My Life as a Rubber Band!

Well, a lot can happen to a girl from HSV, AL in 2 months!!!! Since the last time I posted something here, I made it through Christmas and New Year's Eve/Day. My Christmas box did not arrive until January 4th! So it was different to wake up Christmas morning with no presents to open. Gave me time to think deeply about what celebrating Christmas really is. I spent the afternoon at my mentor's house with her family. It was a lot of fun and her husband is an excellent cook! New Year's Eve I joined two of my team mates for dinner at Outback! The steak was delicious!!!! After dinner I was off to ring in the new year with two other missionary families. It was a fun night of playing games and watching interesting Japanese TV. Not quite the same as watching the ball drop in Times Square (which I did watch by the way, but it was New Year's morning for me!) Then at 1AM on January 2nd, I watched my Auburn Tigers win the first bowl game of the year, the Outback Bowl. WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!! 2010 is the year of the TIGER!!!!!

The Tokyo mission team went a couple of hours north to Kairuzawa for our AGM (annual general mtg). This is the city that hosted the curling events during the Nagano Olympics. So, there was plenty of snow on the ground while we were there. It was a good time of fellowship, meetings, and worship. We do not attend American style churches here in Tokyo. We have church in places like peoples' homes/apartments, restaurants, or karaoke rooms, so to worship in a large group, and in English was quite a blessing for us.

At the end of January I flew to Hong Kong for a week of R&R. I met up with Malorie Smith (missionary in HK) and she took care of me for the week!!! Thanks again Mal!!! It was a lot of fun. I have posted some pics from the trip. The Jade Market was quite the experience!!! BUT, HK Disney was one of the highlights of the trip. I have now been to 3 of the 5 Disney parks (WDW, Tokyo Disney, HK Disney). Only two to go - DisneyLand CA & Paris!!!! "You gotta have a goal? Do you have a goal?"

As much fun as my trip was, I really did miss Japan. Actually on the bus ride to the airport in Tokyo, my heart hurt to think I was leaving this country. As difficult as the past few months have been for me, God has called me here, turned my heart to the people and their culture, and I realized this is becoming "home" for me! The day I left HK is was hot and humid, even at 6AM. BUT, when I arrived in Tokyo it was freezing and raining!!! It actually snowed 2-3 inches that night. It was the most snow Tokyo has had in a long time!

While on my trip I received an email from our "big" boss here in Tokyo informing our team of an IMB change that was being put into action immediately. My supervisor changed over night. So, the stretching (now do you get the rubber band reference in the title?) continued!!! It seems that just the time you begin to think things are settling down, someone yells, "fruit basket turnover!" So for the next couple of weeks my team went through changes in leadership, which in turn created some changes in strategy and vision!

Now, all during this time I had been praying about what I needed to be doing to put myself in the best position to eventually turn around and come back as a career missionary because the possibility of this is not looking as promising as it did this time last year. Those of you who are Southern Baptist know the situation with the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Although the amount of offering given was incredible for the economy to be as bad as it was, it fell short of the amount needed for the 2010 projections. Therefore, the IMB has made major cuts in order to live within the "means" we have been blessed with.

What does this mean? Well one of the cuts made was the number of missionaries to be sent overseas. So, now there are not as many open slots, which means that fewer people will be appointed for full time mission service. I found out in January at our AGM that there will be very few added to Japan over the next few years. When I heard this news I really struggled to not get discouraged. God and I spoke many times about how I stepped away from a ministry I loved, a city I loved, and friends and family I love and who love me, to follow Him here, for what I believed was career. Each time I "reminded" Him of these facts, He lovingly REMINDED me that what He has called me to, HE and HE alone will make happen. I began to have a peace about what I knew needed to happen to help me be in the best position to possibly transition to career in a couple of years, but I also knew I could not let my hand orchestrate the details. It had to be God at work, or it would not work at all!

Each time God has moved me in ministry He has first prepared my heart for the change/move, then the "call" to the new position literally came out of the blue. Not one of my ministry/missions positions came about because I pursued the position. Well, this time is no different. Have you ever noticed that God tends to work the same way in your life? Interesting isn't it? Anyway, as I prayed for His peace and direction, He gave me His peace and told me to be patient. Then on Tuesday (2/16) around lunch time I just knew that a change needed to be made sooner rather than later, but I could not see how it could happen. So, I just decided to wait on God and see what He had up His sleeve. At 3:45PM I received a call from my supervisor saying that our Tokyo mission team was making a major change in our structure, and the leadership decided to move me to a new team to better position me for the future possibility of coming back in a career position!!!! WOW!!!! I had no idea they had even been discussing details about me. God was at work, and once again knocked my socks off!!!!! So, in August I will move to a new team and begin a new ministry here in Tokyo. Not sure yet what this new ministry will look like, but I have a "feeling" that it may involve children somehow. :) It does not guarantee me a career position, but it will help me a great deal when that time actually comes.

So, at 10 months with the IMB, and almost 8 months in Japan, A LOT has changed!!!! Those of you who traveled with me on mission trips know that I always gave you a rubber band to wear on your wrist, or carry in your pocket. It was to remind us during the trip that being stretched is a good thing. It may feel bad at the time, but it means we are being used. A rubber band is ONLY useful while it is being stretched. If it isn't being stretched, then it isn't being used!!!! There have been moments when I thought I was being stretched beyond what I could bare. But, God was faithful each time to give me strength and encouragement through His Word and His people.

I ask you, are you allowing God to stretch you? Or are you playing it safe and staying in the box so you don't have to feel the pain of the stretching? Please hear me when I say, that although it does hurt, the joy you receive from following God far out weighs the discomfort!!!! It is scary to stand on the "line" and think, "I don't know if I want to leave this comfortable place to go someplace I have never been before." But once you take that first step your whole life changes. No it won't always be easy, but God did not create you to live on the mountain top right now. No, you were made to walk through the valley, and He has promised He will never leave you and He will never forsake you! In Psalm 23 it says, "Though I WALK through the valley of the shadow of death." Notice it does not say, "though I sit/lie down in the valley." No, it says WALK. So, keep walking with Jesus through the pain of the stretching in the valley!!!!! I challenge you to get out of the "box" and join the "rubber bands" who are being stretched for the Glory of God!!!

My Christmas Wish

This Christmas season I wish you joy

The wonder in every girl and boy.

I wish you gladness, the warmth and cheer

Of good friends and family gathered near.

May children's laughter and falling snow

Rekindle sweet scenes from long ago.

May every carol, each candle bright

Remind you why angels sang that night.

If trouble finds you, this is my prayer

May peace guard your hearts and make you strong,

And I wish you love, the kind to last all year long.

All Year Long, Michael W. Smith

Got Jesus?

"And he (Joseph) arose and took the Child (Jesus) and His mother by night, and departed for Egypt...And he (Joseph) arose and took the Child (Jesus) and and His mother, and came into the land of Israel." Matthew 2:14 & 21

"How often have you come to God with your requests and gone away thinking, 'I've really received what I wanted this time!' And yet you go away with nothing, while all the time God has stood with His hands outstretched not only to take you but also for you to take Him." (My Utmost for His Highest, October 8)

Each time Joseph left to follow God's call he took Jesus with him. Can I say the same for myself? When He has called, I have obeyed and "followed" Him, but did I actually "take/bring" Him with me? Or did I follow with my own ideas and/or agenda? I am afraid to admit that it is most likely the second, not the first.

Imagine how hard it was for Joseph to take Jesus with him. It could not have been easy to travel with a pregnant woman, nor with a young child. But the trips would have had not point or purpose without Jesus. I mean, why go to Egypt if you leave Jesus behind? Wasn't God's whole purpose in sending them to Egypt meant to protect Jesus? Without HIM, Joseph would have just been on another trip. When times got tough he might have constantly asked, 'Why did I come here,' or 'what am I doing here,' and 'what am I suppose to be doing here?' BUT, because he took Jesus with him, his 'purpose' was always there. Each time Joseph was faced with a challenge he could look at Jesus and be reminded of God's purpose.

Did I bring Jesus to Japan with me? Why come to Japan if I leave Him behind? If that is the case, then I am just on another sight-seeing trip. NO!!!! God not only wants to take me places, but He wants me to need Him, and to take Him with me as I follow Him wherever He leads.

The Tokyo Adventure Continues

Tomorrow (thursday, July 23) will be the 3 week mark for my journey here in Japan. God has continued to bless my socks off!!! We have 42 new believers so far this summer!!! Praise God!!!! Beginning to today we are hosting 138 high school volunteers on their summer mission trip. Please pray with us for the Lord of the Harvest this week. God is at work and just wants to bust the doors wide open here. Please pray for humble and accepting hearts; hearts that are seeking Our God.

In case you didn't know, Tokyo is home to 33-34 million people. Let that sink in just a minute. Double the population of New York city, put it in Atlanta, GA, and you have Tokyo!!! I wanted to share this tid-bit of information with you so you have a better understanding of just what an incredible God story I am about to share with you. But let's go back to April of 2008 first.

Last April I came here with a volunteer team from Willowbrook for a 10 day mission trip. On one of our days there was a MAJOR train delay because a transformer had exploded. This really put a wrinkle in our plans for the day. On our way back to our hotel that evening we were sitting on a train hoping we were on the right one. The conductor kept making announcements (in Japanese only of course) and the Japanese would get up and move to another train platform. We stayed in our seats because we weren't sure exactly what we should do. About this time one of my teammates (Gary) ended up sitting by a Japanese man (Mr. A, who is in the picture with John) and Mr. A asked if he could help us. Of course we said, YES! It ends up that both Gary and Mr. A are engineers so they had lots to talk about as we waited for the trains to move. At the end of our week long trip Mr. A came to our friendship party and he and Gary agreed to stay in touch with email. Over the past year they have emailed several times.

On Thursday, July 9 of this year I had only been here one week and was working with a volunteer team doing 5 minute English. We were at one of the smaller train stations and I had been there for about an hour with the team. I stepped in to give one of the volunteers a break and noticed a man standing to my right talking on his cell phone. As I looked at his face I thought to myself, "he looks familiar." Now keep in mind, to my rookie eyes, all the Japanese really do look the same right now. But he still looked very familiar to me. The more I looked at him I realized it was Mr. A!!! After he finished his phone call I approached him to ask if he was the man who helped our team last April. He remembered the day, our team, and helping us. I told him that Gary would be returning to Tokyo in August, and asked if Gary could contact him about them getting together while he is here. Mr. A said that this time would not be good for him. I was very sad, but excited too because what are the "chances" of just running into Mr. A on the streets of Tokyo! As he walked away I began praying that his heart would be in unrest asking "Why does this group of Americans keep coming into my life?"

A couple of days later I received an email from Gary. He shared that Mr. A contacted him and shared that we had talked to each other at the train station!!! Please join me in praying for Mr. A. Pray that he and Gary will be able to spend time together in August, and that this would be the time when Mr. A gives his life to Jesus and becomes His follower! God is amazing, and He orchestrates incredible details!!!! In a city of 33-34 million people, He orchestrated and "run into each other" moment!!! That kind of thing doesnt' just happen without God's mighty hand being at work!!!!!

"And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary." Galatians 6:9

"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:13-14

Well it has been TOO long since I last posted on this blog. I am now in Tokyo (been here a little more than a week), so the adventure has begun.

C.C.Lemon is my new favorite drink. And yes, that is a Subway in the background!!! God really is good!!! The picture of the group is a group of Campus Crusade students from Vietnam and Hong Kong on a mission trip here to Tokyo. This picture was taken the second time we "ran into" each other.

I was spending time with DADDY this morning in Philippians chapter 3 and read the following note in my Bible. First, I was struck with the first 5 words of Philippians 3:10 - "I want to know Christ..." Oh my!!! I realized that out of all the "wants" in my life, HE must be the only one that matters. To say at the beginning, middle, and end of every moment of every day, simply "I want to know Christ." Wow!! What a desire I must have.

"Paul gave up everything - family, friendships, and freedom - in order to know Christ and his resurrection power. We too have access to this knowledge and this power, but we may have to make sacrifices to enjoy it fully. What are you willing to give up in order to know Christ? A crowded schedule in order to set aside a few minutes each day for prayer and Bible study? Your friend's approval? Some of your plans or pleasures? Whatever it is, knowing Christ is more than worth the sacrifice." Life Application Bible Philippians 3:9,10

Many of you said how proud you are of me for making the sacrifice to come here to tell people about Jesus' love for them. That is very kind of you, but I am just obeying my Master's call. There have been many sacrifices made by myself, my family, and my friends in getting me here. I pray that each and every sacrifice we have made together result in knowing Christ more. I am not the only one who has sacrificed to come to Tokyo. My family had to let go of their daughter, sister, and aunt. My friends had to say "good-bye" and now have to schedule phone calls and emails. We are all walking down a new road on this adventure, and I pray that you do not walk it alone. I am not!!! I am walking with my Lord Jesus. "He walks with me, and He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there. None other, has ever known!" Please walk with Him. I want you to know this joy too. I want you to know Him more through your sacrifice.

This new adventure has absolutely nothing to do with me. It is all about Him!!!!! If you want to be proud, then please be proud of being a child of God. I am just His bond-servant. I have no rights of my own. He bought me at the price of His Son's blood. It is all for His glory and honor. And, HE IS WORTH EVERY SACRIFICE MADE!!!!

Well, here it is, at the end of March and so much has happened in my world since I last wrote on this blog. God has been "showing out" for me in every area of my life. I am just going to share briefly now, and I will give more details in a few days.

God sold my house on March 13!!!! In order to attend my training in April, I had to have my house "dealt with" by March 20. God took care of it a week early! I have spent the past 4-5 weeks purging, packing, selling, and moving my stuff! Just let me say that the "Rich Young Ruler" story from the New Testament has a whole new meaning to me now. I moved back with my parents last weekend. I will be with them until I leave for training on April 21.

This coming Sunday, March 29, is my final Sunday at Willowbrook. It is really hard to imagine Sundays without being on a church staff. That has been my life for the past 10 years, so there is another adjustment I will be making. I have decided that "good-bye" is no longer part of my vocabulary. Instead, I am saying "ja mata." Which is Japanese for "see you later."

I will be at training until June 18, then I return to Huntsville for a couple of weeks before leaving for Tokyo on July 1. It will be here before I turn around good!

Well, that's a brief update. I really will share more in a few days. I want to tell you how my God has taken care of so many details and put exclamation points every where, and has left me NO room to try to put a question mark.

Until next time, shine your light, lift Him up, and let Him draw others to Himself!

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

I cannot believe that it has been a month since I lost wrote a post. There has been so much going on and have not really had time to share. So, here is the latest on my adventure with God.

On Valentine's Day I received a wonderful valentine from God. My acceptance packet from the IMB arrived! I have officially been offered the position in Tokyo. I returned the necessary paperwork and am now waiting to hear back from them about my FPO (field personnel orientation) dates in Richmond. (I am still planning to attend in April)

God is at work with the sell of my house! I should be able to give more information by the end of this week. I can't wait to share with you how He has worked out this major detail in my journey! But He is still writing the story, so I don't know exactly how it is going to end yet. Please keep praying for His will and His timing!

I am in major purging and packing mode! I have taken so many bags to the dumpster and to charity that I have actually lost count. I now have a storage unit, so I can begin moving some of my stuff into that as I continue to purge and pack! I wonder if there is a cure for being a "pack-rat?"

God is still teaching me so many new things about Him. I am still learning to be a "branch," and now I am also trying to be a "sheep." He is good all the time, and learning to trust Him in all times is exciting and challenging. You have to know Him to be able to abide, trust, and rest in Him. Don't just know Him in your head. Learn of Him in your heart. Don't know how to do this? Ask Him to show/teach you. Be ready though. He will take you on a ride of a lifetime!!!

Just last week I realized that when God starts moving things happen VERY fast!! I feel like I am on a fast moving train with every thing zooming past me, and the emergency stop cord is hanging right by me. Part of me wants to pull the cord and stop the train from going any further because that part of me is scared!! BUT, the rest of me is saying, "What a ride!!!! Please don't ever let this stop!"

God wants you to experience His ride for you too. It will be a different train than the one I am on, but it will be just as exciting because it is reserved by Him JUST FOR YOU!!! Have the courage to step from the platform onto the train. You know the space between the platform and the train is called the "gap." So, "mind the gap," take the step of faith, and enjoy the ride!!!!