Identity

"What is your root? What doesn't waver in your life even when you experience changes?"

This was the question of our discussion on Friday night. 

At our weekly BEST club meeting we played games, students practiced English, and we had a discussion about identity. We talked about how we can know who Jesus is, and we discussed our own identity. 

My group talked about the idea that at different points in our life we have different "identities". It is like our life is a tree and each phase of life is a different branch. But there is something that remains constant in each phase of life - the root - that is our identity. What is my root? What is the thing that does not change even as my life branches out and grows? 

Mount Fuji is one of the ways that God reminds me of his love for me.
This photo was taken a few weeks ago on our way home from Shizuoka. 

One student shared that his identity is to be a hero for those around him, another shared that hers is to be a joyful person who never gives up! What inspiring friends I have! I shared that my identity is a person who is loved by God.

I've continued to think about this. The one thing that does not change in my life is that I am loved by God. As I learn to live in a new culture, and have a new job, new friends, a new language to learn, new mailing address, new mode of transportation, new everything, it is so crucial that I remember the one thing that can't change, the one thing that can't fail, even when I do! I'm loved by the creator God. That gives me stability and purpose no matter which branch I'm currently growing.  

So, friends, what is your root? What doesn't change even when you or your circumstances do?

View of Fuji from my neighborhood on a clear December afternoon. 

Aspirations for 2016

HAPPY 2016 from Tokyo! (A little late in coming, I know) It has been a joyous holiday season here, though it feels very different from the way holidays "feel" in the US. There are so many fun things that have been happening in the past few weeks, but I'd just like to share about my hopes, dreams, and aspirations for 2016. 

The past week I was spending some time praying and God brought this prayer to my mind "Jesus, please let these be 'my people'"! When ever I am in a strong community, I often feel a sense of those friends being "my people", and I really desire that BEST club feels that same way! 

In our staff meeting this week my boss asked, "What are your personal aspirations for 2016?" 

I responded, "I want Japan to feel like home!" 

I think that is already starting. 

Here are some photos of our recent activities, and friends who are starting to feel like home. 

Me and Carrie (Right) with our friend Ryoko

Ryoko took us to the Edo-Tokyo Open-air Architectural Museum.
Here we are posing to represent our favorite phrase "Oh dear!"

My Housemates (left to right: Elsa, Kanako, Maina, Miyo, and Carrie).
This picture was taken our Christmas Day trip! 

My teammates Carrie, and Adam with the Rood family: Kayla and Josiah
We were on our way to Shizuoka, city in the south of Japan. 

Shizuoka is an extremely beautiful city

Our first picture of 2016! We had a share house party to ring in the New Year!
Here (left to right): Maina, Elsa, Ryo, Carrie, Adam, Chiba, and Yushin

I got a bike (and what that means)

What a feeling; to have the cool wind across my face and my hair blowing behind me! I feel powerful! Yep, that is how I feel riding my "new" bike around my neighborhood in Hachioji City, Tokyo. 

I haven't riden a bike for many years, and so I was repeatedly yelling "Metcha Kowaii" (Which means, "very scary" in Japanese slang) on my first ride home. Over the past 24 hours I've gotten a little more comfortable with the bike and I look forward to not being at all afraid of the ride. 

So what does this mean? First, I think this is a mile stone in my life in Japan because I am now a little bit mobile! Second,  it might means that I fit in just a tiny bit more, because many Japanese ride their bikes everywhere, weaving through pedestrians and other bikers.   

My bike, which doesn't have a name yet!
Any suggestions?

My Life in Panoramas

Upon my arrival in Japan I got an iPhone6.

I've left the dark ages and entered the 21st century! Along with that comes a great camera that has the ability to do fun panorama photos.

I've used panorama to capture many moments and places in the past few weeks. Since pictures are worth 1,000 words, this time I will just share pictures with captions to tell about my new life!

Be sure to scroll to the bottom for an AMAZING surprise! :)

This is the view of my street! My house is the one on the left!
We are so blessed to have our own house (not just an apartments).
I receive mail directly to the house, so if you want to send letters see the "contact me" tab!

I live with an American teammate Carrie, and 3 Japanese girls, Maina, Miyo, and Kanako. Our house is called a "Share House".
There is also a Boy's Share House! This is our first dinner party at the Boy's Share House, called "B Studio".

B Studio in action! The guy's house is called "B Studio" because it is a studio!
They are really talented musicians and it is fun to listen to them!!

Family time!! Each Friday we meet as a Tokyo Staff team in the home of some of our staff!
There are many wonderful kids in our staff family. Here we are singing together.

Last weekend we were able to make a trip into Shinjuku (the "heart" of downtown Tokyo). Here is Godzilla at a theater! 

Dinner with the Roods! Mark and Jin Rood and their kids (L to R, Kayla, Josiah, and Abbie) have been in Tokyo for 14 years!
Carrie and I had a nice dinner with them last week! LOTS of laughs!! 

Last weekend we traveled into downtown Tokyo for a conference called "Working Together".
Students and alumni from BEST clubs all around Japan lead workshops about life and work!
It is a great time for networking! Here, my friend Ryoko is leading a workshop about drawing! She is amazingly talented! 

At the end of "Work Together" we circled up and one person from each BEST club shared about their experience.

Our friends Ryoko and Yuka took my teammates Carrie and Adam and I to a Cat Cafe!
We ate snacks and played with cats for an hour! There were about 12 cats roaming around the cute, Christmas decorated room! 

These are my beautiful housemates, Maina, Carrie, and Miyo (We were missing Kanako)! 

Not a Panorama, but I wanted to show a bit of
what my street looks like! We live a smaller town,
so it is peaceful! 

All my housemates! Top to Bottom: Miyo, Carrie,
Elsa, Kanako, and Maina

Friends!! That snowcapped mountain is MOUNT FUJI! I can see "Fuji-san" from my bedroom window every clear morning!
This has been so incredible!
I wish photos could describe how majestic it is. It reminds me of the presence of God here, and his goodness to us! 

It's Happening

Tonight I'm putting the final items in my suitcase and preparing to go to Japan!

My flight leaves from Roanoke at 9am, and I fly from Los Angeles on Friday afternoon!

I don't really know how to describe all of the emotions I have been experiencing. Recently I read a quote that said "You will feel most tempted to quite when you are closest to your calling."

This has been true for me! I am so excited for what lies ahead! I am thrilled to be reunited with Japanese friends and to make many new friends! At the same moment I am so sad to leave my meaningful relationships here in the US and that makes this extremely difficult. I know that God has called me to Japan and that is what matters the most! Jesus said that if we want to find our lives, we must lose them. So, here I am trying to lose my life for the sake of Jesus.

I'm so excited to keep you all updated on my journey- thanks for your support!