A Trip to Hansen's

Here's a sneak peak at Linda's wedding cake!

Just about all of the invitations have been sent and the little details are coming together. =) It's so much fun following Aimee around as she plans Linda and Richard's wedding. Please pray for Linda, cancer has not been kind to her these last few weeks and she needs to gain some weight back. Thanks.

Moshi Moshi!

Meet Auntie Ruth.

Auntie Ruth is dad's younger sister. I hung out with her today at the Venice Thanksgiving Luncheon. Out of all my uncles and aunties, she's the one I talk to (and text) the most. She has taught me a lot about gentleness, patience, trying new things, sentimentality, quietness, faith, and our family. =) On this Thanksgiving weekend, I am so thankful to her for actually spending the time to, not only get to know the real me, but for intentionally investing in my life. Thanks Auntie!

The End of the Beginning.

Tuesday night was officially my last class as a graduate student at APU.

I didn't actually realize it until someone in the class mentioned it. It seemed so fitting that my last class was with my favorite teacher in the whole program, Frances. We celebrated the end of a tough quarter with dinner, dessert, presentations, evaluations, and  few words of congratulations and best wishes to those of us who are graduating in the fall.

I feel like the beginning wasn't so long ago. I still don't know where anything is on campus - or how to get an I.D. card, or where all the restrooms are. I've never attended a chapel, or been in all the buildings (in fact I can count on one hand the number of buildings I have been in). I feel like I am still learning and still in the process of discovering all the information out there. I do feel like I've learned more about me - and have a greater understanding of what I can offer to others. I have a peace. I feel secure in where I am and where I am headed. I cannot say that was the case three years ago. Three years ago I felt God call me to change my course in life, and now the beginning of that change is coming to a close.

People have asked me what I will do after I graduate - and I have nothing huge to say except I will continue what I'm doing and where I'm working. I still feel God has blessed me with the chance to work with Gary and for the conference. Where I'll end up...I really have no idea.

I can say that I feel so blessed to have been given the chance to go back to school. I am forever grateful to my parents who allowed me to move home, Randy for giving me a job, Josh for driving with me to school the first two weeks - and for editing all my papers, Melis for brainstorming ideas with me, Gary for the intellectual support, and the government for lending me so much money at such a low interest.

Looking forward to whatever comes next.

My teacher, Frances, is the small Chinese lady in the middle - and this is my class. Quite a load of characters I can say that. :)

Gardena?

I refuse to make this a food blog, but I just couldn't resist this one post about the BEST mochi found in SoCal. I headed down to Gardena (not commonly known for it's great neighborhoods, safe parks, or wealthy neighbors - although i do believe they boast about their local swap meet - but this little city can beat the nation in the best homemade Japanese food).

Mochi window display at Sakura-ya in Gardena.

My Miyabe is His Miyabe

This is my grandpa.
I know, I know...cute little Japanese man. =)

For work I have been visiting all of the churches in the conference spreading the word about emerging leaders. So far, I have been to Venice, Westlight, South Bay, Anaheim, One Voice, and Peninsula. What amazes me is that at every church, someone has come up to me and asked me if I am related to another Miyabe they know, John Miyabe. Everywhere I go, from the young churches, to the well established ones, there have been people who realize he is my grandpa and just have to come and tell me how much they appreciate him for what he's done. One man said grandpa was responsible for helping him to get a pastorate in Japan. Another women said he is the reason she found Christ. Another said they know one another from Shuyokai (Japanese summer camp). Another just said how much they appreciate him for all he did for their church.

I have known that Grandpa ran quite an extensive ministry within the Free Methodist church, but you never really know the full scope of his ministry by just talking to him. In fact, he never talks about it at all! But I can see the extent of his ministry through the people who just have to come and meet me because they are hopeful my Miyabe is his Miyabe. His legacy of devotion to the people, even during the years of internment, are quite far reaching. Maybe not in the worldy sense, but in the Kingdom sense. I know he has many crowns awaiting Him. Because of him I feel so proud to be a Miyabe...and hope that in some small way, I am carrying on such a rich legacy.

Linda Post III

Linda's wedding planner extraordinaire, Aimee, had to turn in Linda's contract for the reception site last Friday, so I tagged along. Honestly, the banquet manager there is so nice. We had gone to view the room a few weeks back and although it wasn't fit for my taste (think bright colored carpet mixed with circles and squares and lamp shades right out of the 80's), Linda loved it. And because she loved it, we loved it.

Anyhoo, when we were turning in the contract the banquet manager mentioned how this wedding seems different, more special and so I told her about all the blessings Linda has received starting with the dress and the whole David's Bridal thing and she got all emotional and told us that she actually waived the $1000.00 room charge without telling us - and that she usually never does that, but something about Linda really touched her.

You know, it's not really about the money (although it's the expression), it's more about the heart of these people. One person went up to her at church and told Linda she wanted to pay for her wedding dress. Can you imagine that?! Over and over again we have been blown away by the heart of the people. I'm sure that God has been moving people in this way. It is my hope, and I know Linda's too, that those who have blessed her, would also be over and abundantly showered with the realization of the Love of this God. He is the only one able to free us from our hurts, regrets, addictions, and pain - and to instill in us a peace and a freedom in who He has created us to be.

Linda Post II

I said in my first post about Linda to "stay tuned" because I was sure there was much more to come. Well, little did I know what the heck I was saying! On Wednesday, October 7th, I received the best ever facebook birthday message. The title said, "Your Blog Post about Linda" and it was from a stranger. This is what the message said (Mr. S.R. I hope it is okay for me to post this):

Julianna - I was truly touched by your post about Linda. I work at David's Bridal and would like to do something nice for Linda and her wedding. No publicity, no PR, nothing public! Linda's story is truly inspirational and I would like to make some gesture of thanks for letting us have taken some small part in her journey.

I was with A and Melis in Colorado so I immediately re-read the message aloud to them and within one minute went from shocked, to skeptical, to just call me Ms. Julianna "The Investigator"! After an extensive google search I discovered that this was not only legit, but it was seriously legit. After we realized this wasn't a joke, A, Melis and I all cried in the car as I re-read the message and then re-read the blog post to hear it from S.R.'s perspective. We couldn't believe that such kindness still existed in the corporate world. 

To make a long story short, the amazing people of David's Bridal have offered to pay for the flowers for Linda and Richard's wedding!! Such a blessing can only be chalked up to God. He is seriously working miracles for that girl. :) I've promised my new friends pics of the amazing day we had at David's Bridal so here are a few for you to all enjoy:

Perusing the aisle with our favorite consultant Lucy. Here Linda is describing the pant suit she thought might be appropriate. Lucy threw that idea out the window and put that girl in a dress! woot woot!

Dress #1 Lucy and Linda. See that guy in the background? He was part of the party next to us. By the time we had dress #2 on he was cheering her on.

Linda and I later that day. She was so excited we had to play dress up one more time... Thanks to Betty for the makeup, hair, and jewelry. We've never seen her so radiant, and glasses free. :p

I can't post any more pics because I can't give away the dress. But, for what it's worth, I do want to thank everyone at David's Bridal for playing such an important part in Linda's joy - and then for taking another unnecessary and totally generous step in reaching out to bless her even more. You guys rock.

From There to Here

Last night Aimee and I got the chance to go to the Heavenly Treasures Fundraising Boat Trip! It was quite fancy schmancy and we had fun getting all dressed up. It was neat to see how God has been moving and blessing them. Towards the end of the evening, after dinner, dessert, Bryan Clay, and bidding, David Gaulton got up to sing a closing song as the boat began to dock back at the Long Beach Harbor. His song was talking about being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Just at that moment I looked out the window and I saw the Yard House sign. I can't quite explain what happened to me but tears filled my eyes...four years ago I was working there and headed towards a life of plenty of money but no substance. And now, four years later here I am on a fundraising boat trip for a Christian nonprofit, about to graduate, serving the Lord through the church, and singing about being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. From there...to here. I can't believe it.

I thank God for plucking me from a life headed towards nothing and placing me in a life where everything is for the glory of the Lord. May I be a good steward of such grace.

(Left to right: Bryan Clay (Olympic Gold Medalist Decathalon) Aimee, Christina and Kiki (HT). This is Aimee winning the grand prize on the boat trip. :) Canada here we come!