Heart Warmer

"Do nothing from selfishness or conceit but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Philippians 2:3-4

I can't believe it's already the weekend! Even though each day seemed pretty long/slow, the week went by fast... tomorrow = November. -_-;

Language school has been getting better. I made friends (from Korea & China) and it makes school more enjoyable! :) I think starting from next week, I'm going to go study with them. Yay! The Korean kids are soooo good... they always get in the TOP 3! Koreans... such overachievers. Praise report: I got 80/100 on my test! This was my second test and I know for most of you, you're thinking, "That's a B... minus." But I don't care! HAHA. I was so happy because 80 is the cutoff for no homework (if you get under 80 you get homework). :D I can't say I studied super hard for this test (obviously, right?), but I will try harder. I'm hoping that I'll do better on the next one so please pray that I can get over 80. Let me tell you... getting a good score (and yes, 80 is considered good... for now) does raise your spirits and it kinda motivates you. :0)

This week, I was able to finish "Disciplines of a Godly Woman" and "The Five Love Languages." Both were a good read and I can honestly say that I learned so much from both texts. Five Love Languages was a bit harder to put into perspective because I'm not married. -_- However, it had some good things to keep in mind in preparation for marriage (God willing). I don't want to go into an in depth analysis of both... but I did realize that after reading in depth about each love language, I had my love languages all mixed up! -_- I consider myself "bilingual" and it surprised me to see that some where higher/lower than how I first arranged them!

Wednesday night Bible studies are going well so far! The girls are so devoted and they hunger to know more of God's word. We are still going through Samuel and we had to read chapter 13-31. It was a blessing! I must admit... I don't think I ever read through Samuel all the way and so it was really helpful to understand the book as a whole! It was such a fun narrative... why did I miss out on such a great book before? :( If you haven't read all of 1 Samuel, I challenge you to read it! :)

After Bible study, my friend, Hitomi, invited me to her dorm for dinner. Tsuda College is an all-girls school and there are only like 2,000 students. The dorms are super close to the campus (it's pretty small but still pretty) and they literally share it like a huge house. The kitchen is for everyone in the dorm to use. They have their own food/cookware just out in the open/refrigerator/shelves... and the craziest part = people don't steal it! It's crazy how much trust there is in this culture. I was really amazed. すごいね！We made spaghetti and our friend, Kazumi (23 years old), made 덖볶이! She's Japanese but she studied abroad in Australia and she made Korean friends who taught her how to make it. It was really good! :) For dessert = japanese plain yogurt with canned peaches & blueberry jam. MMM.

Kazumi's testimony is really beautiful! She got saved while being in Australia... thanks to God's work through her Korean friends. It was truly the work of God's grace! Her entire family, however, does not know Christ. She has two younger brothers (21 & 19 years old). Please pray for her! She also shared with me another prayer request: she has a job lined up as soon as she finishes college in March (Japan's school year works that way), but the problem is, everyone in the company has to bow to the official flag every morning (it's ceremonial). She has made a difficult decision to tell her boss that she will not be able to bow down to the flag. She talked it over with her pastor and she felt that in her heart, it was wrong to continue doing it. WOW! Here is someone who wants to devote ALL of herself to God and not compromise in even the little things of this world. She expressed concerns over the outcome of her decision to tell her boss, but let's pray that God's will will be done. Through her example, I pray that people will be able to see Christ! She knows that everything is in God's hands... this kind of faith challenges/encourages me.

Reminds me of Matthew 5:13-16... SALT & LIGHT!

¹³"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

My new PASMO card... 6 months worth. I use this thing everyday and I guard it with my life. I'm so happy it is pink! Expires 4.28.10 (good thing it's an even number... I like even numbers).

I ate TAKOYAKI from a stand next to the train station by my house. I love this stuff! So good! 8 for 200 yen (about $2).

Closing story of the day: My niece (9 years old) wrote me a letter. SHE IS THE CUTEST!!! I am so blessed to have her in my life. I mentioned her in one of my earliest posts. I saw this and I was so touched/happy/excited/encouraged. She beat ALL OF YOU to sending me a letter. -_- She wrote on the outside of the envelope, "Be Happy" and "God is with you!" I'll leave you with what she wrote...

*I did not edit the minor errors 9 year olds make. :) It's cuter this way. Just in case you couldn't catch them, I italicized them for you. Reading my blog = get updated on my life in Japan + spelling lesson.

Dear Aunt Iris,

I miss you! I hope you still remeber what CA looks like. To help you remeber, I am giving you a CA state quarter. Be carful that you don't spend it. And remeber the words on the quarter 'in God we trust.' At school I am not doing well. I did'nt get any A+! I only got A, B+ and B. I forgot to tell you it is a congress report. But still... in your next letter please tell me about Japan and your openion of it. And please tell me if you are keeping my notes. May God bless you.

Anne

Food for Thought...

Matt Redman has become my best friend & train riding partner this week- we sing praises together on the train. :) His song "Mission's Flame" really captured what missions should be about. I never heard it until I got to Japan. I was so blessed by it that I wanted to share it with all of you! Missions = For God's glory. God has called you... are you going to answer the call?

Mission's Flame

by Matt Redman

Let worship be the fuel for mission's flame
We're going with a passion for Your name
We're going for we care about Your praise
Send us out

Let worship be the heart of mission's aim
To see the nations recognize Your fame
'Til every tribe and tongue voices Your praise
Send us out

You should be the praise of every tongue, Jesus
You should be the joy of every heart
But until the fullness of Your kingdom comes
Until the final revelation dawns
Send us out

Every tribe, every tongue
Every creature in the heavens and the earth
Every heart, every soul
Will sing Your praise, will sing Your praise
Every note, every strain
Every melody will be for You alone
Every harmony that flows from every tongue
We'll sing Your praise, we'll sing Your praise
We'll sing Your praise, we'll sing Your praise

I have never experienced true independence. I've gone shopping at the mall by myself or even running around the neighborhood, but that's about it. In Japan, I realized... I do so many things by myself. Everyday I walk to the train station (I gave up on the bike -_-), ride the train, walk to school, eat lunch, and do things ALONE. Honestly, I didn't know how I would be able to handle it since I was never put in that kind of situation. However, maybe it's because so many people warned me I will be lonely or it's only the beginning that I have yet to feel loneliness. I can truly say that even though I am physically alone, I feel so happy. It's not because I am an introvert (in fact, I'm like almost 100% extravert) but it's because I am always talking to God. I have no choice but to pray and to sing to Him because He's the only One here with me. It's been amazing. Everyday I'm learning something new about myself... so much introspection. I am discovering so much about myself and just the kind of person I was, I am, and I hope to be. God is uncovering so many deep-rooted things and showing me certain aspects of myself that need to be changed. I'm experiencing TRUE JOY being with God everyday. I often think that it would've been so fun if I had someone here with me... but I have no regrets because I don't think I would be experiencing God everyday in the manner that I have been. I've truly come to a point where it's just God + me and let me tell you, it's beautiful on this side. :)

I'm sure there will be a point where I am longing for a companion, but I pray that instead of desiring temporary satisfaction from being physically surrounded by friends and loved ones, I will grow to endure, persevere, and enjoy this time that God has given me. I truly do not think there will ever be a time like this again and everyday I am reminded of how grateful I am that God has given me this opportunity. Although I am far from friends, family, and my comforts, I am close to God.

Yesterday, it rained- all day. -_- I'm not one who enjoys the rain, but for some reason the rain felt good. It was like the world was getting cleansed. :) The crisp air is also a plus. I heard there are a lot of rainy days so I guess I'll start getting a little depressed/missing Cali sunshine.

There's something about the way wet pavement looks... it reflects the world upside down.

The view from my window is a bit depressing. :( It was the perfect weather to curl up and read a book while enjoying hot green tea and then eventually falling asleep. :)

The only reason the rain is bearable is because of these. :)

Thank you, Paul Frank.

Every time I look down, I feel happy, bubbly, and warm inside. Color in my world.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been reading "Disciplines of a Godly Woman" and I am being sooooo blessed. There is still so much I have to learn about being a godly woman.

"Legalism is self-centered; discipline is God-centered. The legalistic heart says, 'I will do this thing to gain merit with God.' The disciplined heart says, 'I will do this because I love God and want to please Him.' The true heart of discipline is relationship- relationship with God."

Sisters, do you want to be a godly woman?

1) Know the Gospel. Believe it. Love it. Make it your everything.

2) Bring your life into submission to His will in everything.

3) Prayer is the source of power for growth and perseverance in our spiritual lives and it bends our wills to God's will.

4) Every woman who calls herself a Christian must understand that worship is the ultimate priority of her life.

E. Stanley Jones: "If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God." --> Prayer then is not about getting God to do my bidding, but the shaping and bending of my will until it aligns with His.

"Suffering is God's means of perfecting us. Suffering is a means of spreading the Gospel. In persevering through suffering we see God."

I want to be one who can submit to God in my trials- trusting God to be God (good, wise, merciful, just, kind, lovingly all-knowing, and all-powerful). He's in control! Be patient and wait on the Lord!

Today, I woke up to blue skies, sunshine, & the sound of birds chirping.

Thank you, Lord, for a beautiful day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

"Above all else, guard your heart,

for it is the wellspring of life."

Proverbs 4:23

"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:

Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires."

Song of Solomon 8:4

First Sunday Service in 日本

I was awaiting the day that I could see the faces of those that I have been praying for... and today was that day. :)

On Saturday morning, Cho sensei and I left our house at 6AM so that we can make it to Hiratsuka in time for our 9AM morning prayer at Shonan Daira!!! :D I love the view from there. We prayed/shared for like 2 hours. It was very cold... the wind was like piercing. -_- Praise God I didn't get sick or that would've been bad.

I remembered this view from 3 years ago... how could you not?! It's unforgettable. Every Saturday there is prayer here... we pray for revival in Japan! As you can tell from the pictures... it was really gloomy and cold. -_- My two (least) favorite. :( We did our morning exercises as usual... Cho sensei style. But he did get rid of the HO HO HA HA... praise the Lord!

Takahashi sensei was Cho sensei's workout partner. HAHA. This looks like they're making a heart. :) A bug (that looks like a leaf) landed on Cho sensei's bag... he then transferred it to his arm as if it were his pet. -_-; Oh Cho sensei... that silly man.

I'll take better pictures of the surrounding areas on a less foggy day. You can see the ocean, Mt. Fuji, and all of Hiratsuka. One thing I can't see... America. :*(

I'm on top of the tower... faking a smile b/c it was too cold to even try. These were the men who attended... Uta san bought us tea. It comes out HOT from the machines even though they're in cans! sugoi ne.

Lunch was amazing... ramen. My favorite Japanese food- yes, even over sushi (sorry). It was tonkotsu (pork). You order the ramen from a machine, you pay the machine, and you get the ticket and give it to the waitress. -_- Toppings and stuff are not included... you have to add money for more toppings. :( SOOOOOOOO good... esp. on a cold day! mmm good.

Takahashi sensei and Uta san. :) Shonan Grace Chapel: my new church for the year! What a blessing it will be. Can't wait!

So I have to be in Hiratsuka from Saturday to Sunday (sometimes Friday to Monday morning) so I have a room upstairs. I have to sleep by myself in that church. -_- Yesterday was my first day and I was so scared!!! I almost had a heart attack. One incident: the doorbell rang. I thought I was all alone... but thank goodness the sensei was there! I called my neighbor, Eiko san, to come over cuz I got scared! :( I really prayed to God for someone to invite me to their house... but I think God wanted to break me. I got kinda discouraged thinking, "God, why did you put me in this situation? I'm so scared I can't even sleep!" Then I realized: when you pray for faith and dependency in God, He doesn't just give it to you... He gives you opportunities to be faithful and to be dependent. I vchatted with Kasey (God provided her for that time) until 10PM and then prayed a very detailed prayer before I went to sleep. Thank God that He answers our prayers because I was alive in the morning!!! :)

The deacon of the church presiding over the service! Eiko san and the children during their children service. :D They do little workbooks on Bible stories.

So today was my first day at church and it was wonderful! Their setup is very similar to ours and they sang some songs in English... well the only parts were like "God bless you" and "Amen" but still, I could sing along since I'm learning hiragana and katakana. I still don't understand 100% but it's coming along!

Sunday schedule:

9:15-10AM Junior High/High School service (upstairs)

10-11:30AM 1st Service (main chapel)

11:45AM-1:30PM Lunch

1:45-4:30PM Rest

5-6PM 2nd Service (main chapel) - mostly for young adults and those who have work during the day

6:46-8:30PM train back to Tokorozawa

8:35-8:55PM walk home

11PM sleep

After service today four of us went to eat lunch! :) It was really good. The place was called "Avantgarde Cafe" and they served french food! MMM. Specialties: quiche + salad + beef stew w/ bread + pasta. The place was super cute... they had like a store (looked like pottery barn+anthropologie) on the first floor and the second floor was the cafe. Meet my new friends: Tamaki chan, Eiko san, Miyuki san! (Please pray for these faces that they will be used to usher in revival in Japan) They were so nice and we had a good time! Thank you God for surrounding me with such great people already! God is good.

Just finished >> The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer [a MUST READ for every Christian!]

Here are some quotes:

"Let a man be forced into making a choice between God and money, between God and men, between God and personal ambition, God and self, God and human love, and God will take second place every time."

"Everything is safe which we commit to Him, and nothing is really safe which is not so committed."

"Let any man turn to God in earnest, let him begin to exercise himself unto godliness, let him seek to develop his power of spiritual receptivity by trust and obedience and humility, and the results will exceed anything he may have hope in his leaner and weaker days."

"Sometimes the best way to see a thing is to look at its opposite."

"God wants the whole person and He will not rest till He gets us in entirety."

"In himself, nothing; in God, everything."

"It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it. The motive is everything."

Currently reading >> Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes

*both compliments of Daniel A. Kim :) I'm getting so blessed by them... thank you so much!

The best source of encouragement comes from the Bible, hands down. But sometimes, other things can bring a smile to our faces... this weekend it was pick up lines. Corny/cheesy, you may say, but still so cute.

Jevin Jim's pick up lines via AIM:

1) You can stand next to me as long as you don't talk about the heat.

2) You look sad and lonely. How bout a little vitamin ME.

3) I think i just caught myself from falling cus your so smooth ;]

4) What time do you have to get back to heaven.

5) KNOCK KNOCK? Who's there? Anita. Anita who? Anita see you soon.

Peter Cheong's pick up lines via Skype:

1) You're like a dictionary... you add meaning to my life.

2) Your eyes are bluer than the Atlantic Ocean and baby, I'm all lost at sea.

3) Do you have a map? B/c honey, I keep getting lost in your eyes.

4) Do you have a Bandaid? I just scraped my knees falling for you.

5) The Word says give drink to those who are thirsty and feed those who are hungry... so how about dinner?

6) Did the sun come up or did you just smile at me?

My all-time favorites:

1) Life without you would be like a broken pencil... pointless.

2) Can you empty your pockets? I think you stole my heart.

This was not a pick up line... but it made me smile! :) Anonymous for his protection... and no it's not my secret crush (not that I even have one). -_-; I wish... cuz I've been seeing way more couples on the streets/train stations of Japan lately... or maybe I'm just noticing it more cuz I'm subconsciously feeling lonely. HAHAHA no... it's definitely b/c it's almost the Holidays. :(

Anonymous: should i just keep all the letters i write and give them to you when you return? like the notebook or something

*if this really did happen... that would be THE CUTEST thing. only HRs think this way...

Life so far...

MAILING ADDRESS:

Iris Park

16-16 Minamisumiyoshi Tokorozawa-shi

Saitama-ken JAPAN 〒 359-1125

SCHEDULE:

6AM Wake up, wash up, QT, read the Bible, pray, get ready

7AM Eat breakfast

7:15AM Get out of the house and ride the bike to the station

7:30AM Park my bike and get on the train station headed for Ikebukuru

8AM Get to Ikebukuru & transfer to the JR line headed for Nishi-Nippori

8:15AM Get off at Nishi-Nippori and walk to school (5 minutes)

8:30AM Study/review

9AM Class begins

12:25PM Class ends

12:35PM Get back on the train (transfer in between)

1:15PM Get back to Tokorozawa Station and ride the bike home

1:30PM Talk to parents on skype

2PM Eat lunch

2:30PM Do what needs to be done (market, study, vchat, errands)

6PM Dinner

7PM Study, watch TV, talk to samoneem

10PM Sleep

Good thing about riding the train is that every reads in there... it's so quiet so it's the perfect environment. I read the Bible and listen to Christian music (usually Jeremy Camp, Rush of Fools, Starfield). I experience mad morning rush hour every day... it's so sad. They like SHOVE themselves on to the train. Yesterday was so bad, I was like CRUSHED, not even squished. -_- It was pretty bad... but today was a lot better. I still have to take a picture. I will be brave one day...

LANGUAGE SCHOOL HAS STARTED!

My school is called DBC (Dynamic Business College) -_- They bought out an old school that went out of business (b/c people are not having babies!!!) and turned the 4th floor into language school. I feel like I'm getting the atmosphere of an Asian kid. Look at the bathrooms... I thought they were soooo cute b/c they were all pink. I opened the door and I gasped! >.<>

He teaches on Wednesdays only (-_-)... his name is Banba (ばんば) sensei. He's like awkward and very clumsy. He trips over the white board legs. :) One student (who is Korean) told him, "AISHTERU" (1. you never say that in Japan and 2. he was a guy) and Banba sensei would not stop turning red and laughing awkwardly. HAHAHAHA. so funny. He is what I look forward to every week! He's 30 and he likes to speak to me in English during break. *^_^*v The other days are women teachers. :*( They're still kind/nice (しんせつ) but... yeah.

EVERY DAY 9AM-12:25PM... it's a struggle. Praise God because I feel like it's getting less and less stressful. I'm picking up on a lot more things! I really believe it is the prayers of all of you at home that is covering me! :) So please keep praying for me. I already have a test tomorrow -_- boo. I'm trying to study but it gets kinda hard with jet lag and just being tired. Pray that I will have more strength to study harder!!!

On Wednesday nights, I attend a Bible study at Tsuda College (women's college founded by a Christian woman). Hitomi, whom I met in 2006, attends this college and she invited me to join them! I haven't seen her in 3 years... we had a long hug when we saw each other at the Takanodai train station. :) I was very happy to see her. She's changed so much! She's a warrior for God in Japan. She led the Bible study... I was so proud of her! On the way to the college, there is this park (looks more like a forest) and it was so nice! I wanted to just go there and do QTs or something. -_-; About 6 girls meet weekly and I'm glad I can join them. They sang "In His Time" in English and Japanese and I could sing it in both. :D I was so happy!!! Most of them study English as their major so we can converse. :) Such a blessing... I hope to get closer to these girls. They bring snacks for each other (so cute) and yesterday we studied 1 Samuel 8-12. Oh and fortunately, there was an English teacher (Carolyn sensei) who joins them once a month and she translated for me! How crazy to have a teacher do Bible study with you! She's been in Japan for 30 years (married a Japanese man) and she speaks just like a Japanese woman. She teaches English part-time and has two kids. Pray that she will be a blessing to those she teaches and that through her, some may come to know Christ!

Back row: Nozomi (means "hope"), Carolyn sensei, Yuki (she looks Korean), Shinobi (her nickname is "Sui")

Front row: Ayame (means "Iris"), Nozomi (the other one), Hitomi, and Kazumi

PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM!!! <3>

Cute (kinda gross) story to end: I was on the train coming back home and this cute little girl is in sitting across from me with her mom. She starts picking her nose... she's like digging for gold. EUREKA! She found it... then she put it straight in her mouth. -__________-; After doing this like 4 times, she looks at me, and I shook my head and mouthed "no" but she just looked away. 5 seconds later, she starting going at it AGAIN! She did it literally like 12 times. That's why I had enough time to bust out my camera and try to take a picture of her while NOT looking like a creeper. :D omg, she must like the salty taste... I hope my daughter doesn't do that. -_- What was her mom doing?! Not paying attention to her own daughter. Kids these days... oh wait, I'm sure I did this once or twice when I was young. *barf

OKAY, time for dinner! Until next time, tootles.