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.

 

Hello out there...

Wow.  It's been a long time.

Sorry everyone! My internet has been a bit in and out these past few weeks, but that's really no excuse for my total negligence of this blog.  I'm pretty busy these days, but I have settled into the swing of my daily life and I'm enjoying my life in Tokyo very much.  God's blessing on Chi Alpha and the various ministry projects of  each of the Chi Alpha missionaries, YWAM friends, and pastors I've met is really astounding.  The depth of His love for this nation is unfathomable - if only more would open their hearts to receive it!

I have had some incredible opportunities lately.  In my Japanese class, I participated in a traditional tea ceremony last week.  At work, I met a representative from a U.S. Department of State funded educational project between Japan and America.  They want me to help them next summer when they bring in 30 American high school students. The native check job is educational.  My most recent project is checking the homepage for a Nano-satellite project.  I get to constantly explain why I'm really in Japan - which is great.  I started tutoring a 12 yr. old Korean boy last Thursday nights after my English class at Megumi Christ Church, which is also going well.  On average, we have about 20 kids each week and the parents are really getting involved.  Teaching English has actually been super refreshing for me.  I love going to the yochien and to Megumi each week.  The kids are adorable.  I was worried about how I would feel about these classes when I first came to Japan - as I'd never taught children before and didn't really know that I'd be able to do well at it all - but God has really used it to bless me!  This weekend, I was finally able to meet up with the girl who sat next to me on the plane in September.  She took me to an incredibly beautiful open-air architecture museum.  On the way to meet her, I saw Mt. Fuji on the horizon for the first time.  Words can't describe it.

Japan is beautiful.  Even in the city, everyone is out and about taking pictures of the fall leaves.  The trees on Todai's campus are unbelievable! I have some pictures up on Facebook - but they don't do the golden leaves justice at all.  Everyone loves the leaves, so they leave them on the major walkways of the campus while they are turning and falling.  It's a bit like walking on a street of gold, and the leaves are continuously falling - it's just amazing!

We had a Monopoly game day a few weeks ago at the Chi Alpha Student Center.  I think 44 people came! Praise God!  It was so, so, so much fun! We played Monopoly for HOURS and then fed everyone curry rice! Pray for the new friendships we made that day!  I have been meeting weekly with a couple students from each of the campuses we focus on, so please be in prayer for those meetings as well! I need more wisdom, and they need more understanding - and God has plenty of both! Thank you!

Now, we are preparing for our Chi Alpha Christmas events.  Our first outreach is this coming Friday, Dec. 10, at the Student Center.  The following week, we have two Christmas parties at Todai, I have one at Megumi Christ Church, the yochien, and a friend's bridal shower that Friday as well.  It's going to be a busy couple of weeks, but I'm excited about what God has in store!  Please remember Chi Alpha Japan this holiday season - as it is everywhere, Christmas is a time of special openness to the Gospel - so please remember Chi Alpha and the churches of Japan (specifically my churches here: Tokyo Urban Church and International Christian Assembly - both have Christmas services on Dec. 19, and Megumi Christ Church - our English class has a party on Dec. 16 and they will also have a main church service).  Thank you so much!

I'll try not to stay gone so long next time!  Thank you for all your encouragement and your prayers - they really mean the world to me!
Until soon!
Amanda