Category: Archives

I’m feeling a little under the weather (way sore throat and a fever) after returning home from our trip. I did take notes for posts – we were pretty busy in Japan and I didn’t get to write as much as I’d hoped. But… that means I was out enjoying life, right?

So, my brother called today and reminded me to take care of myself even if it meant relaxing and not unpacking so that I wouldn’t get even more sick. I kinda laughed at that statement from my dear, unmarried, childless brother. But, he reminded me that even if I couldn’t stop meeting the demands of the day, that taking care of myself included spiritually and that I should be praying throughout the day. Yeah, I knew that. So, God gave me bigger things to pray about than my dumb sore throat.

In Japan, my new friends the Sanos’ three year old Takumi (拓実), which means to “cultivate and bear fruit” , had to be taken to the hospital via ambulance last night. My friend Kyoko wrote:

Just last night, right about the time I received your e-mail, Junko’s third child, that is, second boy, Takumi, had to be taken to hospital by ambulance. She might probably write to you about it in more detail. But he looked like stopped breathing, Masakazu, his father told me. Takumi had high fever all day, and in the evening, he threw up once. After that, his parents were watching him sleeping next to the dining room. But at one moment, they realized Takumi’s eyes were not focused, and looked really pale. They felt something was wrong and picked him up, but he had no reaction. So they slapped him and talked to him, did everything they could do to have him stay awake. Finally, after Masakazu put his finger into Takumi’s mouth and had him throw up little bit more, Takumi woke up and began to weep with weak voice. So they called ambulance and had the doctor check him. After all, they were told that it was a convulsion caused by high fever. Now our whole church is praying for the complete recovery for Takumi. You will never know what happens with small children. God showed His mercy again.

So pray over little Takumi with me!!

And then, my cyber friend Heather from Moms of Grace just found out she had a brain tumor! I have been reading her blog for a month, so I knew of her before she found out. It has been amazing to see her consistently Godly response to this situation, as well as the outpouring of prayers from the women at MoG.

Heather wrote in her blog Especially Heather:

Then when you take into account that we have only known about this tumor for a little over 48 hours, and you look at the amazing things that have happened in those 48 hours- I have an appointment at the #1 ranked neurosurgery hospital in the country people! A feat that takes upwards of 6-8 months normally. You cannot tell me that God didn’t have his hands all over that….

I am sure I will walk through the valley, I am sure I will be sad, and part of me is still very removed from this- it is still very very fresh and I still feel as if it is happening to someone else… but at the same time- I do not fear what my future holds. I cant. I cant spend the energy anticipating the next horrible event.

I am choosing to anticipate the next great provision. Whatever provision that may be. I am choosing to believe that no matter what- even if God calls me home tonight in my sleep.

He never stepped off His throne. He simply brought me closer to it.

Wow. Heather, can you put that last line in a greeting card?

Please pray for Heather and her family with me. I do believe that her blog would be a good tool for sharing the gospel with others who may be going through a difficult experience – something to keep in mind for future reference. She has many readers. Pray that as people read her living testimony, that they will be drawn closer to the Lord. I know that I have!

I heard Al Gore’s presentation on global warming. While many politicians and commentators laughed at Gore, I believe that we’ll see a trend from businesses trying to become more environmentally conscious, and I think they’ll get more media coverage. Businesses doing more to take care of the earth isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

I’m not a scientist, and I know that there are Christians who believe that global warming is real and there are those Christians who refuse to take a stand on the issue.

Honestly, I don’t know enough about earth science to debate whether or not global warming is real. But, I do not see a problem with Christians thinking about the environment in the sense that we are stewards of the earth.

(I did mention the book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger earlier in my blog. It was the book that I was reading when I met my husband. I just can’t bring myself to fully agree with Sider to say that it is sinful to be wealthy or condemn people who own SUVs – I have one, we fit seven people in it, and it keeps us safe on icy roads. Sider’s goals are admirable, but his applications and conclusions about sinfulness are off. Yet, there are few Christians who have have written about poverty and the environment, so he has become an “expert” by default.)

Certainly being a good steward means that we should do what we can to be less wasteful. I don’t understand why stewardship principles have to be thrown out just because people may or may not believe that global warming is real, or that to be environmentally conscious that you have to worship the earth. I believe that taking care of the earth is a way that we can show our appreciation to God for His provision.
Continue reading “Environmental Backlash”

“What does the idea of biblical submission mean to you as it relates to mutual submission, within a marriage, and as a church member? What does it look like in practice?”

This is a question being discussed under the “Digging Deeper” forum at the Moms of Grace community – will be thinking about this today. I’m interested to know how women will respond.

Also, we’re studying the same topic in our Motherwise study group.

the insane rush to get to the front steps.

I slept for a total of two hours the night before our trip to Japan.

My alarm clock buzzed loudly at five, and the adrenaline rush immediately kicked in. I didn’t even need to smell coffee to put my feet on the floor.

At some ungodly hour in the night, I had set all of the children’s outfits “down to the shoes” on each of their respective dresser tops. I had selected their most cozy sweatpants and made sure to include Pull-Ups in the stack. My thought was that it was better to pack an extra Pull-up in my carry-on than a backup outfit for each child. None of them consistently stay dry through the night yet, and I didn’t want to take such a risk.

After quickly getting ready myself, I woke up each child individually, grabbed their clothing pile, and helped them to get dressed in the bathroom. (This method ensured there was no fighting over the toilet and that the still-sleeping children, or their father, for that matter, weren’t roused before I was ready for them.)

As I went down the line, I handed each child a granola bar and a sippy cup and told them to go to the “Ready Zone” – the very worn blue oriental rug that serves as our play area in the living room. Yes, I called it the Ready Zone. Yes, I’m a freak when I’m pressed for time – but it works.

“You’re making me wear Pull-ups during the day?” complained Thomas, most annoyed. “And now you’re giving me a sippy cup?”

“I don’t care if you’re six years old,” I shot back. “We don’t have time for spills, and all your other clothes are packed – besides, even if you’re good at drinking, the little guys could knock over your cup or theirs!” I felt like I was making a case for seatbelt wearing based on the other drivers on the road. He bought it. The thought of someone spilling apple juice on his lap was enough to scare him into compliance.
Continue reading “A Journey of 6,764 miles still begins with…”

Shoes are removed at the front door

Windshield wipers both go in the same direction

Electric operated shower toilets – plugs into the wall, complete with button panel on the side of the toilet and on the wall. (Statistically, how many people get electrocuted on their shower toilets each year? Inquiring minds want to know…)

Japanese style toilets – on the floor – are really common (and not fun IMHO… have used them while 7 months pregnant before!) … but if you look hard in enough in public restrooms, there’s often a western-style toilet way in the back stall.

Everything is recycled – even fast food restaurants and subway trashcans have recycling slots (Or, at the bare minimum, “Combustible” and “Non-Combustible” (burnable/not burnable) (So easy to do – why don’t we have this in America?)

Vending machines everywhere, for all sorts of items; Hot and Cold beverages from the same machine

Driving on the left side – or all over the road and squeezing into little spaces to go around parked vehicles, as there is NO shoulder – also, drivers get really close to people, strollers, etc., and other cars – while traveling pretty fast. I’ll never get used to this!

Hot washcloths served just before dinner to wash hands

Washer/dryer in one machine (When installed, like the shower toilets, these too are sprinkled with dust from fairies wearing firemen hats – again, can we say “electrocution hazard?” )

Many women don’t wear makeup – even business women

Women wear stelleto heels like they’re sneakers, and there are shoe repair places at just about every subway stop!

I haven’t noticed many low-cut shirts (it’s noticeable when you’re used to western style clothes… don’t realize how normal it is to see cleavage in the US – but I have seen a lot of really short skirts… with knee-high boots, of course)

Cost is 2-3x for things compared to the US

Diapers are tri-folded in the bags vs. folded in half

Scrub first then bathe

Auto-fill tub from the kitchen

Hot water managed from the kitchen – on demand

All the cereal here seems to be some form of muesli or cornflakes

Peanut butter is hard to find – and costs about $5 for a tiny jar

Shrines and temples everywhere – Americans have to stretch their imaginations to understand the word “idol” or “false god” – not here!

Walk on the left side

The first day of spring is a national holiday

Continue reading “Different in Japan – An Evolving List”

The Mom’s of Grace web community (Check it out! It’s awesome!) has a thread called Encouraging Widows. This ministry has a special place in my heart. I’m not a widow, but I can relate to feeling lonely for my husband when he travels. I’ve found that this experience, though quite painful, has been a blessing in that it has taught me about trusting in God through loneliness and has given me insight into what this looks and feels like.

I should also note that it was my mother in law who shared this tip with me, and who always has a handful of cards for every occasion in her Bible to send to people “for their encouragement.”

Here’s an excerpt from my post:

I’m not a widow, but I have a heart for ministering to widows. If anyone happens to click on this thread and thinks “I wish I had more time so I could minister to widows” let me encourage you with something small you can do that makes a big difference: Send them cards and letters! Even if you can’t physically visit with them, you can visit their mailbox!

My friends who are widows/widowers (elderly all the way down to a 30 yr old mom of three!) tell me that their biggest hurt is loneliness. Writing to them lets them know you care and are their friend!! And, you can write them at 3am while you’re nursing a newborn – no one will ever know ;-)

Initially, widows get many many sympathy cards – and then people don’t know how to relate to them.

I like “Thinking of You” cards and “Have a happy day” type cards because it takes the focus off of suffering and puts it more on living each day – something to look forward to. You don’t have to just talk about death – talk about LIFE and how much you need them! Give them hope!

Share happy memories you have shared with their spouse, rather than just saying “I’m sorry they’re gone.” “I was at the grocery store today and I bought a jar of Nutella. I remember the first time I had Nutella was at a ladies breakfast, when Mary brought it as a special treat. Every time I taste it, it reminds me of what a dear friend she was. The Lord blessed her with the gift of hospitality! I am so thankful for the memories I shared with her, and I wanted to let you know that I miss her and that I’m praying for you – will join our family for breakfast on Saturday so we can have Nutella and croissants together?”

Thank them for being a part of your life (show them they are needed!): “It was so nice to see you at the community garage sale this weekend. I want you to know that we take time each day to pray for you and that we love you very much. The children are looking forward to seeing you at the craft fair next week – thanks for making a difference in their lives!”

Remember weddings/birthdays/other anniversaries: “I saw on the calendar that today IS Phillips birthday. I wanted to let you know that I prayed for you this morning, as I know how much you miss him. I remember one year how you baked him a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, because it was his favorite. I want you to know how much that ministered to my heart. Your love for him really set an example for how I should be finding little ways to express love to my husband. Thank you very much for giving me this gift – by modeling this for myself and others to see. Celebrating Phillip’s life with you today! Love, ____.”

Hope that these writing ideas encourage people in this important ministry!!

James 1:26-29 (New American Standard Bible)
If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Much love,
Sarah Joy Albrecht

< -- This photo is of me and my mother in law, Becky Albrecht, at Liz & Ben Mitchell's wedding.