Waiting isn't the easiest for me...

Happy Valentine's Day!  Yes, it is already Valentine's Day here in Japan.  And unlike the Japanese who have been coached by the chocolate society here that this is a day to give chocolate to the men in your life, I have been showering all those I love with special treats.  Still working on some, but what a wonderful chance to share some extra love all around.

This past year has been a roller coaster for me; hence, the lack of posting on this site.  Yet, looking back, it's hard to believe that an entire year has passed by.

Home Assignment was for three months this past summer.  Yet, the preparations for Home Assignment start months in advance with scheduling itineraries, purchasing plane tickets, preparing for many different kinds of activities, communicating more frequently, not to mention organizing who will cover our ministry here while we are away.  Whew!  However, we had a wonderful time connecting with so many of our loved ones and supporters during our brief time in the United States.  It was also a great chance to introduce our daughter-in-law, Manaka, and Josiah and her son, Leo to people in the USA as they joined us for several months of our time in the USA.

Upon our return to Japan in late August, (with Murray following in September), I sensed God speaking to me in a different way.  I was energized and refreshed, eager to return to our existing ministries, but also praying about new ministry opportunities.  Yet, the message I was receiving was "Wait."  "Do what needs to be done immediately but do not start anything new."  "Wait!"

I've never been good at waiting.  I've always been eager to move to the next challenge; to jump in with both feet; to make a plan; to set goals and figure out needed steps to accomplish the goals.  Over the years I've learned to keep a book at my side just to help me through the waiting times--at the red lights, sitting in traffic, waiting to pick up people at the station, standing in line.  You can imagine my delight when e-books arrived on the scene.  And now I can carry an entire library of books in my i-phone.  (Just in case you're interested, I am currently reading a suspense novel called Red Tide, a debut novel by author Peg Brantley because I loved her second book, The Missings, so much.)  [see it here]

Okay, I digress.  Perhaps it's because I have been without my ADD meds for a few days.  Yes, it's true, I am an officially diagnosed person with ADD.  So if my blogs take off on wild tangents, now you can understand why.

So back to last fall-- I waited.  And in mid-October when I received an email followed by phone calls from my mother in Kansas, I understood why God had been telling me to wait.  My father had been admitted to the hospital.  This was not the first time, nor did I really expect that it would be the last.  But, in my heart, THIS TIME, God was sending me a very clear message.  I needed to go back to the USA to be with my parents.  There are many times in the last few years when my Dad has been close to death.  And, yet, I never felt it pressed upon me that I should be making a trip to the USA those times.  But, this time, God made it clear.  So I went.

God gave me 10 precious days with my Dad during his hospitalization.  I downloaded some of his favorite music onto my laptop to play for him.  I read sports news to him.  We listened to internet radio. And we talked.  We talked about the past, the present and the future.  We talked about heaven.  He quoted his favorite Scriptures to me.  We talked about songs, family, and friends.  And God gave me one final chance to serve and love on my dad during his final illness.  I also got to spend wonderful time with both my mom and my daughter, more gifts from God.  And after my Dad went to be with the Lord, I was able to spend precious days with family members plus several weeks helping my mother with the bulk of the business details that needed to be cared for.

And then came another surprise!!  My mother decided to come to Japan for an extended visit when I returned at the end of November.  Her first visit!  After all these years, her dream was finally going to come true.  Was it perfect timing that she would arrive at the end of November, just when our preparations for the rush of Christmas events would be upon us?!  Absolutely.  Had God gifted her in such a way that she would be a blessing to both the ministry as well as to the many Japanese people that she would come into contact with?!  Absolutely.  Have I been extra busy these last months?!  Absolutely.  But, I could never have created a scenario with the timing of each event of the last six months like God did.  And for that, I praise Him!

My mother just arrived back in Kansas, ready to serve and follow God's plan for the next years of her life.  She has always been an example to me and I continue to learn from her how to walk in the paths of righteousness.

So, I apologize for my silence.  I pray that my silence has not prevented you from remembering to pray for the Japanese people and their need of Jesus.

Looking forward to reinvigorating my updates!

Kathy T