Great is his faithfulness

Such an amazing day! The Lord showed his love in so many small ways today.

最高な日。神様の愛がたくさん思い出した事があった。

The sun was shining, it was really nice getting to look at how everything changes in early spring on my drive to work this morning – I went to my most distant school.

太陽が出って、遠い学校まで運転して、たくさん事が春に変わった。

I got to watch in amazement as two of my more shy students already had figured out the pattern for counting above 20 and as they figured out what most of the lower-case letters were without any help.

恥ずかしい２人の生徒は３０から数られた。私たち教えなかったけど。小文字もだいたい分かった。

I got to introduce myself to a new teacher and encourage my 5th graders who will have English once a week from here on out.

新しい先生と紹介できて、５年生の最初の授業があった。生徒はすごい頑張った。

After class, I wanted to snap some pictures of the koi-nobori (the fish flags) so I walked around and took a few pictures.

戻る前にこいのぼり写真を撮りたかったから、歩いて撮った。

Right as I was finishing, my adorable 3rd and 4th graders came out and were so excited to see me they came running up and invited me to pick flowers with them. Since I had a bit of time before I had to be back, I agreed. I got to walk around with them in the warm sunshine and laugh and giggle.

終わり時にとても可愛い３・４年生が来た。私見てから、嬉しくて私の所まで走った。一緒に花を探して誘った。少し時間があったから、した。温かい日に一緒探した。

They gave me a small bouquet of flowers which is now sitting on my table.

戻る前にたくさん花がもらった。

I got to sing praises to the Lord in the car on the way back to school.

車で戻る中に神様に賛美できた。

When I arrived back at school, I got to plan for a speaking test I’ll be running. I’m so excited to be allowed to be a real teacher in these classes.

戻って、話す試験の準備した。本当の先生の事が出来るから、嬉しい！

After lunch, I received a small pile of letters from the 4 students who have been writing to me everyday since we started our English Passport system.

給食の後に４人生徒から手紙がもらった。

I got to laugh with the teachers as we watched one totally clueless student clean the mirrors – they were worse when he finished.

生徒の鏡掃除した事が見た。終わったの後にの方が汚いから先生たちと一緒に笑った。

It was a day filled with small reminders of God’s love.

神様の愛よく思い出した。

A song

I’ve had a headache all day, so I have no energy to write a blog. Instead I have this song I’ve been listening to all day.

今日ずっと頭が痛かったから、ブログを書かない。その代わりにこの歌。よく聞いた。

I love the image in this line: “If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.”

このイメージが大好き：「もしキリストの恵みは海だったら、私たち沈み込んでいる。」

Thankfulness

God has funny ways of teaching us things sometimes.

Mom and E came for a visit almost a week ago. While they stayed at my house (3 nights), mom usually got up first and proceed to do the dishes while she boiled water for coffee.

When we were talking one day, I confessed that I hate doing dishes. I didn’t mind at home, where I could rinse them and put them in the dishwasher, but doing each and every single one by hand had gotten old fast.

Mom said that when it came time to do the dishes she always remembered a sign my Grandma Ruth (dad’s mom) had near her sink. It said something to the effect of don’t complain about the dishes, because it means that your family ate well.

Tonight, as I went to do the dishes, I remembered this. It’s funny how I’ve taken the verse "Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), to mean only the big things – that I was safe after the car accident, that God has provided a job, that my family is healthy. But I’ve forgotten to apply it to the everyday mundane things.

Dishes - I’ve eaten well today, many people in the world don’t get that chance. Walking to work in the snow after the accident – despite being car-less my body was still healthy.

It’s easy to complain about the small, tedious things in life. But in the midst of them, I need to remember God’s blessings and thank him for them.

366 project: The End

As you read the title to this blog, you might be thinking, “366 Project: The End, what? Doesn’t a year have 52 weeks? And wasn’t the last week you posted number 9?”

The above is, of course, all true. The problem is I keep being hit with the idea, “You can be good at everything, just not all at once.” No idea if it’s quote I should be giving credit to someone for, but I’ve seen it several places around the internet lately.

God seems to be drilling in the idea that my time is finite and I only have so much, so how am I going to spend it?

I want to have time for people and less on my “To Do” list. I want to be free to share life with people and not always have other things I have to get finished before I can invite people in – this is one of the big reasons I felt like I needed to stay another year.

Anyways, the 366 project was increasingly becoming a point of stress because I was always behind – I may try starting again at a point in the year when I’m not going to end up starting out behind.

As much as that may, someday, happen. I’ve realized that I want to free up the time I was spending editing compulsory photos that I didn’t like very much, to learn how to use my new photo editing software, Lightroom. It seems like it should fit well with the 366 project, and maybe it would if I was having an easier time staying up on the project, but I wasn’t and they weren’t playing well together.

Anyways, with that no longer on my to-do list, look for more photo blogs with my random adventures.

Advent Conspiracy 2011

Just watched this video:



Though I didn't know the numbers, I had no idea how much more Americans spend on Christmas than is needed to provide clean water for everyone on earth.

If we gave even part of what we spend on our loved ones and ourselves this Christmas toward that cause or any other cause, we could make a huge difference in so many people's lives.

The crazy thing is, it quite closely follows what God and I have been wrestling with lately: How much do I need? How much can I give to those who are in need? 

God is so Good

This morning, after a rough day knowing the stay/go decision is coming up, I read this in my devotions:

“They (the Israelites) even spoke against God himself, saying, ‘God can’t give us food in the wilderness. Yes he can strike a rock so water gushes out, but he can’t give his people bread and meat. When the Lord heard them he was furious . . . for they did not believe God or trust him to care for them.” (Psalm 78:20-22).

After all God had done for them – rescuing them from the Egyptians, parting the red sea and even causing water to gush from a rock – they didn’t trust him to feed them. Would God really lead them out only to kill them?

Yet, in the midst of trouble they worried. Can’t really fault them too much. I do the same.

In the midst of trouble here, I worry. I wonder how I’m going to make a decision and whether or not it will be the right one. I wonder how I’ll ever figure out moving in Japan if I leave or if I’ll explode with frustration over poor teaching techniques and short sighted teaching (teaching just for the test).

But God has done so much for me already. How can I not trust God? He’s never backed out on a promise yet.
 


How do you remember to trust God in the mist of trouble? 

Worry vs. Peace

Despite some frustrating events this evening, and feeling like I just didn't know what to do about it. The Lord spoke, in the way he always does to me - simple and completely randomly, in ways I can easily ignore or realize he's speaking to me despite how simple it is.

I came across this verse: "The Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace." - Exodus 14:14

Even though there are some frustrating circumstances that just popped up, God will take care of them for me. I don't need to worry about it. I can take the peace he's offering and let him worry. 

Another song . . .

Despite not being a type of song I would normally like, the lyrics of this song have really struck home.

These being my favorite lyrics:
“In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed”

“But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use”

Among these things she lists all the “stuff.” For me, small frustrations happen all the time, I needed this reminder that I’m to trust God in these things despite what the situation looks like.

What situations? Well, a big variety.

• A missed flight, running around the airport, and an expensive solution
• Twisting my knee on the ski slope today
• Frustrations with my teaching situation
• Catching a cold
• Hitting a deer with my car
• etc.

All of that? Well despite it, God has still blessed me in so many bigger ways. I have to remember to fix my eyes on him in those places and he will take care of all the rest.
He always does.

Leaving in less than 24 hours

I absolutely love how the Lord provides. This time, I was crunched for time. I had no idea how I was going to get everything finished to come home, yet I got everything on my to-do list done and then some.

Which is AMAZING! Because I leave my town in less than 24 hours to take the train to Sapporo, stay the night and then fly out for PORTLAND on Tuesday! I can't wait for Christmas. So much so that I was going to burst if I didn't watch A Christmas Story (which isn't quite the same without Mandie sitting next to me).

So in honor of my favorite Christmas movie:

"I can't put my arms down!"

"Oh Fudge!!!"

"You'll shoot your eye out"

"He looks like a deranged Easter bunny . . . like a pink nightmare."

"You used up all the glue ON PURPOSE!"

"Fra-gi-lee . . . must be Italian"

If anyone wants to join Mandie and I on our Christmas eve tradition of watching it, one of the cable channels always has it on for 24 (or maybe 12) hours straight before Christmas.

Merry Christmas!!!

Childlike faith

Today I attended my amazing Japan church. We were in Isaiah 7. The king is shaken as he hears that other kingdoms are coming to take them down (that’s me simplifying most of the chapter into one sentence). They were focusing on the things around them rather than focusing on the Lord and knowing that they are ok, because he will take care of them.

As I re-read this in an attempt to begin to work on tonight’s blog, it occurred to me that this is what children do. Something happens and when they aren’t sure how to react, they look to mom or dad. If mom or dad freak out, then they start crying or screaming. If mom or dad are calm, they remain calm.

We’re called to have a childlike faith. So, if we’re supposed to be focusing on the Lord, how should we be reacting to our surroundings? Should we be freaking out? Does the Lord freak out when he hears that someone is coming to “take his chosen down”? No. He knows what’s going to happen. Just as a parent knows whether a kid really needs to cry over the small thing, the Lord knows whether we need to freak out over the things in our life.

We are called to give these things to him and have his peace. He says it over and over and over again in the Word (believe me, I’ve been finding a lot of these references lately – think He’s trying to say something?). But when I actually do what I’m told and look to him, I have more peace than I’ve had in a long time.

He also said (as translated): “Look at God and go to God’s word. Put your heart there. Don’t put your heart where the problem is. That will always bring anxiety. Who can fix a problem by dwelling on it?” It’s time to let go of these things and keep my focus on the Lord. He will provide the answers I need.

One of my favorite worship songs: “Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging, your love is a mountain firm beneath my feet.” I love that. He is unchanging and steady. I just need to hold on to him and he will give me the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Blessings

Today is the day after Thanksgiving here, but I didn’t really celebrate until today when I got to talk to my extended family on Skype.

So today’s blog is about all the ways the Lord has blessed me, because while it’s hard to be so far away, the Lord has also blessed me in a ton of ways.

In a country where less than 1% of the people are believers, I have a JTE who is not only a believer, but also is willing to bring me along with her to church any Sunday that I’m in town.

Church. Through my JTE I have found an amazing church that has a heart to see people grow in the Lord. Both their own members and to reach out to others in Japan. They also have an American missionary who can translate for me. So I actually understand the message!

Work. I have a job. So many people in the world are struggling to find a job so they can pay bills and support a family. I am able to not only pay my bills, but save and pay down my school debt.

Japanese. I am understanding more and more everyday. With that understanding also comes more ability to communicate with people, which is so exciting.

Friendships here. I have been able to connect with a few of the other teachers in my schools pretty well. They still don’t have the western culture of “hey, want to do something tonight?” but I have been able to have them over and they’ve had me over.

My town. The people here care about me. If I were to voice a problem, they would help me find a solution. They also pay half my ticket home once a year. Which is HUGE.

My supervisor. Her family has adopted me a bit. I get to have dinner with her family tomorrow and she’s taken me with them to Furano several times to shop and go to her son’s baseball games.

Other JETs. I have made some good friendships here and have been able to travel some to see these friends. I haven’t left Hokkaido yet, but there is a whole lot to see even here.

Bible Study. Because of the Christian Jet Fellowship, I was able to get connected with 3 other believers and we have Bible Study every Thursday night. It has been an amazing time to grow in the Lord and build one another up.

My family. I have an incredible family who cares about me a lot.

My home church. Where many of the people not only care enough to pray, but many care enough keep in contact through letters and email.

Friends. I have amazing friends at home who haven’t let the distance get in the way of our friendships.

Skype. I have been able to talk to my family and SEE them despite the fact that I am so far away. It’s hard not to be able to give hugs, but it’s also been wonderful to be able to not only talk to them for free but see them too.

Many of my blogs may be about tough things the Lord has brought me through, but he has also put so many blessings in my life.

Never Look Away

Yet again, I find myself floored at how a song speaks to me. This song, another by KJ-52, is called Never Look Away. KJ-52 is not an artist I would normally listen to, yet the Lord used it.

“I once was lost but then You found me and loved me
And I'm never gonna look away
No I'm never gonna look away
You paid the cost You showed me how You bought me
And I'm never gonna look away
No I'm never gonna look away”
–Never Look Away (KJ-52 featuring Brynn Sanchez)

There are times when life is difficult and it’s hard to be so far away from all the people that I love. But every time this starts to feel overwhelming, the Lord reminds me that I need to keep looking at him and he will provide for me. Whatever it is I think I need, he will provide what I need. And usually that looks like peace. Peace amidst troubles. Peace amidst worry. Peace against all odds.

“I’m never gonna look away.” So easy to say and intend to mean. But most of the time when the distance feels overwhelming it’s because I’ve not realized I’ve looked away. I start to focus on the worries of this world instead of the things the Lord has promised.

I can do all things in Christ – Philippians 4:13
He has good plans for me with a hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11
If I trust in Him with all that I am and don’t lean on my own understanding, he will guide my steps. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Cast all my cares on him, he will take care of them because he cares about me – 1 Peter 5:7
Seek him first and he will supply for my needs – Matthew 6:33
His power works best in my weakness – 2 Corinthians 12:9

These are paraphrased by me. They seem that much more real to me when I repeat things that the Lord has spoken to me in the past and recently.

His provision? It’s here. From making some closer friends here, to finding a JTE who goes to an amazing church. It’s not hard to see. I just have to remember to focus on the things the Lord has done in my life and not let go of those things when the storms of life hit.

Links:
Lyrics
Video

Home

Today I messaged some friends on the insanely long train on the way back to my apartment. I called it “home.” Does that mean I am becoming more at home here? It took me a while to call college home after moving there for the school year, that town definitely became my home over time. It was hard to leave that “home” for Japan.

“If home is where the heart is
Then my home is where you are” – Relient K

Has the Lord put my heart here? What does he desire me to do while I’m here in this tiny town? In what ways will he use me?

English Class

Wow. So today’s English class was amazing.

The students had looked at the article “A village of 100 people.” They had talked about what it meant in their previous class. I was amazed.

Today in class, the students sang the song “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” Definitely a song from the 60’s or 70’s, it fits with the types of songs my parents listen to from that era. After the song, they were given some photojournalism magazines. These photos showed real people in real hurt.

What a powerful message. What is the Lord trying to speak to me?

Jesus called us to be the light into the dark places, to let his love shine into the places where people are hurting, in pain and can see their need for him. How am I doing that? He called us to the world. Am I living that out or am I hiding in a safe bubble of light not sharing it with those around me? It’s so easy to make excuses. Maybe I can’t physically go right now, but can I support those that are? In what ways can I be the light into the dark places where I am? I can’t go to all the dark places nor can I fix every problem. But what can I do? I feel more and more the Lord is calling me to action. How does that look? I’m not sure.

A part of me wants to live the safe life (American Dream) with the 2.5 kids and a dog (or cat). But is that really something worth working toward? Is it just an illusion? Is that life really so easy or safe or perfect? What happens when something happens to one of the kids, the dog dies, or the perfect spouse loses their job? Is that really something we can hang onto? Is it really the life the Lord has called me to live?

Where does that life make room for the Lord to move? For me to be moved by him? If that’s what my life is supposed to be about, why does the “American Dream” not fit so well with it?

I feel like the Lord has been bringing messages like this into my life a lot lately. How do I help? How do I make a difference? What can I do to bring light into those dark places, into the places of hurt and oppression?

What is the Lord calling me to? What is the calling he has placed on my life? Does he want me to live overseas forever and be a missionary? Does he just want me to live a missional life wherever he’s placed me?

I think what I really want is to live my life passionately following the Lord. Where will he lead? Where will I go next? I don’t know. I want to follow the passions he’s put in me. I want to be where he’s moving. I don’t want to live a passive life, hoping to see him move. I want to live an life actively acting as his hands and feet.

"Someone needs to do something about that"

Yesterday, I found a link back to this blog I had read a while ago. It’s called Stuff Christians Like. Kind of an odd title and I probably wouldn’t have read it before, except a friend had posted it on facebook and it a funny title, “Thinking you’re naked.” What??? I had to read it. It was an incredible article.

I found myself there again, this time through a completely different website. I remembered the previous article and decided to look at the more recent articles. I wanted to see if this was a rare good article, or one of many (it’s definitely one of many). This time, I found myself on this one: “What if?”

The author, Jon, was inspired by his 6-year-old daughter to fundraise for a school in Vietnam. They were reading a book and she saw a photo of a young child somewhere else in the world living in poverty and asked, “That’s not real though. That’s pretend right?” He realized that her question went deeper. People don’t really live like that? Kids my own age? Why isn’t anyone doing something? Why aren’t we doing something? He decided to act on it.

I’m amazed. How many times does the Lord speak things into my life in equally small ways, which I can brush off and I do? Why do I not see something that needs done and do it?

Why don’t I notice the “someone needs to do something about that” moments and realize that they may be the Lord saying, “You need to do something about that”?

Why do I let fear and complacency get in the way of living my live completely for the Lord, especially in the small ways that no one else will know about?

Rhythm

Today, the pastor at church chose to speak on Numbers 28-29. I wasn’t particularly excited. At first glance, this is one of the chapters where the Lord is telling the Israelites how to do sacrifices and various ceremonies. BORING! Or so I thought.

She said (well it was translated) that the Lord wanted to teach the Israelites to have a rhythm. She gave the example of a rhythm of going to bed early and getting up early, which she established as a child. Something may happen to cause her to stay up late or sleep in occasionally, but life is better when she has a rhythm.

In this passage, the Lord was trying to teach them to have rhythms that took place daily, weekly (Sabbath), monthly and festivals. Each had its purpose. Daily, to connect with the Lord and hear his purpose for our lives. Weekly, to have fellowship with other believers. Festivals to remember what he has done in our lives.

In what ways do I have rhythms that take place daily, weekly and less frequently? I can easily look at the way I spend my time and see that the daily and weekly rhythms are in my life (devotions, church and a skype Bible study are easy to see).

What about less frequently (monthly). How do I make a rhythm in my life for remembering what the Lord has done in my life? How does that look in your life? How can I build that into my life in a real way, so it actually grows me and helps me realize more and more how amazing the Lord is?

Friendship

Today I had another epic skype conversation with a friend. She and I talked for a total of 6 hours (we got disconnected once). Last week we talked for five. How do we do it? Where does the time go? Neither of us really knows. We talk about everything from social justice (something that’s big on both of our hearts), to boys (duh, we’re girls), to our faith, to every and anything else.

She and I have decided to do a blog once a day for the month of November (now that I’ve admitted it publicly I’m going to have to hold myself to it). We didn’t start until the third, so it may be a little less than the full month.

She mentioned tonight as we were getting off (at 4 am, her time) that she had intended to write today about To Write Love On Her Arms*, something we both decided to do and according to the facebook invite, it was to be celebrated today (her time) or yesterday (mine). Anyways, because of the late time, when we stopped talking, she just wrote a short blurb and went to bed.

Did she really miss celebrating it by not writing about it? I think she chose to live it instead. She spent the day totally loving on the middle school students in her youth group. Then she spent the time to talk to me for an insane amount of time. Sounds like living it to me.

For me, my biggest love language is quality time, time when I really get to talk to someone and hear their heart and open mine to them. It can take the shape of real conversation, texts, crazy facebook notes, letters, instant messenger, or tons of other ways. For me, it can’t be forced into a short conversation in a few minutes. I don’t open up about deeper things in short amounts of time.

Being so far away from everyone and everything I know has been hard for that reason. It’s hard to spend quality time with people, when there are only a few odd hours when your free (non-work/sleep time) matches up and weekends for both ends are spent doing things that are not around the computer. That makes me feel the distance more. I feel more distant from friends when I don’t talk to them regularly.

Anyways, she showed me this website and I realized I needed to share some of the things it was talking about with her. I needed someone to know some of the deeper things that were going on with me, so that I would truly be known and so that someone could lift me up in prayer. After sharing with her, I didn’t feel like I was really so far away from everyone. Also, being a verbal processor, some of the problems that I thought seemed so huge, seemed so much smaller.**

This particular friend showed me true friendship by willing to sit and listen, to share her heart. I am so thankful.

------------------------------

*Please note, that while this site is aimed at people “struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide,” those are not things I’m dealing with. However, I have been dealing with the distance from home (some homesickness) and making friends in a new place. It has not been easy, but the Lord has been holding me up and providing new friendships in unexpected places.
**Also, please note that this is not a cry for help, but a way to say thank you to a friend, a chance to reflect on the way I spent my day.

Shuffle

Last weekend I put my iPod on shuffle while on the train to visit a friend. Right before getting off, I found this song:

“I know some things that might bring your life stress.
And you're concerned about what's coming next,
Feeling so worried 'cause your whole life's a mess.
I want to tell you, you can make it through all this.
He'll never fail you, that's what he promised us
And even when things don't seem to make sense
That's the time when you hang on now you just trust.”
(He is All by KJ-52)

I was amazed, because it was like the Lord was speaking to me though these lyrics. I was having a tough time with the idea of being so far away from family, friends and my church for a whole year. I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to be here anymore. But more than that, I didn’t want to let homesickness/fear get in the way of trusting the Lord. He directed my steps. He has me right where he wants me for his purposes.

In hearing those words, I was reminded that it may be hard, but he will be with me through it all. He is my strength. In the tough “just send me home now” moments and in the “I love this I could stay here for 5 years no problem” moments, he’s with me. He’ll provide what I need. Whether it’s deep friendships or encouragement in him. He’ll provide.

He already has. I just have to look back in my journal in the time since I got here to see that he is moving in me. He has provided me with encouragement through several friends here. My Japanese is improving. He has given me a church, which was beyond my expectations.

It doesn’t matter how I feel. “He’ll never fail you, that’s what he promised us.” I just have to hang on to the things I know when I feel unsure about what is going on around me or what I can handle and he will get me through.

So when I feel like I’m in over my head and I can’t make it for however long the Lord wants me here, “That's the time when you hang on now you just trust.” He’ll pull me through the tough times.

Links:
Hear the song

See the lyrics

And a new photo:

A temple that the Lord used to remind me how great he is. To read more, click the photo.

Strong in my weakness

Today I had my iTunes on shuffle and came across the song “Here’s for the Years” by Remedy Drive.

These lines came up “I was awake when you were sleeping, when you are weak I still am strong,
don’t despair child, you’d think I can hold you up when you fall, if I can hold up the stars I can answer your call”

“If I can hold up the stars I can answer your call.” Duh. Why do I choose to hold on to worry about the things in the world, when the Lord who is bigger than all the worry asks me to give it to him? “Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7). He’s asked me to put them on him because he’s so much bigger than all of them and will take care of them. Why do I hold on?

I am not sure, but I am going to aim to put the worries into His hands and focus on what he has me doing right now.

A new church family

Today I attended church with my JTE, Michiko. One of the first things I noticed was that the church was so friendly, they seemed like they really wanted to know me. Another thing I noticed was that they seemed to have missionaries everywhere. They had two from Germany, one from Washington and another from Korea.

Today was the woman from Korea’s first day, mine as well. So they asked us to do a “jikoshokai” (self introduction). We did. Hers was drawn out and I’m sure, in perfect Japanese. Mine was a few sentences and in ok Japanese, except when I tried to tell them I had come from Oregon and I couldn’t remember which verb I was supposed to use (come, go, return?). Everyone seemed to appreciate my effort though which made it worth it.

It amazed me that this fairly small church was so excited about reaching people who don’t know Jesus. They have so many long-term missionaries because they want to reach the surrounding areas and start churches in them.

They asked us to pray for the new churches they want to begin. They also have an event next month that they are trying to invite people into, they asked us to pray. I felt like we were actually a part of preparing for the ministry which was super exciting.

Another thing to love about all the missionaries . . . translation!! This was the first sermon in Japan which I have understood, this trip.

Today they were working on the book of Numbers 8. Apparently, they are reading through the Bible, chapter by chapter. The pastor had three main points. God is the center; we have to follow him, not the other way around. We are chosen by God, not because we have some super abilities, but because he wants to use us. We have to let go of things that are holding us back from him, so that we can be free to do what he has called us to do. We have to share God’s love and pray for others to understand it.

Afterwards, we had lunch and I got to talk to the missionary who is from America for a little while as many Japanese people who were all incredibly friendly. I made friends with many of the young children and we ran around being silly and playing games.

Today was special because a couple had just gotten married in the church. (They’re the same age as me, so weird!) They had a wedding shower, since most of the church members had not been able to attend their wedding (it was where the couple had grown up). I loved getting to be a part of blessing the couple and seeing how much this church loves these two. They included me in the whole celebration. The youth group acted out this couple’s story. Apparently they had known each other since childhood and the Lord had brought them together. It was an incredibly sweet story.

At the end, I had to say goodbye to my new friends and promise I would come back in a couple of weeks, since I already made plans for next weekend.

The Lord has blessed me so much.