WOW! It's hard to believe i'm in Japan, and yet I've been here 11 days already.....I just can't help but think of how many people have given and sacrificed and prayed for me while I was preparing and getting ready and am now here....it's just so cool to me....i just can't really even explain it....it leaves me speechless, and very humbled and honored to be here, to be able to share God's love with people!!!
I feel though I did everything right today passing out flyers, both early this morning and for an 1 and 1/2 this afternoon....but I can do everything wrong to, by not spending time with God everyday, talking with Him, and reading His Holy Scriptures...I have decided I have to be disciplined this summer....in a lot of things and areas in my life......no only spiritually, but physically and financially, and emotionally too....God wants me as a whole person, not a person with holes....and that takes discipline and sacrifice.
Jesus may you get the glory and the honor and all the praise from me this summer as I work here in Asahikawa, Hokido....Lord I just want your Word to go forth, pure, simple, child-like....because you said the kingdom of God is like child....We are all your children...Lord help me to understand the pastor here, and my I encourage him and his family!!! To God Be All The Glory!!! FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER!!! AMEN!!!
oh yes and may I just add...that while I was going today to pass out flyers, for all you read this and care....I was going past a hospital clinic, and was putting flyers on people's cars, and this older guy came out and said in plain english...."Are you Crystal"?? and I was like WHAT.....HOW DOES THIS GUY KNOW MY NAME!!! AAHH! SCARY...just a little....and so I said yes and that I was teaching English here....ok so fastforward like 8 minutes and I am a block down the road, and here comes a white van....with this SAME GUY and 2 other people......and they all roll down their window...."ARE YOU CRYSTAL" OH BOY...I'm thinking!!! HOW DO THEY KNOW ME!!! but i started talking to them...they wanted to know where I was from in America and what I was doing here, and if I liked World Cup...and told me America won their game, and so did Japan....they asked me what I did back in America....so it was cool in the end....i asked if any of them were doctors and one guy said he was....and then they drove off!!! WOAH!!! like cool, but like scare too!!! but I guess with 4,000 flyers around town people would see my face and be like, I know her, I suppose......I dunno.....kind of CRAZY though!!! I was shaking in my boots for like 10 seconds when it happened, it felt so....surreal!!!!! AAAHH!!!.....but I'm excited to teach English tomorrow!!! I really want this church to be blessed by my teaching...so if anyone reads this can you pray for me??!!! and also pray for pastor Fukomori and his family too!!! I LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL!!!!!
PEACE AND BLESSINGS!!!! :)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
June 14th The next day
So I probably should of started blogging from the day I left, which I will try harder to now, because it helps me to write things down on paper :) Today was a good day...Pastor Fukamori sense's son came today, and he will be here for a week to help translate!! PRAISE THE LORD!! the more I understand the little Japanese I know....the more confusing it is!!! They read two different ways...traditional which is up and down and from left to right....or more modern way is the way we Americans read...right to left.....so anyway....I talked with April and Lisa Monroy on skype today which was by far the COOLEST thing EVER!!! it was just cool to see familiar faces!!!! AAAHHH!! I worked on my English classes which will start on Wednesday....and also passed out about 150 flyers with information about me teaching English to people around town...and will do the same tomorrow morning!! The food here is good...they eat a lot of tofu, which is ok, not my favorite....but they eat a LOT of vegetables...which is probably why people are so healthy here!!! people walk or ride their bike everywhere here...but the roads here are much wider, and more people drive here....because the towns in Hokido are spread out....no subway/or trains....only buses. I did get to be by myself today to which was cool....I went to like a gas station/convenience store and bought my first coke here in hokido...and let me just tell you it tasted like HEAVEN!!!! they drink tea here at every meal, with no sugar, which takes some getting used to, but it's not too bad....things here in Hokido are definitely cheaper than Tokyo...which is understandable....ok to really to explain things I need to take some pictures to give everyone an idea of just what this house looks like, because it reminds me of the small houses they probably built back in the early 1900's. Their house is all on the second floor....and they have a seperate room for the toilet, and seperate room for the sink...(actually the sink is not really separate from anything...it is only separated by a curtain.....and the bath is separate and quite interesting.....the Japanese people like to soak and take LONG HOT baths....now let me tell you it is HOT....well it's pretty much boiling water in a tub that you jump into!!! because the pastor here at the church doesn't have the shower hooked up....it's all baths, or bucket baths, because the water really is too hot for me!!!! YIKES!! I don't want my skin to fall off just yet!!! ok so that about explains most things here....there truly is BEAUTIFUL landscape here....and mountains in the background....which I feel like this place could be put in Colorado and be fine except for the language and food!!! :) the pastor here is also really really cool because yesterday at church he got down with the teens and started playing the bass guitar!!!! IT WAS AWESOME!!! Pray for me!!! I hope the church gets a lot of people for English classes!! I'm hoping for 20 people!!! I love and miss you all!!!!! In Jesus' name!!!! AMEN!!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
June 13th 2010 From Hokido, Japan
WOW!! I have officially been in Japan 6 days...the time has flown by, but hasn't...if that makes any sense...the days seem really long like they take a week...but when you look back it's like a week flashes by!! my experience so far has been....interesting to say the least!!! LORDY LORDY!!! but it has been good as well!! Hokido is definitely different from Tokyo...lots of farming here...they call Hokido the breadbasket of Japan...I have seen so many rice fields...so I believe it!! but my heart is still in Tokyo somewhat...where there are so many people, looking searching....I see on the bus and train so many lost people...on the elevator, in shops...but I'm reminded of what Pastor Ricky and Pastor Grogan have said...we have to show people around the world, wherever we are at, that they matter to Jesus, who paid a price for them already, whether they know it or not....I couldn't help but see people searching....but it is hard here in Japan as Pastor Yoshi Urchimura said....how do you talk to someone in Japan, not out of poverty...Japan is SOO affluent....I saw more people in business suits than ever in my lifetime...probably enough suits to fill three malls the size of champaign marketplace mall for sure!!! so they're not so poor...and what about religion....ummm....I will finish this later I need to go to bed.....I have to remember...I am not here for myself...but working for Jesus.... God is good!!! ALL the time!! and ALL the time...God is good!!!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
CHRISTIAN LIFE EXPERIENCES
I don't think the Christian life is meant to be lived out, just in church or just on Sundays, but the Christian life is just that....LIFE.......things happen, we get upset, sad, mad, happy, but the more I realize that I don't ever have to live my life alone the more my life has meaning, and direction....I wonder if a person can ever get too much of God??!!!
I was thinking about life: a bunch of everyday experiences, that make life fun and interesting....but we need as Christians to think about how we experience GOD in our everyday life too....but that is part of the problem....a lot of people, myself included lack experiences, or maybe lack the willingness to try to experience something new, to "step out in faith"....It's like this...you can tell a child all day long how to tie their shoe, but until they experience tying their shoe for themselves it will never be a reality for them ever!! so...until we experience God, all we can do is live our Christian life vicariously through someone else like telling someone about Mint Chocolate chip ice cream but never giving them any.....I used to think this.... "oh that's great for them, that's exactly what God made them for....but what about me??" sometimes I think it's a lack of faith or trust....not trusting or "experiencing" the plan God has made for you and me, God knows... HE KNOWS what he is doing....and HE who began a good work in us, will carry it out until the day of completion... (I think I need that verse posted somewhere where I can read it every morning for 6 months straight!)
Another Thought-Sidenote-about Christian Life Experiences
I just want to say since going to Stone Creek my life has never been the same...it's like my heartbeat, my walk is different...it's like I really do want to find out what God is all about and what He wants me to do with my life....It's like I'm on this journey, this walk with God...and I never want it to stop!!! I never want things to get old to me, or stop having the child-like wonder, like a little preschooler when you tell them Santa Claus is coming to their own house, and they stay awake all night to see what presents they received from Santa. Lord may serving you never get old, or boring!!! Lord I love You, I choose You, Your mercies are new EVERY morning!!!!
I was thinking about life: a bunch of everyday experiences, that make life fun and interesting....but we need as Christians to think about how we experience GOD in our everyday life too....but that is part of the problem....a lot of people, myself included lack experiences, or maybe lack the willingness to try to experience something new, to "step out in faith"....It's like this...you can tell a child all day long how to tie their shoe, but until they experience tying their shoe for themselves it will never be a reality for them ever!! so...until we experience God, all we can do is live our Christian life vicariously through someone else like telling someone about Mint Chocolate chip ice cream but never giving them any.....I used to think this.... "oh that's great for them, that's exactly what God made them for....but what about me??" sometimes I think it's a lack of faith or trust....not trusting or "experiencing" the plan God has made for you and me, God knows... HE KNOWS what he is doing....and HE who began a good work in us, will carry it out until the day of completion... (I think I need that verse posted somewhere where I can read it every morning for 6 months straight!)
Another Thought-Sidenote-about Christian Life Experiences
I just want to say since going to Stone Creek my life has never been the same...it's like my heartbeat, my walk is different...it's like I really do want to find out what God is all about and what He wants me to do with my life....It's like I'm on this journey, this walk with God...and I never want it to stop!!! I never want things to get old to me, or stop having the child-like wonder, like a little preschooler when you tell them Santa Claus is coming to their own house, and they stay awake all night to see what presents they received from Santa. Lord may serving you never get old, or boring!!! Lord I love You, I choose You, Your mercies are new EVERY morning!!!!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Life and Stuff #1
So this blog/post is just about what I've been thinking while driving my car...(believe it or not a lot of crazy conversations between God and I have taken place in the car!!)
I was just thinking today, what a big lie it is that people think the Christian Life is all nice and easy: and just full of peaches and cream, with maraschino cherries on top. DUDE!! the Christian life wasn't meant to make life so you never have any hard times, or never have any bad things happen....but it DOES make it where there will always be Jesus to be there with us when the storms and bad things in life come around. It says in the bible, in John Chapter 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in ME you will have peace....In this world you WILL have trouble, BUT take heart for I have overcome the world!!"
We will never have to go through the storms of life by ourselves if we have Jesus. I know for me when life gets crazy that's when I lean on Jesus who is always there: Jesus is like my safety net for when I fall! Today was one of those days when I just needed Jesus plain and simple! It was like I needed Jesus, so much like I needed to take a breath of air. Jesus will give you peace when the world will leave you high and dry, and empty! Jesus is my comfort, He's my go to man, with the right plan, who's related to Stan! :) Jesus will never leave me, and I will never have to live life on my own again! WOW! talk about taking the pressure off...Dude I need to be reminded that Jesus has the whole picture, like the whole world in his hands....which hurts my brain to think about how big Jesus must be, (especially late at night!!) so if Jesus has the whole world, He's got me and my ideas, dreams, jobs and future life all figured out! All I have to do it just live it out, but WITH Him helping me!!
When I became a Christian I gave up my old way of life to pursue this life with Jesus, wherever it takes me, and whatever I do!!! I'm whole hoggin it for Jesus!!!! :) hee-hee-hee!!!!
I was just thinking today, what a big lie it is that people think the Christian Life is all nice and easy: and just full of peaches and cream, with maraschino cherries on top. DUDE!! the Christian life wasn't meant to make life so you never have any hard times, or never have any bad things happen....but it DOES make it where there will always be Jesus to be there with us when the storms and bad things in life come around. It says in the bible, in John Chapter 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in ME you will have peace....In this world you WILL have trouble, BUT take heart for I have overcome the world!!"
We will never have to go through the storms of life by ourselves if we have Jesus. I know for me when life gets crazy that's when I lean on Jesus who is always there: Jesus is like my safety net for when I fall! Today was one of those days when I just needed Jesus plain and simple! It was like I needed Jesus, so much like I needed to take a breath of air. Jesus will give you peace when the world will leave you high and dry, and empty! Jesus is my comfort, He's my go to man, with the right plan, who's related to Stan! :) Jesus will never leave me, and I will never have to live life on my own again! WOW! talk about taking the pressure off...Dude I need to be reminded that Jesus has the whole picture, like the whole world in his hands....which hurts my brain to think about how big Jesus must be, (especially late at night!!) so if Jesus has the whole world, He's got me and my ideas, dreams, jobs and future life all figured out! All I have to do it just live it out, but WITH Him helping me!!
When I became a Christian I gave up my old way of life to pursue this life with Jesus, wherever it takes me, and whatever I do!!! I'm whole hoggin it for Jesus!!!! :) hee-hee-hee!!!!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Today:
Ok so I know this blog for me is kind of a way to write about life, and journal, for others to read and be encourged.
So Today....I'm just very Thankful. My heart is full of thanks for people. So many people have come into my life for whatever reason, but I see God working through them, and through me. Today I am thankful for family, for church family.....things have just made me think of my grandpa, who I miss today....He would always pray the same prayer...."Our father we come before you with a thankful hearts, for the wonderful day and the great blessing....Thankful for family, thankful for the food...Thankful for Chrissy, Thankful for Lorie, Be with those who are sick, care for them, help them, be with those we should pray for, bless them, In Thy name we pray...Amen" It was always the same prayer he would pray just about every time. I just am full of thanks, no other way to put it!!! I'm so thankful for Jesus, for His unfailing love, How He picks me up, gives me His assurance....I love it!!!! Lord I'm thankful, thankful for friends, for family, for my job, for church, for teachers I work with. Lord I love you, I want to walk with you, and In You my life is complete. Thank you Jesus for your blood sacrifice for me on the cross, thank you for the love and desires you have put in my life. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!! May I praise you all the days of my life Jesus!!!
So Today....I'm just very Thankful. My heart is full of thanks for people. So many people have come into my life for whatever reason, but I see God working through them, and through me. Today I am thankful for family, for church family.....things have just made me think of my grandpa, who I miss today....He would always pray the same prayer...."Our father we come before you with a thankful hearts, for the wonderful day and the great blessing....Thankful for family, thankful for the food...Thankful for Chrissy, Thankful for Lorie, Be with those who are sick, care for them, help them, be with those we should pray for, bless them, In Thy name we pray...Amen" It was always the same prayer he would pray just about every time. I just am full of thanks, no other way to put it!!! I'm so thankful for Jesus, for His unfailing love, How He picks me up, gives me His assurance....I love it!!!! Lord I'm thankful, thankful for friends, for family, for my job, for church, for teachers I work with. Lord I love you, I want to walk with you, and In You my life is complete. Thank you Jesus for your blood sacrifice for me on the cross, thank you for the love and desires you have put in my life. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!! May I praise you all the days of my life Jesus!!!
Monday, March 15, 2010
About Being Selfish
Hey everyone!!
I hope your day was great!!! Because God truly is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good!! AMEN!!! AMEN!!!!
You know how when you're around people and all the talk about is themselves and they never seem to really listen to what you have to say.....I feel that is how it is sometimes with our relationship with God...I feel lately like I have a big huge ball of me...(kind of like the big balls of rubber bands wrapped up, if you've ever seen them before at Walmart or Target)....like a ball of chaos and confusion, or like a mis-combobulated contraption that doesn't fully serve it's intended purpose....so God has to gently pull apart the individual rubber bands of SELF, so he can put HIS one and only band (Jesus and His HS) around and through me and in me to use me as I have never even thought of, or imagined. I realize I have to let go of my life completely and let God do His thing, His perfect will and purpose for my life....I have to lose my own vision and have God's vision that's mapped out for my life. I did not come into this world alone, and I don't understand why I would think that I can do and live my life for my own way, or my own purpose, when I will fail miserably. Jesus is all that I need, truth be told. Keep it simple christian!!!!!! AAHH!!!!!
Philippians 4:19 says:
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
As long as I have Jesus, I will never have to walk through life alone, ever!!!! I just think that is SOO AWESOME!!!!! so that means God knows my needs, and he not only wants to; but the bible says God WILL meet all my needs!!!! It's cool to think that everyday when I go to work, home, eat, and yes even sleep....I'm never alone!!! God is like this friend you can always count on, and a person who understands me for me....and gets me and my craziness at times :) Thank You Lord for never leaving me alone, for never forsaking me!!!! This Life God has created for us to live, in submission to Him, is by far the craziness and coolest decision I think I've ever made in my entire life!!!!! DUDE!!!!! JESUS IS MY HOME-BOY!!!!!!!
Jesus help me to stop being selfish....to put aside my own ambitions and go hard after what you would have me to do!!! Help me not to gaze at my problems and glance at you....but rather gaze at YOU LORD, and just glace at my problems!!!!! I love you Jesus forever and ever!!!!!!!
I hope your day was great!!! Because God truly is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good!! AMEN!!! AMEN!!!!
You know how when you're around people and all the talk about is themselves and they never seem to really listen to what you have to say.....I feel that is how it is sometimes with our relationship with God...I feel lately like I have a big huge ball of me...(kind of like the big balls of rubber bands wrapped up, if you've ever seen them before at Walmart or Target)....like a ball of chaos and confusion, or like a mis-combobulated contraption that doesn't fully serve it's intended purpose....so God has to gently pull apart the individual rubber bands of SELF, so he can put HIS one and only band (Jesus and His HS) around and through me and in me to use me as I have never even thought of, or imagined. I realize I have to let go of my life completely and let God do His thing, His perfect will and purpose for my life....I have to lose my own vision and have God's vision that's mapped out for my life. I did not come into this world alone, and I don't understand why I would think that I can do and live my life for my own way, or my own purpose, when I will fail miserably. Jesus is all that I need, truth be told. Keep it simple christian!!!!!! AAHH!!!!!
Philippians 4:19 says:
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
As long as I have Jesus, I will never have to walk through life alone, ever!!!! I just think that is SOO AWESOME!!!!! so that means God knows my needs, and he not only wants to; but the bible says God WILL meet all my needs!!!! It's cool to think that everyday when I go to work, home, eat, and yes even sleep....I'm never alone!!! God is like this friend you can always count on, and a person who understands me for me....and gets me and my craziness at times :) Thank You Lord for never leaving me alone, for never forsaking me!!!! This Life God has created for us to live, in submission to Him, is by far the craziness and coolest decision I think I've ever made in my entire life!!!!! DUDE!!!!! JESUS IS MY HOME-BOY!!!!!!!
Jesus help me to stop being selfish....to put aside my own ambitions and go hard after what you would have me to do!!! Help me not to gaze at my problems and glance at you....but rather gaze at YOU LORD, and just glace at my problems!!!!! I love you Jesus forever and ever!!!!!!!
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