On my way...

I found this on a missionary's blog recently...

This is where I want my desire to be going.  I pray that my desire develops into this, to just be with Him.  I know He is always here; He is always with me; He is always pursuing me.  

Yet, I do not always take time to sit down with Him, to turn a listening ear toward Him, to let my heart beat in time with His.

Before coming to the field we all read the biographies of the 'great' missionaries, Amy Carmichael, Mother Teresa, Hudson Taylor, and many more.  We wanted to do all of the amazing things that they did.  

However, we forget what we also read in those stories, hours spent with Jesus, Sabbath rest days, the desire just to be with Him.

May this become my desire!

Tonight I thought I was going to get all kinds of tasks accomplished after I finished writing my sermon for tomorrow.  As I stood in front of the sink to start washing dishes- keeping it real, several days' worth- I reached for the soap and my back screamed at me.  I very slowly and carefully walked back to the living room and laid back down on my mat.

There went all my projects for the evening.  But, there I was with no where to go, no desire whatsoever to move.  Hmmm, wasn't I just saying that I wanted to learn to desire Him more than doing things for Him?!

And so, right there, in the midst of my back pain, I started praying.  I started listening.  And, He was there.  He is here.  (I have been able to move up to the chair at the table now.)

So, I pray that I may continue on this path, the one in which my desire becomes Him and not activity.

Two Days and the Sunrise

A day of ministry and a day of Sabbath.

Our winter youth gathering last week was amazing!  I loved being part of it and watching the students praising, learning, and fellowshipping.

Chita youth leading the first worship song.
They were followed by the Inokoishi youth leading the next song.

This year the gathering was held in Matsusaka.  The church is next to an adult care center.  After a morning of being reminded of God's love for us, singing praises and having awesome fellowship, we practiced a couple of hymns and talked about what we'd like to learn from these amazing people.

Welcome JBC Youth!

There was an awesome sign to greet us in the room where everyone was waiting.  As we sang "Amazing Grace" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," several people joined in the singing.  Then we had a time of question and answer with the residents.  We wanted to learn from their life experiences.

The students, and even the adults, were challenged and surprised by the stories of childhood before, during, and after the war.  Or, more precisely, the lack of childhood.  After many questions from our side, one lady decided it was time to ask the students a question!  She asked them about their education.  Several replied that they do not like school or studying, but that they will try harder.

Students at the care center

As a leader, it was wonderful to watch the day unfold, seeing God's fingerprints and guidance at every turn.  Our prayers and persistence are reaping fruit.  Most importantly, God is being glorified!


Since our gathering happened on Monday, Tuesday became my Sabbath.  I was thankful there were no other plans that day.

It was my first winter beach day.  My usual parking lot was closed but there is a park and community center right next to the beach so I parked in that lot and explored the park a bit.

A sculpture in the park surrounded by beautiful trees and plants

Winter colors

God's creation is amazing.  I walked through the park and then down to the end of the sea wall, both places I had not been yet.  It was basically a sunny day, but it was cold and windy!  (Not South Dakota cold, though!)

I know, I look like I am dressed for Alaska winter.
Amazing how the hood made all the difference in keeping me warm!

Where I sat to talk with God,rather than out on the open beach in the wind.

I finished the day at the tea shop in the shopping mall I pass on the way home.  I did, also, pick up some shells, of course.  I found some really beautiful ones when I stopped to bend down and look...

Stopping to pick up shells

Tea and reading time

This has gotten pretty long.  If you have stuck around this long, here are some recent pictures of the sunrise.

Week 1 Day 5

After the lovely art of yesterday, I am going to post some of my own photos, from the past half a year or so, that I think depict anticipation.
Feel free to share any comments about the photos or photos of your own!

Anticipating a new day

Anticipating new life

Anticipating meeting with God
and hearing from Him as we converse

Anticipating guidance for a sermon

Anticipating resting with Jesus

Anticipating creativity

Anticipating a challenge and accomplishment

Sabbath Adventures

Last Monday for my Sabbath I went on a little adventure back to the beach I had visited in May when I last posted.  (If anyone has figured out how to stop time, let me know.  Lots of life has happened since my last post, but trying to catch up is overwhelming, so I am just going to plod on from here.)

So, I went to the beach again.  But, before going to the beach I thought I should try to find something new in the area.  The night before I left I studied my online map of the area looking for parks or other beaches or landmarks or anything that might be interesting.

I found...

A little cove where I could climb on the rocks, sit in the sun, watch the fishing boats go by

 And, not pictured, the kind lady at the hotel who allowed me to park my car for a while as I went exploring through the neighborhood.

The rocks went right out into the water- or the water came right up over the rocks...

Beautiful views from...

The lighthouse!  (I had taken a picture of the whole thing from below, but that pic has disappeared!)

A little cafe on the hill looking down over the bay

 The interior of the cafe was all train themed with signs from old train cars and stations and a model train running around the perimeter of the cafe.  The lady working there told me about the birds soaring around the hills, the quiet life on this little hill, and told me to park my car in their parking lot next time I wanted to come exploring the hills!

The sun was sparkling on the water so beautifully!

There were so many fishing boats out on the water, even people fishing right from the shore.  I am not sure what kind of fish they were catching, but it was obviously a good day for it because I have never seen that many boats and people fishing when I have been to this beach before.

On my last trip to the beach- between May and now!- I found this lovely tea shop in a mall.

Last time I went to the beach I stopped at this mall because I heard they had a nice Starbucks with a terrace.  There is a nice Starbucks, but the terrace is in the food court.  However, as I walked around before going into Starbucks, I found this tea shop with the walls lined with bookshelves.  As much as I love SB, I could not resist this shop!  It was a lovely place to read and reflect.

What adventures does my next Sabbath hold?!