Stay to the LEFT!

We bought a car last week! 1998 Toyota Gaia. Looks like a van with small wheels. Annice is one step closer to being a soccer mom!

Praise God for the relatively easy and painless process. We were referred to a local car salesman who happens to work in the same building as me! He's a office assistant by day, but a car enthusiast by night. One of the friendliest and honest car dealers I've ever met.

My first time driving in Japan was definitely an experience! I kept repeating to myself "Drive on the left, drive to the left!" I kept mistakenly turning on the windshield wipers instead of the turning signal. After a few drives, I'm starting to get used to it. I'm just thankful Japan keeps the gas and break pedals the same as the US.

As we enjoy driving around town, we are reminded that this car is actually not ours. We are just the stewards of His car. I remember meeting someone in college who drove a truck. I asked him once whether he gets annoyed by all the people who asks for his help moving. His response blew me away. He said, actually I got the truck SO THAT I can help others. I was amazed and humbled by the brother's heart to love and serve others. My hope is that we will have the same attitude, to remember that this is NOT our car used for our purpose, but it is God's car used for His purpose SO THAT He will receive all the glory.

Annice and I will be spending the next week visiting Taipei! We'll post updates and pictures soon. Hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving with friends and family.

Boasting in Christ

I have a deep love and respect for my roots and I thank God for being a part of the "melting pot" of America. I would consider myself a proud American, but after understanding what sacrifices a Veteran AND his family willingly lays down, I am a bit bashful to say that too loudly.

I was attending the weekly women's bible study at our church again this Tuesday. As we were discussing some applications from the text, someone noticed that every woman in attendance were married. Looking around, I noticed something else as well: I was the only non-military spouse. This became starkly true when the conversation veered into how to maintain the home in an orderly, God-fearing fashion when your husband is on "tour" elsewhere. Tours vary in time, but oftentimes, they can last easily for 6-7 months at a time. How do they do it? How would a wife continue life as normal not knowing the safety of their husbands? How do these wives AND mothers stay hopeful? What do they do when they are feeling sick and they still have little children to take care of in a foreign country? How do they submit their lives to their absent husbands? How do they not become bitter in their hearts?

Granted, there are many military spouses who are not Christians and they are able to sustain life as they know it; however, I do believe these particular women would not boast of their own strength, but of God alone. " But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'. Therefore I will boast all the more of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (II Corinth. 12:9-10)

Being around military personnel and their families have definitely heightened my respect for those who choose to serve their countries. I know Veterans' day has already passed, but I figured it never hurts to pay my deepest regards to those who live sacrificially for others while clinging onto to Christ as their only hope.

Dwelling on Things of Worth

This week will be the start of our 4th week in Japan. It has felt both long and short, depending on how I choose to look at it. I think it was Chuck Swindoll who said "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it". My reaction can be one of two options:

• A) focus on how much I miss my family and friends in California, complain about the lack of like-minded peers, and whine about how we're "stuck" on base without a car;
  OR
• B) PTL for our loved ones in California who still care for us despite being thousands of miles away, PTL for new opportunities to meet friends and build friendships for His glory, PTL for providing older brothers and sisters in the church whom we learn and study under, and PTL that He has removed life's distractions in order for me to just be still and know that He is God.
  

"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" Phil 4:8.

I pray that God will give me the grace to see His goodness in all things, no matter what life brings.

Here are some highlights from the past few weeks:

Our first weekend here we took the train to Hiroshima! Contrary to popular belief, it is no longer radioactive and there are no mutants running around. Seriously though, visiting the A-bomb Dome was a very sobering reminder of the destructive capacity in man. We only had time to visit the Atomic bomb dome, the Hiroshima castle, and the food festival.

Interesting fact about the Japanese: they are AMAZING recyclers. At the food festival, instead of trash cans, they have trash stations with different containers for paper, plastic, food leftovers, and bowls/plates. Each styrofoam bowl is covered inside and out with saran wrap. Once the bowl is used, they just pull off the old saran wrap, put on a new one, and it goes back for use! The crazy part is these stations are every few blocks, so you have to carry your trash with you for quite some time before you reach a trash station. However, you won't see one piece of trash on the ground. In America, people would throw the trash on the ground NEXT to the trash can.

We also had time to hang out with my coworker Michiko-san. She is awesome! Without her, Annice and I would still be cooped up in our room on base. She helped us translate at the cell phone store, and even took us around to nearby restaurants and invited us to watch a local softball tournament.

They are serious about their softball. It's pretty cool: they don't "line it up" and give "hi-fives" after the games. Instead, both teams form lines facing each other and give a congratulatory bow.

Last Friday, Annice and I went to Miyajima Island, voted Top 3 most beautiful places in Japan. Praise God it only takes 45 mins to get there from the base! It's famous for the floating torii gate.

My personal favorite is the wild deer. They are everywhere! Be careful not to feed one, or else the entire family will chase you down.

We have the day off tomorrow (Veteran's Day) and hopefully we will be going back to explore more of Hiroshima!

A Different Role

Why did I ask for a spiritual mommy? The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful mommy that is a physical and spiritual mommy as well, but of course, being thousands of miles away, I cannot glean from her wisdom as easily as before. (On a side tangent, if you are still living under your parents' roof, CHERISH it! What a blessing to be able to learn from them, serve them and enjoy their company twenty four seven! ) In short, I had asked for prayer that I would be able to find a "spiritual mother" when I arrived here in Japan. I wanted to be the younger woman in Titus 2 learning how to be reverent, not a slanderer, but a woman that loves her husband and children and is pure and kind and submissive so that "the word of God may not be reviled".

Today was my first day attending an all women's bible study. Though I cannot say that God has already answered that prayer, I can say that He is providing many POTENTIALS! :) I sat amongst all older women, which is a definite change from before(not a better or worse change, just a change! There are benefits to being the "older" one too). Some have several children and others have none, but they were all gathered here because they all desired to learn. We were going through the book of Colossians via a John MacArthur's study guide ( another bonus!) and discussing about the applications. Honestly, I was really quiet; I was quietly listening and observing their conversation and weighing their words to the Bible. I am thankful that God placed a group of ladies trying to pursue Him in my sphere of influence. I don't want to be a leech to the church and to have the mindset that I am here to be served; however, I do want to willingly submit my life to another older sister so that the Lord can prune me. Lord willing, in the future, I not only will be able to learn from the sisters, but also actively encourage them as well.

A Week in the Far East

Last Wednesday, we were weary yet bright-eyed, and eager to explore the new town. Now, after a week of living in Iwakuni, Japan, we are still weary, a bit sleepy eyed, but ever eager to try new things and meet new people. Looking back, I can already see many answered prayers along our adventures:

• We had a chance to attend Calvary Chapel Church on Sunday and the pastor was expositing verse by verse from the book of Acts. Thus far, we have another church to check out, but at least we know that there appears to be at least one church grounded in the Truth.
• Walter's boss is a Christian and so is his wife! Praise God for providing us another Christian couple that we can perhaps grow closer in the future.
• One of Walter's co-worker has been super helpful --- she even brought us to the cell phone company to help us translate. Lord willing, we can continue to build our relationship!

On top of those answered prayers, I have a list of "likes" already:

• We have bikes! They are great and allows us to explore the town more efficiently and more like a local! :) The locals, especially the older ladies are always on bikes. I must admit, they are in better shape than I am!
• The weather has been super --- almost like San Diego weather except it is a bit more chilly at night.
• I also really like how we get the best of both worlds. If we want Japanese food, we go off base. If we crave some American food, we go on base!
• There is a 100 Yen store! ( Almost equivalent to the $1 store!) YAY!
• We are now living in a long-term hotel so we have a kitchen and I can finally cook after eating out for over 1 month now!
• We have been given a lump sum of money to spend for food each day! Thank you God for your grace via the government!

To be honest, I do have some "dislikes" though:

• There are a TON of spiders!!! I hate spiders!!! And no, they are not little weak-sauce ones. In fact, they have thick black bodies sometimes laced with yellow and they always seem to make their deceitful traps everywhere there are bushes and little crevices. YUCK!
• The fruits and vegetables are super duper expensive!!! We will definitely want some fresh veges in the states when we visit.
• I miss my family and friends...( on the bright note, I praise God for technology and being able to keep in touch).

We now have internet access in our room, so Lord willing, we should be able to post more often. Thanks for reading!

WE'RE IN JAPAN!

We're in JAPAN! After a full day of traveling (11 hr flight from SF to Tokyo, 3 hr lay over in Tokyo, 2.5 hr flight from Tokyo to Hiroshima, 25 min bus ride from Hiroshima airport to train station, 2 hr train ride from Hiroshima to Iwakuni, and 10 minute car ride to the base), we arrived in Iwakuni, Japan around midnight Tuesday. Praise GOD for granting us safe travels! We are currently living at the Marine Base Inn and have limited internet access. Once we move into the apartments in a few days, we should be able to update more frequently.

Here are a few highlights from the past few days:

- the Japanese people are so hospitable! We were carrying our 50 lb luggages up a flight of stairs to reach the train station. Out of nowhere, a japanese man grabbed one of our luggages and started running away with it. At first I was thinking, "that guy is trying to steal our bag!" However, when he kept waving for us to come with him, I realized he was trying to tell us the train just arrived! He helped us carry our luggage down the next flight of stairs and onto the train. Without his help, we would have missed the train.


- traffic always flows on the left, vehicle AND pedestrians too! We were standing on the right side of the escalator at the airport, thinking those who walk will pass on our left. We look back and noticed a few people trying to get by us, thinking STUPID AMERICANS.

- the food is delicious! We've only had the food from the small town nearby, but it's probably the best shrimp tempura and kabobs I've ever had. The steak we had at the restraunt was from a ranch in the area famous for their black angus beef. Marinated with the restaurant's special soy sauce, it was one of the softest and juicest steak I've ever had!

- and last but not least, the toilets are AMAZING! here's a picture of the high-tech toilet at the Tokyo airport, complete with a bidet, automatic air freshener, AND a seat warmer! I wasn't brave enough to try the bidet myself. Maybe next time...

All in all, we have nothing but PRAISE to God for the amazing priviledge of experience this culture. We'll be visiting Hiroshima tomorrow, and will be posting up more updates soon!

36 hours left in the States...

So after almost 10 days of being pampered by our families in Sacramento and Dublin, meeting up with some friends and eating beyond what we ought, Walter and I crossed off the last items on our MUST DO check-off list today. In about 36 hours, we will be boarding a plane that would take us to a new land, a new people, and a new life.

What are my exact thoughts now?

"How will my mommy be when we say our last good-byes? What should I wear on the plane that would be comfortable but not make me look too young? Did we bring enough money to exchange into yen? How long will the train ride be from Hiroshima to Iwakuni? What will we be doing next Saturday evening in Iwakuni? Will we have a church to attend the next day? When is the next time I would have time to blog? How will Walter and I react to the different culture? Will we be irritated at each other? How would the hotel that we will be staying at for up to 2 months be like? Who will my neighbors be?" And the list continues...

Though I have what seems like a million questions, I do, however, know one thing: God is good. I know that He has allowed us to leave at this particular moment for a reason even though it seems awfully difficult to pull away from loving family and friends. The prophet Habakkuk says it best in chapter 3: 17-18 "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. "

Honestly, we can't even justify using this passage because we have been so blessed in every aspect and in no way have our crops failed nor our stalls been empty, but I do want to rejoice in God in all circumstances. So, in the end, I pray that we will be people of praise at all time. Whether we are close to family or miles away, whether we have a church or none at all, whether we feel loved or forgotten, whether we have a home or live in a hotel, or whether we have friends or none --- let us rejoice in the LORD!

LA Visit

We left SD early Tuesday morning to begin our drive up to Sacramento. Thankfully, we got the opportunity to spend time with family and several friends before we continued up north. Here are some highlights! :)

We met Beverly over a year ago in the La Jolla Convalescent home and ever since, she has become our other "grandmother". She has a nerve condition due to an unsuccessful surgery on her back, but you would never know because her witty words, her alert eyes, her warm demeanor and her hospitality would overwhelm you the second you see her. Praise God for His sovereignty in allowing us to meet her!

At our next stop, we had delicious Taiwanese Hotpot with my dear Christine Lu and manly James Chen :) We have both known Christine for over 7 years and our love and understanding for each other is a HUGE blessing for both Walter and I. Thanks Christine for always spurring us on even when I didn't want to initially go to Japan! James is one of the few"freshmen" that has never been afraid to give a good hit in football to either one of us :P Actually, his teddy-bear friendliness and servant's heart has blessed us both greatly! Thanks for having lunch and crepes with us!

That night, Jessie (my sister), Nate (my "cousin"), Michaela (my real cousin), and Evelyn (friend from church), all joined us for dinner at C&O Italian restaurant in Venice Beach. The garlic bread balls are DELICIOUS! We concluded the night with several rounds of Nertz --- don't ask about the results :( Lets just say we are getting too old to play with those young-ins, but we appreciate them spending time with us!

The next day, we got to spend time with the newlyweds, Tranwei and Abijah, over a feast of Korean bbq meat! Praise God for friends that we know no matter how long or how far it has been, we can still gather and fellowship together. What a blessing! Thank you Yu's for the greasy lips story as well --- we will never look at our water cup in the same manner ever again! :P

Afterwards, we got to see Tiff Chu in her new apartment in the middle of K-town! As you can see, T-Chu's teacher's face is much more effective than mine...haha, I guess that's what happens when I take a 4 month break! Thanks for sharing your life with us and for your hospitality. I know how difficult it can get with teaching so God bless especially in that area of your life!

Last, but of course not least, we had the blessing to spend some more time with my little sister, Jesslyn. Walter often mentions how I turn into the younger sibling whenever we get together and I can testify to that! I am encouraged to see how God has molded her into a FINE YOUNG lady desiring to please Him in all that she does. We will be praying for you as you start your last year in UCLA and as you serve in a variety of ministries as GOC. I probably don't appreciate you enough, so here it goes:

Thank you Jessie for staying up late playing with us even though you had class early the next morning. Thank you for letting me smooch you on the cheeks daily! Thank you for sleeping next to me even though I tend to push or talk too much in the wee hours of the night! Thank you for being my lovely sister! I heart you very much!