Countdown to Graduation

So as of now, I have 53 school days left until I am done with my undergrad at Master's... Kinda crazy.

Shabbat, SNL, and City of David Excavations!

We've had a pretty busy weekend! We went to a Baptist church on Shabbat which had a very interesting message and a different way of doing things but it was ok over all. After that Bill took us to lunch and most of us had NON KOSHER pizza...bacon, pepperoni....and Cheese! Sooo good :) We were all very relieved.


After that we all split up into groups and walked around the city and did our own thing until 4. At 8 we had "Battle of the Sexes" IBEX style in the Miklat and of course, the girls won :)


Then yesterday and today we went into the City of David and excavated with a bunch of archaeologists. Hard but very fun work! We all carried buckets, dug, cleaned pottery and enjoyed the day in the PERFECT weather. Tonight, there's talk of snow. That'd be fun. The weather changes so quickly here.


That's pretty much all that has happened this weekend. Now it's dinner time and then its homework time. I hope you all have a wonderful week!


Shalom

A Look at the Past 5 weeks

We have now been in Israel for almost 5 weeks! Sunday will be the mark of the beginning of the 5th. So far we have been into Jerusalem more times than I can count. We have seen all the gates of the city, the Temple Mount, the Mt. of Olives, Pool of Siloam, Western Wall (or Wailing wall), Hezekiah's Tunnel, David and Solomon's tombs and so many other things!

We live on a Moshav which is sort of like a Kibbutz. It's basically a community that works as a whole in one field. This moshav, called Yad-HaShmona (Yad meaning memorial, HaShmona meaning 8). This is in memory of 8 Jews that were given up in Finland to the Nazi's. Once they did this, they realized that what they did was wrong so they stopped. It's a beatiful area surrounded by trees. On a clear day you can see all the way to Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea and at night you can see the lights of the city. It's amazing!

Strong relationships have already been formed and we are like a family. We spend most of our nights hanging out in the Miklat (it's a bomb shelter) playing games, having surprisingly very deep conversations, some are Theological, some are just to get to know each other and others are silly and fun. There have been Jenga bets won and lost and lots of studying done for Land and Bible quizzes. We all love each other! This group is amazing.

Here's what a normal day at the moshav looks like:
Breakfast at the restaurant
Class (8-10)
Class (10:30-12:30)
Lunch (12:30-1:15)
Class (1:15-315)
Class (3:30-5:30)
Dinner (530-6:30)
Free time

We have our field trips on wednesday:
Old Testament Jerusalem
New Testament Jerusalem
Jerusalem Approaches
Benjamin (including Newe Samweli, Bethlehem, Jericho, West Bank)

Tonight is Shabbat (Start of Sabbath at sun down)
We will have a little service to remember God's rest on the seventh day.
We have wine (actually it's grape juice) and two loaves of bread because the Israelites had to rely on God's provision of the manna and collected two loaves on sabbath. If they collected more than that the manna rotted.
Then we will have our chapel service led by Praus, John, Janessa, Savannah and Noel. They are all very talented and it's such a blessing to be led by them.

This weekend we will (hopefully, depending on the whether) be excavating the City of David. We are all excited about that!

Whether here has been warm on and off but there's a rumor about possible snow AGAIN. It's cold and rainy right now but the sun is just barely peeking through the clouds. Israel needs the rain though so it's so cool to see God's provision in that way.

Well, I should go do some homework!
Thanks for reading!
Shalom!

I will post pictures soon. I know I keep saying that but the internet has been funky so I have to do it at the right time.

Love Never Fails

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not keep a record of wrongs suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

As I was memorizng this verse earlier today, I was thinking about what it really means. In the context of marriage, this means that no matter what happens in that marriage, whether it be adultry, lies, deceit, even the wost thing you could possibly think of (which for me is adultry), if you truly love that person, your marriage will last.

In the context of my walk with Christ, I was thinking of all the times I committed spritual adultry when I idolized something, chose to do things other than worship Christ, chose to sin rather than obey or whatever else I may have done contrary to the Christian life, God never left me. He kept no record of wrongs, He was (and is) extremely patient. I need to have perfect love like that. It is impossible this side of heaven but I need to love as best I can. I can go as far as to keep no record of wrongs, not be provoked (or in another translation, "easily angered") and I can endure all things because of Christ living in me.

I have failed so many times to love those who frustrate me and who I just don't get along with but Christ has called me to love with unconditional love as He has first loved me.

Some funs statistics

1. A total of 4000 cans are opened around the world every second
2. Ten babies are conceived around the world every second
3. Each time you open a can, you stand a 1 in 400 chance of becoming pregnant

1. Ten percent of all car thieves are left-handed
2. All polar bears are left-handed
3. If your car is stolen, there's a 10 percent chance it was taken by a Polar bear

According to a recent survey, 33 of the people say they participate in surveys.

Spring Break!

YAY! Spring break starts this friday! I'm so excited! Malibu for three days with awesome friends! Then home for a week of "relaxing" (actually i've got some exams to study for, two papers, a powerpoint project and some other stuff that has to get done)...but it'll still be amazing!

Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer

"Jesus draw me ever nearerAs I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,and I'll follow, though I'm worn.
May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.
Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go -
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne."

"Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory."
http://www.gettydirect.com

This year's Truth and Life Conference was amazing. The theme was the Glory of the Cross. I've never really understood the true power or even the importance of it until now. I mean yes, I knew that the cross was the foundation of our faith but I had never come to truly grasp its true importance until now. Every night before the worship began they would play a little video thing with quotes from famous people of long ago and one thing that hit me said the way in which the world saw Jesus on the Cross is the same way we are see the world (or something to that effect). It was so good to be reminded that I must keep my eyes on the Cross instead of on anything or anyone else. Christ is the One who I am to put my trust and faith in. Another thing that was said is that once we know our position in Christ and what He did on the Cross for us, its easier not to sin because we don't have to sin.

Anyway,
Just thought I'd share some things I learned. Hope everything is going well!
My classes are in full swing and everything is crazy as usual but this semester is going to be awesome!!

Please Keep Amal in your prayers

Please keep my friend Amal in your prayers as she is going through an extremely hard time right now. She's going back to Tunisia, Africa tomorrow to be with her family because her mom is in a coma. There is a possibility that she will not be coming back to Masters because she may have the responsibilty of taking care of her siblings, but also because her life is being threatened. This is so hard to even imagine, but God is in control. I'd share with you the whole story but its not mine to tell. Basically she's had an extremely hard year but she is an amazing girl and has grown so much! I have come to really admire her even though I don't know her extremely well. She is the one who said God is God and God is Good and that's SO true.

EDIT: she went but I wanted to make this a separate post because its important and it deserves attention

Christimas Concerts are here!

So we are in our second night of the annual Christmas Concerts. Last night went really well but we still have about 7 more concerts to do. Please keep everyone who's sick right now in your prayers as there are many! Amazingly (by God's amazing grace) I have not been sick since the beginning of the semester which is a really big thing considering last year I wasn't sick about 1 week out of the whole entire school year... :) I love Masters....just thought I'd share that! "God is God and God is Good".

*~miss you~*

Put down your paper plate
Come to the table made
Deep blue china
Found on the table by the wine
So fineWell it brings out flavor
Like You bring out color in life
Oh, I miss You soThe feel of forever
Oh, that taste I knowIt hurts to remember

Unfortunately high
Ironically dissatisfied

I miss you
I miss you
I miss you

Oh, I miss you so
The feel of forever Oh, that taste I know
It hurts to rememberI had a fleeting thought this morning
And I mentioned You today
It breaks my heart just to know You in part
And not to be with You where You are

Oh, I miss you so The feel of forever
Oh, that taste I know It hurts to remember
Oh, I miss you soThe feel of forever
Oh, that taste I know

HOME!

I'm HOME!!

It was so good to see everyone last night! Its so good to be home but I miss my new friends in Japan! It was so good to see all that God did over there. I recommend everyone going on at least one over seas trip to get out of America for awhile.

I'll post more later....so much to do!

FIREWORKS!

Yesterday was the big fireworks show at Showa Park. Let me tell you....it was the best fireworks show I've ever seen! It was an hour or so long! The only problem was there was a huge tree that covered like half of the fireworks so we only saw the really tall ones but it was still pretty sweet!
I got to wear my Yukata which was a pain because it kept coming undone in certain areas and Hitomi kept having to adjust it. I was probably thought scandalous compared to the other Japanese girls. (Don't worry, nothing showed but still....uggh!) So here are some pics!


OOOOOOOOOOOO
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!

Us sporting our Yukatas! Mrs. Hosokawa, Hitomi and Yuri

Yukiko!

Ayumi and I

Sweet!

Yuri!!

We had an awesome time! Showa park is gorgeous! I can't wait to go back....I saw pictures of it in December and it was amazing!

I'll be home soon and then you can see the rest of my pics!

I can't think of a title....i guess "REALLY LONG" works

So I finished Isaiah and now I'm going through Jeremiah. Good book...only its a little hard to understand.

I have set some goals for this next (school) year and I found some verses for a little incentive.
Here are a few of them: (You can just read whats in bold if you don't have time...which I'm pretty sure you don't) Enjoy!

1. Time management:

Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-
and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.
Proverbs 6:3-11


Lazy hands make a man poor,
but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 10:4


Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for it is light that makes everything visible.
This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5: 11-16


Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (except Jesus of course)
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Sorry, this is a long one

"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching[a] you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother."
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15


.....Ouch

2. Health....especially when it comes to my food choices:

"Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
Haggai 1:5-6 (maybe not the best verse for this but I thought it fit)

3. Be discerning and responsible

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
Galatians 6:9-10

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love."
1 Corinthians 16:13-14

"I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart..."
1 Kings 3:12a

My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment,
do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble;
when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being snared.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act.
Proverbs 3:21-27

4. Stay in the Word daily:
Psalm 119
(You can go read it....its LOOOOONG)

And this passage is great for motivation to complete all my goals:

You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.
As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the LORD?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory,
and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great.
You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn.
Psalm 18:28-36
Again....sorry its so long. Thanks to all of you who actually read through it.

A few prayer requests

Hey everyone,

This weekend we are going to the Oktama Bible Challet (the english camp) for four days. Bruce and Laura said that this session is one of the most difficult sessions because the majority of the kids have never heard about Jesus and none of them speak english. We are faced with a little bit of difficulty however God will use it! Please keep them in your prayers. Also, Yoshie is going to speak 6 times while we're there and yesterday she wasn't exactly prepared. She has been really busy with work and being our interpreter etc...so she's a little stressed and worn out (all the time keeping a smile on her face!!) We love her!.

VBS is next week from tuesday to saturday and so far we have two kids signed up. Sensei says that usually a bunch of kids sign up at the last minute...please pray that they do! and for our team that we would keep up our energy level as this will be our busiest week with English lessons and VBS everyday. We're excited and a bit nervous. Starting tuesday it will be our last week of ministry. Please pray that we would keep strong until the end. Us girls are getting a little homesick (again) but we know we'll be home very soon! I can't wait to see you guys!!!

My students Mr. and Mrs. Sato are finished with the classes. I talked to Mrs. Sato about getting them a Bible but she said they had one and she was going to read it...She sounded really excited. I had a chance to talk to both of them about this weekend and our purpose for going to the camp and they asked many questions about Christianity. Please keep them in your prayers... that they really would read the Bible they have and that God would bring someone into their lives to help them with their questions. They were so fun to talk to!!!

God has provided so much over the past 4 weeks and has worked in the hearts of our students. To Him be the glory!

"but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."

Some good verses....

Isaiah 30:18

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!"

Isaiah 33:2, 6

"O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the FEAR of the Lord is the KEY to this treasure."

I like the book of Isaiah...

Thoughts for the Day

Isaiah 29:13 says, "The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men."

Am I like these people when I come before God? Do I mindlessly "worship" Him? When I pray, do I remember that I'm before the Most High God? or are my prayers empty routine? At church do I come to fellowship and learn or do I sit through the service, bored and waiting until its over so I can go have fun afterwards?

I'm not sure this is exactly what the passage meant but that's what it made me think about.

....next thought...

I bet most of life's problems could be boiled down to a lack of trust and contentment. If we would stop and enjoy the moment we're in right now and remember that this is where God has us, we could have so much more. Instead we're just waiting for the next big thing to happen, living life from event to event.

I know from when I was a kid I couldn't wait until my next birthday. When I turned 13 I would start planning my 14th birthday party.....that day. I couldn't wait until I got into high school; then the end of my freshman year I couldn't wait until I graduated. Then I couldn't wait to get to Romania and when I got there I couldn't wait to get home and start college. Now I'm going into my sophomore year and I can't wait to get to IBEX...and then graduate...and then move on to whatever God has for me. I need to stop and trust God that this is what He has for me right now and be content...not settle...but be content and enjoy this moment. He never promised another.

James 4:13-15

Child Of God

Today at the prayer meeting there were Koreans, Japanese, and Americans. It was really cool to hear prayer in all three languages. Even though I didn't understand...God did.

Anyway,
One of the missionaries shared a song with us called "Child of God" and as he read the words I really felt like crying...then he played the song on his computer...that didn't help lol but I didn't cry...

I just wanted share these words...it is such a beautiful song.

"With every breath, with every thought
From what is seen to the deepest part
I offer all that I've come to be
To know Your love fathering me

Father You're all I need
My soul's sufficiancy
My strength when I am weak
The love that carries me
Your arms enfold me
Till I am only a child of God

With every step on this journey's walk
And wisdom's songs that the soul has sought
I give myself unreservedly
To know Your love fathering me"

So far on this trip the one thing that keeps coming back to me is that God is all I need. That's so easy to say but SO hard to actually believe. When its so easy to find comfort in other things whether it be music, food, friends, the internet...I can find comfort in so many things other than Him but when it comes down to only being able to truly put my trust in Him I fail most everytime.

Lots to learn....

MOSHI MOSHI!!! (said in a high voice when answering the phone)

Hehe...I like how they say that.
All is well here in Japan! Three weeks are almost up and we have so much going on for the rest of our time here. Tomorrow we're teaching a ladies group how to make tacos, saturday we have an ice cream party and Gospel Night (Hitomi and I are singing as well as the rest of the youth group and Team Japan is going to do Be Thou My Vision in Japanese....prayer is needed! lol we don't have the best voices). Then on Monday we have a sport day...i think we're gonna play kickball. Next friday through monday we go to OBC. I just met Mrs. Harris and her husband (they work at the camp) and they are so sweet! I can't wait. Then the last full week we have VBS, English Lessons and a Farewell lunch on Sunday. Monday (the 31st) through Wednesday the 2nd of August is our debrief period and then we come home. I'm thinking these last three weeks are gonna go pretty fast. Hope we can keep up with it all. Thanks for all your prayers! God has been working here.

Check it out!

Hey all,
Go check out our Team site...Mark has been updating.

teamjapan06.blogspot.com

some pics are there too!

A little encouragement....

"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always."
Psalm 105:4

"You are my strength when I am weak, You are the treasure that I seek, You are my all in all.
Seeking you as a precious jewel, Lord to give up I'd be a fool, You are my all in all.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is Your name.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is Your name.
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame, rising again I bless Your name, You are my all in all,
When I fall down you pick me up, when I am dry You fill my cup, You are my all in all.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is Your name.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Worhty is Your name."

"Hungry, I come to you for I know, You satisfy.
I am empty but I know your love, does not run dry.
So I wait, for you; So I wait, for you.
I'm falling on my knees, offering all of me, Jesus you're all this heart is living for.
Broken I run to you for your arms, are open wide; I am weary but I know your touch, restores my life. So I wait, for you; So I wait, for you."

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forgot all His benefits." Psalm 103:2

How Great Is our God???