Better late than never...

I woke up and looked outside and immediately started cheering...

"Pressing Pete it's snowing!!!" ;)

unfortunately for my roommate Mary I woke her up to come outside and look.

SNOW!!! Ahhh, snow. Thank You, Abba for sending me this amazing blessing.

Yes, I think snow is a blessing. I love it! Japanese people are so particular about percipiation and being outside in it. :D I love that this guy has an umbrella for the snow. I didn't think mentioning to him that when snow falls in your hair it looks like Snow White and that he should embrace this moment would change the situation. Ha ha!!

Bee-utiful!
Even the monopolistic Starbucks looked beautiful... oh, snow, how I love you.
The snow was beautiful but then Mary entered the scene and snow just couldn't compare. Mary's luscious locks looked lovely. (ohh that was fun to write)

I call this picture, "Mary Looks At the Future With A Smile"...

kind of a lame title but I'm not really an artist. Maybe Jean has a better title??
I call this picture, "Joanna is cragee"
And this one, "Snow tastes fun"

Mary and Jo...

Mary
Joanna
Hooray for snow.

the inward struggle

This picture is pretty humorous. My friend Jodi came to visit some of us here in Japan and she thought it was hilarious that I was driving on the opposite side of the road. So I was pretending to be worried too. Don't worry, I'm not.

I feel like this picture displays an inward struggle I have been having recently.

Lately, I've been meditating on Isaiah 26:3 *You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast.* This has been my aid to my 2008 verse James 1:2-5 *Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.*

I've been a bit frazzled lately. Put a lightbulb in my mouth and I might light it... I'm that wired. I've got a lot on my mind and my heart... and then physically there is so much I want to do and accomplish. The sink needs cleaned, dishes washed at my house and the Roods, I wanted to finish that one book. read through SIJ applications yesterday (blast), go to the post office, run to Costco, and so on and so on and so on....

So I asked God, "where is my perfect peace?" and He gently reminded me the end of the verse, "whose mind is steadfast" and I thought, "My mind has not been stayed on You, Abba."

And it clicked... I feel frazzled and not in perfect peace because I haven't been actually thinking about God. I want perfect peace but I want to keep my hands in the mix. God is saying, "Take your hands off the subject and let Me do it and then I will give you my peace."

There is a calm that sweeps over me in knowing that He is peaceful.

Lord, I am sorry I want peace but I want it my way. I give you the problems and worries of my day. I will keep my mind steadfast on You.

Miss Mary

I love this picture. I feel like it expresses the last two years. I've leaned on and "needed" Mary to get through the awkwardness of learning to live in Japan...

and in three weeks she will be gone.

It is starting to hit me that my closest friend Mary will soon be leaving Japan. While I am super excited for what the future holds for Mary, the selfish part of me wants to lock her up in her tatami room and keep her all to myself. I'm scary, huh?

I found this "advice" the other day and thought I'd share it with you all

~Accentuate the positive for each other. Although we face problems each day and should not avoid them, we do not need to hang on to a negative mind-set all day. Speak words, which view life's cup as half full and filling! Not half empty and emptier and emptier.~

Mary has done this for me. Whenever I wanted to give up or hide in our apartment, she would remind me of "life's cup as half full and filling". Mary and my friendship is not perfect. We have had our ups and downs. I've said some things that hurt her. However, because God is the common thread that binds us, our confession, seeking forgiveness, and grace has been an overflow. I've never felt hopeless in my friendship with Mary.

That's why as this page turns... and I let it turn, I remember that that same thread will continue to bind us, even though distance keeps us apart.

Mary will understand a part of me that no one else will understand...

and I am thankful for this time, even the ending of it...

wanted: a girl whose laugh is loud but heart is gentle...

I was just thinking...
Actually, I was just listening to a message given by Carolyn Mahaney from this website. Click here.
I found a talk called, "A Womans Beauty Regimen" referring to 1 Peter 3:3-4 *Do not let your adorning be external-- the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing-- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.*

Ever since I became a Christian and ever since hearing those word, "gentle and quiet" I've been intriqued by these verses. How can I have a quiet and gentle spirit when I not only laugh loud but I love laughing loud? I've always wanted to learn more about this quiet heart, this gentle spirit. Jamie nailed it on the head when she told me in college that the gentle and quiet heart has nothing to do with your personality.

In the message I listened to tonight Mahaney gave two definitions to this term, "An inner disposition of humble contentment and quiet tranquility rooted in an unwavering trust in God and His purpose." and "Steadfast peace because of a steadfast trust in God."

We are able to cultivate this gentle and quiet heart because of what 1 Peter 2:21-24 teaches us, specifically verse 23 says, "he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly." So we are entrust our lives, our hearts, our unknown futures to God because he judges justly.

Everything that happens, everything happens with God's sovereign hand upon us.

Believing that, frees me up to have a peace that is steadfast... and that peace, that trust enables me to have a gentle spirit

...even while laughing loudly.

people like me will appreciate

It's that time of year, when people like me, who wish we were more structured, get out our to-do list and.... add to it.

It's Resolution Making Time.

Fortunately, before I came before God with my list of things I want... I went online and caught a couple articles on resolution making. The following articles are from five godly women who I have never met but have impacted my life. Their insights are super powerful and helpful in making resoultions that will last. If you are like me and get overly-excited about this time of year ("I wanna memorize fourteen verses a day." "I wanna get up at six a.m. and run every day." "I wanna go to Starbucks once a month.") then I think you will appreciate this godly advice. Click on the below links.

Keeping Right Resolutions
Keeping One Resolution
Help Keeping Resolutions

I especially appreciated the advice in the article, "Keeping One Resolution". Carolyn Mahaney writes, "Let's choose that single area where we most desire to grow in godliness." I think this is the best advice for me because I get too excited and make about five goals only to become discouraged when I fail at achieving any and all of them.

I took some time to journal today about my goals, my motives, and what scripture has to say about them. I was also challenged by my friend Curt's blog, he said this, "also i want to work out more. but i am going to try no to promise to do that, let your yes be yes and your no be no. so i am just going to do it."

That really challenged me. (You can check Curt out on my link to the right "He gave my fish a face")

So here I am, wanting to make resolutions and become "new and improved" but wanting more so to honor and glorify God with what I say and what I commit to. Sooo... I will officially be choosing ONE area in which I need to grow, although I feel like I have hundreds. :D

Philippians 1:6 *And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.*

*i can't help myself*

I just couldn't help myself... when I saw the pictures from my family's Christmas. I had to post them. Enjoy my sweet nieces and nephew.

Lenora Daye with a candy cane... I wish I could have seen this bundle of joy during Christmas. I bet she had a ton of fun...looks like she did, doesn't it?Eddie David Lenora Daye
Lenora Daye and Waveland Eliza
I laughed SO hard at these pictures. Waveland looks adorably like a little elf. i love it.
Leni becomes a big sister in March... looks like she did good practicing with Waveland and Eddie.
Gramma's tradition is to build a gingerbread house with the grandkids. Leni looks soooo cute.

I love this picture of Waveland. She's eyeing the presents.

Grandma Schupbach always makes thee best cookies. And she can't just make ONE cookie, nope, she has to make a batch of ALL her cookies. My favorite are the chocolate inbetweens. They are the...uh, chocolate ones.
I was able to join the party... in sweet skype style.

I was busy hanging out with my beautiful friends in Japan. The Utsu, Shizuoka, and Tokyo staff (minus the Witthofts) all got together to enjoy some R&R. It was wonderful.
Definitely can't believe I've been in Japan two whole years. I love Japan but I can't wait to hold my nieces and nephews again.

Matthew 28:20b

Without words and without sound,
they lay your body in the ground.

Without tears,
for I'd spent them all,
I watched them let my castle fall.

Arms wrapped around,
eyes search the faces,
but who can reassure my heart and fill
the empty spaces?

Do not be afraid,
oh do not be alarmed.
Do not be convinced of this world
and what they say is charmed.

Remember all I told you,
remember there is a turning of the pages.
And lo, I am with you, Joanna,
to the end of all the ages.

There is a rumor
whispered... i
hear it with my ears.
You allow the hope
to enter and my
heart it finally pierces.

I saw you with my eyes
and felt you with my gaze.
Now I know that in this year,
not to fear the lonely days.

Your Spirit guides me in
peace so stilled
and as I wait for Your return,
let their hearts be filled.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Schupbachs! It was fun but a little sad to see my whole family on Skype today. :D

Thank God (seriously!) for technology.

Merry Christmas from Mom and Dad!!Jeremy, Eddie, and Alaina!!
Waveland, Jordan and Rochelle (not pictured)

Jonah and Becca (not pictured) with Lenora who is learning ballet! (and Aunt Kay)Only Aunts can understand the importance of sharing scary faces with your nieces (imagine me doing the same thing back to Lenora... complete with growling!)

And finally, Merry Christmas from Mary and I in Japan.

**the scoop

The past two weeks have flown by... time with Mikey has been wonderful. There is no easy way to sum up two weeks but I'll try....

Mikey and I did lots of fun things. We saw the "illumination show" at Roppongi Hills.We celebrated Kie's birthday with dinner and a cake. We ate the best sushi at the most famous place, Sushida!We were so excited to get in after an hour and a half wait. And it was WORTH IT!We enjoyed lots of coffee drinks.We did some double dates... Ayumi, Keigo, Mikey and I at Tokyo Midtown.
But the best part about the two weeks was being together (although Mikey might say the sushi was the best... it was delicious!) Just kidding, Mikey.

It was wonderful being with my amazing Mikey.

silly faces in downtown

the chefs loved us at the sushi place
yokohama pier

sushiro (four times in two weeks ~woo hoo!!)
Mikey's not so happy with his texas hold 'em hand.

Christmas came a little early this year...

I am so thankful for such a wonderful visit from Mikey. God is so good.

making excuses

Sorry I haven't written in awhile... I've been busy.....I promise an update as soon as someone leaves.

I have to brag...

Another Milestone! from Jordan Schupbach on Vimeo.

I am having so much fun catchin up on my busy brother's lives. With a baby in each of their families life is anything but normal. I really enjoyed seeing the pictures of Waveland and the above video. To see more of my families and their busy baby lives, go here...

The oldest

On the corner of

I'm a fairy godmother

For My Dad

My Dad has been trying to get me into classical music since birth... maybe even as a fetus. I just couldn't quite get into it, besides the occasional study times that I would indulge myself. Well, now I stand corrected. I have been glued to youtube since catching the FIVE BROWNS on t.v. They recently did a tour in Japan and I am thankful they did...
Dad, here is your early Christmas gift.

It's getting *cold* in Tokyo...

Kie and I coming back from hanging out. She let me borrow her mitten. Cuuuuute! I just got back from two days in Chichibu, Asako's hometown. We went to celebrate the town's matsuri (festival). It's the THIRD largest in Japan.
Her Dad prepared our headbands...
Her Mom sewed the patches onto our happi (our coats).
Here is Asa's neighborhood shrine. It's on big wooden wheels and during this matsuri, people from their neighborhood get to pull this shrine through town. I was HONORED to be able to pull it alongside Asa and her family.
Asa's uncle and I. He is going to be the leader next year, which is an honor.

Asa and her uncle.
Asa and I went to this festival last year but this year we got to participate. It was such an honor. It's a fun little tradition that Asako and I share...

Her brother is getting ready....

All of us in our headbands and happi. We are so tired after pulling the shrine down the street and through the "parade route".

Asa and I
It was such an amazing cultural experience. I was so excited to have this opportunity.

Thank you Asako and Matsuda family!!!