colorado weekend fun

Here's some pictures of my weekend with new friends from Pilat. Colorado is beautiful! The weather is amazing--no humid days like in Tennesee, that's for sure.

 

 

 

 

it's getting official

Here's something I found on the web today! Very fun!!

www.chog.org/MinistriesandPrograms/GlobalMissions/tabid/69/Default.aspx

I'm feeling like this is all coming together finally. I booked my flight yesterday--no turning around now!! I'll be flying out of Chicago O'Hare on Monday, August 20th.

If you happen to be in the Akron area on Friday, August 17th, stop by Akron Church of God at 6pm for my commissioning service. I'm excited to be sent out by this church, which was my home church growing up. This should be a special time to be surrouned by friends and family before I head out. It would be great to see you one last time!

going to PILAT

Today was my last day of work as a barista at Borders. It was bittersweet to leave: bitter because I feel like I've made some friends there and sweet because I'm happy to be moving on to the next chapter of my life.

I will be flying to Colorado Springs tomorrow for a training seminar for 2 weeks. It's called "PILAT," meaning Program in LanguageAcquisition Techniques put on by Mission Training International. This seminar will help me to learn what skills I need to have to learn Japanese effectively and quickly, as well as how to teach English to my Japanese friends I have yet to meetin Japan. Here's a link to the website. This program came highly recommended by Asian Access with many positive reports from missionaries attending different programs there.

http://www.mti.org/pilat.htm

I'm looking forward to this time to focus on what is to come, to quiet my heart and mind before the Lord and to dream about what waits around the corner without the pressure of attending to the details of moving to a new country. I promise: no major planning for the next two weeks!!

speedy delivery

Sometimes it's nice to be "in the dark" about certain things, don't you think? That way you don't have to worry about them. This whole visa application thing is way out of my grasp; I don't know all the work that it entails. That's why I'm so, so thankful that Bernie and Cheryl are in Japan interceding on my behalf at the immigration office. Apparently, the documents from the US reached Tokyo very quickly, and now the Bartons are able to take them to the immigration office Tuesday morning. It should take about 2 weeks for the Certificate of Eligibility to come through. Supposedly, this certificate should shorten the waiting time for me to get the visa substantially. Keep praying!

and ありがとうございます to the Bartons!!!

ways to pray

The exciting news caught up with my body today and I'm exhausted. I came home early from work with a mysterious pain in my foot. I'm reminded that I can't stop praying now or ever!

So, here are the ways you can pray for me:

• My visa application has been sent in with my passport to New Orleans. Pray that I am able to get a workers visa and that the paper work will all go smoothly.
• Flights to Japan are costly and even more costly when they are purchased at the last minute. Pray that we are able to find a cheap fare.
• Pray for Randee Doe, the SAM who is leaving Kobe on August 4th. She will be coming back to the states for a new ministry in Arizona. Pray that she is able to have good, sweet times with her Japanese friends and the churches that she has been serving in for the last 3 years.
• Pray for the same churches as they are preparing for my arrival.
• Pray for my remaining days with family here in TN. My last day of work will be next Saturday before I head to Colorado Springs for 2 weeks of training with Missions Training International. The cost of the Program in Language Acquistion Training (PILAT) is one of the things that my supporters have provided for me. This program will be helpful for me in learning Japanese and for teaching English. After those 2 weeks, I'll have roughly 3 weeks to finish up all the other details (packing, shipping, shopping, etc.).

possible pictures for my prayer card

Which one do you like for my prayer card?

Thanks Tami!!! You're amazing!!!

The Blind Marathon Runner

A 56-year-old blind man in Japan, who has competed in more than 100 races, tells how he crawled out of the deep abyss of despair and rebuilt his life after a car accident robbed him of his sight about 30 years ago.

Mr. Akita was in the front passenger seat of a colleague's car when the windshield shattered and damaged his eyes. He tumbled into the depths of despair and his rage toward his colleague burned inside him, as he realized he would never see the face of their new born daughter.

Fortunately, his wife vowed to share in his sorrows, and his friends rallied around and made him feel that life was worth living.

In June 1982 he obtained licenses as an acupuncturist and massage practitioner, and opened a clinic. To maintain his health and to serve as a role model for his patients, he began jogging. Escorted by other runners, he participated in many races in Japan and abroad, including marathons.

Mr. Akita loves to tell his story in primary and middle schools and tries to inspire those who are down-hearted.

He tells them: “There are some things I might not be able to do, but I had enough courage to take one step forward at a time, and indeed many of my wishes came true.”

“Enjoy your life and do your best with a radiant face, is the motto by which I live every day,” he says as he seeks to encourage those who are discouraged.

Source: Yomiuri News, 2005-06-27

I have been a blind marathon runner myself as I've been pacing out these last 2 years. Not exactly able to see where God was taking me or how I was going to get there, I pressed on, running the race that was laid out before me. I love how this man said that he had enough courage to take one step forward at a time for his wishes to come true. That's very biblical and true! We can only focus on the here and now because that is all we are guaranteed. I want to live faithfully each day, making the most of every moment that God gives me.

Would you rather be teaching English in Japan?

This is the question asked of me today by Joyce Hazen as she was telling me the news that I'm moving to Japan next month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the day I have been praying to come for 2 years! I am overjoyed to tell you all that my hearts desire is coming true!!

I cannot tell you how excited I am. Anyone of you knows just how much of an answer of prayer this is after such a long time of longing to be in Japan. I'm amazed at the way that God has been at work despite the struggle that it has been to get to this point. God truly is good. The cool thing is that He has taught me that even if this post would have the opposite news (me not going to Japan) I could still say that HE IS GOOD!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

waiting to hear back

I had my interview with the Global Missions department of the Church of God in Anderson over the weekend. It went really well. I felt a good connection with everyone. I especially had some good quality conversation with Cheryl Barton, who has been serving in Japan with her husband, Bernie for 28 years!

side note: I noticed today that any time I start to type something that starts with a "ja" my fingers automatically type out "japan"!! Pretty funny...

I am waiting to hear back from the Global Missions people, as they are out of the office this week.

I also got to catch up with some friends in Anderson and Marion. I even got to sing on the worship team of my old church in Marion. I love doing this! I'm always blessed to see how God is growing my old friend from camp, Jonathan, into a spirit-filled worship leader. God is doing a good work in that church.