A Month of Love, Day 2

The story of love I want to share today is the story of a town, a small, idyllic, mid-western town, the town where I grew up. It is a town that had only one stoplight-where I had my only car accident-and no McDonalds until long after I'd graduated college and moved on. A town where neighbors knew each other, looked out for each other. A town where we could ride our bikes freely until sunset, when we were all expected to go home and eat dinner with our families.

The biggest excitement in our town was Crazy Days in the summer and high school and college sporting events. One year, in the 80s, I think, Miss South Dakota was from Madison.

It was a lovely place to grow up. Many of my friends still live in and around the area because it is a great place to raise a family.

Being on this side of the world, thousands of miles from this idyllic town, probably makes me even more nostalgic. But, Tuesday (Wednesday, here) I was reminded of all of these wonderful memories.

As I started to read facebook updates and listen to the local radio station streamed online, it was like a movie plot unfolding. Except these were real people with names and faces I knew, personally.

What an outpouring of love for our high school English teacher and his family as I read one facebook status after another. The fond memories. The encouraging words. Lives touched. A town united.

Yes, we are like any other town and have our share of differences. However, we are also like many other towns when one of our own is hurting, we join together and help out.

Honestly, before yesterday, if you had asked me about my 9th grade English class, I would have told you I didn't remember much from that class except that our teacher scared the tar out of me. Thankfully, I also go to know him in other settings that helped to change that image! But, as I listen to friends and think about Mr. Johnson more deeply, I am reminded of a man who loved his family, loved his job, and cared for others.

Mr. Johnson will be missed. His family will receive love and support from friends and fellow Madisonites. Because, deep down, we humans want to share love.

Thank you for praying for our town and the Johnson family.

A Month of Love

Today I saw love in parent-child relationships. My student and her daughter, who is just about to graduate from university, came to class together. It was fun to watch them interact and hear them talk about things they do together. Then at Starbucks I saw a mother and her son enjoying some time together. They made each other laugh.

I know my parents love me. I experience it often-like in the lovely package they sent me which arrived today. Somehow, though, as I watch other families interact, I can understand my parents' love for me in a deeper way. Not being a parent myself, I am not sure I will understand this as fully as those who are parents, however, today I got a little better grasp on it.

And, now that I am sitting in front of the computer waiting for news of what is going on in Madison, I can understand a bit better how they must have felt on March 11, 2011.

So, I wait...

February has arrived-well, almost

A friend of mine, who is also a blogger, has chosen the word 'bold' for her word for 2012. She asked me what my word for the year is. I have been thinking about that. I am not sure about a word for the year. It seems that I am being led to a word a month idea. January's word was seek.

I spent some time in January seeking; seeking God, seeking answers, seeking peace, seeking rest. I learned a few things about seeking, questioning, doubting, and faith through this journey in January. I am by no means finished with the quest, but feel I am being led to move on to love for February. I know that seems a bit obvious, but this is my quest and I have to follow it wherever God leads me on it.

So, as February begins soon, I am going to take up the task of learning about love. And, this year I even get an extra day to look into it!

I am going to attempt to look for love around me daily and blog about it daily, too, if I can. I am looking forward to February!

A Needed Time Away

Yesterday after class and lunch, I got on the train with my bag that was heavier than I thought it would be and headed to Tokyo. I turned on my newly replaced mp3 player, opened up my e-reader, and enjoyed the ride. It was clear so I was hoping to get a glimpse of Mt. Fuji, too. But, apparently I was tired. I fell asleep around Nagoya and expected I'd sleep for 30 minutes or so, but woke up in Yokohama!

I spent a lovely, quiet evening with several missionary friends at a guest house. Then I spent today renewing friendships, building new friendships, and even meeting a reader of my blog! (Thanks, Shannon!:) We had a wonderful day of prayer, praise and fellowship, as well as foot washing.

When I got on the train yesterday I wasn't aware of how tired I was. I wasn't aware of how much I needed a break from the routine. I am thankful for this time of refreshment!

Well, that was too long

I knew that I would not be posting much in December while my parents were here. I didn't really think it would be this long between posts!

I just read a post from the Going Beyond Ministries blog about music. I got a couple of new CDs for Christmas and am really enjoying them. In fact, today in our Gospel Song and Bible class we listened to and talked about "No Compromise" from the CD "The Story". The song is about Daniel. It was fun to tell the story of Daniel to a couple of ladies who have never heard anything about him. It was interesting to talk about compromise and integrity. I am loving this CD and am so grateful for my kind friend who knew how much it would bless me.

That double CD set and SCC's Re:creation have been rotating through my CD player for the past couple of weeks-now that the Christmas music is put away.

What are you listening to these days? Any recommendations?

A Month of Thanks, Day 30

Well, here it is, the last day of November. I have enjoyed this adventure in gratitude. I hope that I can keep up the practice of gratitude, even after November is over.

Today I am thankful for airplanes, especially all of the planes that brought my parents to Japan-and there were several over the past 48 hours! After being re-routed through Hawaii, with a 19 hour layover-which I think was shorter because they were late and had to search for one of their bags, Mom and Dad arrived safely, even a little early.

My friend Noriko went to the airport with me to welcome them. A kind lady passing by took this picture for us.


I think Noriko was more excited than I was. Okay, well, maybe not, but she was excited, too!


Thank You, Lord, for the gift of my parents' visit!

A Month of Thanks, Day 29

I was just about to turn off my computer. But, I couldn't do it until I wrote a blog post. I don't know why I felt compelled to write.

Today I am thankful for another day of life. I want to remember that each day is a gift. It is not guaranteed. Here I am, getting ready for bed after yet another day.

How did I live this day? Was I faithful steward of the gift God gave me of this day? I am not always. Sometimes I am partially. And, on very rare occasions I make it through an entire day.

I look forward to tomorrow. Not only because my parents are coming, but also because His mercies are new each morning. He gives me another chance to serve and worship Him.

Good night!


Update: I found this on my flip calendar today when I turned the page:
"To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us- and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a gift of grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him." Thomas Merton