Time flies when you`re having fun?

Why do we even bother saying `when things slow down` or `when life gets back to normal`? It never happens!

I had a full, enjoyable week just after CPI conference. I had my English classes as usual and they went well for the most part. Wednesday I made sure I took the day off (after spending the morning cleaning, doing laundry, etc) to relax and go watch a movie. Friday I did something new...

Waseda University in Tokyo has a campus near my house which I visited for the first time last Friday. There are two or three other missionaries who have been eating lunch weekly with some of the students for English conversation, they call it E-crew. It is specifically for English, so there is no Bible study involved, but it`s a great opportunity to break into their world and get to know them, and hopefully to invite them to various activities where they can meet Christians. I`m excited about getting more involved with this group. I do have a picture, but it`s not quite ready.

Saturday was Gospel Music Workshop day. We don`t have very many practices left already and some of us are a little nervous I think :-) We were missing some people this past week and everyone seemed tired. Please be in prayer for the last three practices: we need good attendance, energy, and atmosphere, but more than that we need to stay connected to the Japanese people who are coming. There will be several performances during the Christmas season that we are all looking forward to.

A few hours before last week`s practice my friends, Tomiko and Junko (starbucks), came to my place for cake and coffee. I think I was mostly excited about having someone to cook for!! They are fun ladies and we had a good time. Thank you for praying for them, please continue to do so. Pray for me as well as I look for open doors to speak with them and connect with them on a deeper level.

Yesterday was an early Christmas for me when a large box from my friends Mark and Heather Littlefield arrived! I must`ve looked ridiculously childish when I opened it. What can I say? Maybe I`ll never completely grow up.

This week is buzzing with activity and good times. My friends Chris and Regina Wright and their two sons, Jordan and Jason, (from Chicago) arrive tomorrow night for a six day visit! I will still teach my regular classes, and spend the rest of my time with them :-) I am grateful to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving with them, the McDonald family, and Etsuko Asahi (she is from our church), and maybe others?

That`s it for now I think. I hope to have some new pictures up in the next couple of weeks. Thanks to you who read this blog and keep up with me in Japan. If you have questions or things you`d like to see in the blog please let me know, I`d be happy to oblige.

`Happy Thanksgiving, and in case I don`t see ya...Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Best Wishes`