And the Pot Thickens

For those of you who are following along with the faith pledges, I received my THIRD installment today! Apparently Josh was at school and looked down while studying and there was $35 on the floor. After waiting sometime to see if anyone would return for it, he took it home. Unbeknownst to me he decided to donate to my faith pledge. When I got home he had put it on my desk next to my post-it that is recording my incoming pledges!

(If anyone would contest that this is not a pure faith pledge I would argue that it totally is because I wasn't expecting him to give me any money - and he did.)

thus, I am now $35 closer to my goal! Score one for God today!

The Class of 09

In fifteen years I'm going to look back at this picture and see how God used each person to start a movement for the Lord. I can't wait.

This past weekend 77 young leaders in the PCJC gathered together to learn what it means to take responsibility for watering the seeds that God has planted in all our lives. It was amazing to see the response from everyone, to hear their hopes and dreams, to witness their testimony, and now to be able to see the change. I build an alter to Christ in thanksgiving for what He accomplished and what he will accomplish in the lives of these people!

Decor

You know you're reaching a new stage in life when your interests shift towards home decor. some of my favorites:

Worry This, Worry That

I am constantly worried. I actually didn't realize that I stressed so much until Josh pointed it out to me. For those of you who worry like me you might be able to appreciate these words I stumbled upon from our dear friend Oswald Chambers,

"Fretting rises from our determination to get our own way. Our Lord never worried and was never anxious because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God's plans."

Take heart! "Abide in the shadow of the Almighty" - Psalm 91:1

Lent

The season of Lent is upon us. Wednesday marks the beginning of the historic time when people fast and pray before the coming of Easter, 40 days. Just like the 40 days of temptation for Jesus.

Four years ago when I was having a rough go in life I fasted sleep in the morning in favor of daily devotions. Looking back I have never had a more on track, meaningful time of spiritual renewal and discipline. This year I have decided to do the same again. Normally I would be dreading Wednesday morning, the start of having to get up half an hour earlier than normal - but I just have a yearning of excitement that I can barely contain. I thirst for more of Him. I hunger for a deeper understanding of His ways.

Are you lenting something? I encourage you to stretch yourself beyond what you believe you are capable of. Keep your motives pure before the Lord and He will bless your obedience.

Where'd THAT come from!?!

I know a great blogger is one who updates often. I only seem to be able to write when I'm inspired. I find that this rings true in other areas of my life too: school, work, relationships, papers, other work, ministry... A used to call it J at 100% or J at 0%.

Needless to say I'm currently hitting the high 90's.

If you haven't heard, Venice is doing a Faith Pledge. Basically the church purposefully passed a red budget in favor of supporting different ministries, acting on faith that the Lord would provide even in tough economic times. With that said, the church was asked to consider making a pledge, of any amount that would somehow stretch your faith of offering. The catch is the money can't come from any source of expected income. Tangible ways of learning what faith really looks like. I was excited about the possibilities of other people having extraordinary stories by year end. Note I said "other" people. :) Well, two weeks ago I made my own pledge, not thinking much about it.

Today money that I wasn't expecting plopped in my lap. The funny thing is I didn't even think about this until I was sharing with Randy at work and he said, "oh that's neat, it's part of your faith pledge!" I stopped dead in my tracks when I realized I had just been given my first installment of my faith pledge! I've also learned that others in the church have also had the same experience as me. God truly does work in tangible ways, He's not only providing but teaching His children as well. I can't wait to see when the next installment happens upon me. This time though, I'll be watching out!

If you are apart of the body of Venice I encourage you to participate, not for the benefit of the church, but for yours.

1.01.09

Happy New Year!

December 22...3 days and counting.

It's been a busy end of the year:

Last month dad, mom, A, and I packed up and headed North to Seattle for a wedding. We had a great time. The weather was sooo great, a true fall. It was slightly rainy, cold, and overcast. The trees were all shedding for winter and everyone was decked in their winter-wear. The wedding was beautiful too. But two things stood out in my mind about our short Thanksgiving weekend trip:

1. The Sekijima Family. I love each and every one of them. We had a chance to spend practically the whole weekend with them and it was great! John and Celia are fantastic people, and they are completely reflected in their kids. Even though we don't get to see each other very often, every time we do, we just pick up right where we left off. I appreciate them for their love for the Lord, their honesty in life, and their love for our family. Sunday night we had a 3 hour dinner... and it felt like 30 minutes. That is one special clan and it is a privilege to know them.

2. Seattle. Aimee and I were in season heaven! Monday we drove to downtown Seattle and it was so great! Christmas was everywhere! Every window dressing was decked out in Christmas, every lamp and street light was decorated. The Seattle's Best's were giving out real gingerbread men with their gingerbread latte's. The people were so friendly and in the Spirit of the season! We even saw the most amazing gingerbread house competition on display! I actually saw Santa too. It was so fun, so cold, and so festive. We were in heaven. I even shopped for a long period of time with Aimee and mom without complaining!

I love Seattle and I love the Sekijima's.

Since then we have been busy shopping for presents, buying Christmas trees, practicing for Christmas Sunday at the Community Center, celebrating birthday's (A's and mom's), and all in the midst of work and school. It's been a busy end of the year. I suppose it's always a busy end of the year.

In the midst of life's craziness, I attempted to be domestic tonight and try and cook dinner. I went food shopping at Mitsuwa, I prepped for two and a half hours...I read, reread, and reread the cooking directions, I cleaned...and just when I thought I was in the clear...just when I was about the put the food in the oven and pat myself on the back, I smelled something funny from the oven. Like something putrid was burning. But I hadn't yet put any of the food in there. I opened it up and realized I had forgotten to take out the griddle we store in the oven, before I had turned the oven on. There was melted plastic EVERYWHERE! I freaked out, opened all the doors and windows, turned all the fire alarms off, pulled the fans out of the garage, shut the hallway door and then called dad sobbing. He had me call the Fire Department. They said beyond the loss of the appliance in the oven, and the oven itself we should be fine. Are you hearing what I'm saying?

In an attempt to cook dinner for my family, I not only burned an appliance, but I also broke our oven.

I've tried to convince myself that it's not a big deal, don't be upset...at least you didn't burn down the house. But such rationalization is no longer working. I must not be made to cook. Bummer.

Also, I figured I would use this as a lesson to all who use the oven; Remember to always take anything out of the oven, before attempting to use it.

Merry Christmas Everyone. As Warren told us all this Christmas Sunday, may Christ reign in each one of our hearts as we celebrate his birth.