Smuggled

The joy of reading very few books is that I really like the ones I read! God's Smuggler is definitely one of the most enlightening stories ever written. I've actually been experiencing a fair amount of guilt for the past two days after learning about actual individuals and even whole churches with no Bible. Why don't I cherish every opportunity to read God's Word? But, just now, as I was folding my laundry and making my bed, I refused to move my Bible to its not so uncommon alternative place, the floor. My Bible is too precious to sit on the ground and will have a higher place on a shelf and hopefully more frequently in my hands.

Lifehouse Skit at Mitaka Student Center

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Hpwvp3Gnk

I'm so proud of our students for working so hard to bring Christ's love to Tokyo!!!

16 hours

I'm now back in CA where 16 hours were restored to me. It's still crazy to me that Japan is almost a whole day ahead of us!

Now that I'm getting adjusted to the time difference, I'm realizing that I'm mostly adjusted to the cultural differences too. Running on the left side of the road, throwing both paper and plastic trash into the same can, and leaving my shoes on inside...it just takes me a while to stop bowing. But I'm still realizing how amazing my trip back to Tokyo was. I'm so thankful for the people I got to visit there!!! And thank you for praying for our trip!!! There are pictures on facebook and I tried to load a video on here but failed. I'll keep working on showing the skit some of my teammates performed for Japanese students (and I'll put it on facebook.) The last outreach went well just like the first, and three people decided to trust Christ with their lives! ♥

half way!

I'm dedicating this to my dad! Hi dad, sorry we got disconnected! I love you!!!

The first half of our summer project has been amazing. Truly there are no words. Please pray that anyone getting homesick would find joy in Jesus while remaining in Japan. For me, I think it will be super hard to leave Tokyo. Just look at the pictures :) Thankfully I also have so many wonderful family and friends to return to in California!

koko ここ (here!!!)

I am so thankful to be back in Tokyo spending time with my old friends, visiting my old home, and taking students to campus!!!!!!! Please pray for me to be an encouragement to Japanese believers and endurance for the students I'm leading. Thank you!!!

Briefing for Tokyo!

I am so thankful to be with the team for my summer mission trip! We're leaving for the airport in about 12 hours. After three days together, we basically feel like family (sorry that's really cheesy but true.) Every member of our team is amazing! Already, they've shown ways they shine for Jesus (the reason we're together and going to Japan.) Hallelujah!

Right now, I would love for you to pray that these things would be really true of our team:

A. the Holy Spirit is present
B. unity, communication, and flexibility with the Japanese staff
C. good rest
D. safe and smooth travels
E. blessed time together

Thank you!

P.S. If helpful, back row (ish) Ryan, Katherine Anne, Becky, me, Chris, Julie, Richard, Christian; front row Blake, Casey, Nikki, Chelsea, Hannah, Rachel, Courtney ☀

less than a week

We're leaving for Tokyo on Friday! Briefing for the staff starts tomorrow and the students arrive on Tuesday. In preparation for a month out of the country, I spent the weekend at the beach with my fam. I also made sure to get some chocolate milk tonight, because I won't be seeing that for a while either.

Tokyo in 2 Weeks

I am tremendously blessed to be leaving for the wonderful country of Japan extremely soon! Please pray for final preparations: housing, funds, passports, anything you think of concerning travel :) These are pictures of team members I now work alongside at Cal State Fullerton. Ryan is an alum of CSUF and intern with Campus Crusade for Christ. Becky is a junior Japanese major. The rest of our team will be coming from all over the country! I'll try to keep you updated once every week from now until we return at the end of June. Thanks so incredibly much for your prayers and interest!

family time

It's been good to have some substantial time with the fam!

Amazing Weekend

A) friend from college birthday party-with many amazing women

B) 6 yr. old birthday party with a cinnamon roll the size of her head

C) Bob Marley festival with my friend from Oregon to see her boyfriend perform

D) Annual church soccer game-I enjoyed as a spectator

E) Benefit concert in Little Ethiopia- http://thedollartrip.com/

I am so blessed!!! I got to spend time with amazingly wonderful people! Here are some of my favorite lyrics from the weekend:

Jah shall wash away all the tears from my eyes
in times when the storms and the tides are raging high
we know we shall win, and we know we'll survive
Jah shall wash away all the tears
-Gramps Morgan, from his number one album in Jamaica, 2 Sides of My Heart

If you ain't got nothing good to say
then keep my name out 'cho mouth
-this really awesome guy from Ohio who talked about the harm of gossip. when he danced, I couldn't help but smile.


P.S. Warning: if you ever go to the Bob Marley festival, you may want to get some fresh air. My friend Amy and I looked at the booths and got shirts when we needed a break.

Christmas family time

I wish I had taken more pictures this Christmas break. But then again, when I did pull out my camera, my sisters wouldn't cooperate...