月曜日。

Web-Image 水曜日。

oy vey. today started out kinda messy.

but ended in smiles.

火曜日。

It's Tuesday, again!

I really had some ideas of what to post yesterday, as it is my desire to post more consistently, and I was even drawing up this daily schedule of things (Mondays: a preview of the week's schedule so people could agree with us in prayer concerning those things, Tuesdays: whatever I feel like talking about while killing time between e-mails at work, rambling really, Wednesdays: Web-Image Wednesday, etc...) Then I laughed a little bit to myself.  I don't know who really watches for updates other than my mom and my NaNa.  So, mom and NaNa -- I have a plan, but this wouldn't be the first time, and you see how well the others have worked out...

Day One: Failed.
I was thinking of all that just yesterday morning, and couldn't convince myself to compose a new post by nightfall.  Terrible.  We had an amazing time of prayer and worship with YWAM Tokyo and a few other campus ministry groups last night, hosted by YWAM.  It's always refreshing to be in a house of people all loving the same thing, seeking the heart of God for a common purpose - I mean, that's really what the body of Christ is about.  I digress, here is Day One's material...and then, who knows, I may decide to ramble after that.

今週のスケジュール (This week's schedule)

Monday: 
Well, yesterday....I had a meeting with a guy from OneHope (they produce the Book of Hope and many, many, many other ministry materials all around the world).  They are premiering a short film in Tokyo in a few weeks and want to host some focus groups before then to get some feedback from students about the film.  Soooo, I'm helping them get those focus groups together at Waseda University.  Then, we had the YWAM gathering - which was fantastic.  At least three of the groups represented are campus ministry groups working at Waseda.
Prayer Notes: Favor with the university (we need a room), favor with students (we need at least four groups of 6), and for the effective use of this film. Unity between the campus ministry clubs at Waseda and open doors!

Tuesday: 
I always work on Tuesdays, so I'm in the School of Engineering at The University of Tokyo all day.  Our LOGOS Bible study at Todai is also on Tuesdays!  The student president of our LOGOS group, Changjoon, is speaking today.
Prayer Notes: Wisdom and productivity at my job (right now, no e-mails - just FYI, in case you were wondering why I am blogging instead of checking English!), blessing on Changjoon as he shares the Word, for the new students we have at LOGOS, and for new avenues for sharing the love of Christ on this campus.

Wednesday:
Tomorrow, I teach at the yochien for the first time this year, and hopefully I can remember all of the actions that go with the songs! I'm looking forward to seeing the kiddos again.  After that, I am meeting Joyce, Kohei, and Octavia at Octavia's university for a prayer walk.  I've never visited this university before, so I'm excited! Octavia, who was a Chi Alpha girl in the States, started a Bible study there with one of her dorm neighbors and is active in Chi Alpha Japan as well. So, after we pray over her campus, we'll head back to Waseda - where we are holding actual Bible study for the first time in several months.  Last week, we met some students who are really interested in participating in multi-lingual discussion and in studying the Bible...God is so faithful...so we are going to start the study up tomorrow night!
Prayer Notes: Kiddos at the yochien - that they are blessed, Octavia's university and her Bible study there, WEBS (Waseda English Bible Study) and our new students, and again for unity among the believers and campus ministry workers there.

Thursday:
I am planning on finishing my notes for next Monday on Thursday.  Next Monday, I am speaking at our monthly Chi Alpha Power Praise Night at the student center...so you can definitely be in early prayer about that! Thursday evening, I have my English class and English tutoring at Megumi Christ Church.
Prayer Notes: Wisdom and direction about the Power Praise night, a fresh idea for my English class, and for the 12 year old Korean student I tutor - he broke his arm in December and it's going to be in a cast for a long time. 

Friday:
I have Japanese class in the morning! After that, I will probably have lunch with my friend and then go to the International Friday Lounge meeting at Todai.  I've never had time to go before, so I'm really hoping Fusae (from TkUC) and I can go this week and meet some new people!  After that, I'll recruit for the OneHope focus groups.
Prayer Notes: Progress with Japanese, divine appointments


Saturday & Sunday:
I actually have no idea what is happening on these days besides church!
Prayer Notes: Services at Tokyo Urban Church and GAP (International Christian Assembly)

* * * * *

So, that's the week at a glance! Maybe I'll try to post this on Sundays or Mondays from now on.  I will try to remember to recap this weekend about how God answered prayer throughout the week!

In other news...
Last weekend, I finally got my haircut!  Fusae-san took me to her regular hairdresser and he did a great job and was super nice! He's between salons right now, his own will open in Shinjuku at the end of February, so he ended up renting some space at a salon in Omotesando so he could cut our hair.  So nice! I really enjoyed spending the afternoon with Fusae before we went to XHOP (Chi Alpha House of Prayer) at the student center that evening.  Susan and Fusae are my cell group at Tokyo Urban Church, but I don't usually get to spend time with Fusae outside of church.

I also got my Kindle in this week.  It bought it with the Christmas money my parents and grandparents sent me and it finally arrived this week. I was against the whole e-reader thing for the longest time, and I've already received some incredulous messages from friends I argued with about the Kindle during college...messages I totally deserve for my adamant opinion of electronic books...but it just suddenly made a lot of sense for my life.  Being overseas, books are expensive to buy in my own language and even more expensive to ship here -- and heavy to carry around when you are out all day and on and off trains. So, I bought it and I love it so far!  Thank you, family!

Until later.
Amanda 

Web-Image 水曜日。

火曜日。

One of these days, I'm going to write a poem again.

(I hope...)

For now, I suppose I'll just stick to reading as nothing I pen seems to be coming out right.  I find this is what happens when I decide to write for joy, rather than to get someone's attention.  When I am writing a lot, and not always based out of my own life experience as I sometimes try to see from different perspectives, I notice I stick to the all-too-common in poetry themes of goodbye and impossible loves.  Sorta depressing, and I'm honestly too happy to spend my time jotting down these tales of imaginary heartache...so I just stop writing.

And, then I miss it.  Writing is a part of who I am, so to neglect it is to neglect a joy in my life that I really do believe God put there for a reason.  Maybe I'm not even remotely the best at it, but the process of creating something brings happiness to my life.  That being said, I know there has to be a way to turn the boat around.

I often try to write about God.  About His vast love, of His mercies which are new every morning, of His everlasting goodness.  I can't stand to sound cliche when talking about Christ, which often leaves me with three lines I'm not impressed with and a bit of frustration.  He's just too big for me to capture, which is amazing.  He can't be pinned down with mere words.  

I get the feeling He delights in my attempts, anyway, like a parent who puts a child's coloring page on the refrigerator.  Maybe He enjoys it even though it isn't perfect, and it was done out of love for Him. 

I deleted a post I made earlier today, something I wrote last summer that recently received a highlight on a poetry forum I used to frequent.  I was excited to see that it had been recognized and thought I would like to share it even though it was perhaps a bit sad, but upon rereading it a few times - all I could see were my attempts to reach for praise from a world I no longer belong in.  If I write, I want to inspire hope, not throw my voice into a chorus of all those still broken by their choices, or the choices that were made for them, or the choices they feel they never had the chance to make.

Sometimes, I just need to consecrate my thought process to Christ all over again.

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."  - Philippians 4.8

Until I decide to ramble on about random things again.
Amanda

Today:

God really encouraged me through the first 6 chapters of the book of Joshua.  Sakai Sensei's message was from Joshua 6, and Pastor Bill's was from Joshua 1.  I read through these chapters earlier this week though in my personal reading time -- it's always so special when God speaks and then confirms His word through others.

Thank You, Jesus.  You have great plans for this year!

(PS - thanks for the cards and letters I received through the holiday season!)

Amanda

木曜日。

Dry.

This is such familiar territory.
I have wandered far into the desert -
tasting of the rough sands of my own selfishness.

Stumbling under the merciless sun,
I crawl until my fingertips brush stone.
My cheek drags up the side of the well,
the rasping of an animal tearing at my throat
and dying in the cotton web of my mouth.

You're weeping as I stare blankly into the sky,
a full cup of water resting between us on the rock.

You promised me there would always be a fountain,
but also that You would not make me drink.

adf 2010

I probably shouldn't post just for the sake of posting, but hey -- I was on a roll with the "days in Japanese" title thing...

I scribbled this on the back of church bulletin early in 2010.  I post it as a reminder to myself in the new year.  The fountain of life is found in God's Word and it is always available, but whether or not we taste of that water  - the only water that would satisfy the thirsting of our souls - is up to us.  When I wrote this, I was thinking of how Christ is tenderly calling me all the time, offering me His living water, but too often my pride has kept me from receiving it - and that breaks His heart.  His desire is for us.

Anywho - don't neglect the fountain.  The desert is no joke.

Until.

Amanda

Web-Image 水曜日。

火曜日。

It's Tuesday.

I'm sitting in the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange at the School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, trying to keep my hands warm.  The heater must not be doing it's job, we are all shivering a bit and keeping on our extra layers of clothes.

It's not even that cold in Tokyo - and yet, no one ever seems to warm up.  Unless you are on the 8:15 train, in which case you will be sweating before the train leaves the platform.  It's an awkward dance of coat on, coat off, made all the more challenging by the unnatural amount of junk I feel I must put in my backpack on the daily.  I mean, come on...

But, all in all, it's good.  The gust of wind at the top of the escalator when exiting Todaimae station, the sunlight through the trees and on the street, bicyclists expertly weaving their way between those in the process of foot commute...it all says it's a new morning, and you're alive to experience this gift.  Drink it in before the day wears long and you don't feel like praising.  More and more, I feel much of a day's end depends on how its first moments are approached.

It's usually not until I'm on the street, heading to wherever I'm going, that I feel this way though.  When I wake up...I still want to throw my phone, and thus its alarm, into a dark corner of my closet.  I guess some things don't change.

I want change, though.  I want to get up when my alarm goes off the first time - be ready with thirty minutes to spare so I can have some cereal and a glass of orange juice with Jesus before I head to Nakano station.  I want to be more motivated to study, keep up with my schedule better, manage my relationships in order to maximize the potential I see in every friendship formed.  I want to see God change Waseda, and Todai, and my church and I want to be a more dedicated part of it.  I want to be the girl I've always wanted to be, not just the girl I settled for.  I want to write and write and write and write and feel I've actually put something to paper that means something, even if it only means something to me.

I want to love God for the sake of loving Him, and I want to love Him in a way that prepares my heart to love others.  I want to tear down a few walls, as cliché as that is, and let other people into the areas of my life I've kept closed.  I want to be filled with evident light - no hidden corners in my life.

 “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”- Luke 11:34-36

It is often said the eye is a window to our soul.  One of the greatest bits of encouragement I think I've ever received happened here in a Japan a few months ago, when a brother in Christ I'd just met told me he could see God in me - through my eyes.  My heart's desire! But, you know, most days I just talk about how tired I am and I don't even give God the opportunity to fill my life with light.  I read this passage this morning on the train　- one I'm sure I've read time and time again, but it took on a whole new perspective today.  I love Luke 11:36 - "then your life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light."  Beautiful.  

A floodlight is a pretty powerful lamp.  They are generally used to light a large area.  So, I am led to believe that when we are filled with true light - our lives naturally touch the area around us with that light.  We can be radiant, and who doesn't love shiny things?

That's something to aspire to this year - be so filled with true light that it naturally spills into the lives of those that surround us.  It's more about the good God in our hearts than it is about the good things we decide to do.  It's meaningless without that light.

I don't know that this post is very well connected throughout, but these are just some of the thoughts in my head today.  Morning, change, light.  

Anyways, an e-mail just came in, so I guess that's my cue to get back to work.

Until.
Amanda

A Post Holiday Update (pictures included)

I could make some excuses about why I haven't been blogging this last month, but that will just make for one useless paragraph of slightly obnoxious reading - so I'll spare you and get to the ins and outs of the past month and, who knows, I might even throw in some new year's resolutions. Like being more consistent with blogging...or writing in general, really...I digress...

During my last post, I told you we were gearing up for a series of Christmas outreaches and parties at campus, class and church.  It was truly a blessed time of ministry all around! For our first XA outreach of the season, almost 50 people came to the student center for our "Christmas Story" event.  The Covenant Players, a YWAM team sharing the gospel through the dramatic arts, and Pastor Sakai from Tokyo Urban Church brought the Christmas message to us and our guests before we all participated in a candle service together.  It was a special night, followed by a ton of food prepared by Irokawa Sensei - she's a pleasure to meet and definitely blessed us all with her cooking skills!

 
The next day, I attended a Christmas service at the yochien where I teach twice a month.  Cutest thing I've ever seen....

 

...and I got to sing a few of our English songs with them for their parents! 

The next week, we had a XA staff party and two Christmas parties at Todai - one at our weekly Bible study and another candle service that Wednesday night.  It was a great time of fellowship and food...again! I ate more turkey this year than I ever have at Christmas time, I think.  I was able to get to know some of my Japanese classmates better over the course of that week and it was, of course, great just to spend time with the Chi Alpha family in and around Todai.

 

The next day, Thursday,  was the Christmas party for my English class at Megumi Christ Church.  We started with our normal routine of a a few songs and a game, then we had our own mini candle service and reading of the Christmas story.  It was so beautiful to see all those little faces in the glow of their candles singing Silent Night!

 

 I  miss these kiddos a lot.  I can't wait to start class again!

Friday, Dec. 17, was also a day of celebration - but of a slightly different nature! In November, my dear friend Izumi asked me to help her throw a wedding party for her and her soon-to-be husband Kyungmin.  Before I knew it, the day was at hand! It was so much fun to help host this party for her, and I had a ton of help from all her other friends from LOGOS at Todai and all the people of Chi Alpha whose lives she has touched over the years she has spent with us.  Bridal showers aren't really a common thing in Japan, so we threw a party with a bit of American flair -- strawberry slush punch, shower games involving toilet paper, and surprises! She's beautiful, and I couldn't be more happy for her!

 

After an exceptionally great (and busy) week, I was ready to celebrate Christmas at my home churches in Tokyo - Tokyo Urban Church and GAP.  Beautiful services!  Tons of food...I guess some things about Christmas are the same in every country!  It was really nice to be surrounded by my family in Christ, singing Christmas songs, and celebrating the birth of Christ with those who share my faith.  I missed my family a lot during these weeks - Christmas being a major staple in  my household - but God was faithful to provide the comfort and support I needed.  

The official break started the next week, and a lot of my friends from the US started returning to Japan for the winter holiday and job hunting.  I had an amazing opportunity to spend an evening out on the town with some Chi Alpha and The Bridge friends from NSU! Kaori, me, Aya, Yoshi, and Sho in Shinjuku --

December 23 is a national holiday here (completely unrelated to Christmas), and Tokyo Urban Church had another Christmas outreach that day so I went --- and had so much fun! We had a lot of guests, as well, so that was awesome.  Please be in prayer for all the guests that attended the various events we had this Christmas season! 

On Christmas Eve, I headed over to Debbie's for a holiday stay! She and Susan were gracious enough to have me over while Susan was visiting family in the US.  Christmas Eve, Debbie and I headed to Harajuku to  meet some friends from GAP for dinner, coffee and Christmas lights.  It was definitely an memorable evening, but also very cold!  We had dinner at an American style diner called The Sad Cafe and ended up in a cafe for coffee and cake a bit later that had "Happy" in neon lights over the entry....it was amusing...

Christmas Day, Debbie and I just kicked back and relaxed at the apartment - watching movies and preparing for the evening festivities.  Joyce, Octavia, Kohei, and Teiko came over for games and movies.  We watched the Ultimate Gift and I beat them all at Phase 10! (I don't care that we didn't actually finish the game...Joyce...haha) 

Sunday was such a special day - a new friend of mine from Tokyo Urban Church was baptized the day after Christmas.  It's been awhile since I've been present for a baptism service and I think I'd forgotten what a significant moment that is in the life of a believer.  On top of that, it was the first time to attend a baptism service in Japan and it was so beautiful to witness this public confession of faith - here, in the country I came to serve Christ in.  She gave her testimony and pretty much all of us started to cry a bit.  So beautiful, Jesus is so good to us, ne!

Which brings me to the most recent week - and the year end and new year festivities!  It being holiday, my friends and I spent a lot of time hanging out this past week - just relaxing and enjoying Tokyo together - but the end of the week was something truly special.  As most of you know, over three years ago I met a girl named Jinny who started this whole thing.  She was the catalyst for the life plan God had been preparing me for.  On Thursday, I met Jinny for the first time in three years at Gotanda station in Tokyo! It was completely surreal, but amazing.  As it is for all true friends, we fell into easy conversation right away and spent the day exploring, shopping and meeting up with other NSU friends.  I saw Ai - one of my first year Bible study girls and a great friend - who I also haven't seen in three years, and we met up with Shugo that night at Tokyo Tower.  

Then it was New Year's Eve! I couldn't believe it.  2010, already gone.  Time has flown by this year, whether it was when I was heading to graduation, or waiting on paperwork this summer in order to come to Japan, to actually being here -- everything has gone so quickly and yet it all feels somehow disconnected.  I can't piece together that I finished school in Tahlequah and spent over three months in Japan in the same year.  I can't believe how outrageously blessed I've been this year.  It's been a journey, that's for sure!

We welcomed the New Year in my favorite place to chill in Tokyo - Odaiba.  Handra, Kohei, Teiko, Octavia, Katie, Anna, and my dear Jinny took in the sights from Fuji TV, marveled at the beauty of Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower, ran into more friends from NSU and a family from Arkansas, enjoyed Hawaiian burgers and bowled 2011 into existence.  Needless to say, it was a fantastic evening. 

 

In one of the quieter moments of the night, Octavia and I had a great conversation about God and how He brought us both to Tokyo for this time.  The scope of God's plan astounds me.  How closed doors are so often just His way of directing us to His perfect plan.  How His love and His mercy never fail, but it doesn't stop there - He's a provider and a friend and a father, as well.  I'm not sure where this next year will take me.  Every day is a new adventure.  Some days I fail, some days I don't leave the mountaintop.  More than anything, I just want to trust God more.  It starts from there - being used of Him more, being sure of His plans - it starts with more trust in His absolute goodness, strength, and divinity.  

There are still days I wake up thinking this isn't really my life.  I'm not a brave girl, I'm not particularly faithful - I still have a lot of growing up to do. Yet, here I am.  Here I am in Tokyo! And I can't thank God enough for this opportunity and another eight months to see His hand move in this city.  May Your glory shine bright, Jesus.  2011 is Yours.

Until next time,

Amanda

Update Coming: Tomorrow.

seriously this time.