2007 and 2008!

This past year was filled with the usual trials and big decisions. For me it was a change in lifestyle...jobs, move, back to school, etc. It was the Year of Change. Change is not something that comes easily in the Miyabe family. It's hard to deal with the hidden difficulties that come with change. In years past, I probably would have rated this as one of the toughest years I have gone through. But as I look back on the path I see God's finger in each instance.

I see Him in my decision to go back to school, I see Him in the reason I work where I work, I see Him in my struggle with Aimee, I see him in my relationship with Josh, I see Him in EVERYTHING.

I do not see this past year as the toughest year, I see that God has been changing me; changing my heart, my emotions, my desires, my thoughts, my needs, my selfishness.

As I look forward to 2008 I brace myself, put on my armor of God so that as each new life circumstance happens, I handle it with the Holy Spirit - I want to grow in Christ. I desire to seek His life in EVERYTHING I do. It has to be a conscious effort to put myself aside and to see what Christ is trying to do.

2008 The Year of CHRIST!
My goal, my focus, my desire is purposeful steps is to serve Him, to become more Christlike in every interaction, every situation, every public and private situation.

"What happens today - let us be assured of this - is meant, in the purpose of our loving Father, to make us Holy in every part. One of the things that slows us down is our tendency to react tot he happenings instead of responding to the Holder of the happenings. He is at work! He knows what he is doing. He asks us to believe in His thoroughly loving purpose." Elizabeth Elliot

God has those things happen in our lives on purpose. Are you missing what he is trying to teach you, by just dealing with the problems!? See it for what it is and join me in opening our eyes to what Christ is trying to do. Allow Him to make you holy and let us turn our ear to Him!

In the Spirit of the Season

This year isn't an ordinary year. It feels different. It feels like Christmas to me, joyous - full of family, love, thanksgiving, and God. O, so much of God.

Every year doesn't always feel this way to me. This appreciative. This excited. Maybe it's because it's been a tough year, and I feel the fullness of God's grace and ultimate provisions for my life. Maybe it's because I'm where God wants me to be. Maybe it's because of Thailand. Maybe it's because I feel so safe and secure.

Whatever the reason, I am abundantly thankful for this season, this chance to celebrate the awesome birth and moreso the coming of a Savior - one who always forgives, always loves, and always wins.

I hope you too are experiencing the greatness of this season.

Snowing on Mainstreet in Disneyland.

Josh and I are determined to hit every ride/attraction D-land has to offer. Here's us checking out "Honey I Shrunk the Audience".

Thailand

I wish i had time to REALLY go into detail but I'm so behind in school I can't. Here's a taste of the trip in picture form. God was amazing. I feel so blessed I was able to be apart of it. Between Aimee and I we had 1200 photos. The following is just a nibble. Enjoy!

The first village we visited we went to an elementary school to share the gospel. The kids saw us and all lined up, excited to see what the "foreigners" were here for. :p That day about 50 kids or so accepted Christ. Maybe even some of these precious boys here...


Our 5 Star accommodations for our overnight stay in the Hilltribe Village. Yes, those are mosquitos nets, yes, those are open windows, and yes, that is the ground. :) It was such a memorable experience that I wouldn't have traded that memory for anything.


In the village on Sunday mornings, there's an early prayer service before the real church service. Here are some children heading back home until church starts in a few minutes. It was a cold, beautiful morning. Mist and fog covered the mountains and a sense of peace rested on the place.

Some of the kids sang a song for us. This little boy carried the melody for the entire group! He was amazing! They are dressed up for service, wearing traditional clothing.


We also got to ride elephants! Here is Aimee and Cori on top of Poo Kau, a 37 year old male elephant. It was scary! :) It was a blessing to hang out with the Tang kids. They are amazing and I love each one for their special gifts and tender hearts.


More to come later. I've got to go back to work. Love, J

Believe

Rooting for the underdog.

Everything

Watch this.

Countdown

Phew! One week to go till the Thailand team is on it's way to Thailand! I can't believe it's here. seems a bit surreal that we are leaving... In the meantime it seems a bit daunting to think about 2 book reports, a final paper, finishing preparations for the trip, and work all squeezed into 6 days.

6 days...

yikers!

:) Okay, enough bogging. :p time for that first paper.

Have a great night!

Mermaids, Eggs, Pooping, and Prizes!

Today Josh and I were sitting having a casual, run of the mill conversation about mermaids. This is how it went...

I said to Josh, "You kind of look like a mermaid."

After a slight pause (as is his norm) he asked, "Do mermaids lay eggs?"

I paused (as I am not in the normal habit of doing), looked to my right eyebrow and replied, "huh, I have no idea."

Drawing on all previous mermaid knowledge, Josh said, "Well, Aerial never had a mom."

Going deeper (as I'm usually prone to doing) I wondered aloud, "How do mermaids pee? poop?"

He too was utterly stumped.

This lead me to immediately want to post to see if someone would be able to answer the question, "How do mermaids reproduce?" and "How do they pee and poo?"

For anyone who can think of the best, most creative answer to the above mentioned questions, you will receive the most AMAZING high five you've ever experienced in your ENTIRE life!

-Rules of Mermaid Reproduction Contest are subject to change. See blogger for details.

Piano Anyone?

Lately I've found myself wanting to do new things...a bit restless I suppose, I'm not too sure. I just turned 26. I wonder if anyone suddenly wakes up and realizes where they are isn't where they want to be? And if that person has ever reached that point, if they do something about it? I wonder what percentage of people never do anything about it?
I don't want to become one of those people.
But I am feeling like I need something. Do you ever just feel like you need something to round out your life?