Writing the stories is my dream since young age. Once long time ago I hoped to make a living as a writer. In my Prayer Journal I found that I asked God to make me an evangelical writer. Since then I can see God’s faithfulness working on me.
From the journal of August 1970, Rev. Baker taught us about the spiritual gifts at the church Conference Point Camp. He asked us to think during the camp what kind of gift everyone has. Everyone shared their thoughts at the last session of the week. Everybody talked about their gift but I couldn’t say anything because this was the first time for me to study about Spiritual Gift. Everyone said I might have a Hospitality gift because I am caring person and a good cook. I would like to have the gift, but if possible, I thought, having an Evangelism gift would be better for the sake of my blood related relatives and many friends in Japan who are not Christian. Rev. Baker prayed for my relatives, friends and revival for Japan.
From the journal of September 1970, I believed I was tested by the Lord. God told me to witness to a total stranger in the nearby park from our apartment. I gave the unreasonable reasons to the Lord and ran away from the park. It was very clear I didn’t have an Evangelism gift. God knows better than me.
Since the incident, I was spending many years with a fear of forsaken from the Lord and with the depressions from my sin of disobedience.
From the journal of August 1971, we went to the camp again. I had been spending the dark time with heavy heart since failing His test. I hoped and expected something to happen at this camp. Nothing was happened during the camp. However, at the quiet time I was inspired by the Holy Spirit that I am a talkative person, yet when it comes to talk about Christ, I become timid and my mouth gets heavy. I knew I can’t have Evangelism gift. I was so sad about my brother, sisters, relatives and friends in Japan who aren’t Christian. One week of the conference time had passed so fast. I asked the Lord at the last quiet time about the salvation for my family members and friends. The Lord didn’t say anything. I asked the Lord again and again. Finally, I asked the Lord that I wanted to write about Christ Jesus, instead of speaking. The Lord didn’t say anything. I asked Him help me to write.
God provided a wonderful job at Baker & McKenzie, LLP. It was so wonderful for financially and also for my wish to write. Brand new Japanese word processer was at the firm, and I had self-taught how to work the word processer. At work there were sometime free hours. All these condition was so suitable for me to write. Furthermore, I learned from the Japanese Attorney how carefully to pick the word, trying to use plain word, making the sentence clear, no repeating words in the same sentence, so on. I was so thankful for God’s guidance. I started to write some story and sent them to my University magazine and book clubs, and Christian publishers.
From the journal of Sunday August 24, 1998, I couldn’t forget the date. There was two wonderful things happened on that day.
First one was I felt I gave the true worship to the Lord first time. This was the first Sunder after my Deliverance prayer session. The grace and love from the Lord God was abundantly filled in me. Tear was dropping off, and made me so happy, joyful and peace from God, because I knew I was forgiven from all my sins. I totally understood that the Lord has loved me all the time in spite of my awful sin.
Another one made me really happy, too. The letter I received from my non-Christian friend. In her letter she was very appreciative what Devon Church has been doing for her children even though she is not a believer and not attending church. When I read the letter I felt the urgent need to write about my salvation story. I wrote a little bit long letter to her.
After this I could joyfully start writing many stories; how God cares for me, the death of my best friend of Kei, the founder Rev. Y. Oyama of Devon church, the life in Chicago city, etc. At the end of those each story, I wrote Bible verse or story, and the recipe in connection with my writing. It was such s good idea. I praise the Lord for giving me the idea.
From the journal of April, 2000, I found the rules of the submission of a short story contest in the Japanese local newspaper. I was excited to submit my writing to the newspaper.
From the journal of October 2008, God brought me Shiho-san and let her introduce me the “blog.” Shiho-san was setting up my own blog and said, “Hai, everything is ready to write any time.” Shiho-san gave me warning that if I didn’t write one month there would be lots of advertisements on my blog. Well, I had to write.
I started to write short articles and of the end of each article included teaching of Jesus Christ and recipes in my Japanese blog. Now, I was excited to think that some strangers will read my writing, and then, the local newspaper short stories contest was coming in my mind.
From the Journal of October 14, 2008, I sent my first short story (8,000 Japanese characters) to the newspaper. How many years since I asked God to help me to write? It has been passing thirty-seven years. I had no word to say to the Lord God on that day. I just went on my knees and worshipped Him reverently.
I was given the second place award for one of my short story from the newspaper on March 2009. God can do anything. There is no word ‘impossible’ in His dictionary.
Please pray for me, give me your advice regarding writing, and leave me your comments on my blog. Thank you in advance.
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I’m continuing to submit my article to the Japanese newspaper and to write these Japanese and English blogs. Please leave your comments regarding my writing, and then I’ll be encouraged. Thank you! http://ishimaru92.blog105.fc2.com this is my Japanese blog address.
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I’d like to celebrate for starting English blog with Osekihan.
In Japan, the Red Beans (Azuki) Rice, called Osekihan in Japanese should be cooked at the celebration of any occasion. Children’s Day, birthday, engagement, and on many other happy occasions Japanese people make Osekihan to celebrate.
Steamed Osekihan
Osekihan Recipe(4 people)
2 cups Sweet Rice
½ cups Red Beans (Azuki)
Wash and soak the red beans over night
Cook red beans with the soaked water until boil
Scoop out the dark color foam and reduce heat and continue cooking about 10 minutes
Put the beans in the strainer and set aside the liquid
Wash and soak the sweet rice over night with the liquid from the cooked beans
Put the rice in the strainer and set aside the liquid
Place rice in a steamer with cooked beans
While steaming the rice and beans, splash the liquid over it several times
Steam until soft
It is very easy to cook with Mochi-Maker, but over $200.00.
