#151
Back at Gakushuin for the first time since '07! Well, I visited in '08 but I don't think a Project has been on Gakushuin since my first time.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Missed Out
#150
I didn't get to go to campus today, but everybody else did, and apparently it was an awesome day! Lots of meeting new people, lots of spiritual convos, even a few Gospel-sharing opportunities.
I didn't get to go to campus today, but everybody else did, and apparently it was an awesome day! Lots of meeting new people, lots of spiritual convos, even a few Gospel-sharing opportunities.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tanjoubi Omedetou!
#128
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMIE! My co-director is celebrating a big bday today, and it got kicked off to a great start with one of the girl apartments cooking a breakfast feast for the whole team to celebrate. :) Jamie's been such a huge blessing in my life these past few months, and it's fun to get to celebrate her with the team today. Lord, bless her as she enters another year of life with you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMIE! My co-director is celebrating a big bday today, and it got kicked off to a great start with one of the girl apartments cooking a breakfast feast for the whole team to celebrate. :) Jamie's been such a huge blessing in my life these past few months, and it's fun to get to celebrate her with the team today. Lord, bless her as she enters another year of life with you!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
WASEDA!
#146
First day on campus was a huge success! Everyone had such a great time meeting Japanese students today and getting a tour of beautiful Waseda campus. And then our team got to go on a scavenger hunt around Shibuya, getting a taste of Tokyo. But man, second full day in-country means TI-RED. Finishing the day with Date Night with Jesus was definitely a good choice!
First day on campus was a huge success! Everyone had such a great time meeting Japanese students today and getting a tour of beautiful Waseda campus. And then our team got to go on a scavenger hunt around Shibuya, getting a taste of Tokyo. But man, second full day in-country means TI-RED. Finishing the day with Date Night with Jesus was definitely a good choice!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Jetlag Can't Slow Our Productivity!
#145
I'm gonna be posting my post-a-days according to what day it is here in Japan. Since my blogger is set to Hawaii time, this post is gonna show up as being 5/24, but it's 5/25 here :) Gonna try doing video posts whenever I can.
I'm gonna be posting my post-a-days according to what day it is here in Japan. Since my blogger is set to Hawaii time, this post is gonna show up as being 5/24, but it's 5/25 here :) Gonna try doing video posts whenever I can.
Arrived
#144
We're here! I'm keeping this short because I'm about to fall asleep at my computer. But praise God, we made it with no issues or bumps, and we're now all settled into our apts where we'll be spending the next 5 weeks or so! Lord, here's to a Spirit-led, awesome Project.
We're here! I'm keeping this short because I'm about to fall asleep at my computer. But praise God, we made it with no issues or bumps, and we're now all settled into our apts where we'll be spending the next 5 weeks or so! Lord, here's to a Spirit-led, awesome Project.
Off We Go
#143
Lots of new experiences at LAX. Flying out of terminal 6 for an international flight, having to check "yes" for and declare the more than 10,000 bucks we were taking, eating at Ruby's dinette... But we all got on the flight!
Lots of new experiences at LAX. Flying out of terminal 6 for an international flight, having to check "yes" for and declare the more than 10,000 bucks we were taking, eating at Ruby's dinette... But we all got on the flight!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Messin With My Heart
#142
Well, it's been an emotional roller coaster of a day. Our leadership actually had to pull a student off our team and tell him he had to go home, because he was just way too short on funding. It was really unfortunate, but we all made peace with it. And then all of a sudden, a $3000 donation came in for him and he was put back on the team! Needless to say, many on our team shed both tears of sadness and joy today! But tonight, all the teams were commissioned, and we're all off to our respective locations tomorrow! SO EXCITING! The Lord is definitely Provider, and we're so excited to see what He does in and through us in Tokyo, East Asia, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and the Middle East!
Well, it's been an emotional roller coaster of a day. Our leadership actually had to pull a student off our team and tell him he had to go home, because he was just way too short on funding. It was really unfortunate, but we all made peace with it. And then all of a sudden, a $3000 donation came in for him and he was put back on the team! Needless to say, many on our team shed both tears of sadness and joy today! But tonight, all the teams were commissioned, and we're all off to our respective locations tomorrow! SO EXCITING! The Lord is definitely Provider, and we're so excited to see what He does in and through us in Tokyo, East Asia, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and the Middle East!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Beautiful and Flawed
#141
Tonight's team time was about embracing and adjusting to cultural differences, and as Jamie and I (along with our coaches) trained our students on it, I got SO excited all over again. The Japanese have such a beautiful and flawed culture, with so much potential to be used by God in its strengths, and so much possibility for the Lord to heal too, and I just can't wait to continue being used in the work of seeing that people group redeemed.
Tonight's team time was about embracing and adjusting to cultural differences, and as Jamie and I (along with our coaches) trained our students on it, I got SO excited all over again. The Japanese have such a beautiful and flawed culture, with so much potential to be used by God in its strengths, and so much possibility for the Lord to heal too, and I just can't wait to continue being used in the work of seeing that people group redeemed.
Friday, May 20, 2011
New Fam
#140
Our team has finally met! It's really a great bunch of students, and Jamie and I are super excited to see what the Lord will do in and through our team, especially as they learn to love each other in the midst of ministry, cultural adjustment, and even conflict. :)
Our team has finally met! It's really a great bunch of students, and Jamie and I are super excited to see what the Lord will do in and through our team, especially as they learn to love each other in the midst of ministry, cultural adjustment, and even conflict. :)
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Rocked Already
#139
Day 1 of briefing is over! Well, for us directors, at least. The students show up tomorrow. Exciting stuff!
Today was intense. Not only was everyone pretty physically beat, but we had to process a lot of logistical info, and then we had an hour and a half where we each just went off and spent time with the Lord with a devotional to direct us in reflecting on where our hearts are. MAN! So much stuff came up. It's been such a busy time that I hadn't really taken the time to see how I was doing spiritually and really take care of my relationship with Jesus. It was great just meditating, basically that entire time, on the power of the gospel and what it means to me. I don't think any of us here wants to lead project from any place other than of being compelled by love. Thank You, Lord, for the power of Your love, Your gospel, Your Word, Your truth.
Day 1 of briefing is over! Well, for us directors, at least. The students show up tomorrow. Exciting stuff!
Today was intense. Not only was everyone pretty physically beat, but we had to process a lot of logistical info, and then we had an hour and a half where we each just went off and spent time with the Lord with a devotional to direct us in reflecting on where our hearts are. MAN! So much stuff came up. It's been such a busy time that I hadn't really taken the time to see how I was doing spiritually and really take care of my relationship with Jesus. It was great just meditating, basically that entire time, on the power of the gospel and what it means to me. I don't think any of us here wants to lead project from any place other than of being compelled by love. Thank You, Lord, for the power of Your love, Your gospel, Your Word, Your truth.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The OTHER Side of a Support Appointment
#138
I got to have a support appointment with Jared today! He's a guy I got to disciple at USC, and seriously, working with him was a highlight of my time at USC. God has done so much in his life, and it's been a joy to watch and be a part of. And now he's off to STInt (Short-term International- serving one year with CCC overseas) in the Middle East. I'm SO excited for him. He's going to a really cool, brand new location for CCC, and he's super pumped about it. If you're at all interested in hearing more about his ministry, and even considering supporting him financially, let me know!
I got to have a support appointment with Jared today! He's a guy I got to disciple at USC, and seriously, working with him was a highlight of my time at USC. God has done so much in his life, and it's been a joy to watch and be a part of. And now he's off to STInt (Short-term International- serving one year with CCC overseas) in the Middle East. I'm SO excited for him. He's going to a really cool, brand new location for CCC, and he's super pumped about it. If you're at all interested in hearing more about his ministry, and even considering supporting him financially, let me know!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Theme Planning in MAY?!
#137
Winter Conference planning has begun once more! I know it sounds ridiculously early, but the thing is, our creative arts team needs to get started on promotional material asap so the program team got together all day today at the good ol' Doubletree in Orange to narrow down to two theme ideas. We're pretty excited about it. Plus, it was a fun process...
Bob and Jill treated us to some choreographed swing, just during a break :)
We brainstormed ideas using playdoh, moonsand, watching videos, and using post-its...
and when we voted on our preliminary favorite between our two finalist theme ideas, Bob played Jeff Probst and did the revelation Survivor style!
Winter Conference planning has begun once more! I know it sounds ridiculously early, but the thing is, our creative arts team needs to get started on promotional material asap so the program team got together all day today at the good ol' Doubletree in Orange to narrow down to two theme ideas. We're pretty excited about it. Plus, it was a fun process...
Bob and Jill treated us to some choreographed swing, just during a break :)
We brainstormed ideas using playdoh, moonsand, watching videos, and using post-its...
and when we voted on our preliminary favorite between our two finalist theme ideas, Bob played Jeff Probst and did the revelation Survivor style!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Raw
#136
Real, raw, honest conversation about God. SO refreshing. No pretending, no faking, no sugarcoating. Because walking with the Lord isn't always sugary. In fact, so much of it is a painful process of letting go of things you don't want to let go of. Yeah, the payout is spectacular and the joy and abundance that's promised is beyond description. But this walk isn't easy, and getting to share in that with people is awesome. Just came from such a chat. This is why I do what I do- so that I can be used by God to help college students experience the kind of real, not-always-fluffy-and-that's-ok relationship with God and God's people.
Real, raw, honest conversation about God. SO refreshing. No pretending, no faking, no sugarcoating. Because walking with the Lord isn't always sugary. In fact, so much of it is a painful process of letting go of things you don't want to let go of. Yeah, the payout is spectacular and the joy and abundance that's promised is beyond description. But this walk isn't easy, and getting to share in that with people is awesome. Just came from such a chat. This is why I do what I do- so that I can be used by God to help college students experience the kind of real, not-always-fluffy-and-that's-ok relationship with God and God's people.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
SO. NOT. READY.
#135
And here we are- the week of Project. Four days until Jamie, James and I show up to briefing. AAAAAAH!!!! God, it's in Your hands.
And here we are- the week of Project. Four days until Jamie, James and I show up to briefing. AAAAAAH!!!! God, it's in Your hands.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Love My Supporters
#134
I had a sweet time stopping by two different graduation parties. I got to see some supporters of my ministry at each of the shindigs, and it was great getting to hear about how they're doing and what they've been up to. They read my blog/my prayer letters/my emails and so they usually know what's going on in my life, or at least in the ministry, so it's great when I get caught up on the goings on in their lives. :)
I had a sweet time stopping by two different graduation parties. I got to see some supporters of my ministry at each of the shindigs, and it was great getting to hear about how they're doing and what they've been up to. They read my blog/my prayer letters/my emails and so they usually know what's going on in my life, or at least in the ministry, so it's great when I get caught up on the goings on in their lives. :)
Friday, May 13, 2011
Tired
#133
I gave myself two days to settle into being back in Socal before starting with tying up Project loose ends. Today was supposed to be my first productive day... Yeah, not so much. I got some stuff done, but I was just feeling soooo lethargic and slow today. Lord, give me sweet rest IN YOU that I may be refreshed and serve you with passion and diligence.
I gave myself two days to settle into being back in Socal before starting with tying up Project loose ends. Today was supposed to be my first productive day... Yeah, not so much. I got some stuff done, but I was just feeling soooo lethargic and slow today. Lord, give me sweet rest IN YOU that I may be refreshed and serve you with passion and diligence.
Snoozefest
#132
Blogger was down last night, so I couldn't post.
Yesterday wasn't exactly eventful anyway. I slept 13 hours and woke up around 2 in the afternoon! haha. Man, a day off in a comfy bed at my mom's house after an exhausting semester of sweet ministry will show you just how tired you were.
Blogger was down last night, so I couldn't post.
Yesterday wasn't exactly eventful anyway. I slept 13 hours and woke up around 2 in the afternoon! haha. Man, a day off in a comfy bed at my mom's house after an exhausting semester of sweet ministry will show you just how tired you were.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Fraternity for Eternity
#131
My flight got in to LAX around 520 this morning. I did stuff all day, and then tonight was my fraternity's senior banquet, where the guys who were freshmen when I was a senior, some of whom I discipled in my time at SC, were being recognized as graduating seniors. It was such a joy hearing them each share their final thoughts/words of wisdom to those in attendance, as I so clearly was able to see how much the Lord had grown them and taught them in their time at SC. What a treat!
My flight got in to LAX around 520 this morning. I did stuff all day, and then tonight was my fraternity's senior banquet, where the guys who were freshmen when I was a senior, some of whom I discipled in my time at SC, were being recognized as graduating seniors. It was such a joy hearing them each share their final thoughts/words of wisdom to those in attendance, as I so clearly was able to see how much the Lord had grown them and taught them in their time at SC. What a treat!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
L'Ete est Arrive
#130
And I'm off! After an encouraging chat with my small group buddy Matt (who also brought me a support check for Tokyo from the guys in my small group who collected coins and played music in Waikiki to raise some money for my Project!! :D) and a refreshing catch-up with UH Cru guy Matt (different person), I just finished packing up my room and am about to move out of Uncle John and Aunty Linda's place after 5 blessed months here. Praying many blessings on them. Thus begins my summer...
And I'm off! After an encouraging chat with my small group buddy Matt (who also brought me a support check for Tokyo from the guys in my small group who collected coins and played music in Waikiki to raise some money for my Project!! :D) and a refreshing catch-up with UH Cru guy Matt (different person), I just finished packing up my room and am about to move out of Uncle John and Aunty Linda's place after 5 blessed months here. Praying many blessings on them. Thus begins my summer...
Monday, May 9, 2011
That's a Wrap!
#129
We finished our super productive, super intense, super tiring but definitely blessed four days of planning as a staff team to prepare for the fall semester today. And with that, my first school year on staff at UH comes to an end... as does this team's time together. I'm gonna miss Ed and Lynee a lot. After dinner, we took one last picture together as the 2010-2011 UH CCC staff family.
We finished our super productive, super intense, super tiring but definitely blessed four days of planning as a staff team to prepare for the fall semester today. And with that, my first school year on staff at UH comes to an end... as does this team's time together. I'm gonna miss Ed and Lynee a lot. After dinner, we took one last picture together as the 2010-2011 UH CCC staff family.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Church Love
#128
MAN! What a productive day of planning!
It was cool though because we took the morning off so that everyone could go to church. It was so nice to get to worship the Lord with the local Christian community. Plus, I got to see a bunch of friends and say "bye" to them since I probably won't be seeing them until August.
MAN! What a productive day of planning!
It was cool though because we took the morning off so that everyone could go to church. It was so nice to get to worship the Lord with the local Christian community. Plus, I got to see a bunch of friends and say "bye" to them since I probably won't be seeing them until August.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Ballin'
#127
After a FULL day of planning, we decided to go and support Jamie as she played some basketball in a church league. So fun!! :)
After a FULL day of planning, we decided to go and support Jamie as she played some basketball in a church league. So fun!! :)
Friday, May 6, 2011
Before the Hard Stuff Starts
#126
We're in fall planning as a staff team now. And starting tomorrow, it's gonna be three days of INTENSE evaluation, strategy, planning, calendaring, etc, but we wanted to start it all of on a good, Spirit-led note and so we spent today doing a devotional together, celebrating things that God did over the past year together, and evaluating the team. And then we ended the night with two and a half hours of encouraging and affirming one another. It was a beautiful time of seeing how God is working in each of our lives. But it also made me realize all over again how much I'm going to miss Ed and Lynee. :(
We're in fall planning as a staff team now. And starting tomorrow, it's gonna be three days of INTENSE evaluation, strategy, planning, calendaring, etc, but we wanted to start it all of on a good, Spirit-led note and so we spent today doing a devotional together, celebrating things that God did over the past year together, and evaluating the team. And then we ended the night with two and a half hours of encouraging and affirming one another. It was a beautiful time of seeing how God is working in each of our lives. But it also made me realize all over again how much I'm going to miss Ed and Lynee. :(
Par-TAY
#125
Slightly late again, but I didn't get home til after midnight, so it doesn't count :)
Tonight was awesome. It was our end-of-the-year party for Cru, and we had more than 60 people show up! It was a SWEET time of worship, fellowship, remembering and celebrating what God did over the past year, praying over and sending out those who are graduating, transferring, or going on summer project... It was just a great note to end the year on, as we staff prepare to go into four days of planning for the fall starting tomorrow morning.
Slightly late again, but I didn't get home til after midnight, so it doesn't count :)
Tonight was awesome. It was our end-of-the-year party for Cru, and we had more than 60 people show up! It was a SWEET time of worship, fellowship, remembering and celebrating what God did over the past year, praying over and sending out those who are graduating, transferring, or going on summer project... It was just a great note to end the year on, as we staff prepare to go into four days of planning for the fall starting tomorrow morning.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
And Then There Were 9
#124
Unfortunately, another one of our students had to drop our Project. But we're seeing God bless the suppor-raising efforts of our students like crazy, and my planning times with Jamie have been so Spirit-led. All of our spiritual direction, devotional planning, calendaring, etc, have been so effortless, and every time we finish working, we look at our finished product and go "WOW that's good stuff!" So today definitely had its discouragements with the shrinking of our team, but we know that the Lord has wonderful things in store for us, and we're so excited to have Project start in just two and a half weeks!
Unfortunately, another one of our students had to drop our Project. But we're seeing God bless the suppor-raising efforts of our students like crazy, and my planning times with Jamie have been so Spirit-led. All of our spiritual direction, devotional planning, calendaring, etc, have been so effortless, and every time we finish working, we look at our finished product and go "WOW that's good stuff!" So today definitely had its discouragements with the shrinking of our team, but we know that the Lord has wonderful things in store for us, and we're so excited to have Project start in just two and a half weeks!
Vingt-Cinq
#123
Last day at KCC for the year... Then a bunch of super productive project planning, during which God totally directed us in figuring out our weekly themes and team devotionals... And then a bunch of different celebrations for my 25TH BIRTHDAY!!!! Thanking the Lord for a wonderful quarter century of life. Looking forward to seeing how He leads me in the next chunk of time He chooses to give me. Praying that I would walk in deeper intimacy with Him than ever before!
Last day at KCC for the year... Then a bunch of super productive project planning, during which God totally directed us in figuring out our weekly themes and team devotionals... And then a bunch of different celebrations for my 25TH BIRTHDAY!!!! Thanking the Lord for a wonderful quarter century of life. Looking forward to seeing how He leads me in the next chunk of time He chooses to give me. Praying that I would walk in deeper intimacy with Him than ever before!
Monday, May 2, 2011
I Promise I'm No Workaholic
#122
I was on the phone with Shaun and I was telling him the million things I was gonna do for work today. And he had to remind me that we're supposed to take today off because we just finished a conference yesterday. It's funny- whenever we have a "day off" I end up taking that to mean "no campus, but do all other forms of work, like admin". So I thought I'd challenge myself and take the day OFF today. It worked, for the most part! But tonight I did a couple of hours worth. I'm just not very good at relaxing and taking time off if I know that there's stuff to do. Haha.
I was on the phone with Shaun and I was telling him the million things I was gonna do for work today. And he had to remind me that we're supposed to take today off because we just finished a conference yesterday. It's funny- whenever we have a "day off" I end up taking that to mean "no campus, but do all other forms of work, like admin". So I thought I'd challenge myself and take the day OFF today. It worked, for the most part! But tonight I did a couple of hours worth. I'm just not very good at relaxing and taking time off if I know that there's stuff to do. Haha.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Aloha Again
#121
Back in Hawaii. Day off tomorrow. This weekend was just fantastic. And to top it off, got to have some sweet, totally God-ordained convos with a guy at lax and the lady I sat next to on the plane. Loving the Spirit's leading, wanting more of it.
Back in Hawaii. Day off tomorrow. This weekend was just fantastic. And to top it off, got to have some sweet, totally God-ordained convos with a guy at lax and the lady I sat next to on the plane. Loving the Spirit's leading, wanting more of it.
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