a reflection of april 2006

April is traditionally the time when things begin to pick up speed for the summer. During this month last year, we thought we were (actually, we WERE) losing our minds in preparation for the YC choir mission and LST and FriendsCamp. But this year, February and March seemed busier - especially during the final week of March when we had 5 youth from Ibaraki. I was tired by the time my relatives arrived in Sendai on April 4th.

My aunt and 2 cousins came to spend almost 3 weeks with me. Do you ever have that nagging feeling of frustration with yourself because you can't give more than you want to? That summarizes my feeling for the first week or so they were here. Finally, the Lord helped me to release that feeling into His hands and enjoy the last few days. I cried really hard after Aunt Val and Tiffany left. I enjoyed my visit with Tiff - she's so easy to get along with, and I realized how much fun we shared as kids. I was also sad because I love my dear aunt so very much, and I know she loves me and is proud and supportive of me even though it hurts her to have me so far away.

It was also the month of celebrating Joe & Ruth Betts' 50 years of missionary service in Japan. I don't know why I'm sometimes timid to say that deep down I desire to have a missionary service span like them. In 46 years, I wonder if I'll reread this blog and discover that this was a pipedream of a 28 year old or if it was something that God planted in my heart and was preparing for me?