Tuesday, April 26, 2011

もういちど /mou ichido/ say what?!

Ok, so really もういちど means "one more time", or "pardon", but all of that to say, I am officially learning Japanese! That's right, all my undergrad classes are over, so starting yesterday I'm studying Japanese 1 hour a day, 6 days a week. We'll see how this goes... If nothing else, I can drive myself completely insane by watching videos like these:

That song is kinda catchy... ;)

Oh, and no, don't worry, I'm not really basing my study on painful youtube videos. I'm learning the real way: by watching lots of anime. (I'm kidding! I'm kidding!)

But seriously, learning Japanese is important to me, and I hear it's pretty tough, so all prayers for perseverance (and people to practice with over the coming months) would be much appreciated!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Where to begin? Let's hope.

So much has happened since I wrote my last post - a trip to Paris, earthquake/tsunami/nuclear craziness in Japan, trying to stay caught up on what is going on over there, trying to get into active support raising, trying to start getting specific plans for summer travels, and guess what? I have only 10 days of normal class days left before I graduate. I'm excited about graduating, excited about going to Japan, excited about how God is working in spite of and even through this catastrophe, and that I get to share with people here what He's doing there...but that's a whole lot happening at once, and it all involves a whole lot of bitter-sweet emotions.

Sometimes, it feels like it is just too much. So I'm going to put off telling you details about all the exciting things in that paragraph up there, and just say this:

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful"
(Hebrews 10:23)

I know He is faithful, but sometimes I just need to sit and remember it. Believe it. And hopefully (as the next verse says to), encourage you with it. And as we hold unswervingly to that hope, as sappy as it may sound, life is not too much. Through God's strength, one minute/task/relationship at a time...

And speaking of hope, did you know it is officially cherry blossom season in Japan? Here are two quotes (from BBC): "The cherry blossom symbolizes rebirth and renewal...As Japan works to rebuild and recover amid a continuing nuclear crisis, the blossoming cherry trees provide a glimmer of hope." Praise God for this beauty and comfort, and join me in praying for the even greater Hope to spread rapidly through the people of Japan during this season.