DEAD GRASS

Pastor Yoshitaka Ishikawa, because of our Dad's friendship with his family, has watched over us like his own little sisters, always checking on our electricity, plumbing needs, etc. We so thank God for Him.

The other day, he noticed the area near the stairs looked like a rainforest and came with his sickle and cut it all down for us--yes!

The cut grass served another purpose for a furry neighbor.

Later on in the week, I looked down in the yard and saw a stray cat had found the dry grass purrfect bedding after a recent deluge.

"Just dead stuff?" Maybe. But in God's Hands, it may be the PERFECT source of comfort for some exhausted soul!

All I know is, there's one kitty nearby that likes Yoshitaka.

COULDN'T BELIEVE IT

Hang on! I want to tell you about the past few days.

Recently, I'd been thinking of doing my Japanese blog posts first then doing English re-working/translations of them; but today's will be done here first. There's too much that needs to be said...I think it needs to be said sloppily, and that's gotta be done in English (I don't know how to even write properly in Japanese yet!)

I told you we'd asked God to fill in our calendar for Janice's short visit to Okinawa. She left Thurs., and I can tell you, God did it all!

Remember our cousin Rumiko whose husband died suddenly who we went to live with on the island of Izena where she and her husband helped with pioneer work? She and two friends came to visit one of the first days I was gone with my husband, wanting to see some unsaved family nearby.

We didn't know about these ladies so would have had no way of scheduling them in our plans--but God did! He arranged a wonderful time of fellowship, prayer, and witness, plus a room to lie down and rest.

"I was so tired from running around with Kimi and Ellis (daughter and son-in-law) and thought I just wanted to rest and do nothing;" Janice said. "but God had better plans. What a blessing!"

On another day, the person who met Janice at the airport came with disabled siblings mentioned in a previous blog. Janice befriended them as children but they are now in their 30's and 40's, so we still refer to them as "the Nakamatsu Kids". They went to a Christian bookstore on the southern end of the island, where the store manager is the pastor's son of a church for the hearing-impaired Joyce and Janice helped out at. 

I couldn't believe this last one. I've told you repeatedly how the cousin who gave the land on which our house is built was given by relatives living 2 mins. away. One of the last days of Janice's time in Okinawa, the Lord directed a visit with Kazue. Well, my scripture memory right now is "it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter." (Rev. 10:10).

Not only did Kazue agree to continue Bible studies after today's visit; before going home, she presented us with some gifts: three small jars of BITTERSWEET HONEY! No kidding!

The little monkey? Monchichi was the fad when we were teenagers and seems to be coming back. Joyce couldn't resist picking up some darling mascots she found, especially when one of them wore a ladybug costume, and ladybugs are one of her favorites.

You think that's just silly? Well, that's the way sisters are when they get together.

A POEM I WROTE (Feb. 16, 2011)

I recently found this among letters to my Dad. It was in response to what I'd read in Ephe. 1:3-14, so if you were expecting something romantic or merely sentimental, that's not what this is. If you want to read along in your Bibles tho', you might get an idea of what I was trying to say. Here's this poem along with some photos from yesterday's walk with my sister Janice down the river next to the house:

EPHESIANS 1:3-14

1. Father, questions tempt to vex us;

    Gird our minds with thoughts above.

    E'en before the world was formed

    Thou our God, chose us in love!

Refrain:

    Words cannot our awe express; no

    Puzzle e'er would Thee amaze.

    Thou designed, we but possess. To

    Thy blest glory be all praise!

2. Silence all that mock Thy power,

    Care for our timidity.

    Paradise Thou wilt restore that

    We would walk and talk with Thee!

3. Lord, because Thy blood Thou gave,

    Sins forgiven, now we dare--

    Even though Thou very God art--

     Art called Brother, fellow-Heir!

4. Holy Spirit, Christian's Seal,

    Without Thy fire, no hope have we.

    Flood my heart with light and praise:

    Foretastes of eternity!

(Less than a month after I'd sent this poem, that earthquake hit--Mar. 11, 2011. But I'm sure the Creator of the Universe was not dismayed.)

LONG WALK BACK

We walked all the way to the American Village today. It would be a long walk back, but remembering yesterday's wildlife, I grabbed my compact camera and headed for the seawall, expecting some real good pictures.

But I'd forgotten to figure in the tide for the birds who could nest on the boulders coming out of the water only then. Needless to say, I didn't see a single Cormorant today. But I did see Two Osprey. Well, they were helicopter-airplane Osprey, carrying Air Force personnel to their respective bases.

And no black heron came today either. I photographed One Egret tiptoeing on the north part of the seawall. After seeing all those birds yesterday, it was a big disappointment to get so little response today--and I had my camera too!

But as I was looking through my pictures, I realized I'd been so caught up in not seeing the birds, I hadn't seen how beautiful the ocean was...their very backdrop. It made me wonder how often I commiserate on my difficulties and don't realize how I possess ideal conditions that allow the existence of those problems.

"In EVERYTHING give thanks for this is the will of God", scripture says.

COFFER A LOT

"Hey; there's an egret!...I can't believe it...a wild cormorant...a black heron!" There was so much as we walked near the seawall. I wanted to kick myself for not bringing my sketching equipment, at least my camera to snap pictures of these things so I could draw them in detail later.

Oh well; at least today we could walk to all the way to the tourist center nearby, get our bellies filled with some good Okinawan cuisine. We had all day tomorrow and Wed. to sketch and photograph the amazing wildlife I knew I'd missed today.

But...the CLOSER we got to our destination, the more we'd have to walk, we realized. The original directions we'd been given were skimpy, unreliable. Hm; it was getting dark. We didn't know this area; it seemed best to turn back and try the eateries and shops when it got light again.

Kinya and I felt thankful to see a supermarket up ahead and picked up simple bentos for our evening meal, then headed home. After a nice, quiet meal with simple conversation, we Kinya enjoyed some cafe au lait while listening to some of my most recent Japanese blog posts. 

Kinya took a nice, hot shower and then climbed into bed. If he's anything like me, I think his body is tuckered out from today's escapade half way down the coast...and back. But while he was drifting off into dreamland, I was marveling at how much of my posts--actually, even things I knew weren't mentioned in them--had to do with Kinya.

Lord, let all your children realize and awe in how much WE occupy YOUR thoughts!

"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" (Ps. 139:17)

...Leaning on the Everlasting Arms...♪

"It's been so long," I found myself thinking, bounding to the front door when my sister came. Wait. She was here for Christmas 2024, and I was in her Stateside apartment later that year too, so it hasn't been that long. Why did it feel like it's been forever?

This time, when my sister Janice came, it was with her daughter Kimi and son-in-law Ellis. Janice's friend was to come over with her larger car to pick them up (and their luggage) at the airport. After worship service Sunday, they came to the house to say hello to Kinya and Keima.

Kimi and Keima have met before. I have an enlarged, framed photo of my 2 kids and Janice's 5 kids when they met the summer of 2006 here in Okinawa. Altho' my children couldn't speak English, and their American cousins spoke no Japanese, the 7 kids somehow really hit it off and became fast friends.

Kimi and Keima were only 10 years old then. It's been 20 years since... I thot it would be another 20 years before I'd be needing a push cart for the elderly. But after my fall last year causing my knee injury, then hurting my back last month, Kinya purchased one of these for me, and I found myself elated.

I suppose some people don't want to "lean on" anything, want to show they're strong enough to stand on their own. I'm very happy to admit I do not have the strength I need and then to rely on the support of that which is FOREVER FAITHFUL AND STRONG!

(About the way God has already begun "filling in" our calendar: It seems Joyce was needed at a believer's funeral; Janice has been spending time running around with her daughter and son-in-law; and I will be spending time with my husband!)

FILL IT UP, LORD...

Two years away seemed like such a long time to wait, but it was right on top of us!

The last time my sisters and I were together for Christmas, in 2024, it was such a blessed time. One of my favorite memories of those few weeks was when my husband and son were invited downstairs to my sister's apartment for dinner both on Christmas eve and then on Christmas. We had such a good time. I've rarely seen Kinya and Keima letting themselves relax and just enjoy themselves as they did those two nights. And when Janice left to go back to the U.S., it seemed it would be an eternity before she would be back and we'd be able to see her again.

But SHE'S BACK! The night of the 20th, I got to say "GLAD TO SEE YOO JANNEE!" Altho' it's just for a short visit this time--just two weeks; we know God will bless this visit too.

The last time, we carefully planned visits with various relatives during her 3-week stay, and then thought out other activities. This time, we pretty much left the calendar open, asking God to fill it with appointments of His choosing. Would you pray with us that He would show us His Holy Spirit can do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think?

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord"

"One step forward, two steps back...another step to the right and down a notch...hey, what's this pillar?" 

It feels like that's what the Christian senses in any kind of obedient walk with God: full of obstacles, detours, and seeming disappointments.

Recently, I was elated when a friend from over 30 years ago said she wanted to come see me in Okinawa. Her husband had come to know the Lord just before he died of cancer, and her two children were both saved--one got married to an ANA cabin attendant who would enable her to fly down to Okinawa. ONE HUGE LEAP FORWARD!

But the dates my friend wanted to come, flights got filled. Those freebies were offered space available only, so she wouldn't be able to come. And there was a mixup with the ride to pick up my friend at the airport. TWO STEPS BACK.

"Kinya, would you be interested in staying at a hotel the 23rd~25th?" I ventured. It wasn't anything fancy, but nice, quiet. Kinya usually feels going out is a bother and would rather not leave his computer setup, but maybe he saw my DISAPPOINTMENTS: not being able to see a good friend, having an empty lodging on my hands; and not wanting to see me disappointed again, decided it wouldn't hurt to take a few days away from his digital workshop and spend some time with June...so he agreed to come! Thank you Kinya, and Thank YOU Father!

NOT A CERTAIN WAY

In Japan, the girls give chocolates to the fellas for Valentines, not the other way around. I'd looked for a box with a kitty chocolate in mine--the Saito men love cats--the one I found had a nice sprinkle of gold in the boxed background that made it kinda classy but not gaudy...I was so happy I gave it on JANUARY 14! Oh no; a month early!

I realize now God knew, back in January, I'd be hurting my back in such a way I wouldn't be in any condition before Valentines Day to sit in a car and get out to the shopping center where Valentine chocolate sets were sold; He'd nudged me to get them early. But...I still wanted to get SOMETHING for Valentines Day in February too! I decided to try walking to the nearby store to at least buy a box of nice chocolates.

Kinya thought I was just going out for a stroll and offered to come along. When we crossed the river on the way to the store, he was surprised to see, not one bright kingfisher gracing us with a visit, but THREE! It was as if they KNEW this was a special trek being made for Valentines' Day, because this included a female bird--can you see the bottom beak is red--rarely sited. "Get something good," seemed to be their well-wishing.

Yeah; I thought to myself. God never has to take treks to the store to pick up delightful treats like this for His family! Thank You, Lord!

I'd decided not to try the grocery store and stopped at the nearest convenience store instead. Altho' I pointed to the most expensive chocolates at the bottom and told Kinya he could choose whatever he wanted, he said he wanted one of the cheaper chocolate bars on the hooks above it. Really? Really. I ended up getting him TWO of those little ones. On the way home, I thot I'd complain about Kinya's choice to an eel I saw in the river...it didn't look dark brown, but more tannish.

I forgot what I was going to say. Some people prefer dark chocolate. Others white chocolate. Some boxed chocolate. Others chocolate bars.

And you really can be happy with whatever it is God gives you even if it seems you got it at the wrong time. It doesn't have to be a certain way.

White ribbon design, red petals...Little Valentines!

 Time for another "Photo Story". Here's a short, 6-photo one:

1 Bright Hibiscus near bridge, 2 Sakura on shortcut path.

3 G-hopper - these won't interest June. 4 But Ma Web knows where to find

5 June's favorite flower, 6 The dainty SPIDER HIBISCUS!

💗HAPPY VALENTINES🙏

(I know it's been commercialized, but...

May God's richest blessings of love be with you today anyway!)

ROSES OUTSIDE THE HEDGE

Children, I've always loved. They see how pretty what you did is instead of noticing the slip you made while doing it (which is what adults do). Children love beautiful flowers; most adults would cut back growth to fit the hedge.

At the park, there were times I noticed unruly toddlers, but when I showed them a lonely turtle who surfaced in the pond or a baby grasshopper trying to balance on the head of a disintegrating cotton dandelion; they quieted down right away. Most youngsters were merely starved for attention. That's why it saddened me that today's society safety necessitates telling children not to talk to strangers, period. Little ones get wary of me if I as much as smile at them, and they turn and run to their guardians.

Kinya must've wondered why I excitedly took pictures of that bird in the creek. When COVID-19 first hit in 2020, schools were closed, and hundreds of children had hours of time on their hands. Parents were grateful when strangers at the park could point out birds for their children to sketch. I'd shown this waterfowl to a happy junior artist then. But when the pandemic got under control, conditions went back to NO TALKING TO STRANGERS. Sigh. No; I don't want COVID to get worse. But I do wish I could talk with the tykes at the park again.

I suppose we don't long for trials either, even when we thank God for some of the treasures we could've gleaned no other way.

APPETITE

Before the evening meal one day, I was commenting to Kinya how little I appetite I had recently. When I was younger, I probably ate twice as much...

Not this young. When I was little--you can see high chair age--my missionary parents taught me to eat with chopsticks and rice bowl, so I feel at home eating Japanese or western style meals. We need to be content with whatever state we find ourselves in.

But I'll probably eat lots for supper tonight, I said, since we took that walk, and my body's probably tired from the exertion it's not used to. On our walk, we'd walked by the vegetable stand where there's produce straight from the field, not necessarily the polished and pretty stuff sold in stores. I'd wondered if it would be torn down during construction, but it was still there--yes! Thank you, Lord.

I wondered if my recent lack of appetite was actually because of my not going out and getting exercise? A coot in the gully seemed to tell me I needed to pick up swimming, or pool walking, or SOME kind of exercise, honk honk! Gotcha. Sometimes we Christians have less appetite for the Word and more for sports, politics, or show biz because we don't exercise spiritually to want any.

That evening meal was eaten up, all right--completely! And it didn't seem a chore at all. Now wouldn't it be strange to hear a person talking about how it was his personal responsibility to eat his meal or moral duty to finish his food? It's a lot more natural to see a person grin real big and "chow down", happy he gets to gorge himself, right? That's the way a child of God should attack Christian service, yes?

STRENGTHENING IMPRESSIONS

"If I just stay home, I'll get weak;" I said to my husband; "I wanna go for a walk." With my present back condition, I knew I'd have to take it real easy...but I knew Kinya would slow down for me. 

Isn't it good to know the Lord "slows down for us", doesn't expect us to keep up with Him, but will "lead on softly...until the children are able to endure", like Jacob did for his own (Gen. 33:14)?

The little flowers on the wall at the beginning of our walk seemed to be whispering out those thoughts of encouragement to me too, that they didn't have a lot of strength as seeds but just bloomed anyway.

The last time I was out, I got the strong impression the dike meant that life was back to normal for the birds and fish. Today, Kinya saw the turtles were back. Turtles? In other parts of the world, it's still too cold to come out of hibernation! But here in Okinawa, even around that formidable-looking stone wall (for turtles who were gone during construction) it's already a balmy 20 degrees Celcius.

Maybe sometimes God has us hidden in obscurity for a season to prepare conditions of warm favor that to our human perception appear threatening, when He brings us out to them. Oh if we'd only trust Him in all His conditions!

Just before we turned to go home tho', we saw a great bird swoop...and could see something twitching in between its talons--it had CAUGHT A FISH! (The sheets of water dripping from the fish looks like a solid square!) Oh well. Time for us to go home and eat OUR meal. That's subject for another post.

P.S.:(We've seen that bird fly overhead many, many times before.)

A LITTLE SCROLL, A DIFFERENT STORY

Remember I mentioned how Aino gave me watersoluble pastels at last week's fellowship? Well, in an e-mail thanking her for coming, I decided to send her a picture, using those chalks, of that angel "clothed in clouds" of Rev. 10:1-2.

The angel, it mentioned, held a little scroll in its hand. Can you see it?

This one had a different story, I realize, than the online tale that came to me. It told of hapless orphans selling themselves, HOPING for a better situation. They'd fled cruel taskmasters until landing at a place of safety, finally finding a buyer who would respect, protect, and care for them. So they could now live happily ever after.

"We do not follow cunningly devised fables," (2 Pet. 1:16). The regenerate have been purchased too by an all-powerful, ever-loving Father Who gives us His Name; and we never have to run...ever.

AFTERWARDS

Altho' I was terribly happy with the birthday fellowship last week, I remember it being a little intimidating the next day when it was time to give Kinya a cake from me. After all, the ones he'd seen at the fellowship were made by professionals--this one was by me!

And this year, I'd hurt my back so had been unable to get out shopping to get the proper supplies. All I could do was whip together the butter and honey to make icing, mix in some instant cafe au lait powder for coloring-flavor-aroma, brush on the frosting atop the Danish Kinya brought home (for me!), and add a Birthday portrait sketched from a photo taken on a walk.

Not real pretty, but it'd do. Singing "Happy Birthday," I showed Keima then took the cake to Kinya. "It may not taste too good," I said, "but would he take a bite?" A bite? It made me happy to see half of it disappeared right away.

Mebbe we don't impress anyone else spiritually either but should just make ourselves available to our Heavenly Father. We'd probably be happy to see His response.

FOLLOW THE ANGEL INTO THE CLOUD

 "And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud;" (Rev. 10:1)

Yipes. Oh No. I'd seen the tail end of Rev. 9, about how men needed to repent of worship of gold and silver, so I was all set on drawing a pretty picture of contrasting Prov. 25:11 glistening gold apples in a background of silver. But the verse I'm actually on now, and what God seems to be talking to me about, is something in the next chapter.

I came out of a negative situation several years ago I saw as walking around in a dark cloud, not really knowing what I was doing, just putting up a mental-emotional guard and surviving moment by moment. What had looked like a menacing, nebulous mass couldn't possibly be where my Heavenly Father wanted me to go...could it?

"I'm sending along a mighty angel," the verse seemed to whisper; and farther on, it even mentioned the rainbow...letting me know the Jan. post had been seen too, of course. "FOLLOW ME."

Hm. What looks like a shiny road could be an angel of light I shouldn't follow; and what looks like a shadowy way could sometimes be the way of trust I should take instead? Oh Lord, help me to run from the voice of strangers but to heed Your every beckoning.

TAKING TIME SURPRISING HIS CREATURES

It's not that I wanted to play UNO so much, but that I wanted to play with the cards the Kinas brought! Tomorrow (Feb 2; this is being written Feb 1) is Kinya's actual birthday, but Aino and Masahiro work so decided to come celebrate today by playing games. They brought their miniature cards with them. Sure, my sister has a myriad of games to choose from--but we can play them anytime. But these? We could play with them only tonight.

Only room for one candle, she said, not 68. I didn't know what she was talking about. For the "birthday cake", Joyce didn't get a regular large-sized one, but twelve yummy blocks of pastry, some chocolate, some fruity, one with a Birthday decoration on which she stuck a candle.

It was lit, and we sang "Happy Birthday" to Kinya.

I forgot to mention: Aino is one of my artist buddies. She has commented she wants to help me get my hands on art supplies, and tonight, she pulled me aside and asked if I could use water soluble pastels!

I'd seriously considered cancelling tonight's activity, and God simply surprised me in these ways. 

Why would Almighty God bother to spend time doing that for His creatures? Most of us have gotten so used to e-mail, we will not spend time writing letters anymore.