Greetings and Goodbyes...

Much to my surprise, I have realized that there are a few things that are quite ENORMOUS in Japan, contrary to what we typically think about this country...I thought I would share.
SEE BELOW:

Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy...

I can honestly say that my expectations for the Sakura blossoms in spring were BLOWN OUT OF THE WATER! My day at Hirosaki Castle with my amazing friends was a true example of how our God LAVISHES us EXCEEDINGLY with blessings... What an over-the-top, ultra-loving God we get to worship! This day will always be etched into my mind as a moment I got to taste the splendor and beauty of our Creator, reflected in the endless sea of enchanting pink-white blossoms... To be honest, when I was coming up with a name for my blog, I had NO idea that I would be going to live in the town next to one of the most popular cities for Sakura blossoms in spring! Did you know that Hirosaki (the city where we have Harvest Bible Chapel) holds one of the most famous Sakura festivals in all of Japan?! ...I love how God so lovingly surprised me with allowing me to experience this in the flesh. The sun was pounding, we were all laughing, cameras were clicking, and my heart was melting from being in the center of His blazing Love...

MY NEW FRIENDS.

 God has been so marvelous, faithful and steadfast during these past few weeks that have gone by...


During this time I got to say 'HELLO' to my very FIRST roommate! In the past (university) I have shared housemates and floormates, but never an actual ROOMMATE who lives and sleeps in the same room. I must say, I was a bit nervous about meeting her, because one person can DEFINITELY change your life, especially when you share the same room for 4 weeks. The anticipated day finally arrived two weeks ago and I must say that we have already shared tears thinking about her leaving in two more weeks! Haha. It is the perfect fit. God knew we would be instruments in each other's lives and we have both spurred each other on to be more Christ-like. Funny enough, she is only 17, still in high school and lives on a farm with 6 horses and 30 cows! We are very different on paper, but when we are together it is like we have been long lost best friends for years. I praise God for her!!!
MEET JESSICA my favourite punk-rocker chick and fellow sister in Christ:

She's pretty much adorable.

Harvest Chapel girls playing after church! It was Jess' first service there and the weather was glorious so we climbed trees. SMILE!

Just before Jess came we had a BIG group of hilarious, fun-loving, extremely cool New Zealander's arrive! They stayed for about 10 days and helped us with a massive cookie marathon! They also went down to Iwate to deliver the packages and helped with some construction projects in the area alongside Micah. On weekday mornings, groups of them would go to various pre-schools in the area to sing songs, play games and show God's love to them. I had the privilege of tagging along to one pre-school. It was such an uplifting and profound experience as the kids were so receptive, eager and excited about everything we said. What a great way to plant seeds and tell the community children about our church and our God!  The Kiwis were seriously some of the most down to earth, relaxed and enthusiastic people I ever met. I totally want to go to NZ now to visit them and let some of their Kiwi-tude rub off on me! THEY EVEN TAUGHT US HOW TO 'DOUGIE' (a very difficult hip hop dance that is popular with American youth). GOOD TIME!

Kiwis meeting our Young Life kids.

John Orme and his wife Emily who is a former church member also came with their adorable Cabbage-Patch baby named Anna! They are in the process of becoming official OMF missionaries!

We also had the awesome opportunity to visit a U.S military base that is three hours away. The only problem was was that we didn't bring our passports, so us 'aliens' (Jess and I) were not able to actually enter the base. It was still an amazingly fun day though because there was a lot of things to do just outside the base. Most of all, we got to meet other English speaking Christ-followers who live in Japan and have a desire to share the Gospel with others here. Also, some of them are the most CRAZY TALENTED musicians, so we had a blast jamming in the church together!

SESAME ICECREAM!

FUNNY TIMES ... haha.

Other notes: MY COUSIN PATTY IS HERE!!! I am sooo happy to see him and already he has been such a huge help to ALL of us. He has brought with him such a jovial, refreshing spirit that has definitely lifted mine. SMILES! 

Ruth has gone away again to go to Canada and America. (Please say HI to her and give her a big squeeze for me if you see her at church or something!) She has gone to visit some other supporting churches, but mainly to attend Aaron's graduation at Moody in Chicago.  She will come home in ten days.


Finally, my next blog post will be all about SAKURA CHERRY BLOSSOMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me just say, no words could have prepared my heart for the beauty of what I witnessed! I can't wait to share with you all the amazing pictures that my photographer roommate Jess took! 

Somehow I have reached the three month mark of my trip...Only two more to go. Overall, I feel that I have adapted and become so accustomed to how life is here now. While that is great, satan has always had a way of using familiarity and comfort to unconsciously numb my spirit to my extreme DAILY need for Christ's saving grace. Please pray that God will continue to surprise me, rock my soul and reveal to me thousands of new shades of who He is... 

I leave you with a video of Mizawa (military base) friends jamming!