How was work today?, you might ask. I would answer: I sang, I danced, I taught Spanish. It has been an interesting few days, thankfully with enough work to fill them... since they cut hours. Last week, we had plenty of hours, but not much to do. At any rate, the last few days have found me to be a little... quirky.
Enough of work though. Here's where I am so far on support: $140 of the $500 needed, which makes it $360 still to go. I am believing that God will make it happen and am moving forward with plans to go.
On a side note: Rosetta Stone is working again! After some 2 months or so of frustration, I have AT LONG LAST got it going again, after the second call to the support center. Tears of relief flooded my face.
Perhaps that's an exaggeration. Maybe.
Anywho, as I look forward to moving to Japan, I realize there is just SO much that still has to be done. Though I miss the extra hours on my paycheck, I really do need the time at home. There are lots of things to be done before one moves! You don't just pack a suitcase with all your clothes and shoes and a coupla books for the flight; you pack your important paperwork (think: birth certificate, passport, banking stuff, accounting stuff, medical records) and the laptop and all necessary cables (the gran "etc.") and clothes for all seasons, and Japanese language study books.
You start writing the list of what you would need and those suitcases get pounds and pounds heavier.
Good thing I have big suitcases.
Anyhow-- I'm also looking for tickets and now you'll see the cheap, cheap side of me come out. Gotta shop around!
Around, mumbling now, and one of the kids from Mexico needs to chat, so I'm gonna focus on that.
Thanks for your prayers! Let's keep believing that God will provide!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
In the Fogggggg....
How you been enjoying this Altotongan fog? I think it should be over by now, but still, I heard this morning people complaining about having the fog and being ready to be over with it. I was like, wow! Move down to Altotonga! :)
It is a bit eerie. I did notice that when I drove down my street- and you can see the river at the end of my street, and I looked across and it looked like a black abyss. That was a bit weird. When I drove on 70 through downtown, I couldn't even see the arch! And at 70, you're so near the Arch!
Anyway, I think everyone knows where I stand with Japan. I've tried to be as communicative as I know how to get the vision out there. I am excited! I can't wait to get over there and I think of that in the morning, through the morning, and onto the evening. Today it occurred to me that soon I'll be buying tickets. Like within a few weeks.
I've also been re-reading Bruchko. Have you read it? If not- get it! It won't take you long, I promise. But it's adventurous, down-to-earth, exciting. And inspirational! Anyhow, in many, many cases, God provided miraculously at JUST the right time. I pray and expect that it will be the same way with Japan. As Bruce Olson (the author) at times looked at something as impossible, it would all of a sudden happen.
There have been many, many words of encouragement and I know so many are praying. I'm very thankful for this, and am interested to watch in the next couple of weeks to see what will happen.
Alright, it's getting toward my night time, early evening for you normal folk- but late night for me. So, I need to get ready for my last work day of the week.
Thank you for your prayers and support and feel free to leave comments on here! I like comments. :)
It is a bit eerie. I did notice that when I drove down my street- and you can see the river at the end of my street, and I looked across and it looked like a black abyss. That was a bit weird. When I drove on 70 through downtown, I couldn't even see the arch! And at 70, you're so near the Arch!
Anyway, I think everyone knows where I stand with Japan. I've tried to be as communicative as I know how to get the vision out there. I am excited! I can't wait to get over there and I think of that in the morning, through the morning, and onto the evening. Today it occurred to me that soon I'll be buying tickets. Like within a few weeks.
I've also been re-reading Bruchko. Have you read it? If not- get it! It won't take you long, I promise. But it's adventurous, down-to-earth, exciting. And inspirational! Anyhow, in many, many cases, God provided miraculously at JUST the right time. I pray and expect that it will be the same way with Japan. As Bruce Olson (the author) at times looked at something as impossible, it would all of a sudden happen.
There have been many, many words of encouragement and I know so many are praying. I'm very thankful for this, and am interested to watch in the next couple of weeks to see what will happen.
Alright, it's getting toward my night time, early evening for you normal folk- but late night for me. So, I need to get ready for my last work day of the week.
Thank you for your prayers and support and feel free to leave comments on here! I like comments. :)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Mochi Mochi (yum...)
Hey! As you already know, yesterday was Friday, and I was so. very. thankful. for that glorious day. It was an extra long work week, with the below mentioned scandalous happenings at our store.
Oh my.
Anyhow, I came home (after a few commitments) and slept for 13 hours. I needed it!
Yesterday, if you'll recall- was some fog like we see few times in St. Louis. THAT, my friends, is what Altotonga was like. Where you get all misty wet, it soaks into your bones and chills you, and you can't see above a half-block.
After work, I went to a friend's house, where she very graciously helped me fold my newsletters, return address them, stamp them and stuff them. I guess I did that in the wrong order, but I'm pretty sure you get the point. It was nice, as we then discussed our opinions on the whole Pat Robertson comment about Haiti, giving/tithes, and the word "Christian".
Last night, I went to dinner at another friend's house-- I had been looking forward to this get-together all week. I got to meet his wife and kids- who are adults, and actually older than me. But- he was the one who originally connected me with Tim and Christine Huber in Japan. They went over to Japan to teach English for a year, and of course, to minister to the Japanese. It was pretty cool to sit there and talk about what it's like to live in Japan, their [Japanese] ideas on things, different inventions that we don't have here... all kinds of things. Overall- it was most enjoyable.
Today, I took my dad and brother to the Olive Farmers Market. Mostly, it's an Asian market, though they do have a Hispanic foods aisle. I picked up some "mochi" for a young adults meeting that I'll be sharing at on Tuesday. We went up and down every aisle, and had a lot of fun getting out of our typical American routines... then we came back home and my dad watched football.
As an update to where I stand financially for being able to go to Japan in March-- I've received $90 new committed monthly support-- so, I still am about $410 off the mark. But considering that this has come up this week, I am encouraged by this! Keep praying with me!!
Alrighty, I'm gonna get on outta here, get some stuff done and get some rest since tomorrow will also be busy and I have another very full work week. :)
Oh my.
Anyhow, I came home (after a few commitments) and slept for 13 hours. I needed it!
Yesterday, if you'll recall- was some fog like we see few times in St. Louis. THAT, my friends, is what Altotonga was like. Where you get all misty wet, it soaks into your bones and chills you, and you can't see above a half-block.
After work, I went to a friend's house, where she very graciously helped me fold my newsletters, return address them, stamp them and stuff them. I guess I did that in the wrong order, but I'm pretty sure you get the point. It was nice, as we then discussed our opinions on the whole Pat Robertson comment about Haiti, giving/tithes, and the word "Christian".
Last night, I went to dinner at another friend's house-- I had been looking forward to this get-together all week. I got to meet his wife and kids- who are adults, and actually older than me. But- he was the one who originally connected me with Tim and Christine Huber in Japan. They went over to Japan to teach English for a year, and of course, to minister to the Japanese. It was pretty cool to sit there and talk about what it's like to live in Japan, their [Japanese] ideas on things, different inventions that we don't have here... all kinds of things. Overall- it was most enjoyable.
Today, I took my dad and brother to the Olive Farmers Market. Mostly, it's an Asian market, though they do have a Hispanic foods aisle. I picked up some "mochi" for a young adults meeting that I'll be sharing at on Tuesday. We went up and down every aisle, and had a lot of fun getting out of our typical American routines... then we came back home and my dad watched football.
As an update to where I stand financially for being able to go to Japan in March-- I've received $90 new committed monthly support-- so, I still am about $410 off the mark. But considering that this has come up this week, I am encouraged by this! Keep praying with me!!
Alrighty, I'm gonna get on outta here, get some stuff done and get some rest since tomorrow will also be busy and I have another very full work week. :)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
My brother is already making plans for my room... again.
SOOOOOOOOOO. There's a lot going on in my life, which includes praying. I'll get to that in a minute.
As most of you know, the Macy's that I work at announced its liquidation last week. The latest that we'll be open is the first week of March, though I'm predicting a shorter time to stay open. We'll see.
I actually like my job. I really do. But I'm not really concerned about the store closing, because I was planning on quitting in March anyway, if it didn't close. Now, I just don't have to quit, and with all the stuff going on at the store, I have plenty of hours, which I need.
BUT. But we have this consultant in from the liquidation company. Suffice it to say, she's not a pleasant person. She may be the "quitting factor" of half the people at my store BEFORE D-day. ONE lady came in and turned our pleasant work space upside down.
Interesting how that can happen. But as it is, it pulls that deep attitude out of me of-- Just watch, I'm going to go ABOVE and beyond what you're asking me to do, just because you're provoking me.
Anyway, just to let you know, I'm $460 (monthly support) away from my goal of being able to leave for Japan. My goal date for that commitment is at the end of January... Please pray with me!
I need to get. My bed time was 15 minutes ago.
PS. Michael, my little tall (he would here add: dark and handsome) brother, adds his plumsplotch right here: >>>>>(bloop)<<<<<<
As most of you know, the Macy's that I work at announced its liquidation last week. The latest that we'll be open is the first week of March, though I'm predicting a shorter time to stay open. We'll see.
I actually like my job. I really do. But I'm not really concerned about the store closing, because I was planning on quitting in March anyway, if it didn't close. Now, I just don't have to quit, and with all the stuff going on at the store, I have plenty of hours, which I need.
BUT. But we have this consultant in from the liquidation company. Suffice it to say, she's not a pleasant person. She may be the "quitting factor" of half the people at my store BEFORE D-day. ONE lady came in and turned our pleasant work space upside down.
Interesting how that can happen. But as it is, it pulls that deep attitude out of me of-- Just watch, I'm going to go ABOVE and beyond what you're asking me to do, just because you're provoking me.
Anyway, just to let you know, I'm $460 (monthly support) away from my goal of being able to leave for Japan. My goal date for that commitment is at the end of January... Please pray with me!
I need to get. My bed time was 15 minutes ago.
PS. Michael, my little tall (he would here add: dark and handsome) brother, adds his plumsplotch right here: >>>>>(bloop)<<<<<<
Friday, January 1, 2010
January Run
Here's a copy of the prayer letter I just sent out. It's for you too!
Dear friends,
Happy New Year!! How are you feeling today? I'm still a little tired. Did you have a good celebration and set some goals for this coming year? I did!
It's been very nice to spend the holidays at home and enjoy all the festivities with American friends and families. For Christmas, our family did minimal gift exchanging, and mostly, we played games and ate. And for New Year, last night, I went to a young adult group and partied with them. It was pretty enjoyable.
So this year, there are a lot of plans I have- it all pretty much boils down to getting to Japan. I am excited and anxious to get over there and work with the church plant! This will be a big journey, and I am eager- and thankful to have YOU as a part of it. Thank you for your heart for prayer and your commitment to be a very supportive part of a team that will reach an unreached nation!
To let you know what's going on, I'd like to share this focus with you on prayer:
I'd like to set a date to leave, and since the team is asking that I come in March, I'd like to aim for March 15th as a date to set off. As I've been praying about this, and thinking about things like airfare-- I know that I would need to buy my tickets by February 1. I have the money saved up to do that, but I am still lacking monthly support.
Good news! My budget is less than we had originally set it at-- $2200! I'm roughly $1000 (monthly support) under-budget. My prayer is this: to have $500 monthly support pledged by the end of this month. With that set, I can make the plans to go.
Please pray for this-- for God to open opportunities and speak to the hearts of those He wants to partner with me to reach Japan. Please pray that this could be accomplished in this month. Also, pray for more opportunities to share about Japan.
I am very thankful for those who have been of so much support in this time in the States and for the opportunities that I have already had to share with many. I am excited about this year and what it will bring. I am looking forward to God doing new and big things in your life and in the big city of Tokyo!
Many blessings I pray for you, and once again-- thank you for your prayers!
With love-
Janine
Dear friends,
Happy New Year!! How are you feeling today? I'm still a little tired. Did you have a good celebration and set some goals for this coming year? I did!
It's been very nice to spend the holidays at home and enjoy all the festivities with American friends and families. For Christmas, our family did minimal gift exchanging, and mostly, we played games and ate. And for New Year, last night, I went to a young adult group and partied with them. It was pretty enjoyable.
So this year, there are a lot of plans I have- it all pretty much boils down to getting to Japan. I am excited and anxious to get over there and work with the church plant! This will be a big journey, and I am eager- and thankful to have YOU as a part of it. Thank you for your heart for prayer and your commitment to be a very supportive part of a team that will reach an unreached nation!
To let you know what's going on, I'd like to share this focus with you on prayer:
I'd like to set a date to leave, and since the team is asking that I come in March, I'd like to aim for March 15th as a date to set off. As I've been praying about this, and thinking about things like airfare-- I know that I would need to buy my tickets by February 1. I have the money saved up to do that, but I am still lacking monthly support.
Good news! My budget is less than we had originally set it at-- $2200! I'm roughly $1000 (monthly support) under-budget. My prayer is this: to have $500 monthly support pledged by the end of this month. With that set, I can make the plans to go.
Please pray for this-- for God to open opportunities and speak to the hearts of those He wants to partner with me to reach Japan. Please pray that this could be accomplished in this month. Also, pray for more opportunities to share about Japan.
I am very thankful for those who have been of so much support in this time in the States and for the opportunities that I have already had to share with many. I am excited about this year and what it will bring. I am looking forward to God doing new and big things in your life and in the big city of Tokyo!
Many blessings I pray for you, and once again-- thank you for your prayers!
With love-
Janine
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