When we lived in the US, Rosalyn's bottle preparation was simple. 5 ounces of water, 2.5 scoops of formula. In Japan, for nearly the same amount of water, you add a whopping 8 scoops of formula.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the perfect illustration of what it's like to live in a foreign country: 5.5 new steps for every. single. thing. you. do.
While "triumph" as the title for today's post might seem like an exaggeration, I guarantee you that the feeling I have when able to accomplish simple things is nothing short of triumph.
For example:
-Getting a cell phone. We went to two places and were turned down for cell phone contracts because of the length of our visa, although I can name 4 other families of the same visa status who have the same plan we applied for. Recollecting my confidence and disappointed motivation, we went to another shop a few days later and got hooked up with a contract! It only took about an hour and a half.
But later that night came the real fun: trying to set up our email account through the company in order to use sms. 2.5 hours excruciating hours later (in which I went into the "zone"-- a place where I shut out all other distractions and Vicente knows not to bother joking with me). It was the Lord who helped me through that!
-Registering at City Hall. 2 hours. 4 windows. Soooo many forms to fill out.
-Internet and Wifi. PRAISE THE LORD-- He seriously helped me out on this one. Setting up both of them, I made simple mistakes. But in both cases, the Lord led me through random steps to figure out how to make it work, just as I began to think I wouldn't be able to do it by myself.
There were cheers of triumph in our apartment a couple days after we had moved in when we figured out that our tiny 2 burner stove top needed a battery in order to keep lit. Anything to do with gas lines scare the bajeebers out of me, but when we were finally able to light our stove and keep it lit to cook, we cheered. Randomly. Several times. In fact, I still cheer randomly.
But anyway. I won't bore you with long lists of what we've had to do. Though it took you maybe just a few seconds to read it, none of these were as simple as the 2.5 scoops of formula or the 15-30 minutes it may take you to accomplish at home. They involved many extra steps, many challenges, times where I've pulled out my ipod to use a translation tool and asked the person on the other side of the counter to type in the word for me. I've received many papers in receipt of my transactions with information that I'm sure is pertinent, but I can't read at the moment. They're sitting in stacks and when I have questions, I pull them out and go into the zone to attempt comprehension.
Sometimes, sometimes, maybe 8 times later, there are cheers of triumph.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Saturday, January 17, 2015
What we've been up to...
So, it's been about 3 weeks since I've last posted. 3 very full weeks.
First off, we've moved and settled in to our new apartment. One of the major last steps to settling has been getting internet in our house and installing a wifi router. Check.
There are only a couple of things left, and then that will be all accomplished. That is saying a lot considering we bought almost all of our furniture and furnishings from Ikea, which means hours of manuals, packages of screws (we have some left over...), TONS of cardboard, and teamwork.
But we are all set up and ready to go.
Vicente is now 2 weeks into language school. The first week they work on simple phrases and hiragana (the simplest of the Japanese writing systems). The second week they start the actual text. But going to school meant buying the necessary books, notebooks, pencils, etc., and setting up a commuter pass to save $10 a month on travelling back and forth on the train, helping Vicente to figure out what trains to take, which side of the tracks he wants to be on to go the right direction, actually getting into the jam-packed rush hour trains, etc. And then the 10 minute walk to school once he arrives at the station. So, there's more to "Vicente started school" than just "Vicente started school."
We've gotten a million other practical things accomplished, which I will enumerate in my next post entitled "Triumphs".
But some of the more exciting, less mundane (but necessary) things that we've been up to are meetings with the leadership here to discuss their models of ministry and discipleship, etc. We're pretty stoked-- Fuse operates with cell groups, which sounds simple enough. But cell groups are a great place to get newcomers involved and a place for evangelism. Within the cell groups, people engage in one on one discipleship relationships, where their goal is to obviously become more like Jesus. When you bring someone new to the cell group and they get saved, then it's your responsibility to disciple them. Once the group gets big enough, it multiplies. Fuse has a vision to see the groups multiply to form 10 new groups this year.
The main focus of our team is to take very, very good care of everyone who comes through the door. We don't want to see anyone escape through the back door, but want to take very good care to produce healthy, reproducing sheep. :)
So, we're a part of 2 cell groups right now (we'll be just helpers in one), one is a English and Japanese group, another is a Portuguese/Spanish/Japanese group.
Vicente and I have been able to connect with lots of people and we're excited to serve these groups. Our goal is to be leading a group by the end of the year for sure.
We've discovered that things can get really busy really quickly, so we are trying to be wise in protecting our study time and our family time. We don't want to sacrifice our long-term usefulness for short-term effectiveness. There's got to be balance!
So that's what we've been up to. Getting set up. Study. Church. Cell groups. Prayer meeting. Communicating with people in the States.
Well friends, we will connect with you later this week! Take care!
First off, we've moved and settled in to our new apartment. One of the major last steps to settling has been getting internet in our house and installing a wifi router. Check.
There are only a couple of things left, and then that will be all accomplished. That is saying a lot considering we bought almost all of our furniture and furnishings from Ikea, which means hours of manuals, packages of screws (we have some left over...), TONS of cardboard, and teamwork.
But we are all set up and ready to go.
Vicente is now 2 weeks into language school. The first week they work on simple phrases and hiragana (the simplest of the Japanese writing systems). The second week they start the actual text. But going to school meant buying the necessary books, notebooks, pencils, etc., and setting up a commuter pass to save $10 a month on travelling back and forth on the train, helping Vicente to figure out what trains to take, which side of the tracks he wants to be on to go the right direction, actually getting into the jam-packed rush hour trains, etc. And then the 10 minute walk to school once he arrives at the station. So, there's more to "Vicente started school" than just "Vicente started school."
We've gotten a million other practical things accomplished, which I will enumerate in my next post entitled "Triumphs".
But some of the more exciting, less mundane (but necessary) things that we've been up to are meetings with the leadership here to discuss their models of ministry and discipleship, etc. We're pretty stoked-- Fuse operates with cell groups, which sounds simple enough. But cell groups are a great place to get newcomers involved and a place for evangelism. Within the cell groups, people engage in one on one discipleship relationships, where their goal is to obviously become more like Jesus. When you bring someone new to the cell group and they get saved, then it's your responsibility to disciple them. Once the group gets big enough, it multiplies. Fuse has a vision to see the groups multiply to form 10 new groups this year.
The main focus of our team is to take very, very good care of everyone who comes through the door. We don't want to see anyone escape through the back door, but want to take very good care to produce healthy, reproducing sheep. :)
So, we're a part of 2 cell groups right now (we'll be just helpers in one), one is a English and Japanese group, another is a Portuguese/Spanish/Japanese group.
Vicente and I have been able to connect with lots of people and we're excited to serve these groups. Our goal is to be leading a group by the end of the year for sure.
We've discovered that things can get really busy really quickly, so we are trying to be wise in protecting our study time and our family time. We don't want to sacrifice our long-term usefulness for short-term effectiveness. There's got to be balance!
So that's what we've been up to. Getting set up. Study. Church. Cell groups. Prayer meeting. Communicating with people in the States.
Well friends, we will connect with you later this week! Take care!
Saturday, December 27, 2014
We're not in Kansas anymore...
I've had some people ask me if I've noticed anything that's different here in Japan from the last time that I was here.
Yes. Some things, some things no.
For example:
-Sales tax has gone up 3%, and is about to go up another 2%. Previously, I spent a great deal of time at the 100 yen store (aka the dollar store, but waaaaay better and less shady), and with taxes it was always 105 yen per item. Now it's 108.
-I've found flour tortillas in the stores. Granted they're about $5 for like 4 of them. But the point is- you can find them. Along with more foreign foods in general.
-Baby carriers. Everywhere. But perhaps that's just because now that I'm a mom, I notice it more. And probably because out more during the day when moms are out, as compared to early mornings and late nights, when mommas are at home.
I'm sure there are plenty more things... but right now, I can only think of things that have been updated. And projects that were being worked on before (malls, train stations) that are now finished. More smart phones... but that's in America too.
But in many other ways, Japan is still the same. Some things I had forgotten how much I loved:
-The extremely helpful and patient Japanese who have lots of mercy on me as I sputter out what I need to get accomplished and they fill in the blanks to help.
-Toilet seat warmers and rug warmers. Enough said.
-Great Japanese foods: Rice balls with a sweet, sticky sauce. Japanese curry-stuffed fried bread. Yakisoba. Sesame seed dressing. Mikans (tangerines/mandarin oranges), grilled sweet potatoes as a snack, taiyaki. So many good things.
-That feminine Japanese voice that is used everywhere. It's kinda strange but ya miss it at the same time.
-Convenient marts (conbinis). You can go to the atm, print docs for your next meeting, buy a full meal, get some stamps, buy a tie and pay your bills all in one stop. I'm pretty stoked that our new apartment is literally next door to a conbini. Really. You have no idea.
-Walking. Everywhere. And measuring everything by how many minutes' walk it is to such and such a place. And remembering how shaving 30 seconds off your route makes a world of a difference in busy Japan.
As soon as I post this, I'll think of a million more things that I should have put down. But perhaps I'll save them all for a follow up post.
Yes. Some things, some things no.
For example:
-Sales tax has gone up 3%, and is about to go up another 2%. Previously, I spent a great deal of time at the 100 yen store (aka the dollar store, but waaaaay better and less shady), and with taxes it was always 105 yen per item. Now it's 108.
-I've found flour tortillas in the stores. Granted they're about $5 for like 4 of them. But the point is- you can find them. Along with more foreign foods in general.
-Baby carriers. Everywhere. But perhaps that's just because now that I'm a mom, I notice it more. And probably because out more during the day when moms are out, as compared to early mornings and late nights, when mommas are at home.
I'm sure there are plenty more things... but right now, I can only think of things that have been updated. And projects that were being worked on before (malls, train stations) that are now finished. More smart phones... but that's in America too.
But in many other ways, Japan is still the same. Some things I had forgotten how much I loved:
-The extremely helpful and patient Japanese who have lots of mercy on me as I sputter out what I need to get accomplished and they fill in the blanks to help.
-Toilet seat warmers and rug warmers. Enough said.
-Great Japanese foods: Rice balls with a sweet, sticky sauce. Japanese curry-stuffed fried bread. Yakisoba. Sesame seed dressing. Mikans (tangerines/mandarin oranges), grilled sweet potatoes as a snack, taiyaki. So many good things.
-That feminine Japanese voice that is used everywhere. It's kinda strange but ya miss it at the same time.
-Convenient marts (conbinis). You can go to the atm, print docs for your next meeting, buy a full meal, get some stamps, buy a tie and pay your bills all in one stop. I'm pretty stoked that our new apartment is literally next door to a conbini. Really. You have no idea.
-Walking. Everywhere. And measuring everything by how many minutes' walk it is to such and such a place. And remembering how shaving 30 seconds off your route makes a world of a difference in busy Japan.
As soon as I post this, I'll think of a million more things that I should have put down. But perhaps I'll save them all for a follow up post.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Week One
Hello hello all!
Well here we are-- we've made it one week in Japan. Exactly one week ago right now, we were about an hour out from Tokyo and were getting situated in the airplane to be able to land. It was at this time that I finally became a little sleepy and caught at 15 minute nap at the end of a 12 hour flight.
Figures.
Anyway, we made quite a spectacle, with a baby and a stroller and 10 loaded suitcases. We had to have an airport lady help us push the carts through and out of customs. We were quite literally a caravan.
There are still moments where we can hardly believe we're here. But people were looking forward to our coming, which is always encouraging. Rosalyn, as if you had any doubts, is well loved here. Certainly the star of the family, she has adapted pretty well to the time difference (thank you for praying) and to the cold and to being carried in the "carrier" a lot. We see more Japanese women carrying/wearing their babies as compared to pushing them in a stroller. It's certainly easier than carrying a stroller up and down from the 3rd floor.
Our two practical accomplishments this week:
-We found an apartment welike love. Well-- we're waiting for an answer, which we hope will be received tomorrow. Sometimes landlords do not like to rent to foreigners, and some families here have been rejected in their application of renting a certain apartment. Still we know that God has the perfect place for us, and if it's not this place, it's something better.
-Vicente got registered to start school in January. Some of the other team members are going to the school so it seems we are well known as being part of the church group. :) It was awesome to see my teachers from the past-- I was surprised some of them remembered me! They were excited to meet Rosalyn as well.
My Japanese is coming back surprisingly well! I've been able to manage a lot of situations on my own and carry on conversations. I even made a new friend on the airplane who lives about a half-hour away and we plan to have a play date sometime next week or the following week. But I am thankful to God, who I know is the one who is helping me to recall words that I didn't often use in Japanese and now can quickly remember how to carry on.
We've went to the Fuse Leadership Training, church service, small group, prayer meeting and have had lunch/dinner with different members of our team. So, we are getting involved here slowly, but are excited at the doors that God is already opening.
Will be writing more later!
Well here we are-- we've made it one week in Japan. Exactly one week ago right now, we were about an hour out from Tokyo and were getting situated in the airplane to be able to land. It was at this time that I finally became a little sleepy and caught at 15 minute nap at the end of a 12 hour flight.
Figures.
Anyway, we made quite a spectacle, with a baby and a stroller and 10 loaded suitcases. We had to have an airport lady help us push the carts through and out of customs. We were quite literally a caravan.
There are still moments where we can hardly believe we're here. But people were looking forward to our coming, which is always encouraging. Rosalyn, as if you had any doubts, is well loved here. Certainly the star of the family, she has adapted pretty well to the time difference (thank you for praying) and to the cold and to being carried in the "carrier" a lot. We see more Japanese women carrying/wearing their babies as compared to pushing them in a stroller. It's certainly easier than carrying a stroller up and down from the 3rd floor.
Our two practical accomplishments this week:
-We found an apartment we
-Vicente got registered to start school in January. Some of the other team members are going to the school so it seems we are well known as being part of the church group. :) It was awesome to see my teachers from the past-- I was surprised some of them remembered me! They were excited to meet Rosalyn as well.
My Japanese is coming back surprisingly well! I've been able to manage a lot of situations on my own and carry on conversations. I even made a new friend on the airplane who lives about a half-hour away and we plan to have a play date sometime next week or the following week. But I am thankful to God, who I know is the one who is helping me to recall words that I didn't often use in Japanese and now can quickly remember how to carry on.
We've went to the Fuse Leadership Training, church service, small group, prayer meeting and have had lunch/dinner with different members of our team. So, we are getting involved here slowly, but are excited at the doors that God is already opening.
Will be writing more later!
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Undervalued and Overlooked
'How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”' Romans 10:14-15
I was sitting on a huge double-decker plane some 2..2? 3? days ago, my daughter in her car seat next to the window, my husband and I holding hands. We had shed tears... heavy tears... in saying goodbye to our loved ones, in packing our belongings and our hearts to move to a place far, far away. Even as the plane backed away from our gate, we were still sniffling and wiping our eyes.
As the jet began racing down the airstrip and taking off into the air, our fingers were still intertwined, trepidation in our hearts. How would it be? Would we be successful at what we were setting out to do? Would we adjust well or struggle? Would we make good friends? Would we have a great connection with our team members? Would our support base hold up? How would our families do during our absence? Lots of questions as up, up and away we went.
In the few moments as we ascended into the clouds in silence, I became alert to my surroundings. I was looking up at the plane Christmas decorations hanging above the windows. Overhead, we listened to a wonderful piano Christmas music. Not just any music... a hymn. I cannot for the life of me remember the name of it, but it was one of those you'll be guaranteed to sing during the Christmas service at church.
All of a sudden, it hit me that this was what it was all about. Going to a foreign land, becoming Japanese to Japanese people with the purpose of sharing the wonderful news that Jesus Christ did the same thing for us. He became human to bring us the Good News-- to BE the Good News. He died in our place, gave His life for us that we might have a relationship with our heavenly Father. And we, in a very very small sense, were heading to a foreign land to give our lives so that others may hear.
Over the last few weeks, I've had the chance to talk with many people who said, "Oh you're so brave", "Oh, you're doing such a great work,"... We don't feel particularly brave, certainly not the caliber of brave that missionaries centuries ago possessed. But, to these people, I have attempted to communicate that:
We are unable to go without you.
There is absolutely no way that we would sitting in Asia today without senders. Perhaps that is the most undervalued and overlooked part of the verse quoted above. Yes, we need go-ers. But the go-ers need the senders. The senders are like the fuel for the car. The car is great in an of itself, but the car goes nowhere without gasoline. Gasoline is very useful in and of itself, but without being put to purpose in the car, it doesn't produce anything. Together-- together we accomplish so much.
In anything accomplished here that gives glory to God, you share in that. May the Lord be praised in Japan, through all of us.
So, as I am sitting all jet-lagged out some 5000+ miles away, please know that you, as a supporter, are an absolute necessity, a completely vital part of Mission Japan-- of bringing the Gospel to Japan. We don't forget that. If it was not through the Lord bringing us together, we would not be able to accomplish this purpose of sharing Jesus with the Japanese who really need to hear it.
So thank you. We miss everyone already, but we are excited to see what the Lord will do. Please continue to pray for us as we get settled and learn, learn, learn!
I was sitting on a huge double-decker plane some 2..2? 3? days ago, my daughter in her car seat next to the window, my husband and I holding hands. We had shed tears... heavy tears... in saying goodbye to our loved ones, in packing our belongings and our hearts to move to a place far, far away. Even as the plane backed away from our gate, we were still sniffling and wiping our eyes.
As the jet began racing down the airstrip and taking off into the air, our fingers were still intertwined, trepidation in our hearts. How would it be? Would we be successful at what we were setting out to do? Would we adjust well or struggle? Would we make good friends? Would we have a great connection with our team members? Would our support base hold up? How would our families do during our absence? Lots of questions as up, up and away we went.
In the few moments as we ascended into the clouds in silence, I became alert to my surroundings. I was looking up at the plane Christmas decorations hanging above the windows. Overhead, we listened to a wonderful piano Christmas music. Not just any music... a hymn. I cannot for the life of me remember the name of it, but it was one of those you'll be guaranteed to sing during the Christmas service at church.
All of a sudden, it hit me that this was what it was all about. Going to a foreign land, becoming Japanese to Japanese people with the purpose of sharing the wonderful news that Jesus Christ did the same thing for us. He became human to bring us the Good News-- to BE the Good News. He died in our place, gave His life for us that we might have a relationship with our heavenly Father. And we, in a very very small sense, were heading to a foreign land to give our lives so that others may hear.
Over the last few weeks, I've had the chance to talk with many people who said, "Oh you're so brave", "Oh, you're doing such a great work,"... We don't feel particularly brave, certainly not the caliber of brave that missionaries centuries ago possessed. But, to these people, I have attempted to communicate that:
We are unable to go without you.
There is absolutely no way that we would sitting in Asia today without senders. Perhaps that is the most undervalued and overlooked part of the verse quoted above. Yes, we need go-ers. But the go-ers need the senders. The senders are like the fuel for the car. The car is great in an of itself, but the car goes nowhere without gasoline. Gasoline is very useful in and of itself, but without being put to purpose in the car, it doesn't produce anything. Together-- together we accomplish so much.
In anything accomplished here that gives glory to God, you share in that. May the Lord be praised in Japan, through all of us.
So, as I am sitting all jet-lagged out some 5000+ miles away, please know that you, as a supporter, are an absolute necessity, a completely vital part of Mission Japan-- of bringing the Gospel to Japan. We don't forget that. If it was not through the Lord bringing us together, we would not be able to accomplish this purpose of sharing Jesus with the Japanese who really need to hear it.
So thank you. We miss everyone already, but we are excited to see what the Lord will do. Please continue to pray for us as we get settled and learn, learn, learn!
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Learning to Follow
The other day, I was following my husband to a friend's car lot where we were going to sell our car, to my great relief. I was happy to finally wipe the dust off my hands and the sweat off my brow in regard to the thing that gave me the most stress as far as preparations were going for Japan.
We pulled out of the parking lot with the understanding that I would follow behind my husband. I knew the way there at any rate, but I just casually mentioned that I would follow him.
Following directly behind him, we continued down streets that I knew, got on the highway and I sped up, getting into the next lane allowing him space to get in front of me.
But he didn't get in front of me. He turned on his blinker to indicate to me that I was to get back behind him and in the exit lane. I frowned. Why is he doing this?
I got back over and followed him off the highway and turning onto a street that I couldn't figure out why he was turning on. As we were stopped waiting to turn, I made signs to him as he looked back in his rearview mirror. Why did you get off the highway, I mouthed. No answer.
He turned, I followed. I was somewhat familiar with the roads, though I wasn't sure why were going down them and how we would arrive at our destination using these roads. Besides, the highway is more direct, I thought.
At one yellow light, he raced through and I had to stop. I squinted my eyes following him as he pulled over to the side to wait for me. As I was finally allowed to proceed and caught up to him, he pulled out in front again. Eventually he led me to streets completely unknown to me. I had no idea where I was, was doubting that he knew where he was and was completely dependent on him. I had no idea how to get back where I came from, and no idea how to get where I wanted to go.
But as we were driving back roads, I suddenly recognized something in the distance and realized we were within seconds of our destination. But how did he do that? Why did he take this way?
I never found out the answer.
But I learned something. Sometimes, the Lord takes us down unknown paths because we have to be dependent on him. Had I just went on down the highway as the way I knew, I wouldn't have even needed him or paid that much attention to him. In fact, as I pulled over allowing him space to "lead" on the highway, I showed that I was leading in a backhanded sense. But the Lord wants us to follow Him, to trust Him on unknown streets. To trust Him in the way that He chooses to take us, as compared to what makes sense in our own understanding. He will get us to our destination-- we need not doubt. He has His better paths, sometimes to teach us new ways and sometimes to protect us from danger. Following is a choice.
Luke 9:57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
We pulled out of the parking lot with the understanding that I would follow behind my husband. I knew the way there at any rate, but I just casually mentioned that I would follow him.
Following directly behind him, we continued down streets that I knew, got on the highway and I sped up, getting into the next lane allowing him space to get in front of me.
But he didn't get in front of me. He turned on his blinker to indicate to me that I was to get back behind him and in the exit lane. I frowned. Why is he doing this?
I got back over and followed him off the highway and turning onto a street that I couldn't figure out why he was turning on. As we were stopped waiting to turn, I made signs to him as he looked back in his rearview mirror. Why did you get off the highway, I mouthed. No answer.
He turned, I followed. I was somewhat familiar with the roads, though I wasn't sure why were going down them and how we would arrive at our destination using these roads. Besides, the highway is more direct, I thought.
At one yellow light, he raced through and I had to stop. I squinted my eyes following him as he pulled over to the side to wait for me. As I was finally allowed to proceed and caught up to him, he pulled out in front again. Eventually he led me to streets completely unknown to me. I had no idea where I was, was doubting that he knew where he was and was completely dependent on him. I had no idea how to get back where I came from, and no idea how to get where I wanted to go.
But as we were driving back roads, I suddenly recognized something in the distance and realized we were within seconds of our destination. But how did he do that? Why did he take this way?
I never found out the answer.
But I learned something. Sometimes, the Lord takes us down unknown paths because we have to be dependent on him. Had I just went on down the highway as the way I knew, I wouldn't have even needed him or paid that much attention to him. In fact, as I pulled over allowing him space to "lead" on the highway, I showed that I was leading in a backhanded sense. But the Lord wants us to follow Him, to trust Him on unknown streets. To trust Him in the way that He chooses to take us, as compared to what makes sense in our own understanding. He will get us to our destination-- we need not doubt. He has His better paths, sometimes to teach us new ways and sometimes to protect us from danger. Following is a choice.
Luke 9:57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
Friday, November 14, 2014
Snowflakes and blessings
Sometimes I hate the word busy. It sounds like too good of an excuse, even though it's the truth. Busy, we've been busy.
Selling a car (PRAISE the LORD), moving out of our apartment and in with some great friends, cleaning and turning over keys to our old apartment, having a massive garage sale, planning visits with our friends and supporters in St. Louis, trips to LA to get our Japanese visa taken care of, the collecting of medical records to take with us, mail forwarding, etc., etc., etc., etc.,... you get the idea.
OH, and traveling half-way across the country with a 7 month old. Who knew how exhausting that would be??
But, praise the Lord, He has been with us each step of the way-- He has allowed us to take care of business, get what seemed like the impossible accomplished, and somehow gave us the endurance to make it through a few weeks of minimal sleep and extensive use of our mental and physical energy.
We are now in St. Louis, where I promised my dear husband that it would not snow in November. However, snow is scheduled for the weekend. I'm secretly excited, while at the same time commiserating with my tropical-blooded husband.
Yesterday, I spoke at my alma mater North County Christian School. I shared the story of how the Lord began calling me to missions, in Mrs. Pugh's Freshman Bible Class, some 15 years ago next month. I shared how the Lord used me and other teenagers, who had not gone to seminary or Bible college, we had no PhDs, were not pastors or anything of the sort. We were just teenagers with availability, a love for Jesus and a humble heart to be used of God in ways we hadn't imagined. But He did use us. Praise the Lord, His glory and power was magnified as the Lord met us there and healed the blind, the deaf, the paralyzed, the possessed.
We talked about how Abraham was the first missionary-- called from a land he knew (surprising how many people are called away from lands they knew in order to be used of God), who revealed the Lord to others as he went. He was given an astonishing promise-- land, generations to carry on, protection, fame... amazing benefits.
But, that wasn't the point of the blessings. The Israelites as a whole missed it... the purpose clause:
and through you, all nations of the earth will be blessed.
Abraham was blessed to be a blessing. We are blessed to be a blessing. It's something we see carried through to Revelation, where all peoples of the earth are praising the Lord in heaven.
The Lord blessed Abraham, Abraham blessed others, Others bless the Lord.
The blessing is to end back in praise to the Lord as we imitate Him and bless others. We bless others so that the Lord might receive glory-- might receive the honor He is due.
When our focus becomes receiving the blessings of the Lord, it is easy to become self-centered. It makes us focus on our privilege and forget (or at least make light of) our purpose. The Israelites, consumed with the idea that they were the precious and chosen children of God (as indeed they were), eventually made laws to avoid associating with the very people they were to be a light and a blessing to. They could have been used of the Lord for greater purposes than they were, but they incapacitated themselves by refusing to share the blessing.
So, especially as we head into the holiday season, we are challenged, as we encourage you to be challenged, to consider the blessings in your life. And the things we are thanking the Lord for, consider how we might bless others through them. To God be the glory!
We are blessed to be a blessing!
Selling a car (PRAISE the LORD), moving out of our apartment and in with some great friends, cleaning and turning over keys to our old apartment, having a massive garage sale, planning visits with our friends and supporters in St. Louis, trips to LA to get our Japanese visa taken care of, the collecting of medical records to take with us, mail forwarding, etc., etc., etc., etc.,... you get the idea.
OH, and traveling half-way across the country with a 7 month old. Who knew how exhausting that would be??
But, praise the Lord, He has been with us each step of the way-- He has allowed us to take care of business, get what seemed like the impossible accomplished, and somehow gave us the endurance to make it through a few weeks of minimal sleep and extensive use of our mental and physical energy.
We are now in St. Louis, where I promised my dear husband that it would not snow in November. However, snow is scheduled for the weekend. I'm secretly excited, while at the same time commiserating with my tropical-blooded husband.
Yesterday, I spoke at my alma mater North County Christian School. I shared the story of how the Lord began calling me to missions, in Mrs. Pugh's Freshman Bible Class, some 15 years ago next month. I shared how the Lord used me and other teenagers, who had not gone to seminary or Bible college, we had no PhDs, were not pastors or anything of the sort. We were just teenagers with availability, a love for Jesus and a humble heart to be used of God in ways we hadn't imagined. But He did use us. Praise the Lord, His glory and power was magnified as the Lord met us there and healed the blind, the deaf, the paralyzed, the possessed.
We talked about how Abraham was the first missionary-- called from a land he knew (surprising how many people are called away from lands they knew in order to be used of God), who revealed the Lord to others as he went. He was given an astonishing promise-- land, generations to carry on, protection, fame... amazing benefits.
But, that wasn't the point of the blessings. The Israelites as a whole missed it... the purpose clause:
and through you, all nations of the earth will be blessed.
Abraham was blessed to be a blessing. We are blessed to be a blessing. It's something we see carried through to Revelation, where all peoples of the earth are praising the Lord in heaven.
The Lord blessed Abraham, Abraham blessed others, Others bless the Lord.
The blessing is to end back in praise to the Lord as we imitate Him and bless others. We bless others so that the Lord might receive glory-- might receive the honor He is due.
When our focus becomes receiving the blessings of the Lord, it is easy to become self-centered. It makes us focus on our privilege and forget (or at least make light of) our purpose. The Israelites, consumed with the idea that they were the precious and chosen children of God (as indeed they were), eventually made laws to avoid associating with the very people they were to be a light and a blessing to. They could have been used of the Lord for greater purposes than they were, but they incapacitated themselves by refusing to share the blessing.
So, especially as we head into the holiday season, we are challenged, as we encourage you to be challenged, to consider the blessings in your life. And the things we are thanking the Lord for, consider how we might bless others through them. To God be the glory!
We are blessed to be a blessing!
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