Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas from Shizuoka!

Tomorrow morning is Christmas Day and Elbert, Aileen and I will travel by train to a cabin in the mountains for a Christmas retreat with several other American Nav staff like ourselves. I'm excited to relax, play games, watch movies and hang out with these super fun friends!

I took this shot of Fuji while biking for last minute gifts on Christmas Eve.

Transferring a Balcom tradition to Japan, Aileen, Elbert & I enjoyed Chili for our Christmas Eve dinner.

We enjoyed a Christmas dinner last night at Ginger's. The turkey was delicious (Thank you Ginger.. and Jo & Mary for shipping it from Tokyo!)...but the crab was HUGE! Look at that thing! If you know me at all, you know seafood makes me cringe- needless to say my anxiety level skyrocketed for a moment when I sat down facing this beast at the table. But, I tried a bit and it wasn't bad, and it seemed kind of humorous- why wouldn't there be a GINORMOUS crab facing me at Christmas dinner, really?

I enjoyed the challenge of carving a turkey for the first time in my life. It was quite fun, really! Look at the size of that knife! Abunai!

I watered the VanZantes flowers today as they're in the U.S. for Christmas. Can you believe flowers are in full bloom on Christmas?!! Is this really Christmas?

Karaoke!!!

Over the past week I have enjoyed hanging out with a number of the freshmen girls for karaoke, lunch at the cafeteria and dress shopping for the big Christmas party. It has been exciting to begin building relationships with them and getting to know each other.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey Day, friends! Last night the Leis family invited several of us over for an all-out American Thanksgiving dinner. It was delicous! The smell reminded me so much of Thanksgiving at home that I almost teared up and felt a little sad. But, the time together with friends was such a blessing, and the food was sooooo good: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, salad, green bean casserole, fresh fruit & veggie tray, homemade roles... and best of all: PUMPKIN PIE!!! Needless to say, I was well blessed! So, from Japan, Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Young Laborers Conference

Last weekend Aileen, Elbert and I traveled to Tokyo for a conference designed to encourage young Japanese Christians. I was especially encouraged during the group quiet times. God used the Bible passage in Colossians to remind me that I'm alive. "And you, who were dead...GOD MADE ALIVE together with Christ, having forgiven us all our trespasses" (Col. 2:13). These are a few reflections I wrote:

"Christ has made me alive in Him- no longer dead in sin. So I'm alive, and free, therefore I don't have to be afraid to try for Christ - to serve, to grow, to love."


Jennifer, Joanna and Aileen taught us their amazing cheerleading skills. Surprisingly, I do have some moves!


My quiet time group: "Lime Green"

I was blessed to meet some wonderful Japanese students who love Jesus and are seeking to grow in their relationship with Him. God is bearing fruit here!



I was also really encouraged as I spent time with the other mid-term staff from other BEST clubs in Japan. We had a lot of fun, and it felt good to laugh so much. It was encouraging to hang out with these friends who are in the same place in life that I am. We also planned our Christmas pow-wow retreat... I'm getting excited!!







Can you believe this is Tokyo? Fall is such a beautiful season here!

Halloween Fun!

On Halloween, the VanZantes arranged homes their children could trick-or-treat at. So we enjoyed the kids and a few of their Japanese neighbor friends, costumes and all!


The BEST students had a Halloween party as well. Though I was late, due to my English class, I got in on the finished Jack-o-lantern, and the Halloween treats Margery had made- good timing!!!

A Season of Learning for Me...

I have been getting to know the college students in BEST club over the past few weeks. They are great people and have been very welcoming to us! Last weekend we all road-tripped to a nearby city and met up with another BEST club. The students made Japanese BBQ for lunch, followed by an afternoon of sports. The trip provided me an opportunity to relate with a few of the freshmen girls.

Starting Japanese Lessons:
This week I began my first Japanese lessons - yikes! I am eager to learn, and know it will require a lot of studying. I'll take lessons twice a week with a private teacher from the local church. I'm also looking forward to practicing Japanese with my roommates- they are quite willing to help! Every time I go grocery shopping, or out to eat with students, I'm reminded of how beneficial language learning will be! I'll be excited when I can read a menu by myself!

From Airports & Airplanes...

To Shizuoka BEST Club:

The First Week...

My first week has gone well, all in all. After a major delay in Detroit, Elbert and I arrived safely home in Japan on Tue. Oct. 2nd around 3am. The staff team here welcomed us very well and have been a blessing in our transition. The BEST club students had a welcoming party for us before English time on Thursday evening. It was great to see old friends from when I was here before, and it was also good to meet the freshmen and sophomores for the first time. And of course, the food was delicious! Saturday night a few upper-class students took us out for a few hours of Karaoke- a good way to reconnect with them. And Sunday night I hung out with Yumiko (a senior I know from my last trip) in downtown Shizuoka, shopping and eating together. All of the adjusting has been emotionally draining, but God is meeting me in the midst of that, encouraging me that He loves me, He's with me, and He wants me to be here. Thanks for your encouragement and prayers- they're a blessing!