Thought

The other day I greeted someone I hadn't seen in a long time with "hey, how's life treatin' ya these days?". As soon as the words spilled off my tongue my mind started asking why we say things that way. Why don't we say 'so, how are you treatin' life these days?'. I know it's force of habit and a desire to be polite, but that doesn't mean we have to use it, does it? Is the way life treats me more important than how I choose to treat it?

Unconscious society

I'm not in the habit of quoting celebrities in a positive way, but this bears repeating. "Americans live like we're unconscious."

Think about it if you need to. I'm afraid this statement hits the mark, and it hits deep. We are an over-entertained, self-gratifying, selfish, lazy, bored society that has been brain-washed into believing that the surface is all that matters, or worse yet, that if it doesn't involve our own immediate comfort it's not worth our time and energy. My own guilt in this sickens me. Am I the only one? Surely not. I know we are not the only nation in the world with such issues, but we've been the leaders. The United States of America: 'one nation, under idols, divided, with slavery and heartache for all.'

Is that too harsh? Too bad.

Sad day

Well, the 2006 FIFA World Cup is over. For those of you who missed the event, Italy took what was, in my opinion, a pathetic win. Granted, Zidane's behavior in the last over-time was worse than low, but I didn't think Italy fought very well. I'm sure everyone disagrees with me though. And that's ok, cause life doesn't revolve around soccer (although it's an awesome sport).

On a more serious note, I've been thinking about heavy matters lately. Stewardship of time and money and talents; what it means to live in community; the despair of poverty in many places around the globe; and the disgusting wealth of the others. Yeah, a great deal to consider. I won't share my thoughts right now, if ever, but why don't you think about one of those too? It might do you some good, which could be good for those around you.

We all need to have our worldviews shaken up from time to time.

A free trip to France?!

Wow! I am flying to France tomorrow for a week...for free!! It's a really long story, but a summer missions team of teenagers going to France tomorrow had an extra ticket. They are going for two weeks, but I am splitting from them and staying one week instead. Not only is the ticket free, but an anonymous person (who I assume knows me well) gave me $150 to pay for changing the return flight!!! Yes, I cried.

I think I'm still in shock, since the decision was only made yesterday and I leave tomorrow. I'm counting my blessings and thinking of how undeserving I am of such a privilege. God is good, and fun. :-)

Hm?

I don't know how to change the date on my previous blog, but I actually just wrote that today...May 8, 2006. I'm a little behind!

Oh, I was reminded by my friend Brian Atwood that I never explained why I like umbrellas so much. Well, I'm not actually sure. They are just adorable to me in all shapes and sizes and colors. :-)

Livin' in America

I've been getting emails from people saying 'Where are you? Did you make it back yet?'. My sincerest apologies for being MIA, although I'm sure everyone understands why. :-( Yes, I made it back to the States safely.

It's been surprisingly busy since then. Two days after I got here my friend, Mika (from Hokkaido) arrived and I was hanging out with her and my friend, Joni. We had a nice Japan reunion. Then a day or so later five other ladies from Hokkaido, including missionary Debbie Griffin, arrived for a week and we spent time with them. In between all the fun of running around Nashville I also had several doctors appointments and went to Georgia for a day (we spent more time in the car than anything else!). After my Japanese friends left I had one week before starting my part-time job at our International Missions home offices. I used that week to buy a car that I absolutely love. It was kind of scary, but it was the right move. Then I made a spontaneous trip to Huntsville, AL with my cousin and friend to rescue a cute little dog from a madwoman. Good times :-) Then I started working three days a week and also found out that I have rheumatoid arthritis. Oh, and most recently we had a wedding shower for my cousin, Heather, who is getting married June 2. I think that covers the big stuff, except for the hours I've spent looking at and applying for jobs in Chicago and graduate school applications and research. I'm tired.

I can't believe I left Japan almost a month ago. It's the strangest feeling in the world and I think I'll just not talk about it right now. To my friends in Japan, I love you and miss you. This transition for me is a lot about learning to be content in all circumstances I suppose. I've seen God provide many times already. He knows what I need, and don't need.

I hope I haven't lost too many of my readers from being absent this past month. If you've left...come back! But if you've left, you'll never know I wrote this, will you?

Serenity Prayer

I've heard about the Serenity prayer for years, but I've only heard one part of it. Here's the prayer in its entirety, maybe it will encourage you as it did me.

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
and Wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it.

Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with Him forever in the next."


If I had written it though, I wouldn't have used 'reasonably' happy. I think God wants more than reasonable happiness for us in this life. Either way, these are words of perseverance, faith, and hope in the love and plans of a Holy God.


Thought for the week:
きみは愛されるため生まれた....You were born to be loved.

Hokkaido, one last time

For those who may not know, my first year in Japan I lived in the northern island of Hokkaido. So this past Wednesday I flew up here to spend some time with my friends and say good-bye. I even get to go snowboarding on Monday!! A few months ago the church I used to attend started having monthly worship events at the local community center. I am thrilled to be here for this month's event, I'll try to have some pictures for you guys later.

That said, I may not have many blog entries until I return to Tokyo, at which time I hope to have several more pictures and stories to share.

Have a fabulous weekend! And as my friend, Chris Wright, always tells me...remember to have fun!!!

Pictures, pictures!

This was my last week of teaching English here in Japan. Teaching is not necessarily my favorite thing anymore, but I have absolutely loved being with my students! We've had lots of fun times! This week was full of good-bye parties and good-byes (which I won't talk about), and some other fun stuff. Enjoy....I know I did :-)


Monday: Yumi San (back right) and Yumie San (front right) have been wonderful. We had a final lunch at my favorite Indian restaurant in the neighborhood. Yumie is not a Christian, but I have been privileged to see the Holy Spirit working in her heart. I've been amazed at how many times over the last year God has given me opportunity after opportunity to simply give testimonies of what He's meant to me in a particular week. She mentioned a few weeks ago that she wanted to start reading the Bible daily. On Monday she explained that if the Bible was so important and made such a difference in my life, then it must be important for her too. Wow! It was all I could do to hold back my tears. I was floored at what God was allowing me to be a part of. With all of my flaws, mistakes, and ugly sins...God STILL chooses to use me? "Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things. Make known his praise around the world." ~Psalm 98:1~



Mizuki and Natsumi. My two favorite kids to teach! Oh yeah, that's Shirley next to me! She's my replacement. If she were not here, I don't know if I'd have the same peace about leaving.



This is my Canadian friend, Kara. I just met her in November, but we hit it off and I have been so grateful for her friendship these last few months. She and her husband will be here until June. We love Starbucks!



Here's a unique man, Nakamura San. He's a character. Please pray for him as he continues a friendship with Donnie McDonald.



I only a few more times with my Starbucks ladies :-( (Interesting sidenote: the only time I've actually been at SBUX with them was when I met them! But somehow the nickname just stuck) Anyway, I've prayed for a few months now about 'transferring' my friendship with them on to Shirley. Of course I hope to continue from the States as well, but it's not the same. A few weeks ago they were really nervous about meeting someone new, but God answered my prayers and we couldn't have asked for a better time. Shirley liked them and they all liked her!



Left: Shimotomai San, a very sweet Christian lady. She's a great addition to this English class. Right: Nobu San, who from one day to the next can be open and inquisitive about the Gospel, or against it.



I don't know where I'm looking, but they all look great! The lady on the floor to my left (your right) is Etsuko San, she is one of the leaders of the Good News church and helps teach the Bible section of our English classes.
Top: Shimotomai San, Nobu San, Yamakawa San, and Nemoto San
Bottom: Nozomi San, me, and Etsuko San


Well, that's all folks! I'll be back later with more...there's always more.

Rabbits

Not exactly real rabbits, although we didn't get my rabbit imitation on camera (good thing for you AND me!). But aren't we cute? This is Caroline McDonald, five years old and youngest daughter of my teammates Ruth and Donnie (their name is also McDonald...haha). She is hysterically funny!

Have a great week everyone :-)

信じられない...unbelievable!

Boys and girls, have I got a story for you! Here's a taste of the brick walls you run into occasionally when you try to do anything outside the box in Japan...live and learn, right?

Yesterday was a beautiful day and I was ready to hit Tokyo for some gift buying, etc. On my way to the train I stopped by the post office to mail mine and my sister's walking sticks from climbing Mt. Fuji back in August. These sticks come up to my chin and I had taken the time to carefully wrap them and prepare them to be mailed. I walk in and up to the counter, here's how it went down:

Bethany: Good morning, can I mail this please?

Clerk #1 (or じゃまな人 1 for you Japanese readers): Just a moment please, I need to measure its length first. ........
I'm sorry, but I'm afraid it's too long and we can't mail it.

Bethany: You can't mail it at all?

Clerk #1: We can't mail it, it's too long for our regulations.

Bethany: Well then what should I do? How do I mail it? Please, this is really important.

Clerk #1: I'm sorry. We can't mail it, it's too long.

Bethany: I understand that, but how do I get it to America? (side note: no way I'm taking those things on an airplane!)

Clerk #1: We just can't do it, it's too long. Can you cut it in half?

Bethany: NO! They're Mt. Fuji walking sticks, they're really important!

Clerk #1: Just a moment please....

**Clerk #1 proceeds to call another co-worker and her superior to the rescue. They step aside for a few minutes and discuss the issue. The boss makes a telephone call behind closed doors. He steps back out to talk to me**

Boss: We can't mail this, it's too long.

Bethany: *internal feelings* AAHHHHHHHHHH!!!! how can you NOT mail something that is packaged?!?!?!?!
*actual words* I don't understand. What am I supposed to do then? I need to get these to America!

Boss: Let me measure it again. .... Yes, I'm afraid it's too long. We can't mail it. Can you cut it in half?

Bethany: NO!

**By now, I had already dug in my heels. I was not about to leave until they found a way to mail the sticks. I'm sorry, but I just had to be an obnoxious American for once. I thought about calling a Japanese friend to talk to them on the phone, but then decided I might have an advantage without that.**

A few minutes pass, of no one saying anything at all, and me starring them down. FINALLY! I hear the hallelujah chorus in my head...

Boss to clerk 1: Well, check with the EMS company, aren't their rules a little different? .......

Clerk 1: Yes, it looks like this might work. Is this company ok?

Bethany; YES. Please!!

Clerk 1: Ok, the price is 2,400 yen (*that's a little less than $24*), is that ok?

Bethany: Yes, anything is fine.

**After it was all finished I walked out backwards, bowing all the way to the door, excusing myself (in my head for being a foreigner) and thanking them over and over like any good Japanese person would after they've really been a burden.

A day in the life of a foreigner in Japan. This wouldn't have happened to a Japanese person (unless they were really strange), because the Japanese person would've known about the rules and never even thought to break them. :-) I was exhausted after those twenty minutes!

Bumbershoot

Props to my sister again, who told me about this word 'bumbershoot'. Apparently it's another word for umbrella, that is obviously rarely used anymore (except in England maybe?). Since I collect umbrellas I love this word!

I was having lunch at one of my favorite places here, Saizeriya, when I had an experience that I realized I won't have much longer. That is...listening to people talk about you in Japanese thinking you don't understand them. Granted I don't understand them 100%, but I get a whole lot more of it than they realize! Here's the gist of the conversation:

Friend 1: Do you speak English?
Friend 2: I studied it in high school, but I don't understand a thing!
Friend 1: Do you think she's an English teacher?
Friend 2: Probably, aren't most foreigners here English teachers?
Friend 1: What is she eating?

What's funny this time is that I was sitting between two tables, and both tables were having the same conversation. :-)
Here's the deal: if you're having a good day this doesn't bother you, and it probably makes you chuckle a little, but if you're having a bad day your desire to catch the next plane to the States where you are 'normal' kicks in. Thankfully today was a good day and I just enjoyed my lunch. Come to think of it, those off days have been less and less frequent. I realized too that my days for such experiences are numbered. C'est la vie. (That's life in French) しょうがない (It can't be helped, in Japanese)

In these emotional days it's a comfort and necessity to know, to really know, that I don't have to be in charge of my feelings all on my own. I would certainly be doomed to disaster and failure to handle them correctly without the work and power of the Holy Spirit. All I have to do is ask, and God will never say 'no' to the growth of his children and his own glory.
'"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit." ~Ephesians 3:16
"May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God." ~Philippians 1:11

Change of subject, I know that many of you who read my blog don't comment on it (which is fine) but this time I need some feeback! Please! When I return to the States should I keep this blog going? If so, should I give it a new name since I won't be in Japan anymore? Don't let me down guys, give me some comments.... :-)

Transitions

Transition: a passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another; a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another.

Stress: a state resulting from a stress; especially one of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium.

Grief: deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement; a cause of such suffering.


That's what Webster calls transition, stress, and grief, and I forgot to add packing. Anyway, I have a word that basically sums all of these words up into one....YUCK.

Does anyone want to come pack for me? It's going to take longer than I expected and I'm wanting to throw everything away. The funny thing is, it's almost easier for me to take things back to America to trash there!!! LOL!!! (If you have never heard about the intricacies of the Japanese trash system that probably won't make sense)

By the way, I just got my plane tickets today and will be arriving in Nashville, TN on April 13. I'll see most of you then, with mixed emotions, so be prepared :-)

'More'

My sister introduced me to a great Christian songwriter/musician a couple years ago, Andrew Peterson. Here are some lyrics of his that echo my thoughts today. Although the first part of the song is about a funeral, the last part is what I want to share with you.

"There is more, more than we can see
From our tiny vantage point in this vast eternity
There is more

A thing resounds when it rings true, ringing all the bells inside of you
Like a golden sky on a summer's eve, your heart is tugging at your sleeve
And you cannot say why, there must be more

There is more, more than we can stand
Standing in the glory of a love that never ends
There is more, more than we can guess
More and more, forever more, and not a second less

There is more than what the naked eye can see
Clothing all our days with mystery
Watching over everything
Wilder than our wildest dreams could ever dream to be
There is more"


'Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.' ~1 Corinthians 13:12

'Then Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!', The Lord opened his servant's eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.' ~2 Kings 6:17

I absolutely love the story of Elisha's confrontation with the Arameans. I can identify with the servant, who was reacting logically to what his eyes saw, which was uneven numbers and a certain defeat. Elisha asked God to open his servant's eyes to see the invisible, the impossible.
I don't face the Arameans in my life, but I have plenty of my own confrontations. And God may or may not choose to literally open my eyes to the unseen world, but if I ask he can open my spiritual eyes to give me faith and hope in what I cannot see.

There is more in heaven than our imaginations can conjure up, but there is also more in this earthly life than we dared to hope. There is always more, because God is always more.

Fun week!

My birthday was on Wednesday (the 8th) and I was not forgotten, that's always nice, right? Cards and telephone calls from family and friends in the States were great. And my Japanese friends gave me a special party too. My starbucks ladies, as I call them, made sure I had a memorable birthday from Japan. They even dressed me up in one of the ladies' kimono! Unfortunately my camera wasn't working, so I have no pictures for you :-( I prayed before I went to Tomiko's house that the Lord would give me any kind of opportunity to talk about Him. And don't you know he did! For the first time ever, Tomiko asked me what/why I had come to Japan, besides to teach English. I smiled inside and started talking. It didn't lead to any further earth-shattering discussions, but it was an answer to prayer and a step in the right direction.

I had another cool birthday present too. My friends Beth and Jeremy Thomas gave birth to their first child, Brooklyn Kate Thomas, on my birthday!! Congratulations guys!!! It cannot be denied, she is a beautiful baby. I can't wait to see her :-)

Remember the Gospel Choir Workshop from the fall? We had a small dinner party this evening and it went very well. We were missing a few people, but I was encouraged to see how long everyone talked and mingled. They will be starting the spring Workshop late-March, so please pray for Ruth McDonald as she prepares to lead again. They are hoping for more people this time!


Yummy food!


The Sawai family. She is a terrific soloist!


Group picture...a must in Japan. We were missing some people, but we still had a good time.


I watched the Olympic opening ceremonies this morning, did anyone else? I absolutely love to watch the Olympics! I get teary-eyed when the participants walk in country by country. I don't even know them but I think of how proud each country must be of their own representatives.

Flu, sports, and age

Sorry guys, I was sick all last week and pretty much `out of order`. Today is my first day back in the real world and I have to say, it`s a cold one. I will try to have an entry with some real substance by the end of this week!

On a different note....I am not a happy camper about the Super Bowl. Not only because I couldn`t watch it, but because I found out the final results before I even got the chance to see the video tape!!!!! However, recent news of Jerome Bettis' retirement brings a smile to my face.

(**Warning: the following thoughts are highly capricious and dramatic**)
On yet another subject....it hit me today that I will be 27 years old on Wednesday. Most of you are probably thinking, 'yeah? so what?'. And I would normally agree, but something is surprisingly strange about 27. I am now only three lightning-short years away from the big 3-0. (*whimper*) It just doesn't fit me, you know? I'm much too immature and irresponsible to be 27 (or 30) years old, and to be quite honest, I think I just don't want to grow up. It will just have to be a strange combination I guess: a 27 year-old body inhabited by a girl who requested her Mom send her a SpongeBob Squarepants coloring book.


For your enjoyment, what others have said about age:
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." ~unknown

"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." ~George Bernard Shaw

"Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again." ~C.S. Lewis :-)

"You can judge your age by the amount of pain you feel when you come in contact with a new idea." ~Pearl S. Buck

"If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon the heart. The spirit should never grow old." ~James A. Garfield

Insanity!

Yes, I am insane. I am now officially registered to run in the Chicago Marathon, October 22, 2006. I`m doing it because I want to, because I have never been a good runner and I`ve always wanted to overcome that. Also, what a great way to learn discipline! There`s another reason too...but I can`t go public with it just yet.

I can`t even run a mile at this point (ha!), but I started pre-pre-training this past week and am proud to say I`ve been very disciplined so far. I`m feeling a great deal of exhiliration mixed with anxiety and fear, but I do not plan on quitting. So I`m taking it a day at a time, trying to make reasonable goals for myself, and rejoice in accomplishing them one by one. Eventually that will get me to the finish line on October 22.

I`m not aiming for fast time, but a fun time running through the streets of a city I love. Don`t anybody let me give up now, you here?!

Choices

Deuteronomy 30:15-20...

"Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between prosperity and disaster, between life and death. I have commanded you today to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, laws, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and become a great nation, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life. Then you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

Just as the nation of Israel was faced with a choice, so are we. Many in fact. We make daily decisions, consciously or not, that take us a step closer or farther away from God's best. We are wise to train ourselves to be alert and ready to make purposeful decisions.
I must choose to believe Truth over whatever human circumstances, emotions, and 'realities' life throws my way. Such acts of the will gradually align us with the will and heart of the Father, who faithfully gives life and blessing.

travel 101

If I were ever asked to teach a class on travelling (by air) I would start with this:

*Be sure that you know WHAT day the airline is expecting you to travel. This is very helpful, and will save you from waking up at 2:45 in the morning for nothing. (I speak from experience)



I have finally made it back to Japan though, and I'm hoping my jet-lag will subside before long since I have to start teaching again on Monday. Yay rah! It's very strange to think I'm beginning the end of my two years in Japan, where has the time gone?

Family pictures

This is all of my Crowson family. Do we look related? Sorry, but I'm just not going to name everyone for you unless you are dying to know us all. :-)


My family: Mom, Tim and Katrina, Dad, Natalie, and me.