We're Number One!

I knew it was pricey, but as of 2010, Tokyo is officially the most expensive city in the whole world. (Read the full article here.)

In light of raising up funds to live there it can sound intimidating, but I actually enjoy it in a weird kind of way. The funds are coming directly from people like you and me, but ultimately it is God who is providing. I have been especially encouraged this past week that in His time and His way, God WILL provide. It's simple, but it's awesome, so I wanted to pass the encouragement along. What in your life is too big, too much for you to accomplish? These things are great ways to remind ourselves and the world of God's power and faithfulness. Take courage!

Encouragement

I've been sick for most of the last 2 weeks. When I don't feel good, have to cancel meetings, work piles up, it's cold and gray outside...it is so easy to become stressed and discouraged. Ever feel that some days you're fighting to keep the little light of your soul from just flickering out?

In case you too are feeling a little overwhelmed, I wanted to pass on a few things that made my day today:

"'Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,'
says the LORD, who has compassion on you. "
~Isaiah 54:10

I am so thankful that we are not alone, and my light is not fueled by my power. Another encouragement came from some of my youngest supporters- below is one of their cards that came in the mail today. Absolutely made my day :)

Memories

Today I was thinking back on our team's time in Tokyo this past summer, and thought I would share a brief snapshot. One of the churches we spent time with was Immanuel Fukagawa Church. They were so friendly and welcoming, it was a joy to worship and fellowship with them. We helped them reach out to their community by performing a concert in their church with Japanese music students: to the left is the whole crew. (It was a great opportunity for them to invite non-Christian friends into the church)

This week, join me in praying for Christians in Japan, especially this church. That God would bless them with strength, and they would continue to be a light to the community around them.

"So, when do you leave?"

Lots of people ask me, "So, when do you leave?" Good question. Below are the main events between now and when I leave for Tokyo. However, I give you these dates with the following passage in mind; it's been good to think on.

"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them." ~James 4:13-17


March 5 ~ Senior Piano Recital (biggest deal of my college career)

March 12 - 20 ~ Spring Break (a week spent in VA? or on a short-term mission trip?)

April 30 ~ Graduation (woohoo!)

May 22-27 ~ Living in Grace (Seminar in NC)

June ~ a good friend's wedding up North, with the potential to turn into an awesome support team development road-trip...any Northerners interested in a visit?

July 1-31 ~ Cross-Cultural Ministry Internship (in NYC)

August ~ earliest possible departure (Whenever I'm fully funded. In other words, we'll see when God has planned!)

Take it to the Lord in Prayer

It's official: I am two days in to my last semester of college - crazy! The blog for this week is something I'll probably write more and more often: prayer requests! Below are a few of the things on my mind and heart this week:

Join me in praying that it is a semester full of growth: academically and musically, but most of all growth in Christ (and that I would encourage others to grow!)

My younger sister, Anna, has her first surgery for juvenile glaucoma next week: pray for continued peace (mainly for her, but all of our family as well) and God's touch of healing.

The seminary in Nagoya, Japan recently bought a new building- yay! But I just heard this from them yesterday: "A government official is stubbornly refusing to give approval for non-profit religious use of the new building, which jeopardizes everything." Pray for the softening of the official's heart, and that God would lift the spirits of the missionaries and Japanese Christians during this struggle.

To wristband, or not to wristband

Support raising thought of the week: I'm considering having some bracelets made. You know the little silicone ones?

Current design idea: white inside, red outside, with "Let Your Light Shine" in white on one side and "Tokyo, Japan" on the other

Current distribution idea: they would be given out to supporters*, one free band per person/ family, and extras could be purchased

Let me know what you think:
~Awesome! Do it! I want one!
~Well, sure. Why not?
~No! Seriously? Bad idea.



By the way, I have spent the week doing more than thinking about bracelet/wristband/things. I have been visiting my wonderful sister and her family! This is the newest member: Lucy is two and a half weeks old and so cute!









*supporter= signed up through MTW to give financially and/or through prayer. Go here for more information/online giving, or let me know if you have any questions.

あけましておめでとうございます! (Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu!)...or something like that...Happy New Year!

I may not be showing it quite as boisterously as this crowd, but I'm pretty excited about the New Year myself.

Not so much the holiday (though hanging out with family will be awesome) but about the actual new year ahead. I know God has some awesome things planned, and I'm excited to discover them- one day at a time. You never know what our God has up His sleeve... :)

Happy New Year!


Speaking of new things...a hopeful thought:

Revelation 21:1-7:
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

⁶ He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. ⁷ Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.