What's at stake?

Recently I've been thinking about the idea that God's glory is at stake - in how I live my life. Will I add or subtract? It's a motivation for pursuing God and a heart check in the way I interact the people and events around me.

1 Peter 2:11-12

¹¹ Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. ¹² Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

 October seems to be the reality check of the school year. - All my ideas and dreams for this year have hit the wall known as reality.  The energy I started the year with has fizzled.  Using strength to regain health from a cold, while juggling the responsibilities in the classroom, the communication with ministry partners, the responsibilities with my mission, and the "extra things" such as preparing for a choral concert and hosting gatherings. The blog is one of the many balls that was dropped during this juggling act. It's a lot all at the same time - but October always is.  It is filled with so many opportunities disguised as problems and challenges.

It is also a time of blessings . . .
*High school Worship team is coming together as a unit and putting focus in the right place despite obstacles.
*first and second grade Students are starting to show baby step progress in the topics learned (including English!)
*Drama Script has been selected for this spring.
* Ikoma/Saidaiji Church has found 2 plots of land and is in discussion over which to buy and build on for the new building.
*Fall weather change has brought cooler temps and a change of color in the leaves.

Praise God from whom All Blessings flow!

*Arriving home from school in time to watch farmers harvest rice by my house and have a 3 year old neighbor boy talk to me about all the big machines and show me the pretty flowers by the field.
*Getting to skype with family in Minnesota and hearing my 3 year old nephew ask, "Can I come over?"
*Hearing positive reports after my sister, Lisa's shoulder surgery.

Looking forward with hope to His future faithfulness . . .

* Exploring fossils and treasures at Osaka's Museum of Natural History at the All-school field trip this Friday!
*Celebrating God's faithfulness as we recognize the years of service of retiring missionaries when we gather at Missionary fellowship this Friday night at my place.
*Anticipating Jr. High Girl's night which is in it's 2nd month, meeting at my place Saturday.
*Encountering prospective students and parents on Monday the Open Campus Day - Where KCS parents and prospective parents of future students can visit school to see what we "do" from 8:30-3:15.  Hearing we'll have at least 4 visitors in our classroom in addition to KCS parents.
*Cheering the KCS boys in their first basketball game of the season.
*Singing "O, Happy Day" ad lib. solo in the Choral Concert. 10/30.
*Constantly reminding myself that God has called me to this place for this season - and he is writing the story of my life.
*Experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit, who is providing power and grace to meet the demands of opportunity filled days.