WEEK 3

WEEK WHATEVER I THINK IT WAS WEEK THREE!!!

 so its been a week since i posted, and Ive been so busy with life here that i really havent been able to post! its been really crazy, going to school everyday, studying, reading Purpose Driven Life (AWESOME BOOOOKKKK), going to piano, prepping for bunkasai (more later), and getting used to life here. I LOVE JAPAN. There still is no doubt that I love japan. i really dont remember the reason why I decided to come here, but now it really doesnt matter because Im learning Japanese, Im making friends, and I'm growing closer to God every day! I can't think of a time ever when I've been more motivated to seek him through everything I do each day, and its so cool to see how He truly is working in my life. I have been learning to trust him and follow His plan for me everyday, and I can feel him moving in and around me!

SOME PRAISES~~

     My host mom says she's interested in Christianity!!! AWESOMEEE!!! I bought here a Japanese/English Bible, and I just know that great things are gonna start happening! she said she's had an interest for a really long time, but as a child her mother would have seriously disowned her if she had shown any signs of interest in Christianity. scary. I showed her how to read it and what the basic outline of the Bible is. Sometimes when I try to explain things that Im super passionate about I rush and try and say a whole bunch of different things at one time, so I'm trying to take it one step at a time. i do my one a day devo, bible reading, and purpose driven life right after dinner at the table everyday, so she watches me and tries to make sense of the english. she says that its really cool how I'm so constant and devoted, and she's intrigued by the fact how one book can have such a great importance, so many things to learn. I'm super excited to see what goes on, but my japanese isn't really good enough to share the gospel in a really meaningful way yet, so It makes me worry... I know that God has a really good plan in store. We are starting with the book of matthew :) Gotta teach her about Jesus!! :D I know that God is working here! Im gonna trust that he'll guide me to be a good teacher!

    SCHOOL IS AWESOME! everyday is lots of fun, everyday i learn something new, and everyday theres something new that God reveals to me!!! can't wait to see what each new day holds.

OK WELL RIGHT AFTER I WROTE THE PART ABOVE I SHARED THE GOSPEL WITH HER :)))))) IT WAS AWESOME I WAS  ABLE TO DO THE WHOLE THING AND SHE WAS SO MOVED AND GOD WAS HERE AND AAAAHHH IT WAS SO GREAT!!!!! NO TIME TO POST MORE ONLY TIME TO REJOICE!!!!! OK ILL POST MORE ABOUT JAPAN LATER!!!!

Days 11-14!!!

Day 11-14, end of week 2 

So I've been having so much fun doing stuff and studying Japanese that I haven't been posting my blogs! I don't really have time anymore to write one everyday :3 I've just been so caught up with all the new things I've been experiencing and all this beauty in the world that ive never seen before, and it's so hard to make more time in the day to write these! I've been making more time everyday to study God's word and have a daily relationship with Him, so I don't really have time to do other things. Anyways, it's been really crazy to be able to experience God in ways that I never thought were possible. He's been revealing himself more and more each day, and it makes me so happy to see that he really is working in my life! I've started my 42 day purpose driven life book, and I can't wait everyday to read what each new chapter holds. On 8/30/13, my first day, I read about how to find my purpose in life, and that God, my creator, made me a purpose, a purpose that only he knows and is only determined by Him. My life is not about me! It just makes me wonder where/what God wants me to do to further his kingdom. What is his purpose for me? I'm so ready to read more!!!! I've also started a notebook on the ways God has been working in my life, and maybe ill be able to publish it into a book lol :3 I want to be able to write anything that God has revealed to me so it becomes a testimony to the work God has been doing in my life. I'm so excited to work on it a lot! In addition to purpose driven life, my notebook and blog, I do a daily bible reading and devotion, so I have a lot of stuff on my hands! I'm just really happy I have time to do all of it. If I were in Texas I definitely wouldn't have time. That's another reason why I'm here. Cause now I can grow closer to God even when I'm not at home. God comes with me wherever I go, and he's always looking out for me! It's confusing to try and find answers to why he does all of this, why he'd do things for me that I don't deserve, but I guess it's just love. I'm return, I want to follow his plan and devote myself to Him. That's the least I can do :3 and he's definitely worth it. 

School recently has been fairly normal, and hanging out with Sarah and conor is really fun. Also doing things with my home room class, like singing and dancing, prepping for bunkasai etc have been really fun! I'm really glad I'm here. I even learned that the head of the American exchange program is Christian! He's been looking out for us a lot and we could not have done anything without him so Im so grateful. His help has been making this program so fun for me! God has really been sending obvious help one day after another! Even through hardship and pain, God always has a plan, and all you have to do is trust it and follow his rules. With a little patience and a little trust, anything is possible :)

Day 12 I practiced piano at school after going to an awesome gospel concert with the eps and Fujiwara sensei, and I experienced probably the most traumatic train experience ever. Last stop, sitting down, reach a station with LOTS of people coming from a soccer game that got rained on in the sticky Osaka weather = death. We had to push our way out of the train (like literally scream and push to get out), and the very last man that we had to squeeze by to get to the door was super fat, super sweaty, and definitely not willing to move. We literally had to climb over him. Probably the most disgusting experience I've ever had in my life. But I gave my seat to a lady with a small baby so I feel good about it. I washed my hands 5 times afterwards... I'm just glad it's over. Now time to forget about it :)

That was Saturday. Got home, did my purpose driven life, stayed up late :)

Sunday was an AWESOME DAY! My host parents were nice enough to drop me off at church in the morning around 11:45, and everything was a blur from then! I had an awesome time worshiping, and they're so energetic and crazy that You can't control yourself!!! The passion for God at this church is insane! The messages were about prayer and 

God's purpose for our lives. Afterwards I was invited to a life group/small group/ Sunday school kinda thing and also to play soccer with the guys on Saturdays! I don't know if ill actually go but it's nice that they're so welcoming. I love it! After church I took the train home alone (not scary for me anymore) and I went out with my family after! We went to q's mall again and did a little shopping (I got conor a bday preset) and went and ate TONKATSUUUU!!! IT WAS SO GOOD!!!! I had a summer special Ume Tonkatsu. I haven't had really good Tonkatsu in a really long time... :3 it was awesome!!! After that I was so tired so we came home, I did my purpose driven life, studied, did homework, and went to bed late :/

Monday just a regular day! Nothing really special, but I did get to skip school and set up my Japanese bank account! Actually it was a huge pain in the butt cause I had to do it all myself, but I'm Glad I got it done with finally. After, my host parents and I went and got really good food at the food court in q's mall. I got kake udon, and my parents got bibimbap. It was so good~ I also got this awesome icecream which was probably the best soft serve I've ever had!!! I could eat it all day. For some reason my family thinks I hate milk and shrimp. Like I'm gonna die if I eat them. Oh well :3 the rest of the day was pretty normal. Last thing, I designed the class tshirt for culture festival! This morning our homeroom teacher said we needed a design by 11:30 so I drew one during first period. We had no pe cause it was raining :3 I'm just really glad that I was able to help. Without it, they wouldn't have had a design!!! I think it looks pretty cool, but I wish I had more time!!! I had a good idea for a shirt :/ oh well at least we have one now!!! They're really happy. Ok gotta go to bed now! Hehe another day tomorrow, 9/3/13! 

One thing I don't like about Japan: making noise while eating is ok. ;( it's so weird ewww

Heavenly Father, thank you for being so powerful. You have the whole world in your hands, and it's so comforting to know that your love transcends all understanding. Help me to follow your purpose for me in life, and I thank you for blessing me with everything you've given to me here! It's awesome to walk with you everyday! Thank you, and I pray that I can shine your light everyday! Amen~

The exchange program shirt design :3 v

NATTO BREAD EW