countdown

6 days remaining.

Working at the school is pretty much back in full swing with school starting on Monday.

We have been moving partition walls/room dividers, shelving units, etc; setting up classrooms.

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.

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.

Your continued prayers are much appreciated.

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.

So yes, thank you for praying and please continue to do so.

For pictures: Japan 2014

Today is Sunday.

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....

This week we were at Youth Camp, in Kiyosato (up in the mountains). It was great!

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.

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!

For pictures: Japan 2014

Today was graduation day!

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.

So yeah. Busy. Which of course explains why I haven't blogged very much.....

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*......

That's really all I can think of. Obviously there is way more that has happened but my brain is kinda dead currently. 

Thanks again for prayers and support!

For pictures: Japan 2014

Wow. I can't believe it's been a week already! Time goes so fast...

Things are going well here. I've gotten to do a bunch of different things this week.

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.)

Needless to say, I will be thrilled when all the paper leaves, because then we can really start working on the building.

Umm..... let's see.

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.....

And yeah – we have pretty much done everything that can be done with all the boxes of paper laying around.

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 'frozen' 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...

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.

For pictures: Japan 2014

March 1st, 2014

March 1^st , 2014

I have officially arrived back in Japan!

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.....

But I made it - praise the Lord.

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.

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.

It all still feels very surreal – probably because it happened so fast but I'm sure it will sink in eventually. 

My Favorite Thing

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.

Why bring it up again?

Because He's doing it again, and I live to give Him glory.

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..... 

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...

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. 

Jesus you are awesome. 

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!

'Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, 

but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”' 

- Mark 10:27

An Open Door

Well, I'm not gonna lie. The last month has been very challenging.

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.

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.....

and apparently the time has come that the two were reunited. 

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 (framing,carpet laying,etc.) their english school/church, and possibly reconnect with some friends there.

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.

Thank you all in advance for your prayers and support!

More updates to come!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

-Jeremiah 29:11

Singing a Prayer

1. I know it's been forever and hopefully I'll be updating this soon with news of my upcoming adventure but until then -
2. 
   
3. We sang this song on Sunday - Forgot how much I loved it!
4. I love singing but I really love songs that you can sing as a prayer.
5. 
   
6. And this is my prayer: 

1. May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
   Live in me from day to day,
   By His love and pow’r controlling
   All I do and say.
2. May the Word of God dwell richly
   In my heart from hour to hour,
   So that all may see I triumph
   Only through His pow’r.
3. May the peace of God my Father
   Rule my life in everything,
   That I may be calm to comfort
   Sick and sorrowing.
4. May the love of Jesus fill me
   As the waters fill the sea;
   Him exalting, self abasing,
   This is victory.
5. May I run the race before me,
   Strong and brave to face the foe,
   Looking only unto Jesus
   As I onward go.
6. May His beauty rest upon me,
   As I seek the lost to win,
   And may they forget the channel,
   Seeing only Him.

'Holding Out For a Hero'

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.
I did not write this but I agree with everything said - and I couldn't help but share it. 

Holding Out for a Hero

It can be easy to "settle" mentally for the thought of marrying someone less than what I really want in a future husband.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.

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.

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.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.

Normally, I'm very strong in my independence and my commitment to waiting for just the kind of man I want (maybe too 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.

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?

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 ...No.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.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.

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.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. I'm holding out for a hero.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 man, 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.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.

That's what I'm looking for. That's my hero.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. 

The Suicidal Situation

I guess the past two weeks or so have been leading up to this point.

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.

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.

So that's where I was at - emotionally, spiritually, and physically exhausted.

Then today happened. All it took was one comment and I snapped.

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:

“WHY? Why am I here? It's suffocating, it's KILLING me!”

And God answered:

“I know.”

I sobbed.

“Why? Do you want me to die here? Is that what you want?”

And He said:

“yes”

Yes.

The word echoed off the walls of my heart.

Yes.

That was what He wanted. He had been telling me that for the past two weeks.

“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.'”

-Luke 9:23

“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”

-D. Bonhoeffer

Somehow I hadn't fully grasped it until I asked.

Jesus wants me dead. Because it is only then that He can live in and through me.

I must die daily.

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 die.

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

-Galatians 6:14

Today I die.

Aerin Marie

December 24^th 1991 – May 5^th 2013

“I have been crucified with Christ;

it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”

-Galatians 2:20a

I will place my trust in You

Well....

I've been meaning to update this for quite some time now, but hadn't found the time.

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).

Anyways.

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.....

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!

The unfortunate thing is that every time I leave – I have to deal with coming home, which is actually really 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.

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?

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.

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.

"Trust in the Lord, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness."

-Psalm 37:3

State-Side

8-17-12

Well I have officially been home for a week now.

It was really difficult to leave Japan.

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!

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.

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.

I guess that's kind of all....

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.

Thank you all once again to everyone who supported me with prayer while I was gone!

And to everyone still in beautiful Japan – Keep pressing on and finish well!

-Erin

The 'A' Team

8-4-12

WHAH! Another whole week of my life has already flown by!!!!!

Well – it been another interesting week here in Japan.

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?!)

Project #1 -

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....

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.

Project #2-

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!

- (I can't remember for the life of me what we did on Thursday – I think we worked with Hide again...)

Project #3-

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.....

Project #4-

Still Friday- Simon, Justin, and I were asked to plywood the inside walls of a rice farmer's barn.

So.... Huge building- high ladders holding OSB.... not my favorite job. I stuck mostly with framing.

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).

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.

And I have just spent the last hour of so learning a cup and clapping game and having a bilingual conversation......

SO TIRED!!!!!!

So yeah. That's what's happening over here....

Tomorrow – Church and then maybe some errands.....

till then S.L.E.E.P!

Anyhow this is probably my last post from Japan as I will be home next Friday - the 10th.

So until next time!

Busy, busy, busy!

7-25-12

Whah! It's been such a busy week!Which pretty much explains why I haven't updated this until now...

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:

Saturday-

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!

Sunday-

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!

Monday-

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.

Tuesday-

Still REALLY tired. More work!

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.....

Anyways – it was another fun outing.

Wednesday (today)-

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....

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....

And that is about it. Tomorrow another day of work and then lunch at Yunome-san's house.

Well – now it's really late.... off to bed.

Erin-chan

In Weakness Made Strong

Jul. 16^th 2012

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!

So what did I do? I went for a run up a mountain obviously!! - I think I must be crazy....

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.

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:

I cried.

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.

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. :(

Well – that's all I can really think of at the moment....

Many blessings to you all!

Pressing on!

Erin-chan

In a Moment's Time

7-8-12

Life is a breath, merely a vapor in the morning air, and as soon as the sun rises is evaporates.

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.

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:

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.

And for those of us who are still breathing at this moment in time:

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.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.”

-Psalm 90:12

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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.

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.

Please pray for his family, and friends – and especially for Rebekah, as I can't even imagine being in her shoes right now.

7-3-12

7-3-12

July 3^rd 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).

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.

Anyways. Going back to Saturday.....

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.

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.

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

The rest of this week is looking pretty busy on the social end of things. We are having a 4^th 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.

So yeah – it's getting late and I've got another full day tomorrow – finishing our current house and moving to the next one!

–

Prayer:

The Kikawa family – especially the girls who have shown interest in coming to church with us.

All of the homeowners – we claim them for the kingdom in the name of Christ!

That the fears of returning was dissipate – and that the traumatic memories would fade.

Breakfast with the Crawfords

6-24-12

Wow it's been an eventful week!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.....

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.

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.

This morning we had breakfast with Naomi's family – felt like I was back at home again...lol.

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...

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.

Guess we'll see what the Lord has for me.

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.....

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!

I'm SO busy - as perhaps you can tell?! And this isn't everything - just the major events of the week.....

So please forgive my lack of communication. *bows apologetically* 

Until next time - live long and prosper!

6-12-12

6-12-12

Hmm.... were to begin.

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! ^_^

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!

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!

It also sounds like our little team might be breaking up as both Justin and Hide will need to be crew leads – sad.

As far as ways to pray...

Please please keep the safety of all the staff and volunteers in your prayers!

We have had more accidents in the last month then I think we like to recount....

3 vans in the ditch, 2 twisted ankles, and a cracked rib – to mention a few....

Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support!

Wonders of His Love

6-5-12

Wow. I can hardly believe that it's already been three weeks!

And yet in the same way I feel like I've been here forever. So strange.

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

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).

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....

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.....

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Hontoni Arigato Gozaimasu!