Story Time

That's right, Story time! Many people ask me, why Japan? Well, for many reasons. Today I'll just set the stage with the beginning of the story:

My journey to Japan started with a 10 month trip, that I unfortunately do not remember at all. But I have a few stories passed down to me from my parents. One of my favorites is when they went to visit a temple- really cool cultural experience, right? Wrong! The second they crossed the threshold, I started screaming my head off. Idol worship? Not this kid.

Yep, made in Japan. I was going to post a picture of an awesome "Made in Japan" tattoo, but well, let's just say if you get it done, you might as well do it right: Barbie-style.
...maybe I should go with a classier picture...






Here we go. Much better. "Made in Japan." We see it everywhere, and I have the privilege of claiming that statement.




And just for the record, no, I do not have a tattoo...yet ;)

Step One, Complete!

That's right, step one: become a 2 year missionary with Mission to the World, is now complete! To the right is a picture of a few of us with our spiffy new "bling", aka official name badge.

Step two: finish Interview and Orientation tomorrow, and head back to Mississippi.

Step three: actually use this lovely blog I have created...more than every other week.

こんにちは, aka Hi!

As you may have noticed, my name is Ellie, which comes from the Greek meaning "shining light", which as you also may have noticed, is the theme of the blog (spiffy, eh?). My inspiration is even spiffier: Christ's words found in Matthew 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world... let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." That is my aim. To take all the love, and gifts, and, well, light, God has given me, and shine it out generously to others.

Right now, my adventure is focused on my journey to become an official missionary. The next step in the process is to go to a week of Interview and Orientation this month in order to, Lord willing, become a missionary to Tokyo, Japan with Mission to the World- pretty exciting!



[* if you have stumbled upon this page, my deepest apologies for your eyes as I attempt to navigate the blogging world and get it presentable, but hopefully by the time you read this, it is beautiful]