Challenge #3~Hebrews 2

Break. My friend told me tonight I should read Hebrew's 2...so for tonight I am taking a break from Acts, and reading Heb. 2.
Heb. 2-I love how even this connects to Acts. :) God is so good he sent His Son for us!!!!!!

January 31st

It has now been 31 days of gratitude! :) Today I am thankful for my mom and sister. :) We went shopping at dress barn! Love that place. :) Not big on shopping but it was still fun and good.

Challenge #3~Acts 15

Acts 15-Completed. I loved comparing how our board game at home "Paul's Journey" was so similar to this chapter. I now want to go home and play this game again just so I can see where the cities are that Paul ministered to. :)

January 30th

Gratitude #30!!!! :) I am thankful for so much in life...yet tonight I am simply thankful for my friend and study partner Marseha for helping me though all my crazy chaotic stressing over test confusion. Love that girly! <3

Challenge #3~Acts 14

Acts 14-Completed.
vs. 3 ~'grace of the Lord.' Just keeps showing me what this challenge and this blog is all about. :)
        ~As I listened to Pastor Jon's message in church today he talked about how other people had too excepted his challenge. I was slightly self conscious comparing myself to the others (he didn't mention me for I have not told him for accepting his challenge yet). I realized while reading tonight that what I learn for Acts is between me, and God. I don't need to compare. He wants me to give him the glory and and let him work through each individual differently.

~Let God Bring Miracles Into Your Life~

January 29th

Today I sat through Pastor Jon's sermon today of Acts ch 2. He is so smart and wise....sometimes it can be hard for me to follow. But while he was teaching I appreciated how the men of God were so persistent in sharing the good news to all! I have been struggling lately in giving my all, my 100% (or even my 90%) to God, and today I realized that while those who didn't follow God could turn from evil ways...I too can turn from my sinful ways. There is never a 'to late' moment with God. He forgives ALL sin. BIG SIN. little sin. Born again sin, and those long living in sin. I am thankful for my God who sees me as his child. :) He LOVES you, and He LOVES me. Whether I come home and forget to do the kitty litter, or have struggles otherwise, I can give all my problems, fears and failures to him.

Gratitude #29. I am thankful for God’s Love and His saving grace.

For His Love Never Fails              Gratitude Brings Grace

Challenge #3~Acts 13

Acts 13-Completed
It is difficult for me still to get into God's word. I love that I am committed to this challenge though and continue pressing on to understand what God has to teach me in Acts. :)

January 28th

Today I am thankful for sleeping in....and not getting homework done. Time to hit the books.

Challenge #3~Acts 12

Acts 12-Completed! We need to remember to preach and have faith in God like the men did when Jesus first died. Oh men of little faith (nowadays).

January 27th

Gratitude # 27~My Tae Kwon Do family! :)

Challenge #3~Acts 11

Acts 11-Completed! :)

January 26th

January 26th~I am thankful for Panera bread. It brings friends together and serves me BCS!!! Broccoli Cheddar Soup!!!

Challenge #2~Update 3

Well I have now gone over my one week challenge. It is still going well meatless, although today and yesterday I was ready to give up. I just keep having to remind myself that it's okay to be hungry, and that God is my provider. So if I am not hungry and want to eat, I don't have to. God is my help.
Challenge #2~Staying strong!

Challenge #3~Acts 10

Acts 10-Completed.
Note: Have faith like Simon Peter and Cornelius did. If you had a dream where angels appeared to you, what would you do?

For His Love Never Ends

January 25th

Today I am thankful for my lovely ladies I have danced with! I love exercising with them and having fun! :)

Challenge #3~Acts 9

Acts 9-completed.
Oh the work God brought Saul of Tarsus to. Paul for the glory of God!

January 24th

On Tue. Jan. 24th I'm thankful for Gratitude #24~my cousin Keiko! :) 

She drove me to get the family car fixed today while on lunch break. 

I love talking to her when I am at her family's house (often). 

This girly is the best!

I love her and treasure her being my family. :) 

Challenge #3~Acts 8

Acts chapter 8-Completed.
I don't think I have read through Acts from beginning to end before. Weird much? I feel as though I should have. Maybe because it's a different version I see it through different eyes? Status: Peter just entered Caesarea after helping the eunuch understand that Jesus Christ is Lord.

January 23rd

For His Love Never Ends
Gratitude #23 Today I am thankful for patience. I don't always have patience but I need to learn more of it, especially when work gets busy and makes me late to class.

Challenge #3~Acts 7

Acts chapter 7 was a great reflection on the egyptera of the Bible. <3
Acts 7-completed

January 22nd

Gratitude #22 Today I am grateful for Jason who was my high school pastor, my college pastor, and an awesome man of God.

Challenge #3~Acts 6

Well while our internet was out last night I almost forgot read my Acts 6. I didn't though even as I post this today. :)
Acts 6-Completed.

January 21st

Sam and Ross

Today I woke up to a text from my friend Sam. He came into town and Ross and I hung out with him. He came up for his men's choir group. It was good hanging with him. 

Me and Sam

Ross, Sam and Easton

Challenge #3~Acts 5

Acts 5-Completed. Way to go disciples! :)

January 20th

For His Love Never Ends
Gratitude #20

I am thankful for my truck Frappuccino who can get me from place to place! :)

Challenge #3~Acts 4

Acts 4-Completed

vs. 11 'He said "the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone." vs. 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

I didn't realize that missionaries in other countries really are similar in resemblance to the disciples.

vs. 33 "Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), vs 37 sold a field he owned and brought  the money and put it at the apostles' feet."

January 19th

I feel that I was a work today...thinking this is what I'm grateful for today, but now I can't remember what exactly it was. I do know today was a stressful day at work and I am GRATEFUL #19 for moments where I can be tested and see my faith grow. Some days I feel like that saying 'one step forward, two steps back' but even then progression is good.

Challenge #3~Acts 3

Acts 3-Completed
Tonight I stopped at about verse 3 and started singing. Then sand to my sister, brother, mom and best friend. Haha oh you know you think of those kid songs you used to sing in church too.

"Peter and John went to pray
They met a lame man on the way
He asked for alms and held out his palms
and this is what Peter did say.

'Silver and Gold have I none
But such as I have give I thee
In the name of Jesus Christ'
The man did rise up and walk

He went walking and leaping and praising God
He went walking and leaping and praising God
In the name of Jesus Christ
The man did rise up and walk"

January 18th

Gratitude 18~ Today I am thankful for my last first day of school (at COS)!!!! :) I know it is going to be a busy stressful semester. But I can overcome it with the power of Christ.

Challenge #3~Acts 2

Acts 2~Completed
Today was harder to complete this chapter. I don't know why but I just didn't want to read. I like that it's a challenge and I can over come it with the power of God.

Challenge #2~Update 2

Today is my sixth day of not eating meat and I'm doing great! :) Still keeping clear. After working out and eating a vegi sandwich, I came home to bacon. Today I must say was tempting but knew I did not need to eat it just because it was there. Instead I helped mom pick out tile for the laundry room. :) I think I might go longer than a week. It helps me watch how much I eat of anything. I went to pizza with dad and a co-worker, I only had one piece of pizza due to all the meat pizza that was sitting out. Hard but good!

January 17th

Gratitude # 17 I am thankful for family friends who are gracious in letting me stay at their house and borrow their car. For His Love Never Ends!

Challenge #3-Acts 1

Yesterday pastor Jon shared with the congregation how we should all read Acts. And re-read it. He then proceeded to say how he doesn't know if anyone will listen to his instructions. I have been slow in reading the Bible lately and am taking him up on his challenge. I am going to read one chapter a day.
Challenge #3 Acts 1~completed.
Comment on Acts 1...I never realized after Judas died, he was replaced.

January 16th

For His Love Never Ends....
Even when my thumb hurts from hurting it at work
For His Love Never Ends....
Even when I sleep
For His Love Never Ends....
Even when I'm dancing
For His Love Never Ends....
Even when I take a shower...today I am grateful for my shower. Some do not have the chance to shower like I do every day. I am blessed to live in a home where I shower and am clean. Visiting Guatemala has made me think the little usage they have with showers. Here in the United States we waste water by letting warm water trickle down our back. Be grateful today for what you have For His Love Never Ends.

January 15th

Some days seem so unique! Other days so repetitive...Today was interesting! :)
Gratitude #15 I am thankful for working out with mom and sis.

Challenge # 2~update 1

It has been three days on my Vegetarian challenge. I am doing great! It has been difficult reminding myself not to eat meat, but I find the food is actually very flavorful and not boring. :) I am happy with my challenge in eating healthy...although tonight I had a bowl of ice cream and felt I probably could have held off. And just a reminder I am not on a Vegan challenge so ice cream in moderation is okay. When you set your mind to it, difficult things can be done!
Easton

January 14th

Today was an unsuspected kinda day...or maybe a good not normal day. Today I woke up in my brothers room (he is out of town). I love his queen size bed! My twin is a blessing too...but it's nice to sprawl when I can. So back to my story, Dad came in the room and asked if I wanted to see a friend of mine in a swim meet. I said 'sure'! It was a great to watch my friend from church swim! She did really well. When the meet finished we went to a pizza place and finished watching the 49ers vs. Saints game. And yep, the 49ers won! Woo hoo!!! It was so cool!

Gratitude #14 I am thankful for time spent with my daddy.

January 13th

I must say gratitude # 13 is a bit odd. Today I am giving God thanks for my mom. That's not odd? You're right. But, I had a long discussion with my mom today as we went out to dinner together. We have been fighting lately and needed to clear it up. She has been so helpful with my college preparation. She has been the best! We just need to find a happy medium with my attitude and her expectations. I don't think this will 100% go away....but it is good to have communication. And I know we will get through this rough patch.

Gratitude #13 I'm grateful for my mom.

January 12th

Today was a little bit difficult to decide what I am thankful for. I had a great day at work! Had a great work out at the gym! And loved seeing my friends at Satellite.
Gratitude #12 Today I am grateful for a good day.

Challenge #2

Today I am starting a one week challenge. I am going to not eat meat. To clarify I am not going for the extreme right off and going vegan, just vegetarian. I am not ready for that yet. I want to be successful. So until January 19th I will stay away from meat. I know I can do this with God's help!
To God be the glory!

January 11th

As I was sitting at work today thinking about what I am grateful for I realized how I don't have school right now. This is a huge blessing as it starts up 1 week from today. Along with school I tend to get stressed out. If I have trouble in the very beginning of this challenge how am I going to be able to find the good things in the stressful times of my last semester at the college I am attending.
Thus Gratitude #11~Today I have gratitude for the little stress I have in my life today.

January 10th

For His Love Never Ends

Gratitude #10

I'm thankful for good days, my brother, and Big Kahuna!

January 9th

I am thankufl for Gratitude #9 pizza! :) Today I had pizza for lunch bought by my really cool suporvisor #2. I then was able to catch up while eating it with my friend/co-worker. I again had pizza for dinner. I was with my church family, and my friend from Guatemala was there! It was so good to see him.

January 8th

Each day has so many different things to be thankful for. Some moments in my day I think would be a great 'blog moment'. In my days I tend to find moments where I am frustrated or lazy or sometimes even wrong. ;) But, like my blog address says, gratitude brings grace. I continue to pray as I look on the things I am grateful for that I will find peace in God's ultimate unending grace. And that I too may find grace being bestowed on others as it is bestowed on me.
Gratitude #8~cuddling on the bed with my sister and watching endless episodes of Gilmore girls.

January 7th

Today was a fun-filled-activity day! I might have to say...
Gratitude # 7 
I'm thankful for fun days with my church family! Like ice skating with some Satellite friends.

January 6th

For His Love Never Ends 
Gratitude #6
Some days it is going to be hard to pick just one thing to write on to be thankful for. I have now gone through my day. I was able to sleep in, ate lunch with my friend Leah, hung out with the Mission to Costa Rica (MCR) 2011 group, drove home, and ate dinner with my family.

-----------------------------pause---------------------------

That was me helping my sister with her speech. I might have to say I'm thankful for the times my family can laugh together. If you saw my dad trying to portray my sister's speech just now, you too might have laughed.

Gratitude #6 Good times with my family

(and because hanging with the MCR gang is always fun, friends too).

P.S. I might just have a video to post with this later. ;)

Blessings,

Easton

January 5th

I am sitting at work a bit tired.

Gratiutde #5 I am thankful for school.

Work? Tired? What does that have to do with school you might ask? Well my thought process is so odd. Good luck following my explaination.

=>I work at school => I have 1 semester left at the junior college I attend. => I'm glad I could be here to recieve the education I have. => I am transfering in the fall. => Ican't wait to go to another school! => Mom helped me figure out my school shedule last night. => I have my Batcholrs and Masters still to go with school...oh school.

Did you follow that? Like I said my thought process is odd.

I sat up last night with my mom until about 2:30 looking at what my fall semester could look like. I have one more semester at my junior college and am not sure what my fall semester will look like. I will be away from home, possibly in another state, and majoring in who knows what. School is definitly a way that I have learned so much in my life. It has provided me a job, an education and so much more. May I continue to feel this way even through my struggles it may bring me. 
For His love never ends.

January 4th

Today I took my grandpa and grandma to my grandpa's dentist appointment. I must say they are getting older and I don't know how much longer they will be around for. I must commit to praying for them daily as my grandpa is not a believer. I believe my grandma is but all I can do is show them the love of God. One day they both will not be here and I want to know they saw the light of Jesus shining through me.

Attitude of gratitude #4 
Today I am thankful for grandma and grandpa Katayama.

January 3rd

Gratitude # 3. Today I am thankful for the joy Settlers of Catan brings to me. 

This is a home made Settlers of Catan game made in Guatemala
made by Matthew McIntire. The store bough verse
is pretty swag, just not
as legit.

I played this board game today with my cousin and a friend. As my siblings and I received this game for Christmas we were able to play it on New Year's eve with my cousins from Boston. It brings smiles not only here in the United States but when I visit in Guatemala too.

January 2nd

Attitude of gratitude #2

A bed that I can sleep in

January 1st

As my cousins from Boston were here over the holidays my first attitude of gratitude I am thankful for is my family.

2012's Gratitude

Hello! Welcome to my challenge for 2012. Here I will be posting what I am grateful for. Hopefully by the end there will be 366 posts of gratitude. My pastor challenged me on January 1st to have an attitude of gratitude. His sermon talked about gratitude being the right response to grace. If you do not realize it grace is a gift. And we do not deserve it. But God wants us to receive this free gift.

Some posts may be small. Some may be a lovely (or long) explanation of why I'm grateful. May you find that growing may show up in my gratitude. 

1.) Remember

2.) Say thank you

3.) Look on the bright side

Don't put God in a box this year. Let him walk with you and guide you. Give glory to God for he is the one who gives us grace.

For His Love Never Ends