Faces October 31, 2009

We have a wonderful reminder every day when we walk into the kitchen of what it’s all about…

These are faces from the Christmas card photos we received last year.  (A few cards got lost in our transition from the U.S. to Japan- sorry if your photo didn’t make it).  We love seeing the people who are so integral to what we are doing in Japan.  To who we are.  Those who pray for us.  Our kids – our family– have such an amazing safety net surrounding us!  There are days that feel a bit lonely in our ministry.  This poster reminds us that we are loved — what a wonderful thing.

Attention October 13, 2009

Sunday’s worship encouraged me in several ways.

It was the once-a-month combined worship time.  Sometimes I feel quite distracted on these Sundays by taking care of the kids’ needs; figuring out what we should be doing, reigning Olivia back in, etc., that I find myself not really worshiping much.  Somehow this Sunday I was able to enter in more fully.

The first thing that really encouraged me was watching Owen!  Recently Owen has been somewhat reluctant to enter into public worship or prayer. These past few months he has just learned (most of) the Japanese hiragana characters.  On Sunday, for the first time, he sat through all of the (Japanese) worship set, paying attention and intently READING the song sheet,  giving singing his best effort.  It moved me to tears to see this.  Thank you, God, for giving a voice to this young boy to worship you.

The second thing that encouraged me was one point of the message delivered by Makio Sensei, the senior pastor of our mother church here.  He was preaching on the woman accused of adultery who was brought before Jesus.  Makio Sensei painted the picture well– even as we were sitting in a large circle, so too, did the crowds and accusers form a circle around this woman who had sinned.  Rather than trying to figure out what she needed to help her out of her sin or to figure out why this had happened, they put her in the very center to be accused and shamed.

Then Jesus started writing in the sand.  We don’t know what he wrote.  But our pastor made a very interesting suggestion… when he stooped down to write, all eyes went from  the woman — to Jesus’ hand.  They all wanted to know what he was writing.  Jesus was able to draw the attention away from the adulterer to himself.  He in a sense covered her shame and took it upon himself.  Just as he did, for all of us, on the cross.  I loved that so much.  How like Jesus!  To choose to draw attention away from the sinner to himself so that she could know His grace.

And I started thinking about how I really don’t like attention on me either, and sometimes I allow it to remain on someone else so that I don’t have to draw attention to my own failings.  And I often don’t think about the needs of the other and how I can take their shame onto myself.  I was so convicted!  And thankful for the covering of Jesus over my own sins and weaknesses.  And for His grace that is more than sufficient to cover any and all of us.

Autumn Treasures October 10, 2009

There are days– or weeks –as a mom of 3 (or right-now 4) young children where I feel like my life has become routine and a bit stagnant.  (Not boring!  Ever!  Just routine).

Earlier this week I got a text from a seventh- grade friend, Manae.  Her family has been ministry partners of ours over the last five years in Sanda, and I’ve always enjoyed her.  (Plus I think related to her as we are both the second of fourth children!)  We texted back and forth a bit, and then I asked if she would like to go for cake this weekend. We did today.  I had about a 2 hour window between Eric’s commitments when he could watch the kids.

I went and picked her up, wondering if I would know what on earth to talk about with a seventh grader.  It’s been a LONG time since I was that age… We drove to a country cake shop somewhat in the middle of nowhere called “Alice’s.”  It was surrounded by quaint little garden spots, carved rocks and fountains.

They only make two kinds of cake each day.  Today’s specials were — fig tart and chestnut cake.  Ugh.  Neither of my two favorites.  We both went for the chestnut cake.

I have to say that chestnuts are one of those food obsessions in fall here that I just have never understood.  They always taste dry and bland, but Japanese LOVE LOVE chestnuts in all forms and ways.  So, I thought I’d give it one last shot.

And discovered a new treasure — this chestnut cake was divine.

The chestnut cake, the ripe persimmon served with it, the autumnal skies beyond the large glass windows made it a perfect fall event.

Earl Kreps, a speaker who came to our Asian Access retreat two years ago, talked about a concept called Reverse Mentoring.  Older peers can learn from younger peers.  As we sat there, I loved entering into the life of a seventh grader.  Manae began to share more about what her life is like. (Did you know:  more than half of her class has their own cell phone –but not Manae!;  everyone in seventh grade joins a club — she is on the  tennis team, and she has practice EVERY day until 6 pm plus half days on Saturday and Sunday;  she is not allowed to bike to school so she walks home in the dark on a country road every evening at 6 pm!)

During our time I felt like, despite the 30-some years difference, that I was having cake and coffee with a friend.  I hope we can do it again soon.  I have a lot to learn.  And maybe next time I’ll venture out and try and the fig tart…

Daddy Dollars October 4, 2009

Family Fun magazine gave me an idea that has had our kids jumping to make their beds, do extra chores, and find ways to serve our neighbors and friends.  Some may call it bribery, but — whatever works!  And it has yielded a very fun family weekend on a number of levels.

It started by making Daddy Dollars.  (Check out the website here to make your own)

(Isn’t he a lot handsomer than George??)
All 3 kids have their own list of things that they can do to get Daddy Dollars…we chose areas that we wanted each to work on (morning routines that include making beds, getting dressed on their own,  eating breakfast, brushing teeth — all these things done before school get one Daddy dollar)…Owen can sweep once a day under the dining room table for a dollar;  practice reading Japanese for ten minutes; Annie clean up the entranceway;  Olivia has no “accidents” in 24 hours;  each one has devotions/Bible reading and prayer time, etc.

Then, they have a list of ways that they can “spend” their money…. 3 dollars, for example, gets a night walk with Mom or dad; doing make-up; going for a bike ride, special individualized story time with Mom or Dad… 5 dollars gets a family movie night with popcorn; a Takamoto kid sleepover (all 3 in the same room)… 7 dollars gets, for example, a date with Mom or dad; a friend sleepover night.

We started just over a week ago, and so this weekend was their first time for big spending.  Owen and I made brownies on Thursday (5 points), and then today he spent his cumulated bucks going with Eric to the local onsen (hot springs).  Annie and I had a great afternoon at Starbucks yesterday (score for Mom! – 7 points);  and Olivia treated the family to ice cream last night (7 points).  What we’ve loved is the intentional family/relational time.  Annie and I ended up having a special talk about adoption — a chance for her to think through and ask a few more questions about what it all really means.  Eric was able to spend some special time affirming Owen at the onsen about how hard he has been working at school in learning Japanese, and Olivia was the hero last night — taking her older siblings out for a kids cone at Baskin Robbins.  I’m sure the enthusiasm will dim at some point, but in the meantime, our family is having a lot of fun making –and spending– money.