Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow- what a week. Woke up Saturday morning in pain and rushed to the hospital. In summary, kidney stones are not fun. But on a side note, morphine is delightful :)

Unfortunately, people tend to get kidney stones over and over, and life is yet young- lovely.

But, (prepare yourselves, this is going to be sap-tastic) I'm really thankful. Of all the times to happen, Saturday was perfect. I didn't miss much, Katie was awesome and spent the whole day in the hospital with me (and was able to get a sub for work at the last minute), Josh was following a doctor in the emergency room that morning anyway, and they were just a few of the many friends/family who have cared for me and checked up on me. Plus, I could spend this week recuperating (and hanging out with family and eating waaaay too much food).

People occasionally ask what scares me about going into missions overseas, and honestly I had been a little concerned that nothing really did. I mean, sure there are "scary" things, but nothing I was legitimately afraid of. Now I've found it: the thought of getting sick, of having these again, but even worse in a foreign country, totally freaks me out. But you know? It's ok. As crummy as it is to have kidney stones (and there are much worse problems to have), God orchestrated it in His timing. And no matter what other crummy things happen, they happen right when God plans them to, even though they usually don't feel like it at the time.

Thanks, God, for the reminder. And for awesome people in the tough times. And for never leaving me. No matter what.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's a small world after all...

Aaaaaah! *that is a cry of frustration, because after typing the title, that annoying song is stuck in my head. I think my Mom is to blame.... ;)

But the point is, sometimes the world feels very small when God brings about amazing connections with incredible people. This week that amazing connection was a phone conversation with a delightful lady named Ora Reed. You know those people who just pour out sunshine? Not the fake "I'm-always-cheerful-see?" kind, but genuine love and light, and you can't help but instantly like them. Ora is one of those people.

You can read all about her on her website, but allow me to briefly introduce you: Ora is a jazz singer, 3-time cancer survivor, has traveled all over the globe, and currently spends most of her years singing in Japan. And Ora is a Christian. She shines the light of Christ, and gets to meet so many people wherever she goes. Amazing woman. And when she is in the states, she is here in Jackson, Mississippi! (Hence our connection.)

I invite you to pray with me: praising God for Christians like Ora Reed who are shining His light in Tokyo, and praying specifically for Ora this week, that God would bless her and shine through her in ways beyond our imaginations.

Ever notice how "vocation" is almost exactly like "vacation"? :)

Over the past weeks, well, months, I have had "vocation" on my mind quite a bit. There is the obvious: call to ministry in Japan, but also my current vocation(s) that I often don't value enough. I was reminded of this again last night as I was encouraged by a great friend to take advantage of the present. Only somehow, it sounded way less cheesy when he said it :)

In addition to preparing for ministry in Japan next year, I have a calling NOW to the awesome people all around me, and plenty of things to do and glorify God through. One of those fun things I get to glorify God through is my current calling as a music student, and my plan was to post a few songs to share a little bit of that with you. However, that is turning out to be harder than I anticipated, so stay tuned! I'll figure it out one of these days...

Ok, my post for the day is kind of cheating, as it lacks any creativity on my own part, but check out the Lowther's website! (There have some great articles and videos)

In fact, you'll probably hear a good deal about them in the months/years to come, so perhaps I should go ahead and "introduce" you.

Meet the Lowther Family: Roger, Abi, and their 3 sons, and you'll just have to trust me that they are truly awesome people :) You can see more about them on their site, but the basics are that Roger and Abi are professional musicians also working through Mission to the World, and I'll be serving with them in Tokyo next year! Roger is currently in the states for a few weeks, and I had the chance to meet with him last week, which was very exciting. Until I am in Tokyo myself, I am enjoying hearing about their past/current ministries, and starting my ministry by praying. For example, this weekend Roger is at the big Missions Conference: will you join me in praying for his time there, safe travels, and Abi and the boys in Tokyo?

Reflection...

Even though we're not having particularly cool weather at the moment, something about fall inspires me to look back on life. Do you ever think about every big decision, trivial choice, or even circumstance beyond your control that have worked together to place you where you are right now? Not in a "aw, man if only I had..." kind of way, but in a "woah. God is incredible," kind of way.

For example: I am currently preparing to be a missionary to Tokyo. God called me to this ministry this past summer, shortly after a 2 week trip. A trip I wouldn't have gone on if I hadn't known I have an interest in missions thanks to an internship the summer before, a connection with the missionaries (who taught one of my classes while in the states), and a life-long interest in Japan (simply because I was born there). I wouldn't have met those missionaries or gotten into that internship if I wasn't here at Belhaven. I wouldn't have even considered coming to Belhaven if I had decided to major in clarinet instead of piano. And I wouldn't have decided to major in piano if I hadn't gotten mono/asthma my junior year of high school. Phew. Did that make any sense? Because those are just a few of many factors that have brought me here.

Isn't God incredible?

I highly recommend this kind of reflection. Who would've thought I would be honestly thankful for spending a year of my life pathetically sick? I had no idea what awesome things God had planned. And I can't wait to see what's coming next...

"Ue O Muite"

So, I found this random video, and my initial reaction was giggling at the absolutely fabulous dancing and amusing music. I tried to put it on here, but I am apparently incompetent, so... click here to watch, and enjoy :) It might just be the best 3 minutes of your day.

(by the way, apparently, this is the biggest international hit by a Japanese pop singer)

But then, as usual, I started over-thinking it. I looked at a translation of the song, and a brief summary is, "I'm all alone, and though my heart is filled with sorrow, I'm trying not to cry." And I know it's just a sappy love song, but...well, unfortunately, it has truth. I am by no means an expert, but I feel it is especially true of many in Japan: so hopeless and full of sorrow, but putting on a smile, whistling a happy tune, and trying to act like everything is perfect.

Will you join me in praying for the lonely and sorrowful, those in need of love and hope, especially those in Tokyo?

So Photogenic...

My latest adventure is getting a decent picture to put on an official Prayer Card. Which should be easy, right?
As you can see, taking serious, professional-looking pictures has always been one of my gifts (*note extreme use of sarcasm*)
MTW doesn't seem to approve, but I don't see why...who wouldn't pray for that face, right? ;)