One Fateful Day...

This is how it all began...

On December 19, 2009 at Shinjuku's Cultural Center, a Christmas Love Concert was held.

My family friend's daughter was the Concert master for the orchestra and we went to support her! Eunice was sooo good! I was so proud of her... :)

Some Korean Gospel singer who I never heard of... he was pretty good though.

The star of the concert. He was tall, dreamy, and soooo good live! Sang three songs: 1) You Raise Me Up 2) Noel 3) 사랑합니다 (Saranghamnida - his debut song)

I had butterflies...

Eunice's sister, Christine, went to the stage and took Tim's water bottle. HAHAHA. She's sooo brave. 13 years old and not afraid of anything... oh the good years. His bottle smelled like strawberry lip balm. HAHAHAHAHA. -_- Some crazy fan came up to us after the show and asked us if she could feel it. She rubbed the bottle with her shaky hands. We didn't want to give it to her because some people make these things an idol... :*(

The Korean tenor who lost his voice completely due to cancer but got it back by the grace of God. People were crying at his performance... it's truly amazing what God can do.

The Kwon family and me. Thanks to their kindness and hospitality, my dream came true! :)

Our seats: front row! Tim saw us and pointed to me... I melted inside.

Our picture together. Do you see his hand? It's on my shoulder... :) HAHA. We waited for him between his dressing room and the lobby (there was this hallway right before the stairs). They said he would come out for a meet and greet but for some reason... I didn't believe them (turns out, I was right). So we waited and he finally came out. Here is our conversation:

Us: Can we take a picture with you?

Tim: You guys speak English! *shakes our hands

(Take the picture)

Tim: Where are you guys from?

Me: LA

Kwon sisters: Japan

Tim: What are you guys doing here?

Kwon sisters: We live here

Me: (thinking I should say I'm a missionary but can't get it out of my mouth)

Tim: Any missionaries?

Me: I'M HERE FOR A YEAR.

Tim: That's great. See you guys again later.

AGAIN? LATER? WHEN? -_-; Then he went up the stairs and into the crowd of ahjumas shoving flowers into his hands, snapping photos, and screaming for him. He went out the lobby doors and into his van? That was the last of our encounter. We were blessed... we got a picture. THANK YOU, GOD!

What was better than meeting TIM?! WELCOMING UTA-KUN INTO GOD'S FAMILY! PRAISE GOD that he was baptized on Sunday! :) It took three years to make it official but God has really been working in His life. I'm so happy! Many people cried because it was so beautiful to see our fellow brother in Christ profess his faith before the world! CONGRATULATIONS!

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION at Shonan Grace Chapel! :D

The Sato family gave me a gift for Christmas. They said, "日本でがんばって” and I started to tear up. God really used these sisters to remind me of God's faithfulness... it was a hard week but their heart for me brought a smile to my face! The bag they got me! I will definitely fit in with the Japanese girls. :)

GOD IS GOOD. So much happened in such a short two days... it has definitely been memorable!!! :0) Thanks for your prayers... it's being poured out on me!

Biggest lesson learned: IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE GIVE THANKS TO GOD. Even what seems like the worst day... something good can come from it. Bad days are what make good days good. There's always something to be thankful for! Don't let the circumstances define you... you define the circumstances! It all depends on the perspective. :)

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."

Happy Two Months!

I can't believe it's already been 2 months since I've been here. I'm experiencing God everyday in such different ways. He's kept me safe, healthy, and most importantly, never too comfortable.

Yesterday I had a realization: It's just me+God in Japan. It wasn't a feeling of loneliness like we all would think or describe. Loneliness is being sad/depressed about the fact that there is no one physically/emotionally there for me. However, I have friends who I hang out with everyday and who care for me. But when it comes to a spiritual aspect, there is no one I can depend on. God is truly the only one who can understand me 100%. I am slowly learning that a Christian's life is a lonely one. When I read in Spiritual Leadership that it's a lonely life, I didn't understand it. But now I am beginning to see that in this world, it's supposed to be you+God. Of course fellowship and community is an essential part, but no matter how much you share, there is no one who can see from your perspective- everyone's walk is soooooo different. My prayer was truly for God to be my Everything... and He is. I'm grateful for this reminder and even though what I am experiencing now may be new and not what I'm used to, I am willing to endure because of the fact that God is disciplining, training, and refining me.

I was enjoying God's creation and looked up at the sky and saw that the cloud was covering the sun. Then it hit me: just b/c the cloud is in front of the cloud doesn't mean that the sun is not there... the sun is ALWAYS there. Temporarily clouds may block our view of the sun but we can be sure that it's shining somewhere behind the clouds. In the same way, God is always there. Sometimes circumstances may keep us from seeing the light or feeling the warmth of God but that doesn't mean God's not with us. I have hope knowing that my feelings are temporary and my life has seasons. The forecast for our spiritual lives cannot and will not always be sunny- some days there will be light showers and other days snow or even hail. However, I think the only thing that keeps me going is the fact that the sun is always there and the skies will clear up sooner or later. This is what keeps me going and I pray that it will encourage you too: circumstances change, people come and go, but the ONE THING that is constant is God's love for us.

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Thank you all for your prayers! The candlelight service was amazing! Three new girls came out and they were able to sing praise with us and listen to the message of Jesus's birth. PRAISE GOD! Kazumi-chan's testimony was SUCH A BLESSING and I know that it's because so many of you prayed for her! I believe God really spoke in/through her... even though I didn't understand like 95% of it, I was still so blessed. I never had a candlelight service before, but it was pretty cool! :D

One of the classmates is a Missionary who does diaspora ministry. He invited us (plus some church unnis) to his house for some homemade Korean food and good fellowship. Please pray for his ministry to reach out to the Chinese people in Japan.

Shonan Grace Chapel's Kids Christmas! So many people came out and it was a great day of games, Christmas cake, presents, and a puppet show! The Gospel was shared and I pray that it touched the hearts of some of those there. Around 60 people came out... but the sad thing was that the next day was a Sunday and NONE of the 60 came to service. This is reality... there still is a lot of work to be done! As you look through these pictures, please pray for the children you see. Revival will come to Japan SOON- I pray it will be through these kids. GOD LOVES THESE CHILDREN... THEY ARE HIS!!!

*Mikito stole the show (and my heart) with his heart sunglasses & red balloon. Hopeless-romantic in the making? :-)

On Sunday, one of the older sisters from my church invited me to go to a Gospel Choir concert that she used to be a part of. I was so excited to hear that Gospel music was going to be sung! However, I was kind of disappointed when I found out that only 3 of the members were Christian. The rest were just in it to sing. Two thoughts ran through my head: 1) God can use this group to bring some of the members to Christ. Even if they might sing these words and not know what they mean, one day God might use it to open their hearts/eyes and 2) Gospel music is essentially a praise song to God- meant to be sung from the heart as an act of worship and praise. They were lifting their hands and it really felt like a performance. There was no spiritual power felt from their songs... it was just fun and upbeat just like how Gospel sounds. However, as I wrestled and prayed to God for a right heart, I realized that I should just pray for the members and know that God is doing His work. I may not understand or see the fruit right now, but it is all in God's hands. He will redeem all for His glory... who am I to question? Please pray that God will use the songs they sing to reveal to them who He really is... that the songs are not mere words but that it's truth.

I gave my school friends these gift bags filled with candy, crackers, choco pie, "Delights of Christmas" JCCC CD (Christian songs sung in Japanese), and a card that said "Merry Christmas. God is love (in Japanese). God bless you!" I don't know if they'll ever listen to the CD, but I didn't see it as my job to worry about if they would ever take or throw it out. God will use the CD if it is in His will... I am just a messenger! Please pray that God will stir in the hearts of those who did/will listen!

My school friends did SECRET SANTA! :D Our makneh (the youngest of the group), Junhyung, got me! He got me a cute hat and red scarf! I loveeeeeeeeeeee! When taking the picture, I looked like a Christmas tree/model. -_-;

*Our dinner at a really cheap Italian restaurant: Saizeriya. It was the last day we were all going to be together until next year b/c oppa and dongseng are going to Korea. :*(

Today was the last day of class!!! -_- I got to know these people for 2 months and I'm so happy to have met them! I think the potluck we had reflected our class dynamics so well: each person brings something new/different/good to the table. :0) The right side are all the Chinese brothers who don't know Christ. Please pray that God will continue doing His work in their lives by bringing more Christians to them! Even though they were kinda loud... they were really fun! :D I'm going to miss them...

*One of our Chinese friends was wearing this shirt... I think it was supposed to say: CLAP your Hands. -_____- We all had a good laugh! This is why I hate graphic tees... especially in/from Asia. HAHAHAHA.

Always have to include a food picture...

One of the biggest blessings so far has been these people...

Without them, my life in Japan would be lonely... literally. God brought each and every one of us together to cross paths at this point in our lives. I'm so grateful and I cannot express how much of an impact they have had on my stay here so far! :0) Sometimes, it can be hard because there are cultural & language barriers but I know that it will not hinder our relationship. Even though I am far from friends and family back home, God has provided me these people to be blessed and also be a blessing. Thank you, God. Please pray for my circle of friends... three non-believers but I have faith that God will do His work through us.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9