Kokoro Wo Komete - From the Heart

For God so loved the world...

I imagine God looking at the great nation of Japan with great love and affection in His eyes and great passion for them to know Him. I imagine this because of a special love He put in my heart for them. I am passionate about the Japanese people and have known for years that this love comes from the Lord. I believe that He has called me to love them passionately because He wants to reveal Himself to them through me. I'm so not perfect at sharing my faith with them as I blubber and blunder around. I've tried, though, and I know God hears my voice and supplications over and over again as I pray for them. It is my fervent desire to love them with the love of Christ that they may come to know him. They are my brothers and sisters, and even an ocean away, I can pray for them. God is big and He works across oceans and lands. Thank you, Father, that I don't through perfect witnessing have to "save" them. I know that's the Holy Spirit's work. You know my heart for them and the times we've shared together here. Please hear my prayers...

Last Saturday night, we shared a very special evening with the Kato family, some dear friends of ours who are leaving soon to return to Japan. Ben worked with Mitch-san at Denso, and through the years, we've become close friends. Chi Chi and Mayu are their girls, and I honestly think they're some of the cutest kids in the world. We spent some time this year making Thanksgiving turkeys together! I will miss this family so very much. Many of our friends who came here to work for Denso are now back in Japan. The time that they spend here is precious to many of them, and it's a bittersweet return to their beautiful country. I will always remember our time together.

I made a promise to Chi Chi and a dear friend, Junko, that I would someday visit them in Japan. That's a dream of mine, to go their country and spend time with them there. Someday... :)

Kokoro wo komete is Japanese for "from the heart."

Here are some pictures from our holiday celebrations through the years...


Sharing the meaning of Christmas in 2005 with my dear friend, Junko, who is now back in Japan. This picture was taken shortly before she returned home. I'll never forget this day. We were both in tears as we said our goodbyes and promised each other that we would meet again. My prayer is for this to be true either on the shores of America or Japan or on the Heavenly shores someday. My prayers for her to know Jesus are constant and fervent. She is my sister an ocean away,and I miss her dearly.



Me in 2004 behind a lap full of fun - Chi Chi is in the foreground.



Chi Chi and Mayu posing in front of the Christmas tree in 2006. Can you tell they are used to posing for pictures? Cuties!



All smiles at Christmas 2006...



Ben and Mitch(Mitsuru)-san celebrating Christmas in 2006 with Chi Chi and Mayu.



Mitch (Mitsuru), Sachiko, Chi Chi and Mayu celebrating the Christmas season with us in 2007!



Making Christmas cookies with Chi Chi and Mayu in 2007. We had so much fun and had SO much flour ALL OVER THE PLACE!



Chi Chi and Mayu showing their Thanksgiving turkeys 2008! I asked them what they were thankful for, and Chi Chi, the eldest said, "Golden Retrievers and flowers." Mayu, the youngest, said, "Ducks." :)



Chi Chi and Mayu holding baby Ava...