'Ohio' (Good Morning) from Teshio

Part of my 'family' in Japan

I was trying to put up a post earlier, and was having some issues (whether it was me or the computer, we won't get into that). Thank you all for the prayers as I traveled, the trip here was pretty uneventful, just tired and still adjusting to the time difference. The worst thing that happened was a 1 hr 30 min delay of my flight from Chicago due to heavy rain, thunder, & lightning. I arrived in Tokyo to find that my luggage was soaked due to the rain...But nothing important got ruined, just wet clothes that had to be washed & dried before worn.

I woke up on Wed. morning, after about 2 hrs of sleep, and my brother took me to the Green Bay airport for my flight out at 6 am. Thankfully, checking in my bags went smoothly. No having to repack, or throw stuff. Security was the same...:) It all started sinking in that I was really going to Japan about the time I was flying over Alaska! I was enjoying looking out the window, and very thankful that I was flying with Mrs. Mansell from Chicago. Part of the time,all I could see out the window was clouds, but it served as a reminder to me, that...When clouds of sorrow come into our lives, when we are in the 'valley...' (Psalm 23) the Son still shines even over the fiercest, darkest thunderstorm. Placing your entire dependance on God to carry you through your circumstances will allow you to soar above the clouds as on eagles wings. (Isaiah 40:31)

Flowers in the Teshio Mayor's yard

Please continue praying for me as I adjust to the time change, and differences in culture & language. I am here for the summer with another girl (Charity), and am looking forward to what we will be doing in the coming months. Also looking forward to the friendship I will undoubtedly have with Charity & the Mansells.
Love always, for the first time in Japan
Jenn

Too Blessed for Words

I appologize for not updating you all as frequently as I should. Now that school is out, maybe it will happen more often. I finished my year of school with a bang. I was concerned about some of my classes, and just barely passed some of them, but I PASSED...that's the important part. It turns out that I did a lot better second semester than first, so that was encourageing to me. I am now 4 credits from being a junior, and am super excited to see what the Lord is going to do in my life in the next 2 years.

I wanted to update you on the status of my trip. I have been praying about going to Guam for several weeks now, and was able to find housing arrangements for my stay. The only thing holding me back was the plane ticket to get there!! I literally 'cried out to the Lord' on several occasions 'and He heard my cry', I still don't have all the money I need for the trip, but I have gone ahead and purchased the plane ticket to Guam. I will be leaving Japan on August 18th and will be in Guam until Sept. 15th, I've always wanted to go to some pacific island for my birthday!! I am praying that the Lord will provide the additional money for my day to day needs, and I know he will!!

Thank you all for your faithful praying and reading to see what God has been doing in my life, I look forward to updating you from Japan and seeing what the Lord will continue to do.

Love from WI for the last time (until I return)
Jenn