My Second Life.

It's almost strange how natural it is to be back in Tokyo - almost like I never left.  I have two lives now, and yet I am the same person in both.  There is my life at home in Oklahoma and then there is my life in Tokyo, which is just beginning. Again.

I woke up this morning with the immediate desire to run down the street to the combini store and buy some orange juice or something - like I did last summer - before heading out into the day.  The sights and sounds of Tokyo are still familiar to me, and I'm glad to be back with her and her 34 million citizens.

So, as I'm sure you've guessed,  I made it back to Japan! There were no problems - just a few really long flights, but I made some new friends and I got here safely so praise God!  Now, I'm just tending to my jetlag and getting my schedule in order for the weeks ahead.

Today was pretty busy, but I was able to experience some new things and we got a lot accomplished.  I stayed at Susan's apartment last night (which is where I stayed last summer) so we could go to the yochien (kindergarten) this morning together.  She's been teaching there twice a month, but I will be taking over the English class now. Those kiddos are sooooo cute!  We sang some children's songs and then we headed out so I could get my outrageously heavy luggage to the student center!  We dropped the luggage off and went to the city office so I could apply for an alien registration card. I'm glad Susan was there because I would have been so lost trying to figure the application out, let alone talk to the woman about where I live and what I do exactly.  We took care of that, then back to the student center where...

...I'm only halfway unpacked. I quick after my clothes were put away so I could lay down for 2 minutes.

After that, the Hawaii team that is staying in the student center for the next few weeks showed up with Joyce (I finally met her! yay!), so we were able to meet them before we went to our meeting at Waseda University.  Waseda University is one of the primary campuses we do ministry, so I'll be there a lot.  Please pray for our Waseda group! There are a lot of new things happening there, and maybe a few schedule changes, but we are blessed to be working alongside a YWAM (Youth with a Mission) team from Hawaii for the next six months.  They have just a huge heart for this campus and God has made divine arrangements for us all to cross paths and join together to reach the students of Waseda University.

Now, I'm back at the student center staring at my unpacked stuff, but knowing I should go to bed soon because tomorrow is another full day! Jetlag is killer, but I'm adjusting.  So I'm off...

Until soon.
Amanda

So - I'm on my way tomorrow morning pretty early and it may be a few days before I can get back on to let you guys know how Tokyo looks in September.  I miss you guys and girls already and I can't wait to update you on my happenings and whereabouts.

Thank you so much for your continued love and support, it means more than you could ever know! Talk to you soon.

Until.
-Amanda

A Week Away.

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart) 

- ee cummings.

The Bridge.

So, as many of you know, I helped found an international student ministry for Chi Alpha three years ago.  When I graduated in May, I was a bit concerned about what would happen to it because I didn't have any student leaders in this last year.  I did, however, have a few girls who'd been slipping into Bible study from Chi Alpha during the final weeks of the semester.   These girls are lively, friendly, and passionate about Christ, so I immediately started praying that He would give one of them a heart for this ministry.

And He has.

Maybe it wasn't the way I'd pictured it in my mind, but God's ways are higher than my own.  Through a combination of my own busy schedule in Tokyo and Heather's insane schedule with class and Chi Alpha - I knew that The Bridge couldn't operate the way I had originally planned.  As I was looking back through all of my ISM material to prep for an impromptu meeting- I stumbled upon a link to Student Alpha.  You  may have heard about the Alpha Course. It's used worldwide to introduce the gospel in a dynamic and approachable way. Well, I came across the student version online and thought - "this could work!"  You see, Heather is also the worship team leader for Chi Alpha at Northeastern State University.  She's busy with ministry activities all the time, and yet she still has found a way to make time for the international students around her. So we ditched our old method for Student Alpha - which I love. I know this is God directed, and as I watch the Week 1 video, He's speaking to me about who He is as well. (for more information about Student alpha visit www.studentalpha.org)

Tonight is my last night with The Bridge for at least a year, although I imagine I'll see most of the members in Tokyo in the spring or summer months.  It's bittersweet handing off something that has been such a key element in re-shaping my heart to fit God's plan.  I can't wait to see the girls and just kick back for awhile - soaking up what the Lord has for us. After all that is said and done...it's off to be with the friends who made my college experience. My NSU family. I get the feeling it's going to be epic!

Oh, and today was pretty productive:
- Sent my résumé to Yuri for the Todai job!
- Received my Certificate of Eligiblity from Japan!
- Overnighted that to the Embassy in Houston!
- Mailed my insurance forms!
- Bought my plane tickets!

Hallelujah! I'm on my way!  I've booked my flight for September 27!  Please remember us in your prayers as we prepare for the weeks ahead!

Love you guys & girls,
Amanda

Packing, again!

Hey guys and girls - I finally have my leave date! After supplying me and my family with much encouragement this week, the Lord has made it happen!

I'll be setting out on Sunday, September 26! I hope to catch up with as many friends and family as possible before then. If you would like to keep in touch - please e-mail me at fosburg@alumni.nsuok.edu -

More soon!

It's True.

Almost Time.

Hey gang, sorry it's been awhile. I've been in "waiting" mode. You think this would give me ample time to post a blog here and there...but alas, I have just been enjoying my time at home.  I'm just a few weeks away from leaving now.  We're just waiting on a few documents to get here from Japan, then the Visa application will be completed and I'm free to go! Please be praying for my documents as they are being sent off - we need speedy processing and favor!

A few other things, my friend Debbie Shaw is a missionary associate in Tokyo that I met last summer.  She had knee surgery last week and will be doing physical therapy for awhile and needs a quick recovery. Also, my friend Kohei broke his arm and is in surgery today.  Please remember them both in your prayers so that they may be healed and feeling even more whole than they did before!

Most importantly, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been praying, supporting, and keeping in touch about Japan.  It's really been a blessing and a constant source of encouragement and confirmation. God is using you to bless my life, and my family's lives, in ways you couldn't imagine.

I can't wait to be back in Tokyo with Susan, Yuri, Debbie and Joyce - and all of the Chi Alpha members and church family from Tokyo Urban Church.  I can't wait to see what God has in store! 

Until soon ---

You can contact me in the usual ways, or check out the Facebook page
Amanda in Japan