August 31st

Pimples. I have always had pimples and sometimes more than others, but I don't like them. I don't think anybody does but it's something I can be thankful for them anyway because beauty isn't everything. It's what's in the heart that counts.

Challenge 4~day 14

Romans 11:5&6
 I love the feeling of having to do things on my own at college and knowing that I am doing things well or not. God gives me grace in all my decisions.

August 30th

I am thankful for alarm clocks...

Challenge 4~day 13

I hate being an underdog, feeling less than, being late to class, things that just aren't easy...but who does? I am really trying to work on the list mom wrote for me, yet I feel today I have already broken this (not that being lat was on my list but still it's the idea behind it). I know God has a plan for me being here, and I am reminded of that daily. But I need to take a moment sometimes and just realize, I am blessed and all will be okay.

August 29th

Floss. I need to be careful and floss regularly. I flossed the other day and in result for some reason my gums have been kinda been bloody. I am thankful for the dentist and how I can have the ability to keep my gums in healthy shape. :)

Challenge 4~day 12

I am challenged by my list my mom made me. Tomorrow starts the first day of school and already I go to bed kinda late. This is something that makes me a person as a whole. God wants my best and others need to see Christ through me.

August 28th

Cleaning mucky rivers. :p This was possibly more fun than going to Chicago. I love doing service projects and this was by far an enjoyable-enough service project. :) I am thankful to be of service by cleaning out mucky rivers.

Challenge 4~day 12

Sometimes new things are hard.
I miss home a little bit, yet I LOVE it here. It's something where God just teaches me over and over to trust in Him. I was talking with a friend tonight and just so thankful for the desire I have to follow God and know Him more. I am learning to pray before meals and to spend a qt with God. I am challenged already, and I too am blessed. All these little things are what make me who I am. I have so much to learn in so little time. I must continue to grow closer to Christ. Little by little I will continue to walk in faith.

August 27th

For His Love Never Ends #229~pictures.
Tonight I was able to show my roommates pictures of lots of neat things that reminded me of home.
Like...

My family,

my front yard,

my 72 stuffed animal cats (and counting),

my cat Penny that ran away,

my house,

and of course my truck Frap.

Challenge 4~day 11

I had a breakdown today. It is weird being in a place with people I don't know very well. It's weird not having a set routine. I kept trying to remind myself not to stress...instead I ended up having a breakdown with my ASL instructors. Not a great thing. But God got me through it all. Boy is He faithful, and yet it can be so hard to be faithful to Him.
I am thankful for this challenge...I have not received Cory's sermon yet, but I am challenged on my own in a new way. Romans chapter 9 talks about God's mercy. "We can neither choose it nor work for it." Romans 9:16. Like I mentioned before, I sometimes can be judgmental, and this is not a quality of Christ. I must show mercy for I am so imperfect and must continue to look at my plank.

August 26th

Well I just checked my list and I have been thankful for shopping once already...so I will be thankful today for stores instead. Shopping has been so helpful while on this journey here at Bethel. Mom and I went shopping, mom went shopping and mom went shopping some more. I had to buy most of my stuff here and it was a blessing. I really thank mom for helping me through all of this. :)

Challenge 4~day 10

Today was a day that I realized I had to much of people. God caused me to see I was judgmental...and this is just one thing I have to work on. But little by little I will be the woman He has made me to be.

August 25th

Attitude of Gratitude #227~Heat & all things new. Today was such a new day of beginning orientation and many other things. It was a great day but hot, and new. I am a sophomore again but this is whole new experience. :) It was also weird being in the humid heat. I was glad to be in the AC for parts of orientation.

Challenge 4~day 9

Let God, and don't stress. He's got it all covered. Also mom made me a list today of what I expect out of college. It was really nice to actually put into words some things that I want for myself while at college. I think stress is a big one that I need to learn to release to God...while I trust Him, I don't know that I trust Him enough during some of my stressful moments.

August 24th

I am thankful for having a TB test. I hate shots...and yet had to get one today. And I bruised. But God knows that there is a bigger picture in the midst. He is in control.

Challenge 4~day 8

Am I a typical college student? I like to do what's fun and easy. I don't like doing what is hard and challenging. I have trouble focusing on most things and don't find time to do the things I need to do.

I am human.

I am exactly the person I should be. But IF I am someone who does all of these things but doesn't strive to be greater...I am a failure. God wants me whole heart. He wants my time and kindness. He want's to spend time with me just like a friend would. If I can give my friends time, I too should be able to give God my time. I will not go on facebook for 1 week. Start little and end big. God I want to give you my time.

Romans 7:19

"I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want what is wrong, but I do it anyway."

While fb might not be a huge sin, when I neglect time with God and go on fb instead...this is wrong. 

August 23rd

I am thankful for surveys. I have filled out surveys in my past, and I have ask others to answer them for me. Tonight mom and I ate a a restaurant that is on of my favorite places and the server wasn't the best. He hardly took care of us and he hardly helped us. While he was kind there is more to make this a whole package. I wonder if God ever feels this way about me? Do I seem like a busy, yet kind, not helpful, but good, not caring waiter? I want to be a waitress for God. One that can't stand to be away from the table praising his name, getting to know Him, and being His servant.

Challenge 4~day 7

If it took me three days to get through the whole chapter of Romans 6...I am not reading enough.

August 22nd

Walmart! It's the best for late night runs and for college apartment prep. :)

Challenge 4~day 6

Kinda disappointed in today. I realized I don't give God enough time in my day, and I also realized that I don't treat my mom the kindest. This is something that God would not approve of.

August 21st

Air matresses

Challenge 4~day 5

Sin. This is a very powerful noun. Romans 6 talked about sin. This is something that was funny to read because at dinner mom and I were talking about sin. It is strong and lives in all...but I am realizing that I am a sinner. Having a DTR with God can be hard, but it can be necessary. My sin is overpowered because I serve a powerful God who has forgiven me of my sins. Now does this mean I should keep on sinning? No! But it means when I do sin (because I am imperfect) God is ready to help lead me back to what's right.

Romans 6:11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

August 20th

Esperanza ribs....man these are the best. If you haven't had them, well then you have missed out. I ate them for my last night at home before college. :) It is my favorite Mexican food. RIBS!

Challenge 4~day 4

With 35 minutes left in her day the weary college student sat down on her bed, picked up her black laptop, and set it in her lap. With the sounds of her sister's cat cleaning herself next to her she thought, "I just want to snap my fingers and be done packing." In a matter of hours both her and her mother would be on a plane to move her to a land far away. A land where she would learn the ins and outs of "college life" and her major. During this time of wishing to be done the student realized that with 35 minutes left she hadn't give God much time out of her busy day. This was a time to stop and DTR with God. She pulled up a electronic bible and proceeded to Romans chapter 4 and then realized she had read that chapter and proceeded to chapter 5. Her concentration lingered as she couldn't sit though the whole chapter. Facebook, a blog, and her email all lead her astray. Through this the young woman with two bobby pins holding her long brown hair out of her face realized that she is not a fan of God. "Why is it so hard to focus on one thing while there are so many others to do" she thought. You see the young woman realized her focus needs to be whole on her Father above and not of things of this world. She struggles with giving God her 100% 24/7. But the awesome thing she realized is that the struggle she finds gives her a reason to put her hope and trust in the Lord and that gives her a reason to serve her mighty God.

Romans 5:20&21
The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

August 19th

I don't know what I am thankful for sometimes...today was a bit hard. I had my last Sunday at GCC for a while. I also hung out with some friends as a goodbye see ya later thing. I realize I say "see ya later" way to often...but I say it because there are a lot of people that I really do want to see later and want to know if they died (or I died) and went to heaven that those were true words.
Attitude of gratitude #221~Laughter
Tonight with my friends we play a lot of fun games that caused us to laugh a ton. This happens in good company. :)

Challenge 4~day 3

Today in church I realized God has a plan for me, and I have a purpose. I know life isn't easy sometimes...but with my life on a path following God, my life is exactly what it was meant to be.

August 18th

I am thankful for family time. 

• I went shooting with my daddy with the gun he just bought me.
• I saw my aunt and cousin and went swimming.
• I went to build a bear with my sister.
• Ross and I went to go see Snow White and the huntsman.
• Mom was there for me when I was in Target confused on what to buy.

As I am about to head off to school these last few moments with the family are very precious.

Challenge 4~day 2

DTR:I kept wanting to watch a movie that I was thinking, 'If God were sitting next to me would I be watching this with Him?" It's not an awful movie, but does it reflect every aspect of the life I want to live in service to God? If I have to ask this question then I think I know the answer...

August 17th

Today I had my last day of work at the First Fruits corn stand. It was good, long, hot, tiring and a blessing. I went home after work to continue to pack and had a handful of breakdowns because I really...no REALLY wanted to go watch Twilight with my bible study girls. Every time I thought about not going I would practically break down crying. Well I ended up going and I am more so thankful for being with these lovely ladies than anything else. I will miss them.
For his love never ends #219~Twilight

Challenge 4~day 1

DTR...as I was falling asleep last night I realized something very important. Does my entire life reflect Jesus Christ? Or does it reflect the life of Easton Katayama?

Challenge 4

Like I mentioned on yesterday's thankful post, I am not a fan. My college leader has been great stepping into the college group. He will have been in college leadership about a year come this November. It's such a blessing to have him be a part of my life. As I go off to college he is making a series called "Not a Fan" available to anyone who would like his notes. While I have had a few challenges on this blog I am now ready to make another one. Cory asked us to take this seriously. I now take 15 minutes out of my day to DTR (determine the relationship - with God. I want to be stretched and I want to make this relationship with my Father a meaningful, strong, and long lasting relationship.I pray that I may see what God has to tell me through Cory's messages. His series will last about 6 weeks. I am not sure how this DTR will go but I pray I listen to what he has to share with me.

Cory's 3 main questions for DTR night 1.
~Why am I here (or why do I go to church)?
~Am I all in?
~Have I made my relationship with God my own?

This series starts next week and I am excited to see what Cory has to say.

For His Love Never Ends

August 16th

I am thankful for not being a fan. :) I know this is confusing, but there will be more to come on it.

August 15th

I am thankful for the heat....it's so hot.

August 14th

Kaylee Ross is my hero. I was able to catch up with her today and she made my day.

August 13th

I am thankful for safety. Today I went to go see the dark night rises with Keiko and dad. It was really good...although I didn't follow any of the other batman movies so i was a little lost. But it made me think of the victims in the shooting at the Colorado premier. Attitude of gratitude #215~Safety at the movies

August 12th

I am thankful for Brownies. I went to Strings today with some friends and they had amazing brownies that we took to go.

August 11th

God bless the canyon country. Every time I hear "Canyon Country" I feel like I need to bless it in the name of God. I went to visit mom's college friends today with the family. We have been doing this for years and it was amazing to see them again.

August 10th

I am thankful for Chipotle. :)

August 9th

I am thankful for Starbucks. 

It helped me have a place to use internet and work on my ASL Skills with a friend today. :)

Plus there's always good coffee!

I have cool friends who work at Starbucks. They not only give me discounts but draw things on my cup. 

I have hung out with many a friends at Starbucks.

Not only that but I am a GOLD CARD member! :D

Overall today (and other days) I am thankful for Starbucks.

August 8th

I decided for the rest of my time here in CA I am going to go to the gym everyday. So today was day one of working out. I am thankful that my brother and cousin would go with me. It was a good thing I went.
Attitude of Gratitude #211~Working out

August 7th

Umm okay so I did this thing called flying on a plane today.
I now decided I am thankful for plane hair. It's awesome when you are going through the airport and have NO IDEA what you hair looks like. Then you get on a plane and see a bunch of other people. Yes plane hair is the best. I was able to take my hair down, get a bit comfier then fix it before another flight. Sometimes plane hair keeps well, and well other times it doesn't. Nonetheless I am thankful for this thing called plane hair.

August 6th

50 pounds. And that's all I am thankful for. ;)
Tonight I packed my suitcase up...well mostly.
I think I will be over on poundage tomorrow....this is such a limit that I must learn to be thankful for.
Especially with me moving to Indiana here soon.

August 5th

I am thankful for good burgers. 

I went to 5 guys today with my cousins for a hamburger...let me tell you, IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! :D

August 4th

I am thankful for my mom and dad meeting. Today is their 22nd anniversary. I am thankful they met. If it were for them meeting...well I wouldn't me here. :) Happy anniversary mommy and daddy!

August 3rd

I am thankful for muggy hot days. Today was a really hot day. We went to Cape Code and had a great time. :) Then as we headed back home. Ice cream and candle pin bowling made everything worth it. 

For His love Never Ends # 207~Hot days

August 2nd

Today I am thankful for my cousin Jarrod's birthday. I love this kid so much. He turned 24 today and has taught me a lot weather he might know it or not. I learn for his successes, his mistakes, and I learn from him just being him. I pray that he will follow the Lord closely one day and that he might just thrive in all he does.
Happy Birthday to my cousin.

August 1st

Today my family and I drove from NY back to Massachusetts. It was such a chaotic, difficult, and a stressful drive. Ross got us lost in NY. What was hard was we were on a time crunch to make it back to Boston so we could see a play with the cousins. And what should have taken 4-5 hours took us about 7 hours. Dad gets car sick really easily and this wasn't helpful as he sat in the back so Ross could navigate. I know he did the best he could but man this was hard. In the midst of it I had to remember to be thankful for these times. When do we know for sure I will spend the next moments with my family? When am I guaranteed that my moments (or my family's moments) on earth are certain? Today I had to remember that this wasn't easy, but God got me and my whole family though it. We made it to the play on time and we made it safely. What matters in the end is how we made it though and for that, I will be thankful.

For His Love Never Ends #203~ a chaotic, DIFFICULT, and stressful drive.

July 31st

Today I am thankful for Philippians ch4. I have been having a small bit of trouble dealing with my family while on this trip. I don't understand why but I am trying to make the best of our vacation and keep my head high. I don't think I have quite smiled enough. Sorry back to my point. I read Philippians 4 today and God truly blessed me. It was an attitude check for me and I needed it.

July 30th

Okay so you may not think pigeons are something to be thankful for, but today I will choose to be thankful for them. Mom likes to feed the pigeons here in NY, which is really annoying. But it's one of those moments where you have to just laugh and smile.

July 29th

Attitude of Gratitue #203~Walking at the MET. This got really tiring really fast but there was so much history to see and it was enjoyable! It's good to remember to be thankful for the moments that aren't always the easiest or most fun. Now don't get me wrong it was fun, just a lot of walking and historical information. I loved being at the Metropolitan museum with my family today.

July 28th

Connecticut-WE SPENT TODAY with the cousins at the Mystic seaport. It was fun. We also ate at a fish place. It's just fun doing those random things together. Who knew you could be thankful for a state? :)