Happy Days.

Earlier in the week Kane, Ariel and I got to eat dinner with one of our Japanese friends from Southern Miss. He is from Tokyo but was in Osaka for a few days, so he called and we met up and ate with him. We went to a really good Japanese buffet where you have 90 minutes to eat as much as you want, or can. It was very good and lots of fun. I put a bit of pasta salad on my plate and was surprised when I saw the octopus legs that I originally thought were noodles. People have varying views on strange foods in foreign countries, and I would like to share mine. Now, I am a huge believer in ''Follow where He leads, swallow what He feeds,'' however, when one has the choice between eating octopus and fish paste or rice and chicken, I see absolutely nothing wrong in sticking with what you know.  People don't become more righteous by eating fermented soy beans. (Steps off soapbox.)
Next thought. Tuesday night, Ariel and I went to eat sushi with our sweet friends Shiori, Tsumugi, Ana, Nao, and Miho. Great conversation soon struck, and we have good leads on a couple of them. I am soon to start weekly Bible study with Miho. She is excited, which makes me more excited. Wednesday, I went to Harborland in Sannomiya with my dear friend Yuko. This is the one who told me my Japanese was terrible. In an effort to get some kind of compliment, I memorized the days of the week and recited them to her. She just laughed at me. It was worth a shot. :) She made us a Japanese lunch box with chicken, steak, egg, sausage, unidentifiable foods, and salmon rice balls which happen to be my all time favorite. After eating and hanging out for a while, I had to get back for workshop that started that afternoon. Charlie's friend Joseph who pastors a church in Osaka spoke to us. He was very encouraging and it was a great message to have halfway through the summer. Afterwards, Teresa cooked mexican for our usual ''Wednesday night home cooked meal.'' She does a great job of making us feel as home. After we ate, Mark told me to go put tennis shoes on and meet him outside. Immediately, I knew where this was going. Bike riding lesson #2. Poor Mark, he's being so patient. I'm just not getting it.
Thursday, we went to Konan and then 5 Minute English in Sannomiya. I was partnered with Drew and we went to a spot that was very successful for me the time before. Twenty minutes passed. Nothing. The thought popped in my head that we are at the same place doing this same thing on the same days. People generally have set schedules that they follow each day so it just makes sense that at least some of the people walking by have seen us before. And of those people, we can infer that at least a few of them have wanted to stop but were too busy, nervous, afraid... So, I began praying to myself that the Lord would send me someone who had seen us before and wanted to stop, but finally decided to today. I prayed this for a few minutes until a middle aged woman came up to me smiling. She said ''Is the practice really free? I have seen your signs before, but I have never stopped. I have wanted to, but I just decided to stop today.'' Mmmhmm, perfectly orchestrated. It was beautiful. After a big smile of satisfaction and amazement, I not-so-gracefully picked my chin up off the floor, and tried to answer her question. Her name is Yuko, (popular name) she took my card and is supposed to call me next week. If I get a call or not, God answers prayer, this I know. Sometimes in cool ways just to show us He can.
Today we went to Kansai Gai Dai and I had lunch with precious little Ayaka. Now I know I am calling each Japanese that I meet ''precious'' because they all are but let me tell you something, it's different with this girl. I mean, I am already preparing myself for the tears that will come the day I have to leave her. The first time I saw her she was smiling and laughing with her side pony tail and bright yellow leggings like she had just popped right off of Saved by the Bell. Right then, I knew we would be friends. When we first met her, the California team was here and several of those girls really reached out to her and made a huge impression on her. Today we were just talking, I was letting her lead but prayerfully waiting for a plug. When she started talking about boys, I thought we would get nowhere. She asked if I would ever like a Japanese boy. I told her that I did not have a problem with that, but he would have to be a Christian because that is what matters to me. She knows we are Christians, so the fact that she continually wants to see me instead of running away is an accomplishment in itself. I continued and told her that I really don't worry about having a boyfriend though because Jesus is in control of my life and He gives me what I need. I told her that He will give me a good boyfriend if that is what He wants me to have. She perked up and said ''Ooooo, He does that because He loves you?'' I was so excited she was getting it. She then asked, ''So you don't have to worry about anything because you know He will take care of it?'' I said ''yes, that is exactly right.'' She grabbed my hand, and said ''You are very dear to me.'' Hearing that was better than the first time I saw the scene in Forrest Gump when he meets little Forrest  and asks Jenny ''Is he smart?'' Chill bumps and tears, chill bumps and tears. She said she wants to learn more about the Bible, so I asked her if she wanted to start meeting to study together. She kind of backed away and said that she was very busy. I looked at her and said that it was no problem at all. I told her that if she did decide to study, she did not have to become a Christian. Hearing that is just what she needed. She smiled and said, ''yes, I will study with you.'' She then hugged me and said ''Thank you for telling me about Bible but not pressuring me to be Christian.'' Y'all. I love her. Pray for her, her name is Ayaka. I want everyone of you to see her, I can't tell you how cute she is. Tomorrow, I am going to the mall with my friend Saki. I just love her too. Great days are happening here.
I'm tired. Matane. (See you later) :)