Internet Letters - More on Christmas

On the whole I don't really mind getting all those forwards from my friends. They sometimes yield real treasure. This one, for instance, was has some rather valuable advice:

Dear Child,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a "holiday tree" instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish. I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know. They tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up...it will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that's hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless?

Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line. They talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.
Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day, they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me. They will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do I'll take care of all the rest.

Check out the list above and get to work. Time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love.

And remember,
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS

The Power of Music

The Christmas tree across from Bikkuri Donkey (a restaurant we frequent after Bible studies) was dark by the time Mary and I passed it on our way out of Hirosaki last night. Mary snorted as I remarked "Oh, look they've taken down the Christmas lights already."

Even though our family has some firmly entrenched "we always do this" Christmas traditions somehow once the Messiah Concert is over I often feel that I've already had my Christmas.

Rieko, Takako (Hirosaki Church), me, Mary, Ayaka & Joy

This year 5 of us from Ajigasawa sang. And we talked three of our Hirosaki friends into joining us. (It wasn't very hard!)

Mr. Kumaki - our Conductor

I sometimes think we have the best conductor in the world. He lives and breathes Handel's "Messiah" and he makes it come alive for us.

Mary

Yesterday when we (Mary & I) turned in our money and tickets to Ako Sensei, we talked for a long time about the power of music. The pain we get in our chest and the tears that fill our eyes when the beauty is almost too much...

Ako Sensei is singing St. John's Passion (Bach) in Morioka next month. I wish I could go!

Self Talk

Luke wanted to know the context of Jane Eyre's little soliloquy about temptation. It's her recollection of her struggle when faced with a choice to live in sin or go out alone into the world. She chooses the latter. But only after struggling with herself and winning.

I wish a number of young women (and men) of my acquaintance would hold this same conversation with themselves!

...and while he spoke my very conscience and reason turned traitors against me, and charged me with crime in resisting him. They spoke almost as loud as Feeling: and that clamoured wildly. 'O comply!' it said. 'Think of his misery; think of his danger - look at his state when left alone; remember his headlong nature; consider the recklessness following on despair - soothe him; save him; love him; tell him you love him and will be his. Who in the world cares for you? or who will be injured by what you do?'

Still indomitable was the reply - 'I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God, sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad - as I am now. Laws and principles, etc.... '

Rx for Temptation

This didn't really fit in my last entry - but its just too good to give up altogether!

When faced with temptation I remember Jane Eyre:

“Laws and principles are not for times when there is no temptation: they are for moments such as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth – so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe now, it is because I am insane – quite insane, with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I can count the throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations are all I have at this hour to stand by; there I plant my foot.”

- From Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre

So, what's it like to have 3 eyes?

My 3 eyed daughter

Daughter #4 was feeling jaded this morning - someone told her she was struggling with identity issues - and said that we were like people with 3 eyes. "Its okay to ask people with 3 eyes personal questions. You know, 'So what does if feel like to have three eyes?' And its okay if people with three eyes know your secrets."

Sigh....

I've had identity issues ever since I can remember. I seem to have been born out of time, out of place. I was born during the baby boom but I never was really a boomer. I grew up during the generation gap but my parents were my best friends. I didn't fit at school because I was a Christian but we weren't exactly like everyone else at church because my father had a beard, my mother was into health food and we sometimes brought our goats to church... This could be a very long list. But usually I'm really not all that bothered with not "fitting".

I think it has something to do with not having a t.v.

My moral framework came from novels.

When faced with people I didn't understand I remembered Atticus to Scout:

"First of all, if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view – "
"Sir?"
" – until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
- From Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird"

I guess that's why Japanese ways don't seem so strange to me. Considered from the inside, most things make sense.

Oriental reticence - or lack thereof

This morning I'm still thinking about what is "typical".

My daughter-in-law, who also has a direct and friendly manner, is often accused of being "Westernized". This is an accusation I have always found difficult to sympathize with because I see her old-fashioned Japanese manners. (Since my son has old fashioned American manners, I expect Grace to grow up to be an extremely well-mannered child!)

Grace with Aunt Mary last weekend

I guess my first impression of Japan was not of Oriental reticence because my language teachers seemed to think their job included a license to ask questions of a personal nature (all day every day.) So I reciprocated. And got answers!

My first days in Ajigasawa did nothing but forward this impression. Even though I was scared to go out the first few weeks, people came to me. I think I hadn't been in Aji a week before I knew that alcohol was a BIG problem out here in the country. At least three woman had volunteered (unsolicited) stories of their husband's alcoholism...

And I still remember people asking me how much rent I paid. I considered that question off-limits! And the shock I got when one woman met my evasive reply with the sum - she already knew! - and the admonition that it was "too much". Afterall, I could live in town housing (welfare) for just 4000 yen.

A cultural observation... no conclusion

Mary and I cooked 4 quiche, 2 pumpkin pies, 2 large chocolate cakes and 2 turkeys for the KGK (Christian University Students Club) Christmas Party tonight. And that was only part of the feast! It was a good turn out with various clubs participating.

20 kids from the A Capela Circle

Narinari advertising the birth of the Mandolin Club

And Harada back representing the Guitar Club

We ended (much later than planned) with a good message from Pastor Ogawa and lots of fellowship.

On the way home my German colleague said, "I spoke to that girl you pray with in Aomori. I think she's not a typical Japanese. She's more open." Japanese aren't open?!

I'd just been thinking about how much more open Daughter #3 is in Japanese. I had watched her earlier chatting animatedly with the various young men in turn. And she just looked like all the other (Japanese) girls chatting freely with everyone. But with Westerners... I wonder if I have EVER seen her chat that openly and animatedly with a young man?!

I've been thinking about this subject for several hours now. The young lady in question is loud. And she smiles a lot. But then I think that Aomori women can be a little loud... that is until I hear foreign men talking. Maybe my colleague meant the young lady is loud?

The Reckoning

Sarah caught me on line tonight and we talked about all that's happening at her end of the world. As we were signing off she read me this poem by Robert Service - she's crazy about Robert Service:

THE RECKONING

It's fine to have a blow-out in a fancy restaurant,
With terrapin and canvas-back and all the wine you want;
To enjoy the flowers and music, watch the pretty women pass,
Smoke a choice cigar, and sip the wealthy water in your glass.
It's bully in a high-toned joint to eat and drink your fill,
But it's quite another matter when you

Pay the bill.

It's great to go out every night on fun or pleasure bent;
To wear your glad rags always and to never save a cent;
To drift along regardless, have a good time every trip;
To hit the high spots sometimes, and to let your chances slip;
To know you're acting foolish, yet to go on fooling still,
Till Nature calls a show-down, and you

Pay the bill.

Time has got a little bill -- get wise while yet you may,
For the debit side's increasing in a most alarming way;
The things you had no right to do, the things you should have done,
They're all put down; it's up to you to pay for every one.
So eat, drink and be merry, have a good time if you will,
But God help you when the time comes, and you

Foot the bill.

Walking - the Elliot Cure

In the Elliot household the prescription for melancholy, depression and and fatigue is: "Get up in the morning, go to bed at night, eat three square meals a day, drink lots of water... and walk, walk, WALK. "

Some of our colleagues hold similar views so after the OMF Prayer meeting on Tuesday we all went walking in Kanagi Park.

Under the cherry trees

Rachel Wilson's photos of our walk reminded me of this poem by William Henry Davies:

LEISURE

What is life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when wood we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like stars at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

The view from the bridge

Joy's Birthday Party

Joy Baab, me, Rachel Wilson, and Mary

eating the Birthday Dinner the Birthday Girl cooked herself

Rachel and Mary had fun decorating with origami

Joy with her Mahogany Cake

Same Train, Next Thought

What is forgiveness?

A few years ago a (Christian) woman came to talk to me about an unplanned pregnancy. I was a bit puzzled because she was, afterall, married and healthy and not so very old. But since she seemed to be telling me that she didn't think her (non-Christian) husband would be happy, I prayed with her.... and then more or less forgot about it.

A few months later she lost the baby and didn't seem to spring back. Even after a year had passed she was still crying unexpectedly.

Finally, few months ago she divulged that her husband had badgered her incessantly about getting rid of the baby, even offering to kick her in the stomache to precipitate a miscarriage. These words from a man we had always observed to be shy and pleasant mannered! (He never actually kicked her.)

"I can't forgive him!" she told me. "Maybe if I hadn't lost the baby I could have overlooked it. But I can't forgive him."

He never apologized and it doesn't seem likely that he ever will. What do I tell her? As a Christian, obviously she must forgive him. But how? and what is forgiveness anyway?

The Apology We're Never Going to Get

I was thinking about forgiveness again last night. EVERYONE in our church - except the missionary family - has one or more alcohol problems in the family. Which means that there are probably a lot of forgiveness issues. I can't relate to the alcohol but I can relate to the forgiveness thing.

Last night I was looking for another passage... but stopped to ponder Matthew 17:15 -18. What if you go to your brother and he doesn't hear you and when you try the next step the response you get is "Can't you just live with it?"

I had just read about forgiving your brother 70 times 7 - but the brother asks forgiveness. The brother asks forgiveness 490 times? What planet is this on?! I think that - when it comes to the big things you REALLY want apologies for, whether your antagonist is a Japanese or a foreigner - you will be lucky if the brother asks once!

So what then? How do you "just live with it"?

I have some ideas, but more another day... This day needs to begin.

"I'm Sorry"

One of the things we Elliots like about Japan is the "Aisatsu" department - the standard little greetings that make one's daily life run smoothly. Of course, westerners have them, too, to a point. We say "Please" and "Thank you" and "Excuse me" but we seem to run out sooner. And then there is "I'm sorry." Which is easily said in Japan - much more easily than in the West - for the little things.

But forgiveness... I think a sinner's heart prevails in both worlds.

I personally don't think Westerners forgive any easier than Japanese and neither culture seems to encourage saying "I'm sorry" and "I forgive you" for the big things.

But "Love Story" had it all wrong. Love does NOT mean "never having to say you're sorry."

Advent Candles

There's something about Advent Candles... they restore my sanity.

Today I thought I might be going under - stretched tighter than a rubber band even though I'm trying so hard not to plan too much. I hate it when missionaries are busy, busy, busy. Yet, try as I might, its happening again. We're definitely edging toward too busy.

But, after a late supper tonight, staring at the candles and listening to Bach's Christmas Music I could feel all the tension draining away. It was so very lovely!

Perhaps a little bit of heaven...

International Church

For a little country church we are really rather international. These days we have a minimum of 6 countries represented on any given Sunday!

Angela Menzel, Joy Baab, Rachel Wilson and Mary Elliot

Rachel is the only one in the photo with a definite country - Angela and Mary though German and Canadian by definition - were actually both born and raised in Japan. Furthermore, Mary was raised by an American mother. Joy, born and raised in Brazil, can (and does) lay claim to 4 countries.

The snow is a big attraction for a lot of folk from warmer climes

- they'll get tired of it soon!

Snowing again

We first met Shino at the Aomori Christian Center when she was an exuberant High School Student on her way to America for a homestay. We met her again on her return when she attended the trial resurrection of the English camp in 2000. Her decision at that camp to follow Jesus was the deciding factor in our decision to keep going.

John led her to the Lord but, of course, she was baptized at another church in her own city. She grew in the Lord, went to Tokyo and had almost disappeared from our lives. But then in 2004, a colleague who knew that I was working with students and that John was praying for God to send someone to Hokken University in Aomori City wrote to tell us that Shino was coming home to study nursing at that very same Hokken University. Shino and I have been meeting regularly to pray together ever since her return.

Shino playing with the Pastor's son during a break

at a recent KGK/IVCF Seminar in Morioka

There is neither heaven nor earth,

Only snow

Falling incessantly.

- Hashin

Shino wanted to take photos of the snow on our way down to Morioka for a seminar the other day - and it was beautiful. But there was A LOT of it and by the time we took the wrong road and got turned back at the mountains an hour out of Morioka I'm afraid my nerves were like rubber bands. But it was a good time of fellowship - there's nothing like a long car ride for camaraderie.

Thanksgiving

For many years now our church has celebrated Thanksgiving on Kinro Kansha no Hi - which probably more closely parallels American Labor Day but falls near American Thanksgiving and even incorporates the word Thanks into its name. So we have a Japanese-American Potluck with Turkey & Stuffing, Gravy& Mashed Potatoes, cranberry sauce and Pies along side of sushi, and red rice.

This year Pastor Igarashi from Goshogawara fixed our organ - he's an organ maker (yes! maker!) by trade - and played it for us! But did we take a photo? Of course not! We always wait until the celebration is over and the table is empty (or trashed!) and this time, after half the guests had gone home.

The Organ

- we got it from the camp after they got it from the Anglicans.

Winding down but unwilling to go home.

More Culture - I do notice things sometimes!

When Leta, Mary and Sarah were born I had complete freedom to nurse them where ever and whenever I pleased. In fact, even though I nursed them in public, most older women thought I was being much too secretive about it. The women in question would often pull up my offending shirt with a reproachful "She'll smother!"

Japan has changed. Now, not only are there are special rooms for nursing mothers to retreat to - there are also sometimes signs instructing them that they had better retreat!

So I doubt if many people nowadays - besides nursing mothers! - really feel the impact of Psalm 131:2.

But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

A weaned child accepts many forms of comfort... a cuddle, a comforting word, a quick hug, a pat on the head, etc. An unweaned child wants only one comfort - and fusses till he gets it.

Fish for Breakfast

Yesterday I was thinking about the fact that I so seldom cover cultural issues in my blog and I was wondering why... I guess its because I just so seldom think of anything Japanese as being particularly extraordinary anymore.

For instance, I just don't think that fish and seaweed for breakfast is particularly odd. I'm not sure that I ever did - my particular branch of the family was known for its strange dietary habits - and its certainly not a problem to me now.

In fact, the only thing I thought odd about yesterday's breakfast (liver with onions, rice with sesame seeds, and miso soup with slimy mushrooms) was my daughter's strange predilection for vinegar. We usually flavor the liver with ginger but this time Mary used balsamic vinegar - her condiment of choice this week.

This morning for breakfast I munched whole wheat bread with pesto - on the run because I left for Morioka at 6 am - and I think that's pretty normal, too. (That is the bread with pesto is normal. Eating on the run is fortunately a RARE occurance in our household.)