……beau†iful.surrender……

I don’t think I can thank God enough. I have now been in Japan for 2 weeks. Wow. It went by really fast. I am thankful that God has given me an opportunity to meet all these wonderful people that I have. This opportunity to serve with people who are passionate about the Japanese people. God has enabled me to make awesome new friends. I love them to death already. I am also thankful that my mom is here with me right now to encourage me. I am excited that my dad and my sister are coming to Japan tomorrow.

One thing I am not thankful for is my stupid accent that is changing. I don’t speak proper American English anymore. Being surrounded by Aussies and only 2 British and 3 Americans doesn’t help me much. I have now started saying things like “how ya goin?” To adding “hey” or “ey” at the end of phrases. I am staying away from saying “mate” or “heaps.” I am becoming more de-Americanized with my English everyday. Hahaha.


I leave for Hong Kong in less than 2 weeks now. I had a meeting with the worship leader here in Tokyo yesterday for a little training and casting out the vision. So it looks like I will be playing lead guitar as well… please pray that I will be able to do it! (I am NOT a lead guitarist.. I am a rhythm guitarist…) I think I need to invest in a small practice amp, so I can figure out all the little ditty with my guitar pedals. I am also not good with memorizing lyrics. I will not be singing in Cantonese for a while because of the tonal thing… I don’t want to hurt anyone’s ears yet. There’s 7 tones in Cantonese… in Japanese… there are none!

I started feeling a little stressed after yesterday’s meeting but it’s all good. I need it. I have to really focus on practicing my butt of and singing these Hillsong worship songs. EEEk. It’ll be good!

Every morning is a gift

Not to sound cliché, but it really is. I’ve visited my grandma in the hospital about 4 or 5 times so far, being here for about 11 days or so. My mom and I have been praying that she could stay alive for at least another few days, because my decided he is going to fly out to come see her. We have no idea how much more time she has, but we’re praying. She hasn’t been able to talk, but I know that she can hear me praying for her. Her hands and feet are swollen from the lack of blood flow going through her body. She literally has no muscles left in her arms. Needles can’t go into her arms anymore. She’s not really “sick” with anything, but she is dying.

I think this has been really hard for me because she was one of the reasons why I am doing ministry. Her heart for people. Her devotion to God. I think God wants her home soon. She’s lived 91 years. My mom, my aunt and one of my uncles take turns going to the hospital EVERYDAY. My aunt goes at 2. My mom goes at 3. My uncle goes at 4. Some of my cousins have stopped by as well. And my uncle from NY. I try to go as much as I can. Every roundtrip costs me about $9. Train fares add up, unfortunately. But I want to be able to pray for her, every chance I get.

As I sit there and watch her drift in and out of sleep, I wonder what goes through her mind. Is she dreaming about heaven? Is she thinking about her deceased husband? Or missing the food she loved. Or going to church. Or reviewing her German. Or about World War 2. Or being able to talk. I take everything soo much for granted.

I have no idea what is going to happen to me. But you know what? I love it.

I some how ended up in business class for my flight because of my long family friend Masumi works for Northwest! What the funny thing was, was that I left on Thursday, but didnt quite get to Japan until Saturday. The plane was flying over Alaska, and they decided to turn BACK to Minnesota. So I slept at home Thursday night... It was apparently a minor problem, but Japan wouldnt let us land because planes land every 3 to 5 minutes. I guess one of the hydro-something was broken, so we would be able to land, but would have to be dragged to the gate. SO that is why I did not quite get to Japan on time. One day delayed. But hey, I had no complaint with my nice seating arrangement. And my mom was with me. I watched Juno the first flight. Then Devil Wears Prada the next day.

None the less, here I am in Tokyo. And safe. hehe.

I got an opportunity to be involved with the preparation for the Hillsong Conference, so that was awesome!

The conference...
AMAZING! I was part of TEAM EMI SHIRASAYA along with Izumi and Yumi. haha. We were the right hand women of the event coordinator. That was a cool opportunity! I didnt realize how tall Joel Houston (from Hillsong United) was and he is a TALKER. Story after story after story. haha. The Watoto kids were SOO CUTE. There was a little kid named Junior who ran and gave me a hug before they left. He was telling me stories while I was hanging out with the Watoto kids =) I got to talk to Andrew Hoyes and told him a little bit of my vision, and he encouraged me a lot!! I was always sweaty by the end of the day... but being backstage and seeing everything behind the scenes was amazing!

Anyway, through the conference, God really confirmed my calling. I got to see part of my vision unfold before my eyes and I cried. haha. There were a bunch of people who came to the Lord in those 3 days, it was awesome! I love what God is doing here SOO MUCH!

Less than a month before Hong Kong!!!!

::i am trying to get online as much as i can.. but its hard because my grandparents dont have the internet... so i am sorry that i cant update more often!!!::

I just pictured myself typing on the screen of a movie screen. You know what I mean? “Day One. 9 PM”

We got bumped to Business class! Yay! I got to the airport, and Masumi, our family friend since forever was working and kept telling my mother and I that there was a present. I had no idea what it could be. I just checked in my stuff and she started “escorting” us to the business class line of the security checkpoint. I was like “oh she’s being nice and making it go really fast.” Then after we both went through security checkpoint, she says “God has a big present for you! Take a look at where your seats are” I said “OMG! We’re near the front!” (In Japanese) Then she’s like “yeah, business class! And now you can go hang out at the lounge until your flight!” So that was totally awesome. Then Christina and Sam came to the airport to see me off ☺ That was really nice of them!

So I got in the airplane and I just was having a riot. I never felt like I had soo much room in my entire life. My feet can’t reach the seat infront of me, I could laydown completely… it was amazing. The food pretty good too… my mom was staring at me because she has never seen me NOT sick on the airplane before. This is my 3rd time on my flight to Japan that I haven’t been sick, and none of the times my mom has been with me. So it was really funny that my mom was staring at me eat. Anyway, I watched Juno because everyone was telling me that I should and so I enjoyed that.

I took a nap and woke up at 9PM, looking at the clock on my iPod and saying to myself “yay, a little over half way left!” Until my mom looks at me and said “Miwa. Did you know we’re heading back to MN?” I thought she was joking. Nope. She wasn’t. Apparently something meter was wrong on the airplane so we’re heading back to Minneapolis, and we’re going to fly out again tomorrow. We were at Juneau, Alaska. Thank the Lord that I don’t get airsick anymore. But I am now I am going to enjoy my cup ramen before we land back in Minnesota.