I'm Home

Pics from my this semester

group of friends went to a ramen restaurant and then for some kareoke action.  I dont know who that grizzly adams looking guy is there in the back though.

me and the guys viewing some beautiful cherry blossoms

Spring soccer tournament at Gaidai.  Our team name was "Chuck Norris and the Beddys".  I think thats all that needs to be said.

Bowling Night- The Americas team (south and north) lost to the SE Asia boys so we had to do a little dance in front of everyone

here's me on the soccer fields with my "Im not gonna put up with any crap" face

The whole team

So this semester has been really fun.  It has gone by super fast.  Its hard to imagine that I have less than one month of school left here in Japan.  So many friends from all over the world.  I really encourage anyone and everyone to get out of the US and explore the world.  I dont think we really know what kind of world views we have until they've been seen from a different perspective.  I think the best part about living or studying abroad is just the culture exchange that takes place.  You really grow as an individual and are able to lay down all your prejudices and misconceptions.  It has been good.   I look forward to coming home but I think about all my friends at Gaidai and my fellow Christians at J-house and it is hard to imagine leaving them all behind.  For the most part, I have really grown to enjoy Japanese life with all its idiosyncrasies.  There are definitely some good things about all cultures and in my attempt to become a more well rounded person, I want to hopefully continue to implement those in my life.  Being here has definitely taught me alot of things.  I think I have learned alittle more discipline, learned how important the body of Christ is, learned about the importance of languages, and learned what the mission field is like alone.  This experience has definitely given me a desire for more international experiences in the future.  I guess I am now realizing that my reason for coming was to find out if I wanted to live and or work abroad in my future and I think the answer is now  a more confident yes.

First Thing First

"He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves.  Instead they will live for Christ who died and was raised for them."

 2 Cor. 5:15

I have been thinking about this verse alot.  I want to surrender my own desires more to the Lord.

so xanga informed me that it has been 243 days since I created this account.  Thats a long time and yet where did all those days go.  I want to move with more purpose.

Thai and Beyond

me and my buddy budda in Thailand

my own garden of eden

this one is for you brian

the beach