A Month of Love, Day 28

Yesterday after meeting with some friends for brunch, lunch and fellowship, I went shopping for some birthday presents. Since we meet in Namba, I went shopping at Namba Parks. I was happy to be inside since it was cold and windy!

When I entered one of my favorite stores, this is the first thing that caught my eye.

The first person I thought of when I saw this tea pot and cup was my grandma Reed. I don't know if she actually liked purple pansies, but in my memories of her she does! Soon after having that thought, I thought of Grandma Benton. I don't know if she actually liked purple pansies or not, either, but I know that she also loved flowers.

Both of my grandmothers loved flowers. They had lovely gardens full of flowers and enjoyed the beautiful world that God has created. I suspect some of my love for nature comes from my grandmothers' influence!

A Month of Love, Day 24

Today has been a lovely day! First, it didn't rain! I feel like rainy season has started way too early this year.

Second, I had a great English Bible study time today. My friend shared about how God is answering her prayers. She is learning that He doesn't always answer right away. Sometimes we have to ask several times. Sometimes we have to ask many times. And, His answers usually come in unexpected ways. She was beaming as she shared how God arranged her day yesterday and because of that new schedule, a prayer was answered for her relationship with a coworker.

God loves to surprise us! It is such a blessing to get to experience God's blessings through His blessings to others. (Was that too confusing of a sentence?!)

Third, today was AGC. I love getting to sing with these ladies! Today two new ladies joined our circle. Also, today was my day to lead the warm up. I showed them how I learn Japanese songs by adding actions. They kindly followed along and learned a bit more about my way of thinking through the actions I attached to the words!

Oh, and fourth, my neighbor stopped by and brought me some 'butaman' - steamed rolls with pork inside- just because she remembered that I like them! I was glad I had made cookies a couple of nights ago so had something to share with her, too!

A Month of Love, Day 21

Yesterday we had our quarterly area prayer meeting. Pastors and missionaries from the Kyoto/Nara/Osaka area gather for prayer and fellowship. We had a special addition yesterday as the Stollers, Carol, and Amber joined us, too.

After the morning of prayer we usually go out for lunch. This time Mrs. Yuzawa had made reservations at an Italian restaurant. After we were all seated she said that she wanted our help to 'toss' her husband. (You know, like they do to coaches when they win the Japan Series!) Next week is his birthday. In Japan the 70th birthday is a big deal. But, last year for Yuzawa Sensei's 70th birthday the celebration didn't work out, so we got to do it this year!

We didn't actually toss Yuzawa Sensei! But we did sing happy birthday, twice.

After the meal, Carol, Amber and I joined Mr. and Mrs. Yuzawa for a stroll through the park across the street from the restaurant. I have been to the park before-in May when the red azaleas were in full bloom. Because the winter has been cold, the plum blossoms have not quite opened up yet. So, we walked around the garden using our imaginations, but also enjoying the other beauties of nature.

All throughout the day I caught glimpses of Mr. and Mrs. Yuzawa's love for each other. It was fun to see!

A Month of Love, Day 17

This week my friends' 6 year old daughter had her third brain surgery. She has been fighting brain cancer for over a year and a half now. Throughout this time I have seen the love of not only a family but also of a community. We have all seen this in different places, I am sure.

My friends live in Canada so I feel like I can't do much to help them during this time. However, thanks to technology, I can keep up with how the surgery went as quickly as they can update various social networks. Also, through technology I can see other friends taking time to care for the other children, provide food, house cleaning, and a variety of other services.

As I watch people care for my friends in tangible ways, I can see the love they have for each other. As I see the reminders of prayer and comments of tears being shed, I see love, too. This is the way I can participate in this community.

I am thankful for technology and the way it helps us stay connected so well. There are many ways technology is not being used wisely, however, there are many ways it is, too. Thank you to all of you who use it to stay in touch and let others know how your life is going!

A Month of Love, Day 14

Today is Valentine's Day, a day to celebrate love. As I was taking a few minutes to write to my sponsor children, I was praying that they feel the love with which I write. But, more importantly, I pray that they experience and accept Jesus' love for them.

Then I was reminded of a blog post, well, two actually, that the Peruvian leader of our Compassion tour wrote recently. I thought of my time in Peru and how much love I experienced there. One of the greatest things I learned about love came from the volunteers at the Child Development Centers. These volunteers truly love the children who come to the centers. They show the children love each day through their teaching and just spending time with the children. They get to be with the children and hug them, wipe their tears and laugh with them. I live thousands of miles away and only send letters sometimes and money. But, on my behalf, these volunteers show my children love, God's love.

I saw it written all over their faces and in their actions. Love. Oh, how I pray that people see that in me, too.

A Month of Love, Day 12

I am enjoying the love hunt this month. All throughout the day I see God's love and come up with blog post ideas. Then, I sit down in front of the computer and most of the ideas have fled to the dark corners of my mind where I can't quite reach them. So, I stare at the computer for a while. Sometimes they come back, or a new idea comes.

Thursday evening I made brownie bites to take to choir on Friday. As I was baking I was listening to the CD my sister sent me. It was wrapped in Christmas paper, but I know it was really an early Valentine's day present! As I baked and listened, I thought I should subtitle this post "Giving Love, Receiving Love."

Last summer we had some friends who are in member care come visit Japan and talk with us. We had one session where we single missionary gals met with Judy and talked about our love languages. Giving/receiving gifts is one of those love languages. Although it isn't my main gift, I do like a present now and then ;) I am pretty sure my sister has the gift of giving gifts. She always knows just what to give! One of my favorite skirts of all time (which I have since retired), my sister gave to me. It was an at least once a week part of my wardrobe when I was teaching elementary school, when I was a short term missionary, and, I think, even in seminary. It was colorful and went with so many of my other clothes, both winter and summer. I think the slit in the back was getting a little longer than it should have been and, after years of washing, it was fading badly. But, I loved that skirt! I would probably still wear it if it was in my closet now!

I think my main love language is spending time with someone. When people take the time to spend time with me, I feel loved and valued. I have learned, being so far from many of my friends, that this can be fulfilled by even a short email, or better yet, snail mail. I know this sounds a bit like words of encouragement. However, in this correspondence or time spent together, I do not have to hear anything about myself. I just want to hear regular, everyday things that are going on. (There is something about opening the mailbox and seeing an envelope with a stamp and familiar handwriting that makes me feel closer to someone even though they are thousands of miles away. Anyone else?!)

So, as I enjoyed my sister's gifts, I had fun baking for my friends. Even late at night, there is something invigorating about baking, although I do prefer to bake earlier in the evening! I agree with Julie from Julie and Julia, there is something comforting about adding eggs and sugar to flour and cocoa, etc, knowing that in a short time you will have something delicious coming out of the oven. And, I especially like knowing that it is being made for someone who is going to enjoy it as much as I do!

Well, this has gotten wordy! So, I will close with a, "thank you, Shonda!"

A Month of Love, Day 10

I love where I live. Tonight when I got home I walked up from the garage chatting with a man who lives somewhere in my building. When we got to the elevator, a lady who I haven't seen before but who apparently lives here, and a lady who I often meet in the elevator. We all chatted and wished each other well as we exited the elevator on our respective floors.

I am learning about what it means to love your neighbor as I go along this journey, and my time here at Unilife Izumi is helping in this learning. It is good to learn from my neighbors!