I received a phone call just a few days ago letting me know that Takako is going Home.
Her two sisters have come all the way from Japan,
and in just a few short days they will escort Takako onto the plane,
and they will all fly back to Japan together.
Yet,
Takako's journey Home,
is not to Japan -
her Home you see,
is where her heart is.
And this sweet woman's heart belongs
to God.
I wanted more time to put together a little book for her.
The few hours that I had was time enough.
Polished it is not.
Full of love from her sisters in Christ...
it is.
In early February,
in the Bible Study Room,
I wrote...
in the Bible Study Room,
I wrote...
Please pray for Takako.
This dear woman has just been recently told that her cancer has now spread to her brain.
Many, if not all of you girls have heard Angie speak often of Takako.
I had the joy of meeting her last July when we went to visit Angie's Auntie Jean, I remember that when I was about to take her picture, she quietly asked me, "Is my wig on straight?" I was so astonished and said, "Takako! I didn't even know that you were wearing a wig!"
She smiled the sweetest smile, which was captured in the picture above.
Lovely.
God's banner over this precious woman is 'Love'...
and so as we pray for God's will to be done in Takako's life,
we are praying beyond all that we ourselves could ever ask or think.
Although Takako was not able to physically join us in our weekly Bible Studies,
she has always been a much loved and important part of our group,
through Pure Grace.
There are 47 pages in this little memory book,
may it bless you Takako,
as you make your way Home.
With love,
your sisters
4 comments:
Hi Cathie,
My heart is so full that I do not know where to begin but here I go. To tell you that Edna and I felt so covered by prayer today does not tell the whole story. I woke up this morning feeling "strong", having gone to sleep last night feeling "fragile." I remember asking God to help me keep my tears down to an acceptable level...one cup or less. I did not want to make it any harder for Takako and her two dear sisters, Kyoko and Sumako. God not only "heard" but "answered." Thank you dear sisters for your prayers.
Now to you dear Cathie! I only wish that you could have been there when Takako received her "memory book". Takako's sisters were so moved and understood exactly what this book was all about. This precious book is going to impact Takako and her
family in such a wonderfully positive way. It is filled with LOVE, from the words that her sisters gave to her, to the LOVE for her SAVIOUR that Takako shared with us last summer. When I held this book in my hands last night I felt the LOVE that you dear Cathie put into each and every page. I know that this dear family is going to treasure this book both now and in the future.
I think that Edna and I both agree that we had a day over-flowing with God's blessings on all of us!
Did you know that when you sing "How Great Thou Art" in both Japanese and English [at the same time] it sounds pretty cool! Heaven is going to sound so awesome!
God shows His love for us in so many ways and one of them has been having Takako in my life and knowing that I needed to share her with all of you. Thank you my dear sisters for immediately embracing her!
Thank you Heavenly Father for this wonderful friend that you gave me for a season. I rest in you, along with Takako and already look forward to the day when YOU will wipe every tear from our eyes.
I say along with Takako...We have a WONDERFUL GOOD GOD!
Amen
Hi Girls,
I missed going to Bible Study today but am where I should be. After Edna and I came home yesterday and I was sharing with my husband, he simply said, "I feel lonely." Takako has been a part of his life as well. As I was ready to leave yesterday he came up to me and asked me to give Takako a letter that he had written to her. Marnie has also been such a special part of Takako's life and so today I am where I should be.
While you are all at study and digging deeply [I know that you will share], my thoughts are with Takako and her sisters as they leave for Japan this afternoon. I feel such joy when I think of the loving family that is waiting for her. They will have some precious time together. It also a wonderful feeling to know that I now have a family in Okinawa that I am forever tied to. When I see how God has placed people and circumstances in my life, how "blest" I am!
There is a verse in Proverbs that speaks of a friend sticking closer than a brother. I have one!.. Her name is Edna! Thank you for all that you have done...you have stayed so close to me and have become such a friend to Takako and her sisters as well. You and I have been on a journey that was so worth every minute!
Cathie, I am thinking back to your desire to do a "Summer in the Psalms"...Takako absolutely loved it! She was right in there and every time we were together she was bursting with the joy of it! You gave her a wonderful summer and a way for her to connect! You wanted to reach women and you did just that! She became a part of our study and enjoyed her new "sisters" so much! As I was driving Takako over the bridge last week, the sun was shining, the mountains were so beautiful and everything just seemed golden. Takako was taking it all in and said, "I have so many wonderful memories, God has been so good to me." You have all been a part of those memories! She asked me to say thank you to all of you.
I believe that God used "Summer in the Psalms" for His Purposes...and they were GOOD! I remember how strongly I felt at the time, that this was such a wonderful thing and I wanted to be a part of it... Today I know why!
We gathered at Takako's home yesterday to spend some time with Takako. There we enjoyed fellowship in the sisterhood with her lovely sisters. There was really no need to for us to be able to speak Japanese or them English, we seemed to converse easily, understanding what was tryng to be said. Being related through the Blood of Jesus, it was like a secret language we all understood. It was amazing. We enjoyed tea and cake then a wonderful lunch... made by Agnie (all I did was cook the Quinoa and don;t let Angie tell you any different)As we settled in on the floor around the table Takako said grace in her mother language and how beautiful it was. As we ate we shared stories and laughed at ourselves. Takako taught us how to say God and Jesus. I have already forgotten the lesson (Angie has the cheat sheet). The singing of "How Great Thou Art" with hands raised in praise to God was so beautiful.
Our farewell was emotional, silent tears, last embraces and whispers of love as the gentle embrace of Our Lord encircled us. There were no good-byes only promises of our reunion once again.
I think when the idea of Cathie's for a Memory Book for Takako began, no one would know the full impact it would have. But Cathie, in those pages you brought to life the love of our Lord and the love of sisters in Christ for each other.
The love in your book will stretch over many miles to Takako's homeland and it will find it's way into the lives of many.
Yes, Angie it has been a journey, so many lives have been interetwined and I have been blessed to have made this one with you. Thank you
OK, so now you both have me in tears.
Our Cup does surely Overflow...
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