the people there (supervisors
and stuff) on Saturday, and see what sort of opportunities they have
for me..... kinda strange...</div>
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I've never really asked around about
the school but everywhere I go people keep trying to get me to either
look at it or apply or something – I feel like I'm being scouted
out. So anyways we'll see.</div>
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Guess we'll see what the Lord has for
me.
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<br /></div>
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Back at base now – waiting for my
clothes to be done in the dryer and then take a cake out for Rebekah.
Thinking I could seriously use a nap right about now.....</div>
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<br /></div>
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Hope you all are doing well! And thank
you to everyone who has email me in the last week or so – I love
getting updates from home – and I regret that I can't get back to
everyone like I want to!
</div>
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I'm SO busy - as perhaps you can tell?! And this isn't everything - just the major events of the week.....</div>
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So please forgive my lack of communication. *bows apologetically* </div>
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Until next time - live long and prosper!</div>
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<br /></div>Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-7205852741535536952012-06-12T04:31:00.002-07:002012-06-12T04:31:44.629-07:006-12-12<br />
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6-12-12</div>
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Hmm.... were to begin.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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We finished the house we were working
on yesterday (two days later then we had hoped), and have started
working on the next one – which is quite a bit smaller – and we
have already insulated most of the floors and have sheeted three of
them all ready – Ceilings are next! ^_^</div>
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The really cool thing though was that
on friday last week, talking with the home owner we discovered that
he had a daughter (he had never mentioned her before), but I guess
that sometime over the last week she had come to the house and had
been overwhelmed by the memories and had cried and she really didn't
want to come back. I really really wanted to meet her – and the
Lord is so good answering even the unspoken prayers of the heart. The
next day we got to meet her – She had asked her dad to bring her so
that she could meet us and thank us for our work – and she was all
smiles! It was so incredible just to see her there. She wasn't able
to stay long but I got to prayer for her before she left. So it was
really awesome!
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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The team from Hawaii will be leaving
tomorrow morning after breakfast. And we will be getting a group of
new volunteers next Wednesday – and it sounds like some familiar
faces for me!</div>
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It also sounds like our little team
might be breaking up as both Justin and Hide will need to be crew
leads – sad.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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As far as ways to pray...</div>
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Please please keep the safety of all
the staff and volunteers in your prayers!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We have had more accidents in the last
month then I think we like to recount....</div>
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3 vans in the ditch, 2 twisted ankles,
and a cracked rib – to mention a few....</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Thank you so much for all of your
prayers and support!</div>
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<br />
</div>Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-86838211737666895082012-06-05T04:38:00.000-07:002012-06-05T04:38:05.428-07:00Wonders of His Love<br />
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6-5-12</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Wow. I can hardly believe that it's
already been three weeks!</div>
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And yet in the same way I feel like
I've been here forever. So strange.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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I do apologize for not updating this as
much as I'd like to. I'd like to post everyday but by the end of the
day I have very little energy left for such things.... :P</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Anyways – Work is going as wonderful
as always – As I keep telling everyone here: “Everyday has the
potential to be the best day of your life.” And pretty much as long
I keep that perspective myself the good times keep rolling. We are
nearing the end of our house – hoping to have it done by Friday (if
not before).
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our little construction team (Justin,
Hide, and I) decided to try and read through the new testament this
summer – So we switch off reading a chapter every morning when we
get to the job site and then sometimes on the drive back. We have
become quite the crew....</div>
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We've stopped taking our afternoon
break simply because we don't care if we have one (well maybe Hide
does...). And justify everything we do by saying that it's not
considered being a workaholic if you love what you are doing. (it was
kind of interesting though – on Sunday the sermon was on being a
workaholic.... I got to sit by Rio who translated the whole thing for
me. So nice.) We also like to give cans of coffee or whatever we have
on hand to the guys in the toll booths. Anyways.....</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kenji left for home on Sunday. I guess
I didn't realize he was leaving so soon and didn't get to say
goodbye. Kinda sad – but I hear that he may be back later this
summer before he heads to the states to start seminary.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's pretty crazy the way people are in
and out of here all the time. We got a new translator last week (to
replace Kenji) and I've talked with her some – she's absolutely
awesome. And then yesterday we got another japanese guy (I'm not sure
if he is an official translator or not...) but he worked with our
crew for a day along with Lesley. It was really neat though because
on the drive out to the work site he and I ware talking and he was
asking how I became a christian and such, and then at lunch he asked
Justin and Lesley the same question, then he shared his story with
us. He had been an alcoholic and about 5 years ago the first Teen
Challenge in Japan was started, down in Okinawa. He was the very
first person to apply. And through completing the Teen Challenge
program he came to Christ.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was so neat to hear everyones
stories, and the great vastness of the love of God just hit me. His
love and grace are so incredibly far reaching. He can save and free
someone like me just as easily as he can save an alcoholic or anyone
else. His power is not restricted by our circumstance.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was just incredible. So I spent the
entire rest of the day singing every song about the love of God that
I could think of. Yeah.... God is so awesome.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Anyhow. We just got a bunch of
volunteers again tonight (more Hawaiians), and Justin as picking up
another group from North Carolina at the airport tomorrow night.
Funfun!</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well – That's about it I guess. It's
so awesome to see the Lord working everyday here and daily living in
His presence. Thank you to all who are praying for Japan and the work
that is going on here.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hontoni Arigato Gozaimasu!</div>Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-23515491005286212492012-05-29T04:48:00.004-07:002012-05-29T04:58:14.924-07:00Increadibly Blessed<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
5-29-12</div>
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<br /></div>
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Alright.......</div>
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Quick run through update:</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Sunday</b> -
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I decided not to go to church because
it sounded like there was going to be quite a few people and I though
there probably wasn't going to be enough room in the little home
church. Found out later that it would have been fine – but I had a
wonderful Bible time instead. I ended up spending over 4 hours
reading and studying the Greatest Commandment (which led to the
second commandment and then a study on love...) and wrote over 8
pages of notes. The Lord is so wonderful!
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Monday</b> -
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I thought I was going to die if they
wouldn't let me work. Seriously there is nothing to do here if you
aren't working. Anyways. I happen to see Lesley trying to sneak off
and ask where she was going – which landed me with an exciting day
out. First we (Lesley, Justin, and I) went to my work site and built
a tool box for one of the other homeowners (the people who's houses I
had worked on in the very beginning.) They are like super gardeners
and they have all their gardening tools in like their living room
because they have no where else to put them. So we spent the morning
doing that – then went to their house to deliver it to them –
which went quite interestingly. They were SO EXCITED! And declared it
too good to put tools in and had us bring it into the house where
they are going to use it as a little green house for all of their
starter plants. Had coffee and visited with them for quite awhile.
After that we ended up going to a mall and killing time until 5 when
the little ramen shop that Justin and Lesley liked opened. Except
that we discovered that it doesn't open on Mondays. We ended up going
somewhere else – but it was still pretty amazing ramen! Got back to
base and we decided to go for a walk (to burn off the ramen), it hit
twilight and I literally went blind (for some reason I can't see
anything at the time of night), so after Lesley and Justin discovered
how blind I really was, they were trying to direct me and would poke
me so I didn't step in the puddles – it was rather amusing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Got a bunch of new volunteers – from
Hawaii.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Tuesday (today) -
</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Woke up at 4:40 due to the new jet
lagged volunteers........</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kenji did devotions this morning and
talked about the way that the Lord directs our steps in life. It was
such a good reminder. Finally got to work! YES! I finished drywalling
the clubhouse and a bunch of other spots – ended up skinning all my
knuckles by shoving my hands down cracks to hold the drywall
tight.... ouch. But it was crazy how every piece worked perfectly –
that just never happens.... thank you Jesus! Discussed the morning
devotions more in depth with Justin over break and lunch. Good
insights. Got to see Kazu-san (the neighbor) again today. He didn't
look well – but he was out of the hospital. I talked to him for
awhile (well tried to anyways – between my little Japanese and his
little english) and he kept saying how grateful he was ans that ' in
my mind SP is family' such a precious soul and yet with such a broken
heart.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Got some awesome news for share time!
Today at a home dedication two people accepted Christ!!!!!!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
SO AWESOME! Every day here is so filled
with the presence and blessings of the Lord – He is SO GOOD!<br />
<br />
<br />
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PICTURES:<br />
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</div>Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-12662153007772215682012-05-25T17:43:00.003-07:002012-05-25T17:44:14.846-07:00Cookies and Squid Guts<br />
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5-25-12</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Another lovely day of work. I spent the
majority of my afternoon 'playing' in the 'clubhouse'. Basically
drywalling a small loft space about 8 feet off the ground. I had to
literally rasp the pieces while laying on my back – so I got
COVERED in sheetrock dust. I was totally white – and every time I
moved I created a cloud.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Our homeowner came by again as we were
finishing up for the day, and brought pictures of the house and yard
the day after the tsunami.
</div>
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<br /></div>
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Had a bit of an adventure on the way
back to camp. Justin is quite set on not taking the express way since
it's a toll – He'd rather not spend SP money on the toll if there
is another way. So we typically take the scenic route – little back
roads through rice fields, which I really enjoy. But between him and
Hide they seem to be set on discovering EVERY other way to get back
and forth from work – so they wanted to find a new rout today. It
was great. We drove through rice fields, and through this little
town, turned the wrong way – it was really fun. We eventually made
it back to camp - super late for dinner....</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A group of national volunteers left
tonight. Their little team leader/pastor lead share time and then
sang a japanese opera song for us. Seriously that man can SING! I
think the rafters were vibrating.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Washed dishes again – My current
hobby. Then hung out in the kitchen, laughing as Justin made cookies
and tried to work the oven, and helping Day gut some fish and squids
– marine biology 101. Seriously, go gut a squid it's fascinating!
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We have off work till Tuesday because
of Memorial Day. Although I think our crew is probably going to work
Monday. And we might try and sneak in half a day Saturday, after
Justin gets back from the birthday party for his 'best friend in all
of Japan' a little boy who's turning 4 tomorrow. In the mean time I
might be going to a tea that some local pastors are doing for the
people in the temporary housing.</div>
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We'll see.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Prayer:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kazu-san: been in and out of the
hospital everyday - struggling with depression etc. from the
disaster.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All the people that SP is coming
in contact with – that they would just see the light on Christ
shining through us.
</div>
</li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-31795653371336406492012-05-22T05:34:00.002-07:002012-05-22T05:34:34.963-07:00God Of Wonders<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
5-21-12</div>
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<br />
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Another amazing day here in Japan.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I got to see a solar eclipse! It was
super cool! And apparently the Sendai area was like the only place
that you could see it from - because everywhere else in Japan is was
cloudy. It just reminded me that God cares about the small things in
life too – I've wanted to see a solar eclipse my entire life.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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We took a long lunch break today and
had a great time discussing Joy. What it looks like, Biblical
references, weather or not atheists can every experience true joy,
etc. It was really neat. And then for our second break I stayed in
our house while everyone else went to the neighbor's for tea, and I
just sat there reflecting on stuff and realizing just how incredibly
blessed I am and just how good God truly is.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Our home owner showed up right around
5, as we were getting ready to go, and it was really sweet because he
brought his wife with him this time and it was her first time being
back in the house. She seemed pretty pleased. And the super cool
thing was that they were asking why we would come to Japan and help
and didn't we miss out families? And so we got to talk with them
about why we were here and we read them the story of the Good
Samaritan and then I got to pray for them.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- - -
</div>
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<br />
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5-22-12</div>
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<br />
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We are making progress on our house!</div>
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It is coming together! Yesterday our
drywall was delivered and Justin managed to get a could of pieces on
the walls today. We also got one whole ceiling done and I've almost
finished with the framing in the hallway.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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For lunch we went to Yunome-san's
house. It was so good to be back!</div>
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Having lunch with everybody and singing
again. <3</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Tomorrow is the last day that the Cali
Volunteers are going to be here – so we'll be losing about 9
people.........
</div>
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<br />
</div>Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-51815458930852550062012-05-19T04:05:00.002-07:002012-05-19T04:07:18.404-07:005-19-12<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Two Monkeys and a Ram.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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Having more fun then a human ought to
have.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wow – Today probably goes down as one
of the most exciting, weird and best days of my life.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I woke up at 4am this morning and
couldn't get back to sleep – so I got up and dressed and fumbled
around (trying not to wake any of my roomies) until 5-ish when the
main house opens up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Got down there, read my Bible, and had
a nice quiet breakfast with Justin, Rebecca, Hide and Katie.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Washed dishes with Rebecca while
laughing hysterically as she told me the stories of things that happened while I was gone.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After that Justin, Hide, and I jumped
in the van and headed to work (I think we were the only ones that
went out today – other then Timo) – and our strangely awesome day
began. The drive that typically only takes 35 minutes took us over an
hour. First we had to stop and get gas, but of course we stayed there
a little longer then normal talking to the pump guy and giving him
gum. Second stop was the warehouse in Gamo, where we couldn't find
what we were looking for.....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Anyways – we did finally make it to
the house we're working on – and got to work for like 2 hours. Took
a coffee break, and then helped plant a little community garden which ended up taking all of like 20
minutes......</div>
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And just as we were about to put our
tool belts back on the neighbor (steve's homeowner) said it was time
to leave for lunch. So Justin, Hide, and I jumped into his car and
followed Jun into Sendai where we ate lunch at the Chinese restaurant
that Nobuki (former translator and mudout guy) now works at.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Had a nice lunch then drove back to the
house, where we only got to work for like another 2 hours.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Had tea with our homeowner and his son
then headed out to pick up Timo – But instead of going straight to
pick him up we made a side trip to the Otomo-sans house, which is now
completely finished inside and out. It was so incredible to be able
to see it all finished! Their home was the first house I got to work
on back in March, and it was so cool to be able to go there and see
the completed version – it was literally so beautiful I almost
cried. Sat and had coffee with them and visited for awhile till Timo
called wondering where we were. Back on the road we finally picked
him up and headed back to base.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And on another kind of random note - </div>
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Those of you who are praying that we just have the joy of the Lord - let me tell you, this place is literally saturated and overflowing with love and joy. Such an incredible blessing. <3</div>
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<br /></div>
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---</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>God is like the mountains - on cloudy days they are hard to see, and when it rains it's nearly impossible to see them - but they're still there.</i></div>
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<br /></div>Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6491324695640474382.post-70078463970602406272012-05-17T03:20:00.003-07:002012-05-17T03:23:30.095-07:00Phase Two<br />
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5-16-12</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well, after many many hours of
traveling (a few too many for me), I have safely arrived back here in
Japan. Thanks all for your prayers.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's so awesome to be back. Seriously I
think I ran all pure adrenalin all day today. It's great.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The new camp is pretty nice, it's in
the woods, by a lake, full of stinkbugs.....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Unfortunate the internet here is really
bad. Supposedly they are working on fixing it but it probably won't
be up and running right till sometime in June. :P</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There was an earthquake last night that
shook all the bunk beds. Got to see and reconnect with Lesley,
Justin, and a bunch of other Shichigahama people over breakfast.
Morning devotions was really good – Mike talked about Nehemiah
(I've been hearing quite a bit about that story lately – I think
there is something the Lord is trying to tell me.) </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Worked doing floors pretty much all day
– framing, blue-boarding, and screwing in.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's pretty fun though – there are
three teams all working right in the same spot. We are working on one
house, the mud out crew is in the house just across the driveway, and
there is another construction crew in the house right next to us –
so we all get to have our breaks and lunch together.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We did have a bit of an accident today,
as one of the guys here for a few days from CA sawed off a piece of
his finger. He ended up going to the hospital and he's doing well –
it wasn't that bad – just a bit off the tip. But the whole thing
turned out to be really great because the neighbor (who's house is
also being worked on) ended up taking her to the hospital, so they
got to talk to him the whole way there, and then in the waiting room
he asked if he could pray for the guys finger “even though I'm not
a Christian yet.” So the Lord is really working there already. All
things work together for good and for His glory.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Other then that the day was really
good. Like really REALLY good. I'm so happy right now.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don't think I realized how much I
missed being here till I got back. So I'm really just loving all of
it – all the roads full of potholes, the bowing, the earthquakes,
the mandatory tea breaks, the chopsticks, the awesome christian
fellowship, everything.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
God is soooo good. So so so good.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think we are planting a garden
tomorrow. Or maybe that's on Saturday......</div>Aerin Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11134721880480821226noreply@blogger.com1