St. Louis, MO -- What an eventful week it was. Aside from working for my grandma last week, I also kept pretty busy with various other things.
There were two other things that were "big events" last week too... including, first of all, that my dad got a job! Congratulations pops! After a pretty long time... some 5 months, I believe... of being laid off, we all are very thankful that he got a job! During the whole time, God was very faithful to provide for the needs of the family, so that there was never lack. And, at the right time, He also provided a job! So, thank You Jesus!
Also, this weekend we happened to be out with my neice at the pool. She climbed up a slide to go down into the pool and somehow slipped and fell down some 5 or 6 feet onto concrete. It was insane in that it seemed as if she was falling in slow motion, and it was a very scary sight to see such a small body fall like that.
I was very thankful that God in His foresight, provided something for us in such situations called adrenaline, because I've never gotten out of a pool that fast in my life and then got to her. Anyhow, it was one of those situations that put a hundred people at the pool to silence and many people rushed around her... and she was doing a silent scream that we weren't quite sure what all was wrong.
There happened to be a paramedic at the pool who checked her out, and for such a fall, she only bruised and scraped up her elbow. No concussions, no blood, no broken bones, all of which I was dreading seeing as I got to her.
Can you believe that?Anyhow, like we all said, it seemed as if a hand held her as she was falling down, because it was really in slow motion... and to land on concrete like that and not have anything seriously wrong is a miracle.I, and all of us, am very, very thankful that God protected my little 3- almost 4 year old neice and kept her safe for us! Thank You so much Jesus! That made for us a particularly long weekend.
We also had the opportunity to see my aunt yesterday, who I haven't seen in a few years... and we found out that she was here in town on Saturday night. I had planned to visit a young adults group on Sunday evening, but since I found out at the last minute that she was here and planning on visiting and spending an evening with the family, I decided to see her. I'll head there another Sunday evening.Well, this week there is a whole variety of things to be done, particularly with job looking and with fundraising and projects involved in that but I'll be letting you know what I'm up to!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Ehhh
St. Louis, MO -- So, every time I say that I'm going to be able to write more, things come up and I'm not able. So, I'm not saying that anymore.This week I've been helping out my grandma, who had eye surgery last week. She drives and delivers stuff, all the way to Hannibal and Springfield, IL, and places all around that circle. Her schedule is at night-- from 5pm and we've been getting home around 4am. So, by the time I get to bed and then get back up the next day, I kinda don't get much done.
Anywho, that's this week. I recently got an email with some of the things they'd be discussing at the team meeting in Japan. Some of the topics of discussion were emailed to me, which was pretty exciting, because it was like even though I'm a whole continent outside the loop, I was still kinda in.Next week, I have a variety of things to get done... which I'll update you on.
PS: I'm reading a book on Japanese history which is keeping me captivated. I'll be throwing little facts in here and there. :D Stay tuned
Anywho, that's this week. I recently got an email with some of the things they'd be discussing at the team meeting in Japan. Some of the topics of discussion were emailed to me, which was pretty exciting, because it was like even though I'm a whole continent outside the loop, I was still kinda in.Next week, I have a variety of things to get done... which I'll update you on.
PS: I'm reading a book on Japanese history which is keeping me captivated. I'll be throwing little facts in here and there. :D Stay tuned
Monday, June 15, 2009
Thankful
St. Louis, MO -- I read a verse today that had to do with gratitude. Colossians 3:16
Last Monday I had a doctor's appt. When I had called to schedule the appointment, they told me that because it had been so long since I'd visited her, they'd have to schedule me as a "new patient"... which inevitably would cost more. They asked for my insurance. None (as of yet).
"Well, you do realize that appointments start at $100 and go up from there."
Lovely thought.
But not much of an option. So, I headed in, praying that it would be as low as possible.
I got all those blood tests done in Mexico to take in to my doctor so as not to have to do them here in the States. I was praying that she would accept those tests and results. She did. What's more, when I walked out of the doctor's office, prepared to write a check of at least one hundred dollars, I was shocked when she said... "Hmm... ok, let's see. That'll be $35."I was like, "that's all??" Wow. And I was very thankful.
While driving around last week, I swerved large flying objects out of the back of trucks and slammed on my brakes in traffic while blaring my horn at someone who wasn't listening, wasn't looking and who didn't think I was in the lane. Going probably 50 miles an hour, surrounded by a "million" other cars, he probably missed me by an inch, if that.
And again, I was very thankful for protection from God.I was also very thankful as I finished a video I had been working on... using a million programs against one another, I was able to accomplish most of what I wanted with that video. It took several hours on several nights, but it worked out and I was happy with it.
I'm still working on some of these projects and taking constructive criticism to make it better. So, they're not finished projects yet, but I'm looking forward to more improved projects to better serve and explain the vision for Japan. I find the attitude of thankfulness or gratefulness is really useful in combatting many things. I really believe in it, and it was a theme I took up for the longest time with the youth in Mexico.
I've also had an amazing responsive of interest toward Japan. Of course, I think Japan is awesome and I feel the burden for Japan... but I suppose it's just really cool for me to see how so many people's faces light up when I mention Japan. I even met this Japanese lady that goes to my grandma's church, and boy was she excited about Japan. She was such a sweet thing and she just had so much to say. And among them was how much she was thankful that someone was going to Japan.
But it's not just the "big" things that we should be thankful for (like protection for a truck getting ready to smash your car), but for all those blessings from God that go maybe "unnoticed". For the things we take for granted, but that is very much like ungratefulness.
Last Monday I had a doctor's appt. When I had called to schedule the appointment, they told me that because it had been so long since I'd visited her, they'd have to schedule me as a "new patient"... which inevitably would cost more. They asked for my insurance. None (as of yet).
"Well, you do realize that appointments start at $100 and go up from there."
Lovely thought.
But not much of an option. So, I headed in, praying that it would be as low as possible.
I got all those blood tests done in Mexico to take in to my doctor so as not to have to do them here in the States. I was praying that she would accept those tests and results. She did. What's more, when I walked out of the doctor's office, prepared to write a check of at least one hundred dollars, I was shocked when she said... "Hmm... ok, let's see. That'll be $35."I was like, "that's all??" Wow. And I was very thankful.
While driving around last week, I swerved large flying objects out of the back of trucks and slammed on my brakes in traffic while blaring my horn at someone who wasn't listening, wasn't looking and who didn't think I was in the lane. Going probably 50 miles an hour, surrounded by a "million" other cars, he probably missed me by an inch, if that.
And again, I was very thankful for protection from God.I was also very thankful as I finished a video I had been working on... using a million programs against one another, I was able to accomplish most of what I wanted with that video. It took several hours on several nights, but it worked out and I was happy with it.
I'm still working on some of these projects and taking constructive criticism to make it better. So, they're not finished projects yet, but I'm looking forward to more improved projects to better serve and explain the vision for Japan. I find the attitude of thankfulness or gratefulness is really useful in combatting many things. I really believe in it, and it was a theme I took up for the longest time with the youth in Mexico.
I've also had an amazing responsive of interest toward Japan. Of course, I think Japan is awesome and I feel the burden for Japan... but I suppose it's just really cool for me to see how so many people's faces light up when I mention Japan. I even met this Japanese lady that goes to my grandma's church, and boy was she excited about Japan. She was such a sweet thing and she just had so much to say. And among them was how much she was thankful that someone was going to Japan.
But it's not just the "big" things that we should be thankful for (like protection for a truck getting ready to smash your car), but for all those blessings from God that go maybe "unnoticed". For the things we take for granted, but that is very much like ungratefulness.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Peace Out
St. Louis, MO -- So, I'm sitting here munching on some Pad Thai. Blogging has been on my mind for like the last week now, but somehow or another, I've missed it every day.
Last night, in particular, it was on my list.. but as the storm rolled through and the computer was unplugged and disconnected... I thought... it'll have to be tomorrow.I've been working on some multi-media pieces for promotion of vision sowing for Japan and have run into a few computer glitches that leave me sitting up until late night. I'm pretty happy with how the result came out... it's an incredible amount of work that gets put into making videos and power points (usually). By the way, am still working on converting a file so everyone can easily watch the file.
So, I'm getting ready for things with Japan... have been thinking a lot lately about how it will be to live there and study Japanese and hang out with Japanese youth all the time and share with them. I've been in contact with the people who are mainly heading up the Machida project. They're excited and ready to help out in whatever way. But they're pretty cool. It'll be great to work with them!I'm constantly impacted by the need for Jesus in Japan... and how astounding to me it is that in 2009, so few know.
There is such a need for hope in Japan. For instance, in April of this year, Japan averaged 100 people per day that commited suicide. 100 people each day!
If that's not a cry for help in that nation, I know not what is.
Japan continues to fascinate me. Everything from the simple and cultural- like the way food is, and Japanese etiquette and subway systems and how in the world they can remember some 4000 kanji characters in order to read... to how the Japanese think and what inhibits them from hearing and what is the best way to reach out to them.
Last night, in particular, it was on my list.. but as the storm rolled through and the computer was unplugged and disconnected... I thought... it'll have to be tomorrow.I've been working on some multi-media pieces for promotion of vision sowing for Japan and have run into a few computer glitches that leave me sitting up until late night. I'm pretty happy with how the result came out... it's an incredible amount of work that gets put into making videos and power points (usually). By the way, am still working on converting a file so everyone can easily watch the file.
So, I'm getting ready for things with Japan... have been thinking a lot lately about how it will be to live there and study Japanese and hang out with Japanese youth all the time and share with them. I've been in contact with the people who are mainly heading up the Machida project. They're excited and ready to help out in whatever way. But they're pretty cool. It'll be great to work with them!I'm constantly impacted by the need for Jesus in Japan... and how astounding to me it is that in 2009, so few know.
There is such a need for hope in Japan. For instance, in April of this year, Japan averaged 100 people per day that commited suicide. 100 people each day!
If that's not a cry for help in that nation, I know not what is.
Japan continues to fascinate me. Everything from the simple and cultural- like the way food is, and Japanese etiquette and subway systems and how in the world they can remember some 4000 kanji characters in order to read... to how the Japanese think and what inhibits them from hearing and what is the best way to reach out to them.
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