Great Report from Japan

From missionaries in Japan, who were there before the earthquake...

So happy to see that Samaritan's Purse is helping with relief and helping the local economy!

MONDAY, APRIL 04, 2011

In praise of relief agencies...

I spent some time talking with an Asian Access missionary who has been in Sendai for the past two weeks. In his role he interfaced withSamaritan's Purse and Food for the Hungry staff and assisted in distribution of their supplies. Their experience with disaster relief has been invaluable, and their goods have been wisely chosen.

In the past two weeks since the first load from Samaritan's Purse arrived in Sendai, they have gone out of their way to obtain other things that become apparent as needs. They purchased large amounts of some goods from Costco here in Japan--is that why I can't find what I'm looking for? ;-) I'll gladly give those things up if they are being used for the relief effort in Tohoku!

Currently they recognize that people need transportation. So rather than bringing in bicycles from outside the country, they are going to the local bike shops to purchase the bikes. In doing this, they encourage the local economy and provide a basic need for people.

As my friend, Peter said:

Learned so much over the past two weeks. I love what is starting to happen. Samaritan's Purse is contracting with local businesses to supply goods that SP will give away. Instead of bringing in everything from far away, they will support local business in a time of great need. The businesses sell to SP and SP gives it to people who lost everything. Double win. Beautiful. So amazing. Needs change daily, one day they are ordering tens of thousands of pairs of underwear, the next they are buying bikes. All going free to people in great need. But the combo of buying local when possible and giving local is great to see, especially in expensive Japan.

I know that many times people want to do something tangible to help, and I am guilty of thinking that giving to a major relief agency is not that helpful. But I want to say that these agencies are doing a great job, and the financial donations people give are making a strategic difference in the lives of people.

On My Way to 1000!

#0141-0164

• Such a busy and full life, kind-of a little crazy sometimes, but thankful for quiet times in the morning that make all the difference in my day, and for One Thousand Gifts for helping slow down, be thankful, and appreciate each moment
• Red patchwork quilts
• Fresh, warm, floral smell of the greenhouse
• Hot bath, book and bed
• Laughing with my ladies at Bible study
• Finding the right motivation for my kids
• Seeing their “aha” moments
• A perfectly caught pop-fly
• The privilege of taking care of my sweet kiddos when they are sick.  Having medicine, tea, and all I need to care for them.  It makes my heart break for mommas with sick babies who have no resources to care for them.  Such a good reminder to live simply, to give more to those in need.
• Grant’s Ant Traps (Does anyone else get inundated with ants every spring?)
• Money to buy groceries. I never want to take this for granted.  I am so thankful to be able to buy good food for our family.
• Knowing that my favorite pajamas will be clean for bed tonight
• Tyler Candles, “French Market” scent
• Dinner in the crockpot
• Kat texting me about prom plans and bringing friends over after the big event
• Still feeling a little needed and wanted for advice and ideas in her life
• Courtney’s delight in her new phone, and in her friend "finally" getting a phone
• Giggles 
• Dan’s team winning their first game of the season
• Courtney’s music compositions.  She mailed a copy to my grandpa, a musician and former music teacher.  He played it on the piano in his retirement home and wrote her a letter, commenting on it.   “Not only do you have some very interesting melodies, but your chord progressions are excellent.  The modulations to different keys were well done.  And I was thrilled to hear some diminished chords throughout the composition.  Keep up the good work!”

• The bright mind and good health of my 95-year-old grandfather!
• The sheer delight of my littlest boys when I tell them we are going to drive-through at McDonalds to get ice cream cones and super-hero toys. (I think this was the first time I had ever taken them to McDonalds.)
• Tuck-in cuddles, back scratches and head-rubs with Abby.  It’s not a real tuck-in for her unless I get under the covers, and preferably fall asleep with her as well.
• Bode's giggles (I wish I could count how many times a day he giggles or laughs hysterically)

Home Sweet Home

Always so good to be home!

Though for the first time in many years, I could have stayed on vacation longer.  With no babies in the house, it's a lot easier to travel, and I wasn't dying to get back to my normal routine.  It made me a little sad to leave beautiful, warm Maui.

It was a huge blessing to wake up Sunday morning and go to church and hear a great sermon on contentment from Philippians 4.  It was also much needed ammunition devotional material for my youngest kids today as they had the "I've had too much vacation" attitude.  God's Word is amazing!  Our morning had a complete turn-around after we read about Paul's contentment in any circumstance and the only true satisfaction (Jesus!) that doesn't leave us longing for more (John 4).

 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:12-13


And the thankful list continues... a few with photos...

124.     Bantam rooster in the morning

125.     Daffodils, anemones, hyacinths and camellias blooming (and bouquets of them in the house, made by my sweet mother)

126.     Not having to think about where the light switches are

127.     Jack, willing to wake up before 5 a.m. Hawaii time our first morning back, because he’s so excited to play some basketball

128.     Worship, great sermon, and sweet friends at church

129.     Lots of sun breaks

130.     Birdsong in the morning and frogs at night

131.     Everything familiar, especially my bed

132.     Cooking (I love the combination of making recipes that call for lots of vegetables and making chicken stock - adding the unusable or less desirable parts to simmer with a chicken carcass. Beautiful color!)

133.  Buds about to burst open on the magnolia tree outside my bedroom window (I think of this tree as the “Hope of Spring” as I see it’s big, fuzzy buds all winter long)

134.  Clean laundry

135.  Teaching Sunday School with Dan

136.  Sweet hugs from kids we teach

137.  Early work-out with my best friend, laughing, catching up – always a great start to my week

138.  Brother buddies

139.  Homeschooling moments

140.  Logistics working out for tonight’s two baseball practices, one parent meeting, one basketball practice, one gymnastics lesson, one piano lesson and one play rehearsal.  Everyone is able to get where they need to go thanks to a third driver in the family and a little help from our friends!

Bright-eyed

Today at lunch I saw a woman with the most joyful eyes. She was probably close to 70, white-haired and more than pleasantly plump. My instant thought upon seeing her was that I don't mind the thought of growing older if I can look like her. She was with family, and while they went in to order food she sat outside at a table.

I had to tell her. She was just so beautiful. She was surprised, a little embarrassed,
pleased and more than a little doubtful about my eyesight, I think. But I went on to tell her it was the joy in her eyes, such a brightness about her. Then she looked at me, a little deeper, and with a more knowing voice and said, "Well, I do love the Lord." I smiled big and nodded, "Of course you do. That's it."

I saw Him in her eyes.

She grabbed my arm and gave a little hug, her family came out and the moment was gone.

That's who I want to be. So full of his grace that I shine His love without saying a word.

Almost Aloha

I am looking forward to our last full day in Hawaii, but also looking forward to home!

Yesterday I finally got to swim in the ocean.  One of my favorite things in life.  I was trying to figure out why I hadn't done it before, and then I remembered!  I'd been so busy watching the kids I couldn't get in myself.  Now they are all ocean-ed out!

Here's a few shots from the past few days:

That last one is Cade playing his DS under a towel.  Ha!  Really appreciating the moment and all the beauty around him.

We did a family photo session with a photographer last night on a beautiful beach a few miles from here.  I can't wait to see the pictures, but for now, here's a glimpse of the scene.

And of course, I couldn't end this post without some thankful thoughts.

100.     Perfect bird shadows (such cute little feet!) above my head as they walk across the cabana roof

101.     Torch-lit flagstone paths along the beach

102.     Wolfgang Puck’s amazing food

103.     Sunset dinners overlooking the ocean

104.     That Dan and I both love to talk and make new friends when we’re out to dinner

105.     Glorious mornings

106.     Birdsong

107.     First thoughts of day are thanks to God

108.     Birds in pairs

109.  Tan feet in flip-flops

110.  Polka dots of light on the page of my book; sun through the brim of my sun hat

111.  Amazing convenience and efficiency of email, camera, texting, games for kids to play, the Bible, Internet, note-taking all in one place.  Oh, and it's a phone too!

112.  Bougainvillea everywhere

113.  Swimming in the best wave pool ever (the Pacific Ocean)

114.  Watching liquid gems of sapphire, aquamarine, emerald and peridot cascade toward me again and again

115.  Gardenias

116.  Sashimi

117.  God-appointed conversations

118.  Psalm 25

119.  Running, dancing, posing, and kissing on the beach at sunset for family pictures.

120.  So tired of eating out that everyone is overjoyed at cereal, fruit, bread and lunchmeat in our hotel room.

121.  Praying together.

122.  A red cardinal on the railing not six feet from me.

123.  Wet sand between my toes.

Eucharisteo III

I realize it's really not hard to put together a thankful list while in Hawaii.  And I'm actually looking forward to more of a challenge when we're back to regular life.

Thought this was a great quote from the book today:

One act of thanksgiving,

when things go wrong with us,

is worth a thousand thanks when things

are agreeable to our inclinations.

Sant John of Avila

But I still like documenting our trip through random thankful thoughts.

80.  Holding hands and snorkeling
81.  The wonder of another world under the surface of the water
82.  Two proud little boys emerging from their room, very early morning, in matching outfits:  “We’re all dressed and we packed!”
83.  The fun of a new location (moving to a hotel today).
84.  My capable, caring husband; packing the car up for me since he was golfing when we moved to the hotel.
85.  Ahi Poke from Safeway, all packaged up in the meat department just like chicken or beef, with an expiration date.  Only in Hawaii…
86.  The scent of plumeria
87.  Ceiling fans
88.  All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before Him.  Psalm 22:27
89.  After four days in Hawaii, Kat and Cocoa are talking about missing their jeans and Uggs… that’s a little strange, but I’m glad they love living in Oregon!
90.  Jack’s new love for Ahi Poke
91.  But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.  Psalm 52:8
92.  Today Abby told me she wants to go home.  Do you mean back to the hotel? “No, home.  I miss doing my kitchen jobs and cleaning my room.”  Again, really?  But I’m glad she likes her life at home (and cleaning!) :)
93.  I always tell Dan he does too much, but I have to love the fact that he pre-programmed my GPS while we were still in Portland for every location I would need while in Hawaii (including Whole Foods).
94.  Abby told me her tummy hurt as we got out of the car at the hotel, and threw up in the bushes!  I'm so thankful it didn't happen a moment earlier.  Poor girl, now she’s worried the bellman is going to recognize her every time we go somewhere in the car.  (She’s fine, was just a little carsick.)
95.  Seeing friends and meeting new people, all from Portland, but here in Maui for spring break.  A party put together on facebook. Thanks, Wooleys!
96.  Arbonne “Glow With It” after-sun lotion.  Saves me when I’m sunburned.
97.  Fresh sheets.
98.  Sunsets on the beach.
99.  Flower leis.

Eucharisteo II

From One Thousand Gifts:


"A nail is driven out by another nail; habit is overcome by habit."  Erasmus said that, contemporary and admirer of Martin Luther.  When I read this thought, I am surprised because I had never known and I am sad for all that would have changed if only I had.


I look down at the pen, this pen I keep wielding, one writing her way to one thousand.  This pen:  this is nothing less than the driving of nails.  Nails driving out my habits of discontent and driving in my habit of eucharisteo.  I'm hammering in nails to pound out nails, ugly nails that Satan has pierced through the world, my heart.  It starts to unfold, light in the dark, a door opening up, how all these years it's been utterly pointless to try to wrench out the spikes of discontent.  Because that habit of discontent can only be driven out by hammering in one iron sharper.  The sleek pen of gratitude.


I hammer.

And so my list continues.

58.  Enjoying different family dynamics when our oldest three are elsewhere
59.  Dinner for 6 on the lanai
60.  Tucking in tired, sun kissed children
61.  Not knowing or caring what day it is
62.  Early morning cuddles.
63.  Kissing soft chubby Bode cheeks.
64.  Wondering what deep thoughts Cade is thinking.
65.  The strange feeling of having a child that is smarter than I am.
66.  God’s goodness in giving me everything I need, mostly a relationship with him, to raise these children to His glory.
67.  Contentment
68.  Simple habits of coffee, Bible, reading the Psalm of the today’s date.
69.  The spiritual disciplines of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication (ACTS).
70.  Leather journals
71.  Bode sideling up next to me, asking me what all the highlighted verses in my Bible say
72.  Blond highlights coming out in my children’s sun-kissed hair.
73.  Bode back for round four of morning hugs.
74.  Early morning TV for kids so I can have some uninterrupted quiet time.
75.  Dan waking up right when I realized I have no idea how to operate the TV
76.  Working out in a breeze
77.  The feel of a good stretch
78.  Post workout pineapple juice
79.  More time to read One Thousand Gifts on the deck