Jehovah Raah

My friend so dear to me,

He holds my soul, my heart;

Guiding me so that I can be

One who does their part.

 

Whispering words of love

When my heart is failing;

Encouraging me to look above,

When the tears are falling.

 

My friend alone can bear

The weight my heart does contend;

No other have I found who does care

As much as Jehovah Raah, my friend.



Hidden Truths

Recently I was watching a movie and the ending scene stood out to me. The heroine was hesitant to believe in miracles she had witnessed, not because of others who scoffed at it, but because she was afraid. Afraid that if miracles were true, then there is a God...a God who is talking...but no one is listening.

Could God be talking to us, but we are not listening?

So This Is Why...

I don't have a diary! Lol, whenever I start a journal or something like this I end up slacking on it! XD Who am I kidding?! Who is going to read my blog when I don't even think about it myself? Hahaha. Ah well, I'll try to remember to write random stuff when I have time...or should I say when I randomly remember that I have a blog. :)
So anyhoo, I guess some things have happened since I last wrote on this blog.
Let's see...I found a hurt kitten (all black too, right before Halloween). With the help of a good vet, some antibiotics, and healthy food; he is now a rambunctious, loving, young bratty cat named Rocky Balboa.
My sister found a huge dog someone dumped and through struggles we actually were able to keep it fed and find a home for it with our brother and his wife Bridgett (haha suckers, have fun feeding that guy!!). At least he is a love bug.

God is good! ^^

Japan

It is hard to believe it has just been a week since first arriving in Japan. Though I grew up in an asian country (Taiwan), things here are not quite what I expected. For starters, when Jenn and I first got into the Mansell's van, I am sure it took me nearly five minutes to realize Mrs. Mansell was not the one driving! It was also a little strange to be driving 'on the wrong side of the road'. The food is not quite the same as what we had in Taiwan either, though I am glad to finally have had my first bowl of 'real' ramen noodles!! Homemade, too! :) We have already started our language lessons, though when it comes time to actually use some my head goes blank, or I almost say the Chinese word for it (especially numbers, or when I want to say: um, I don't know!). Yesterday we drove over three hours to meet some missionaries in the center of Hokkaido. We met the Mink family in one town, and in another we met the Smiths who are currently training the Wilhites. They have some guys from Indiana helping them remodel their building this summer. All of them had small children, and it was a blessing to be able to spend some time with them. This past week we have also been able to go to the local highschool and be in a couple classes. At church we had three ladies come that are very excited to be here as well as an English teacher from a nearby town. I would like to thank all the churches that helped me to be able to intern here this summer. The Lord also worked it out so that I will be able to attend my brother John's wedding in late July. :)
Regarding my last post, the tragedy currently going on in Joplin, MO is very real. Praise the Lord that my sister and brother-in-law were all right. They were able to locate their cousins, and though their home is destroyed, they are all right.
Please continue to pray for the people both here in Japan, and those who are around you.
Thank you for your prayers! :)

Joplin Tornado

The tornado that swept through Joplin, Missouri last night has so far claimed over 89 souls. It is still storming both here in Lebanon and in the Springfield and Joplin areas. Thanks to all the people who are praying for those who have been affected. My sister Sarah and her husband Bill live in Joplin. Last I heard, they were fine but still looking for several of Bill's family members. For some reason it always makes people more concerned when it involves someone you know, and I am not excluded. It makes you stop and think, should we not be concerned and involved even when it does not involve us or anyone we know? The Lord is concerned about every single person, in every nation. Ps, thought I might need to add that I got the photos off the net, no longer sure where though. Good job on the photos, photographers who took them! {:)

Packing

These past few months I have been preparing to go to Japan for a missions internship this summer. In a way it has been easy for me as I already have a passport (being an MK), and Bro. Mansell searched for plane tickets for me (thank the Lord for that!). Raising money was part needed and part requirement. In sending out letters asking for one-time only support, I was able to receive the needed funds, as well as gain the experience a missionary needs in communicating with churches. I very much appreciate how several churches reached out to help me do the Lord's will. Currently, the packing is taking shape slowly but surely. Packing ahead is strange, I am used to packing either the night before or the day of.  It is almost likely, though, that I will not remember something until I am on the plane. That reminds me...need to print out the tickets...and check the fly-out date still...and time... :\
While I am excited about this trip, I am sorry that I will not be able to attend my brother John's wedding to Bridgett (congrats, bro! I luv ya!!) Or see my parents when they return stateside from Taiwan after four years (sorry, I'll see ya'll in August!), but they are excited for me as well, so that is good. Whenever you have doubts about doing what God would have you do over what you would want, trust in God. He reminded me in His Word again that the time to serve Him is now. "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; while the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: ...Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Eccl 12:1-2,13-14
So run, and keep on smiling! :)

Finally Finished! :D

Wow! I am finally finished trying to figure out how to set up a blog!! Sure took a while, too!
It has been an amazing time at college(done with that too), and seems a bit strange not having to return anymore! God has provided me with the funds (thank you, churches and dad and tax return!) I needed to be able to intern this summer with missionaries Ken and Vicki Mansell in Teshio, Hokkaido Japan! I am looking forward to it. I believe I fly out on the 25th...or was it the 24th...hmm, guess I better check that! :)
Will try to keep everyone updated on what is going on, but right now I am kind of tired, this took me waaay longer than I thought it would! Sooo, its not going to be very long, in fact, its going to be quite short. Heh heh :)
Yup. Good night, everyone! Or should I say, oyasuminasai! (eh, hope I got that right...)