It's almost August but let's talk about June & July Pt.1

Summer is here!

I was meaning to write every month but I skipped June and July is almost ending!

I don't know who's reading these blog posts but I'm gonna continue to write so that someday I can look back and remember what the Lord has done for me and also to share what's been going on with those of you who prayerfully support me <3 (<- is this still a thing? Pretty sure it's not lol I immediately felt old the moment I typed this)

Aoyama Gakuin High School

First up in June was Aoyama Gakuin High School chapel time.

Here's a brief history of Aoyama Gakuin. Aoyama Gakuin was originally established by missionaries from the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1874.

Dora E. Schoonmaker who was a Methodist missionary, established "Joshi Shogakko (Girls' Elementary School)" in Tokyo in 1874 with the help of Sen Tsuda.

Julius Soper, who also was a Methodist Episcopal missionary, established a school in Tsukiji, Tokyo.

Robert S. Maclay, who was a Methodist Epicscopal missionary came to Japan in 1873. He initially established a three-year school in Yokohama in 1879, teaching theology and general studies. These three schools eventually developed into Aoyama Gakuin.

It's a rare chance to get to share the gospel to 1,200 high school student in Japan so it was a wonderful and humbling opportunity. I made and shared a reel of my secular music work which was received well. One student came up to me after the service with her favorite band's CD in hand asking for an autograph (I had written one of the songs) so I got to share how the lyrics were inspired by a Scripture in the Bible. Everytime I get to go to high school I feel a way, because I quit school when I was 16 years old. Isn't it sweet that God redeems our stories to share His glory? That was exactly my prayer too. I once prayed, "God, use my past for Your glory, direct my futre, I now commit my life into Your hand" and that's exactly what He's done! It was so much fun seeing the students' reactions as I talked about my struggles as a once high school student in a Christian school. Please pray for the students and faculty at Aoyama Gakuin High School, that God will continue to work in and through the teachers and that the students will have a chance to encounter the Lord during their time there.

Ueda, nagano

On June 16th I was invited to do a concert at Ueda which is in the Nagano prefecture.

I sang and my mom gave a message. It's rare that I get to do ministry with my mom so it was very special. It was fun traveling and spending time with her. There were some last minute changes and I took my daughter with me so it was extra special!

After the concert I saw my high school classmate who had come back to Japan as a missionary. It was a joy to know that although we are in a different area, we both are working for the same purpose in Japan.

I am so grateful for all of the people and churches that got together to do this concert to evangelize and to also raise funds to support a Christian radio program which is also has been a great tool for evangelism in Japan.

I don't get to really sightsee or have a relaxed stay outside of Tokyo area too often because of my mommy duties, but I really hope I can go back to Ueda and spend more time there in the near future. There are some soba restaurants that I'm eyeing for my next visit!

Magnify Tokyo Album Release

It's finally out!!

I joined the project as a songwriting coach. All the songwriters on this project were so talented so I mostly just gazed and appreciated their gifts, but it was an honor and priviledge to be a part of their writing process. I also got to sing on a couple of songs on the album.

"Kokoro" was a song that Jonathan and I had started writing years ago. It was nice to be able to finish it and share it with the world. "Anata dakega" is a song I wrote with Philip Shibata. I would love to sing it with a bunch of people one day.

Songs I co-wrote were

M2. Kuchinai Kanmuri

M3. Kimi dakeno

M4. Kokoro

M5. Tsunagu

M6. Shu no mina wo

M7. Nando demo

M8. Jujika

M10. Anatadake ga

You can listen to the album on your fav. music platform so search for "Magnify Tokyo" and let me know what you think of the songs x

On the next blog I will share about some of the recordings that I've done and also about a gospel concert I was a part of with my dear friends.

If you're in Japan it's been so hot so please take care. Drink mugicha, eat cucumbers and soba and somen! My fav. summer food used to be hiyashi chu-ka but my kids don't like to eat it so I can remember the last time I had it... T_T Tell me what your favorite summer food is so I can get some inspiration!

Love,

Lauren