Housemates and storytelling

I guess you could say I'm an introvert with some extrovert tendencies.

As a person who enjoys time with friends yet tends to lean toward being introverted, I'm learning the joy of having housemates.  I've lived alone for the past 2 years in a house that many would consider very large for a single person in Japan.  Yet because I work in a school, I've come to treasure the quiet solitude I find when I reach home after being with a group of energetic 7 and 8 year olds.

Things have been different around here the last month! June 9th, Mihwa, my Korean friend from Japanese language school, and her 6 year old daughter, Boeun-chan, moved in with me for the summer.

Boeun and Mihwa introduce me to Korean dining!

Me with Boeun-chan in Osaka

 School responsibilities finished June 17th  and summer has kicked into high gear!  My focus for this summer is Japanese language study, through 1 on 1 tutoring as well as through relationships.

UNO! "Can we play everyday?"

While the blog (with no posts in June) could lead readers to believe that nothing has happened in the last month, the opposite is true.  There have been heaps and heaps of adventures, learning, and fun times happening.  My photo-a-day posts abruptly stopped as I needed to adjust online time use due to a new living situation.  I found the stories that I would once share on the blog were often shared with my housemates.

Boeun decides to dust off my stuffed animals and show them some love.

 I'm so grateful for the blessing that it is to have housemates. Mihwa has been a language teacher, cultural mentor, shopping advisor, encourager, exercise partner, and kitchen helper as well as dear friend.  Boeun-chan has been a huge motivator for me linguistically as she speaks 3 languages (Japanese, English and Korean) and brings a the gift of joy and humor to each situation.  I'm exited to see what God has in store for us in the next 3 weeks of their stay.

Lisa, Boeun and Lori

As an additional blessing this week, my friend, Lisa, is visiting for the week from Okinawa, Japan. "My other sister, Lisa" as as I call her. God has been pouring out his love to me through the provision of friendships such as this one and I'm lovin' every minute of it!    Life on the mission field has it's times of loneliness and wondering if there is anyone out there who understands what life here is like - who shares the ups and downs of stories and walks this journey with me.  Lisa is one of the close friends I have that understands what it means to live in Japan, teach third culture kids and share of Jesus' love among a people group that for 99% of people don't know his love.  She understands because she is living here doing that and more!

 Thank you to many who are faithfully checking the blog and hoping for updates.  For those praying for relationships God is pouring out his blessings!

• Pray for Lisa as she heads back to Okinawa to teach 4th grade while also finishing the last class of her Masters of Education degree.   
• Pray for Mihwa and Boeun to have their eyes open to the out pouring of Love that God has for them and that they would respond by deciding to follow him. 
• Pray for me to progress in language learning, that I may have the words to share about God's love. That I may have the wisdom to know what to do and say and the courage to do it even when its hard.  

Double rainbow - encouraging to remember God's promises
after a frustrating day navigating traffic in Osaka and Kobe.