A New Spring

Spring in Japan is my favorite season.  It is so lovely.

This year is a very different spring with the coronavirus threat. Some of my favorite haunts to view cherry blossoms are out of the question since we want to avoid crowds.

Last week, we went to visit my in-laws in the country.  They live near a river lined with cherry blossoms.  There were no crowds, so we enjoyed a couple of lovely walks.

I’m so thankful that I could enjoy this time.  Perhaps these photos will help you to understand why this is my favorite season in this corner of the world. I never tire of it and look for every excuse to go for a walk or a drive to see these beautiful blossoms.

A Cultural Moment

I was on my morning walk recently when I saw this.  Since we have been on furlough, it’s been awhile since I have seen this and it surprised me!  When the sun is shining and there is no threat of rain, you will see the Japanese airing out their beds.  They are often hanging from open windows or a veranda.

I also noticed that the cherry blossoms are almost here.  I can’t wait!  Unfortunately, I checked the weather forecast for the next several days and it is calling for lots of rain.  That won’t make for a very pretty cherry blossom season, but I’m sure it will help with the social distancing!!

I think I have the problem with the blurry photos figured out.  If you happen to notice that they are still blurry for you, would you mind dropping me a comment below. Thanks!

Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

~Frances J. Crosby

*Pictures taken at Hana Festa Memorial Park

SaveSave

Spring

I thought you might like to have a glimpse of home life in Japan. Spring has definitely sprung in my part of the world.  I am sorry for those of you that are still enduring winter.  Hopefully, that will change soon.  In the meantime, maybe you will enjoy seeing a little of our spring.

Spring Tea

I have been wanting to have a spring tea with cherry blossoms for years.  This Saturday we finally had it!  We had a wonderful time. For some of the ladies, this was their first experience for this kind of a “party.”  We had a very international group:  Japanese, Indian, Chinese and American.  Habakkuk 3:17-19 were the theme verses for the day.  If the hope of spring doesn’t come, we can still trust in our God and have joy!

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

My lovely mother-in-law was our speaker.  Another young lady in our ministry was gracious and translated for us.  This took some pressure off of us with the language and allowed the English only speakers to understand what was said.

until the next time…

Spring Tea

I love anything tea!  One of my greatest pleasures is attending or giving a tea party.  This Saturday, we are having a ladies’ tea at our church and I can’t wait!  Some mothers are bringing  their young daughters for the first time.  Some ladies have never experienced an English style tea party.  I learned from one the most gracious of English ladies.  She is now with the Lord and I feel as if I am honoring her memory when I serve in this way.

Here are a few of my tea books.
They are old friends and time spent with them is bliss.

Spring: A Time for Renewal

 

Spring is my favorite season in Japan.  It is a time for me to take stock, reflect on future goals and whip my house into shape before the heat of summer.  It is also a time for cherry blossoms.

When we came to Japan in 1999, we arrived the first week in March. It was cold, dark and rainy.  I thought everything was so ugly.  I remember wondering how I was going to live in such a dreary country.

The end of March, I went to Hokkaido to visit a friend.  It snowed everyday I was there.  It was so beautiful, even if it was cold!  I dreaded returning to our part of Japan.  I flew back on April 3rd. When I exited the airport, it was warm and sunny.  Then I gasped!!! There was a long row of cherry trees in full bloom!  It was so beautiful!!  I have never forgotten that first lingering look of the beautiful blossoms.  It was a special gift to me from the Lord.  Every spring I am reminded of that special gift.

Since that time, I have learned to appreciate much about Japan and see the beauty that I missed during that first month.  I enjoy my life here and there are things I appreciate about each season.  BUT every year, spring takes my breath away!!!!

“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.  Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”  ~Isaiah 55:12-13

A New Thing

Plum Blossoms

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” ~Isaiah 43:19

Spring

February is probably my least favorite month.  It’s cold, rainy and dark and I am always looking forward to spring.  Sometimes the plum blossoms bloom later in the month.  Sometimes they wait until March.  Either way, that is the first sign of spring in this part of the world.

I usually spend February doing some projects around the house before spring arrives and calls me outdoors.  For some reason this year, I’m a little anxious for the appearance of spring.  I’m even thinking about spring cleaning early!  =O

Yesterday, I packed away my Christmas village and today I put out my cherry blossom dishes.  If you’ve been here long, you know that I absolutely love the cherry blossoms.  They should be here the end of March.  That season will be extra special this year as I will have a special guest from the USA to share them with.  Can’t wait!!

“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:“

~Genesis 1:14

Bloom Where You Are Planted

 

Bloom where you are planted,
Shine where you are sent,
Know that God has used you here,
Just the way He meant.

Love where you are living,
Serve where it’s His will,
Know that God has plans for you,
Only He can fill.

Grow where you are going,
Weep when you’re in pain,
Know that God restores your soul,
Makes you whole again.

Pray when you are breathing,
Laugh when you exhale,
Know that God is near you,
Never will he fail.

Cherish all the memories,
Make a brand new start,
Know that God has placed you
Forever in our hearts.

—A Missionary’s Poem

*****

*It’s plum blossom season here.  Shortly after they finish, the cherry blossoms with begin.  This is my favorite time of year here. =)