Garlic, Animals and Pineapple Park good for the health.

If you can read along, you will notice some interesting phrases in these pictures. For some reason I get a kick out of poor English signs in other cultures. I appreciate them, and it wouldn't be a cultural experience w/o them.

I had the privilege in the past two days to experience Japanese culture at it's finest. Tonight we went to the Garlic House (Arin Krin). Notice the amazing pictures and phrases outside the building.
Last night we went to Den Den. I traditional Japanese restaurant complete with triangular unique dishes, beautiful Sashimi presentations, and low wooden tables with benches on either side. I should have brought my camera, but I forgot

The sign with the bird's behind it is just a sample of the fun times to be had at the NEO animal park. They had some pretty amazing birds including flamingos, pelicans, peacocks, and others I didn't recognize. I'm not sure what "it" is but it doesn't have a sure footing either way:)

The pineapple park was fun and tasty. I got to try multiple pineapple products including wine, juice, chocolate, cakes, cookies, the fruit itself, pickle, pie..etc. They also had a beautiful shell collection from beaches around the island. So many things about this place remind me of my childhood in the Philippines. I love the local tourist locations because they are not "Americanized" yet. Tomorrow promises more sight seeing and speaking with the pastor about my ministry and praying he will let me talk to the congregation. We'll see. Happy sweet day!

Simple

To have faith like a child. What pure and simple joy that would be. To find hope in the touch of a hand that's larger then your own, what strength. To walk down the street, trying madly to keep up with Pop's long stride, supremely confident that he won't mind, your hopping to keep up.

To have faith like a child, what madness, what folly, to have any other kind of trust. Because adults have too much fear built up. Too many disappointments, to much independence ingrained. Hold out your small hand and let Him take it. Life will suddenly seem much simpler then before.

These smiling giggling faces are and should be an inspiration of simple joy, pleasure, and hope. Their names are Alexis and Erik Lee and they are the children of my hosts in Okinawa, David and Rebekah Lee. I didn't know what all I would learn from my trip to Japan, and I still am unsure, however I know that I need to slow down, trust, appreciate the little things, and hold my heavenly father's capable hands.

Happy New 2010!

It's a great way to start out the new year... in a different country then your own, so I picked Okinawa, Japan. Did you know the main island is shaped like a sword? Maybe that's why there are 15 different military bases here. It is also about 1000 mi from main land Japan so it's warm here and things are blooming and growing even in January. Our neighbors have a papaya tree in their yard.. I love it.

It is the rainy season so it rains most days but not all day and it smells so fresh here!
I was able to go to church with the Lees this morning. The service was in English with a Japanese interpreter. During the service the pastor asked us to turn to someone near you and pray with them they may be lights and witnesses for Jesus to their friends and family. The only people around me were Okinawan and didn't speak English... and we know my Japanese is not up to par. So I prayed... in English. Some how it just didn't matter. They didn't say anything but I have a feeling that the language barrier was temporarily broken down by three human beings communicating to our creator, our mutual father.

I am still trying to get over jet lag. It's been good so far but it may take a few more days. It's been fun to build my relationship with my friends and their two cute little kids. I am hoping to put up pictures soon. There is a bed in store for me... I am thankful.

Expected Bundle of Joy- Selah Zavia Zull

My beautiful neice, Selah Zavia Zull was born November 7th, 2009 at 2:52am weighing in at 8lbs 10oz and 21 inches long.

She is a red head like her momma (much to her momma's delight). We hope it stays red as she grows.

I am amazed at how fantastic new birth is! It is excruciatingly painful (according to the experts-my sister-in-law included), and somehow produces this soft little bundle of joy, named Selah! Her proud Aunt has had the privilege of helping by using her lactation knowledge and expertise. I love it!

New birth seems to transform the people around it. I am amazed by now enamoured Selah's daddy (my lil bro) is with his daughter. He never liked newborns before. He never paid much attention to babies or children in general. But all of a sudden he is singing to his"little princess" and loving every second of having her wrapped snugly in his arms.

It makes me think of how our "new birth in Christ" changes us. Our lives should be flipped upside down. We should be enamoured with our Heavenly father just has he is crazy about us! Selah is a tangible picture of God's beautiful gift of grace to us. How has it changed me today? How is my joy at having a relationship with the creator of the galaxies making me glow as a go through the check-out line? Even if my birth is not entirely new... shouldn't we act like it? Shouldn't it be a wondrous thing? What do you think?

God is Good. (I've used this title before??) Well, its still true.

This may be a bulleted update: quick and simple, due to the large amounts of activities and new things that have happened in the past 1.5 months.

• I moved! Yey! I love my roomies, my new city and saving gas by no longer commuting to work each day!




• I started teaching two different English conversation classes on T/Th. One is especially for Chinese, using the Bible for pronunciation and discussion. I have learned a lot about Chinese culture.




• I am still learning the ropes; learning how to juggle a people-job, relationships, partnership development... whew!



• I got a raise by the mercy and provision of God so I quit my axillary job at Old Navy.



• I am learning to be completely dependant on Jesus for my health, provision, wisdom in relationships, and work.



• I am learning how disgustingly deep my pride goes. How many time "youths grow tired and weary", and how I need to accept that.

"The Love of God, is greater far, then tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell. The guilty pair bow down with care, God gave His Son to win. His erring child He reconciled and pardoned from his sin." An old hymn

Moving.... for the 8th time in 8yrs!

Why??????????!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... you may ask (more politely then I ask myself). I may give you some round about answers that also may seem like excuses for restlessness to you. You may stop to ponder and analyze the deeper meaning beyond my simple answers. But here's the plain and un-complex truth. Are you ready?

All those reasons are fact, complete, and true. I have moved because my roommies get married, graduate, move, I get a different job, this apt will be better, cheaper, a bigger kitchen, my own bathroom or my favorite... "Because God told me to move back home with my parents." In a way I envy those who have stayed put throughout their entire college experience, or young adult life. Yet in a bizarre and scary way, as much as I dislike moving (with a passion really), and as much as I complain about it, my life has never been boring. I enjoy change as much as I enjoy a good run! You may be tired at the end of it, but it is invigorating and new {muscle} memory is created. I have cherished memories everywhere I've moved. Maybe it's also the MK in me that needs and craves that change. oh! That's why I change my hair style every six months! That's why I subject myself to shoving pans and bowls in flimsy cardboard boxes (might as well be made of Hallmark cards for what they can carry) and plastic Kroger bags that will only break the moment I pick them up (duct tape is not really that strong, by the way).

For some strange reason, I expect the groans and complaints every year as much as that promising new hair cut. I think we are all about the same really. what do you think?

I move to Lafayette Aug 1st because of God's amazing provision and your prayers.

Retreat or Advance?

Thank you for praying for me during the ISI conference and the 20s-30s retreat. (even if you didn't, someone did because God did some wonderful things).
I was so excited to hear about what God is doing in the lives of these wonderful members of the body of Christ-ISI chapter.


Special people deserve special mention. Prayer is the best mention of all. These smiling faces (as well as the other table in the back) are my colleagues and fellow laborers in Jesus. We enjoyed camp cook'n at the Golden Bell Camp and Resort.

A scramble of happy faces. It's pretty much impossible to get every one's face in a 15 passenger van; but I tried.

Although, a bit blurry, these faces represent the 20s and 30s (minus our mentoring couple Teri and Gil) that were able to go to the retreat in the mountains above Colorado Springs, Co July 1-3rd. The theme was encouragement and prayer. We had fun together, playing Mad Gab, Dutch Blitz, hiking, and having the police called on the fired we started that was apparently "huge!". It was just burning coals when the police arrived, Ha!

My support continues to increase (all glory to God b/c I really haven't done much to make it increase so much). I will soon be able to move out of my parents house to have a kitchen and bedroom of my own!!! Yey! Pray for perfect timing and obedience on my part. He is good.