A Trip to Hansen's

Here's a sneak peak at Linda's wedding cake!

Just about all of the invitations have been sent and the little details are coming together. =) It's so much fun following Aimee around as she plans Linda and Richard's wedding. Please pray for Linda, cancer has not been kind to her these last few weeks and she needs to gain some weight back. Thanks.

Moshi Moshi!

Meet Auntie Ruth.

Auntie Ruth is dad's younger sister. I hung out with her today at the Venice Thanksgiving Luncheon. Out of all my uncles and aunties, she's the one I talk to (and text) the most. She has taught me a lot about gentleness, patience, trying new things, sentimentality, quietness, faith, and our family. =) On this Thanksgiving weekend, I am so thankful to her for actually spending the time to, not only get to know the real me, but for intentionally investing in my life. Thanks Auntie!

The End of the Beginning.

Tuesday night was officially my last class as a graduate student at APU.

I didn't actually realize it until someone in the class mentioned it. It seemed so fitting that my last class was with my favorite teacher in the whole program, Frances. We celebrated the end of a tough quarter with dinner, dessert, presentations, evaluations, and  few words of congratulations and best wishes to those of us who are graduating in the fall.

I feel like the beginning wasn't so long ago. I still don't know where anything is on campus - or how to get an I.D. card, or where all the restrooms are. I've never attended a chapel, or been in all the buildings (in fact I can count on one hand the number of buildings I have been in). I feel like I am still learning and still in the process of discovering all the information out there. I do feel like I've learned more about me - and have a greater understanding of what I can offer to others. I have a peace. I feel secure in where I am and where I am headed. I cannot say that was the case three years ago. Three years ago I felt God call me to change my course in life, and now the beginning of that change is coming to a close.

People have asked me what I will do after I graduate - and I have nothing huge to say except I will continue what I'm doing and where I'm working. I still feel God has blessed me with the chance to work with Gary and for the conference. Where I'll end up...I really have no idea.

I can say that I feel so blessed to have been given the chance to go back to school. I am forever grateful to my parents who allowed me to move home, Randy for giving me a job, Josh for driving with me to school the first two weeks - and for editing all my papers, Melis for brainstorming ideas with me, Gary for the intellectual support, and the government for lending me so much money at such a low interest.

Looking forward to whatever comes next.

My teacher, Frances, is the small Chinese lady in the middle - and this is my class. Quite a load of characters I can say that. :)

Gardena?

I refuse to make this a food blog, but I just couldn't resist this one post about the BEST mochi found in SoCal. I headed down to Gardena (not commonly known for it's great neighborhoods, safe parks, or wealthy neighbors - although i do believe they boast about their local swap meet - but this little city can beat the nation in the best homemade Japanese food).

Mochi window display at Sakura-ya in Gardena.

My Miyabe is His Miyabe

This is my grandpa.
I know, I know...cute little Japanese man. =)

For work I have been visiting all of the churches in the conference spreading the word about emerging leaders. So far, I have been to Venice, Westlight, South Bay, Anaheim, One Voice, and Peninsula. What amazes me is that at every church, someone has come up to me and asked me if I am related to another Miyabe they know, John Miyabe. Everywhere I go, from the young churches, to the well established ones, there have been people who realize he is my grandpa and just have to come and tell me how much they appreciate him for what he's done. One man said grandpa was responsible for helping him to get a pastorate in Japan. Another women said he is the reason she found Christ. Another said they know one another from Shuyokai (Japanese summer camp). Another just said how much they appreciate him for all he did for their church.

I have known that Grandpa ran quite an extensive ministry within the Free Methodist church, but you never really know the full scope of his ministry by just talking to him. In fact, he never talks about it at all! But I can see the extent of his ministry through the people who just have to come and meet me because they are hopeful my Miyabe is his Miyabe. His legacy of devotion to the people, even during the years of internment, are quite far reaching. Maybe not in the worldy sense, but in the Kingdom sense. I know he has many crowns awaiting Him. Because of him I feel so proud to be a Miyabe...and hope that in some small way, I am carrying on such a rich legacy.