A beautiful mess

Okay so I know I’ve been slacking on my updates, and I apologize from the bottom of my heart! I’ve been super busy these last few weeks, which I'm so thankful for! It's a great thing and exactly how it should be because that means I'm actually doing what I came here to do! Plus I would have no stories to relay to y’all if I sat at home all day on my computer. I can already tell this post is going to reflect the way my brain has been working lately, very random and all over the place, so I’m sorry for the disorganization. Sometimes messes can be beautiful. I hope this is an instance where that applies.

A few weeks ago, we had a team from Texas come over here to bring a little Southern flare to Japan. They helped up north in Tohoku doing earthquake relief, but they also put on several "Texas Nights" complete with country music, line dancing, and chili dogs. Everyone had such a blast playing the culture game, where Japanese people answer questions about Texas, while the Texas people get quizzed on their knowledge of Japan. It was fun for the whole family. I was also honored to be able to accompany this awesome group of people on their day off to Tokyo and see some of the big city sights with them. One of my favorites was the famous Shinto shrines in Asakusa. The beautiful, traditional Japanese architecture gets me every time.

In the same area there is a really neat marketplace that sells all kinds of Japanese souvenirs and food. A few us even made it onto a Japanese TV show! It was sort of like "Ask Americans what they think about our inventions" type show, at least that's what they told us. I have a feeling it was more along the lines of "Let's make fun of the foreigners who don't know what we are saying about them" type show, but in our minds, we're totally famous. I'll sign autographs later.

For lunch, we had yakiniku, meaning grilled meat. It was so amazing and so much fun! Each table has its own grill with a direct flame, and each person cooks their own meat that is brought to each table seasoned and ready to go. It's so perfect because you can cook your meat as long or short as you want, so it's just the way you like it.

Every Wednesday here is team day, and everyone on the Keiyo team tries to gather to spend some quality time together. Sometimes it's team dinner or team worship, but last Wednesday it was concert of prayer. Don't be fooled by the title; it's definitely not a traditional concert. We might have sung a song or two, but essentially, the team meets together for a time of organized prayer. A representative from each location gives a report on the status of their ministry and pin points particular areas that they would like prayer for. Sometimes advice is offered from those who have been through similar experiences, but mostly it's a time to corporately praise our creator and ask for His assistance in very specific ways. For me it was such a rewarding time, especially because it made me aware of all of the different goals and struggles surrounding me that I was totally unaware of. I was particularly encouraged during the time when we split up into groups and prayed through a list of individual people on our team. It made me feel so much closer to the people I am working with, and I left feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the world! It's so freeing to lay our burdens down at the feet of our heavenly father, and he loves to listen to his children.

I'm continuing to learn so much about Japanese culture and missions, but I can't believe my summer here is officially halfway over. Please pray that my last month will be as incredible as my first! Thanks so much for your patience and continued love and support :)

Raindrops keep falling on my head

So it's the rainy season here in Japan. Apparently the whole month of June is filled with cloudy skies, and precipitation is a part of daily life. It's totally not a big deal though because it keeps it fairly cool here, like typically in the 70s. However, it really likes to rain whenever I have to ride my bike. Unfortunately, I am not, nor will ever be, as skilled as the Japanese who can ride a bike not only while holding an umbrella but also texting their friends about this soaking wet American girl clinging to her handlebars for dear life like they are a necessary part of bike riding or something. It's all good though! I don't mind it at all; it's just water. God's timing sometimes just makes me laugh. We always end up making the best of the situation, and often times it works out better than could be anticipated!  For instance, on Saturday when I went to meet my new found friend Emily. She is the sister of one of the missionary families in Tokyo, and she was here for a few weeks helping them move and watching their four kids, who are super adorable by the way. Their dad had teased me about mistyping on a previous blog that some other missionaries families kids were the cutest, so I had to make sure I included their sweet young ones this time. They really are precious. 


We were also able to see their new apartment, which was super nice. It’s a 12th floor corner apartment with a great view of Tokyo Bay. From their balcony you can even see a tiny part of rainbow bridge, a notable landmark and the gateway over Tokyo Bay. Since it was still kind of dreary outside, our amazing tour guide, Keisuke showed us Tokyo Midtown, where all the wealthy Japanese go to spend their yen. It was super fancy and even had an art museum inside, which we would’ve gone to if all three of us weren't poor college kids. 

We did eat there, however, and had Tonkatsu, one of my favorite Japanese dishes thus far. 

It’s essentially pork that has been fried, served with this delicious sauce that I’m obsessed with. Of course it also came with rice and soup and salad that was to die for. Love this place. 

By this time, the rain had subsided, so we were able to go outside and explore a bit. Our fearless leader found these incredible gardens that we went to next and might've been my favorite part of the day. It was picturesque Japan, and I was in love. 

God's fingerprints were all over this place; his handiwork never ceases to amaze me. Emily and I took about a million pictures, stopping every ten seconds to capture that perfect shot with the right angles and lighting. She was the best photography partner ever. Poor Keisuke was so patient with us; he deserves some kind of an award for sure. 

Next on the agenda was this really cool shopping area that housed some very interestingly dressed individuals. We saw everything from girls that look like fake dolls to hardcore punk and one piece jumpers. If it was ever popular at one time, people are still wearing it in this place. Prime locale for people watching. We did a bit of shopping down this narrow strip and then headed out to Shibuya, the busiest intersection in the world.

Literally every time the light changes, a ridiculously massive amount of people cross this street. It's such a sight to see! The Starbucks that overlooks this intersection is always crowded with intrigued onlookers enjoying the show with their tall skinny vanilla lattes or grande matcha frappuccinos. (Those are my two favorite drinks at Starbucks just in case anyone was wondering.)  

We ended the day as all good days should end, with a sunset on a pier overlooking rainbow bridge. We actually got to ride a train that goes over this bridge earlier in the day, totally worth the fare for the view alone. It was breathtaking. We then headed back to the Pfeil's apartment for some bonding time over a wild game of chicken foot with dominoes before we said our goodbyes. All in all, my first trip to Tokyo was an unforgettable adventure, and I'm so blessed that I was able to experience it all!

Here are just a few more random pictures that I really enjoyed:

Thanks y'all!! Please keep praying!! I appreciate you so much :)

Peace Love Japan

Adorable. This little boy was ziplining in a park we walked past on our way to church on Sunday morning. Jessica and I might've joined him, taking a few turns hanging with the wind in our face. Well I guess I should say Jessica joined him, my ziplining abilities were subpar to say the least. I dragged a bit to close to the ground on my first try, but it was a great time nevertheless. Just a typical morning here in Japan where parks have ziplines and miniature castles and big squishy climbing blocks that look like they came straight out of an episode of wipeout. 

Church was pretty incredible to say the least. It was all in Japanese of course, but there is just something about watching others worship in a foreign language that gives me such a sweet picture of heaven. We're all worshiping the same God, and even though I can't understand a word they say (besides Amen, I'm all over that one) God knows every line, and that to me is pretty cool.  I hummed along with the songs and stood when everyone else did; however, I was totally taken aback when out of the blue, I hear what I thought sounded like my name. Everyone of course turned around to look at the American girl in the back of the room. I surmised that I was supposed to stand up and introduce myself, but literally no words came to my mind, in Japanese or in English. Thankfully one of the missionaries there with me stood up and spoke on my behalf. Gotta love awkward run-ins in foreign countries! Everyone was so sweet though and wanting me to come back next week; it was such a great experience!

After church, we took a short little walk down to the bay in Makuhari. It definitely wasn't a Florida beach, but it was so great to hear the crashing of the waves and squish my toes into the sand. 

Unfortunately it was a little too cold to be dressed in traditional beach attire, but we made due with what we had. We might've gotten a little too wet, but it was totally worth it. 

En route to and from the bay, we made a pit stop at the Tokyo Bay Makuhari Hotel, where Bill Gates has stayed before. It has a glass elevator that we rode to the 50th floor for a great view of the city.

As we were walking, we stumbled across a beautiful park with bamboo growing wild, bonsai trees galore, and a koi pond. Cliche Japan. Brent tried to feed the fish a worm, and they went nuts.

We also ate at an Italian place for lunch. Yeah I know, it sounded weird at first to me too, but it was so good! I had Doria, which I guess is the Japanese version of Italian food. It had rice on the bottom, of course, and then a white cream sauce with meat and cheese...incredible!

They also have a drink bar, which just means you can have free refills from all of their offered drinks, which includes hot and cold selections. I think this is such a great idea. You can have your cold soda with your meal and then afterwards you can have green tea or coffee and just sit and relax, all for the same price. Genius.

 I tried melon soda, a bright green concoction the color of cleaning supplies someone pointed out, which just made it all the appetizing. It was so good though, all of their different sodas and things that I've tried have been amazing. So much better than America I hate to admit. They also have the coolest way of ordering at this restaurant. Each table has a doorbell type system that you push whenever you are ready to order so the waitress's job is easier and she doesn't interrupt the flow of conversation at your table, pretty fancy.

While we're talking about food, I should also mention that I tried some delicious ice cream the other night. The ice cream here is so good; they have so many different choices all available at your local convenient store. My goal is to try them all; shoot for the stars I always say. But this one that I had was mango flavored (they are all about mangos here) and a very weird consistency. It was fluffy, almost appearing to resemble cotton candy. It was really light and airy, but when you took a bite, it melted into a more traditionally creamy texture in your mouth. So cool and so delicious. 

Now that I've sufficiently displayed my food addiction, thank goodness for walking paths and bike riding, I want to show y'all a video from the talent show that the Christian school here (CCSI) put on the other night. It was a huge success with many talented students performing and a great pot luck dinner from around the world afterwards. One act in particular I really enjoyed. It was an adult gospel choir, apparently the Japanese love singing gospel music, which is so random but awesome. Some of them even did a little bit of swaying and clapping; it was fantastic.

Praise the Lord! Only he could comprise a gospel choir in Japan where the majority of singers are not Christians. Our God is so big. Thanks y'all so much for your prayers and support!! You're the best :)

"Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord"

We read this verse in Psalm 114 today in morning devotions at the Christian school. How appropriate in light of recent occurrences. The verse in it’s entirely reads as follows: 

“Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob”

Speaking of trembling, I felt my first earthquake the other night. I was laying in bed, counting sheep and whatnot, and all of a sudden I began to involuntarily sway. Not a whole lot, it was very subtle, but I could hear my dresser and shelves shaking, and there was definite motion, almost like gentle waves aboard a deep sea vessel. Within seconds it was all over, and life was back to normal; however, for that split second of confusion, I felt so helpless, so out of control. There was nothing I could’ve done to change my circumstances. I can’t even imagine what it would have been like to experience such a devastating earthquake similar to the one that just happened. Here, earthquakes are a part of daily life, and the Japanese can detect them and their magnitude so accurately. They’ve come up with an iphone application for earthquakes here that displays each one with its level of severity. Yep, there is even an app for that! 

One of my students today was showing the class pictures she took when she went up north and saw some of the damage. It was sobering to see entire houses gone and schools destroyed. There was one picture of a rice field strewn with debris including a boat and a refrigerator. I hope to get the opportunity to travel up there and see firsthand what people are dealing with. But I hope more than anything that through this the people of Japan will see God. That they would feel his presence, and turn to him for comfort and support, realizing how empty and alone life without him is. Just even in those few seconds of my earthquake encounter, I found myself whispering a prayer, knowing full well that my heavenly father was holding me in the palm of his hand. That’s what I want for the people here. Please continue praying for the Japanese, and pray for the girl who is ministering to them, for she desperately needs her Savior. 

Train Adventures

The inevitable occurred today...I got lost riding the train. It wasn't a big deal. Apparently it's happened to almost everyone, but let's be honest. If anyone was going to get lost her first time riding the train, it was definitely going to be me. Thankfully, Rob and I found our way without too much delay and gained some crucial knowledge about the JR (Japan rail) system. I don't know that I've ever seen two people get so excited when the loud speaker announced where we were going, and we were on the right train. I understood none of the Japanese, other than Kamatori, but that station name was all we needed to hear! As if we don't stick out enough, our widened eyes and ear to ear grins immediately distinguished us from the regulars, who somehow manage to fall asleep on the bumpy train ride. It was a fun adventure that, knowing me, will probably happen multiple times while I am here.

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to spend the whole day with a missionary family here that has three young boys. Probably the cutest kids in the entire world, no joke. They are all blonde and adorable, and we spent the day hiding from sea monkeys (whatever those are) and making huge forts with pillows and toy chests. I think I am going to have the opportunity to teach pre-school one day a week to their oldest son and maybe some other young Japanese children to give them some exposure to the American alphabet and give their mom a chance to connect with the Japanese mothers. Please pray for me in this endeavor! Also, yesterday was college night, and we all went to dinner at this delicious Japanese restaurant.

I am so in love with the food here, it was delicious! But more importantly, I was able to meet some really awesome people who I can't wait to learn more about! After dinner we all had some good laughs as we played a game called fishbowl. The language barrier made the game all the more fun; I didn't realize Japanese even has different sound effects than English does.

Tomorrow there is a talent show that the students at the school are putting on, and I'm so excited to see it! I'm just kind of living life day by day, and that's totally alright with me! Here are just a few more pictures of some random things that I thought were pretty cool:

This is the house that I am staying in. It's so nice and big, especially for Japan, and I absolutely love it! 

My main source of transportation here is my bike. It's good exercise, and it really helps me learn the layout of the streets here. I only use landmarks because obviously I can't read the signs, and most of the streets, besides the major ones, don't really have signs. But I am excited to report that I can ride solo to a few key locations, and I am so very thankful! It's the little things in life :)

 This is in Makuhari, not too far from where I am staying. There was some definite damage from the earthquake here, like this crack, but thankfully, at least in this location, not really any of the buildings were affected.

This is one of the walking paths, which are one of the best things about this place. They are large sidewalks that are everywhere that people use to ride bikes, walk to school or work, and exercise. They go through essential locations, so a person doesn't always have to cross a major intersection. I ride through this one almost everyday!

Please keep me in your prayers, y'all have no idea how much I appreciate you! Thanks so much :)