Last week we had a special treat for you, I’ve again asked my daughter Tara to write the intro to this newsletter. As I said, Tara has been traveling extensively, staying with partners, members and also expanding our ministry around the world. ~ Erin
After spending 7 wonderful weeks with Yvonne (please see our Ministers Page for picture), I returned to Japan for another wonderful 3 months.
I’d been in Japan, living with my best friend and cousin Erica for 3 months, the maximum as a tourist but also the cord of 3 our ministry refers to often from Exodus 17:12.
You know how God is a God of order and in the Bible numbers and dates have importance? I know that He does this for many reasons, but I think one of them is so that we never forget what He's done for us!! It was almost exactly five years ago that I visited my family in Japan! Now both Erica and I are experiencing even greater blessings than the first time since we now share a flat together. The memory He brought to mind was how I'd sat near the river with the Lord all those years ago in Japan and little did I know that I'd one day be living down the street from there! It's amazing, and it builds my faith.
We have no clue what He has ahead for us, but HE DOES. "...the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him"—Isaiah 30:18
My cousin has always loved my mom so much so that she calls her "A-Mom"! The "A" stands for American lol, and now I call Erica's mother, my aunt, my "J-Mom" lol This admiration for my mother grew when Erica witnessed the nurturing love she gave to us and how she handled difficult situations during a hard time in life. If you were to ask any of us how it was possible to have so much joy at that time, we could only tell you it was the Lord. Btw, I'm not sure if you ever read the testimony of how Erica (whose pen-name is Monica) met the Lord, but it's a great testimony Teen Suicide Prevented!
Back in the day, Erica saw me reading A Wise Woman book and even though she never read it, her heart was always open to anything I shared. She and I are always interested in each other's lives and our work, so I told her how I was going through the WWSS and how important it is for me to know and live these principles now so I can live them when I am married.
Without saying anything, Erica began asking more and more about my "advice" on different topics! Of course, I can only quote what I've read in the verses. Then one morning while I was in the closet getting dressed I heard her outside the door and said, "You know, Tara? I want to read A Wise Woman book. I've actually always wanted to read it." WOW, thank you, Lord!! He even led me to say that we can go through a chapter each morning or each night and if it helps, I can even read it out loud to her! She said that it couldn't be any more perfect since she could relax and just listen. lol
To rejoice, even more, the seed has been sown for Erica to translate the WW book to Japanese! Though it's a Habakkuk 2:3, every opportunity the Lord gave me to enthusiastically share how we believe that Erica should translate the book, everyone agrees! She shies away from it, but one day out of nowhere, Erica said she was seriously thinking about it. Only the Lord!
There are many reasons why I know He's allowed me to be here in Japan and one is Erica! I dearly love her and want her to have a happily ever after with the Lord as her Lover and to know the principles I’ve grown up with. I can already see the beautiful marriage she can have because she’s looking to Him to fulfill her needs and not expecting her future husband to fill them. With the both of them seeking fulfillment from the Lord they will be able to give each other HIS love that's overflowing.
"He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me...he that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." —Matthew 10:37 & 39
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”—Matthew 6:33
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” —Psalm 37:4
Praise the Lord for continuing to restore my family!!
I'd like to share also that Erica has made sure that I meet EVERY ONE of her friends, and very often they ask if I have a boyfriend. When she tells them No I've never had one and shares the reason, their faces change. They tell Erica how they admire my choice and looking into my eyes say how I'm going to meet that amazing man I've been waiting for. Praise the Lord.
~ Tara
If you want to have blessings happen in your life like Tara, begin to PRAISE Him! Become an Encouraging Woman. Don't just read praise, share praise! Submit a Praise Report today. Give what you have and you'll receive more.
Luke 6:38 “Give [Praise], and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
Proverbs 11:24–25 “There is one who scatters [Praise], and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds [Praise] that is justly due [Him], and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.”