Life in Utsunomiya

Wedding Pictures

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:17:00 +0000

Here are some photos from our wedding. Enjoy!

My Beautiful Best Friend!

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:55:00 +0000

This is my beautiful best friend! The one that I love to talk with, laugh with, and play with. I'm pretty much head over heals in love with her. I praise and give thanks to God for this wonderful blessing in my life.

Sorry!!!

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:22:00 +0000

Okay. Sorry it's been such a long time since my last post. I was under the weather for most of the month of July, and I got behind on a lot of things during that time. I got sick while I was in Thailand, and then after getting back here to Utsunomiya I got a pretty bad head cold and then an outer ear infection. All of that in turn kept me from staying fully on top of my language studies and other responsibilities. This month has been a lot better though. I've been able to catch up on a lot and get into my Japanese language study a bit more.

In addition, last week I took a week of vacation. I went and spent a few days down in Tokyo with some fellow missionary friends. It was great to spend time with brothers and sisters in Christ and just hang out for a while. Some highlights of my time in Tokyo: Had my first taste of Mexican food in 4 months (side note/question: is it wrong to want to be a missionary in Central America just because of the food?), stayed at Starbucks until 1AM in the morning talking with a friend, ate at an Outback Steakhouse, finally saw the The Dark Knight, rode on trains for hours on end, did some research on my love language, hugged missionary Linda Morman twice, and defeated my best friend in cards over and over again....among other things.

For those of you who knew me back in my teenage years, I was able to meet up with Tomoko, the young Japanese girl who stayed with my family in the states as an exchange student back when I was in high school. Tomoko invited me and a friend of mine over to her family's apartment for dinner while I was down there last week. It was good to see her again after so many years.

I'm back to language study in Utsunomiya now though. I'm currently memorizing my first two Bible verses in Japanese. In the next month, I'll also be putting together a simple and short personal testimony in Japanese as well. Please pray that God helps me to stay focused on my studies during this time. My first two months here I began falling into the trap of looking ahead in the ministry God has placed me in here, to the neglect of my language study responsibilities. However, what God has given us today is of far more significance than what might lie ahead in the future. If I don't put in the effort now to learn the language it will only hinder my ability to communicate clearly and effectively later on down the line. So please pray with me to that end if you will.

Finally, I have yet to pass my driving test. I'm taking it for the 5th time this Friday, August 22. I have not been able to take it for the past month, and in all honesty it has been such a huge relief not to have had to worry about it during that time. Please pray that God's favor will be with me this Friday. Since it doesn't matter in the least how well you actually drive, please pray that the instructors will be friendly and respond favorably to the joy and peace I have within me because of Christ Jesus. May I reflect Jesus in all that I say and do.

Here are some pictures from the past month:

Earlier this month I had a chance to visit Nikko. Nikko is a famous historical and religious destination up in the mountains to the northwest of Utsunomiya. It was really beautiful and green there!

Beautiful nature in Nikko.

This is Drew, one of my fellow IMB laborers serving here in Japan. Drew actually played the Incredible Hulk in a musical back in high school.

Tokyo in the afternoon.

Street festivities during a local Shinto festival.

I have no idea what this was, but it was one of the stranger things I've seen during my time here. These men would walk down the street carrying this thing you see above and every few blocks they would stop, yell, and shake it vigorously. Strange, but quite entertaining!

Neighborhood children overjoyed at having met me.

I appreciate your prayers. I can't tell you how much it means to me to know that you are going to the Lord on behalf of myself and the people of Utsunomiya.

I love you all!

May Christ be magnified and God be glorified!

Failed Again!

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:37:00 +0000

Hey all!

Let me state out front how much I love the Japanese people. I really do. The Japanese people have a way of getting inside your heart and just setting up shop there. More importantly, God loves the people of Japan. So God loves the Japanese people and I love the Japanese people. Regardless of what is said in the next paragraph, please don't forget that.

This past Thursday I took my driving test for the third time. I wasn't able to sleep at all the night before the second exam because I was so anxious about that one. And then they failed me for chewing gum that day. Well this time I was able to get a little sleep the night before. I was still pretty anxious all throughout the night though, but I was finally able to get some sleep. So I went last Thursday, payed my money, did my paperwork, and then sat around for 2 hours until the actual exam started. I proceeded to knock it out of the park. I mean I just knew I was going to pass this time. So as I pulled up and parked the car after taking the exam, the instructor proceeded to tell me that I was waiting too long after turning on my turn signal to change lanes. The first week he told me that I didn't wait long enough. You are supposed to have 3 seconds between the time you actually flip on your turn signal and the time you actually move over to the other lane. He told me that I was waiting 4 seconds, which obviously is not 3 seconds. He then proceeded to tell me that I failed because of that and I would have to take the exam again.

It's hard to explain what was going on inside of when I found out I was failing the entire exam because I was off by one second in my lane change technique. There was a mixture of anger, sadness, confusion, shock, disbelief, and resignation inside of me at that moment. Things weren't helped when I walked into the center to set up my next attempt at passing the exam when two Chinese nationals living here in my city told me that they had just failed for the 15th and 17th times respectively. I have come to the realization that no matter how good I do it doesn't matter. They are just going to look for anything to justify failing me.

Please pray that someone at the center will show me favor the next time I take the exam. I'm taking it again next Friday, July 18th. I want to be a good ambassador of Christ to all those around me, but the people at the driving facility have gone beyond irritating me, and so therefore it has been difficult for me to see these people in a positive light. Please pray for God's patience, love, and humility to be evident in my thoughts, actions, and words as I continue the process of getting my license in Japan. Thank you so much.

in Christ's love,

jarod

Trip To Thailand

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:57:00 +0000

Hey all! I just got back from spending 12 days in Pattaya, Thailand. I was there for some meetings and some training. It was a good trip in some respects and not so good in some ways too. It was a great time to see friends and to meet new people. The hotel we stayed at was right on the beach and so that wasn't too shabby either. The Thai people were also very friendly and polite. I enjoy experiencing new cultures and seeing new places and so I am grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Thailand.

I've now been to 4 foreign countries in my life: Thailand, Japan, Mexico, and Haiti.

The next 4 countries on my dream list are: (in specific order) Ireland, Canada (only in the summer or early autumn though), Australia and Nebraska.

The only down side of the trip was that I became terribly sick during my last 4 days there. I can't remember ever feeling worse than I did my last day in Thailand. It was pretty bad. I actually don't remember much of anything those last few days there, except that I was ready to get home. Now that I'm back I've already started feeling a little better, having gotten some good rest in my own bed. It's also just plain nice being back in Japan. My language study starts up again in earnest on Saturday. Pray that I'll continue to make strides in the language over the next month and that God will continue to put people in my path who I can be developing relationships with and practicing what Japanese I do have with during this time.

Finally, I took my driving test for the second time two weeks ago. Yes, I failed again. This time they failed me for chewing gum. No other reason given. Just because I was chewing gum. The Bible tells us that love is patient. However, my love for the people at the driver's license facility is beginning to grow thin. Pray that God will continue to give me peace and patience as I go through this process of getting my license. The next time I am to take it is on Thursday, July 10.

Anyway, here are some pics from my trip to Thailand:

Thai people flipping around at a shopping center.

Hotel security at its finest.

The view from out in front of the hotel looking towards the ocean.

The beach at sunset.

Beautiful sunset.

I know the word that you are thinking as you look at this picture: Breathtaking!

Language Study and Driving Test

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:29:00 +0000

Hey all!

So I've begun to settle into a little rhythm here in Utsunomiya. I finally got my apartment setup so that it's a little more livable. I don't need much to live on and so I don't think I'll ever amass too much in the apartment, but at least it actually does look like someone lives in it now. I'm also learning a little more about the city the longer I'm here as well.

I've been in language study now for about four weeks. I've enjoyed getting back into the study of the Japanese language. The sad part though is that in the first three weeks we covered everything that I already knew, and so now we are already into new grammar, vocabulary, etc... I should have worked harder when studying the language in college. The best part about the language study so far though is without a doubt my Japanese language teacher, Takako sensei. I may be a little biased, but I think she's the best Japanese language teacher in the world. In the very least she's the best one I've ever had. She's a believer of Jesus Christ, and she just happens to be one of the nicest people I've ever met. She not only helps me with language study, but she's also helped me with some other things, like knowing what is a bill and not a bill, how to pay your bills, and how to buy a bus ticket to the airport, among other things. I'll take a picture of her soon and post it here on the blog. She's always sooo cheerful and she has made the language study a lot fun.

I've also begun the process of taking the exams to get my Japanese driver's license. I took the driving test today for the first time and failed colorfully. The typical number of times I hear it takes a foreigner to get their license here in Japan is between 4-6 times. They are very strict and I'm sure this is there way of sticking it to the foreigners. It's just another in a long line of "You're not Japanese, and we are here to remind you of that fact" moments that one experiences in Japan. I think I actually got marked down today for sneezing while driving. Out of the 35 people taking the test today, 2 lucky ones passed. 32 of that 35 were there taking the test for anywhere between the 2nd and 8th times. One of the people who passed was a young American girl from California. She told me not to get too down, because although she passed today, it was her sixth time taking the test. So please pray that I'll pass the test soon. Every time one goes and takes the test you have to sign in at 9:30, register between 10-11, and then you can't take the actual driving test until between 1-3. So it's a full day of sitting at the facility, just to fail. If I don't pass for a while please also pray that God will give me patience in dealing with the people at the facility. I'm taking it again next Thursday (6-19). I'm sure I won't pass, and if I don't I'm looking at taking 3 weeks off before taking the test 3 weeks straight beginning in mid-July.

Finally, our region for the mission board has meetings in Southeast Asia beginning next week. I'll be out of Japan for 12 days, so please pray for safe travel and good fellowship with other missionaries during that time.

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment:

Here is a side view of the Utsunomiya Castle grounds. It's very historic, having been constructed way back in March of 2007.

The castle with the moat surrounding it.

My apartment living room. It's not much, but it's all I need.

Huh?

Toilet Educational Video

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Thu, 15 May 2008 07:55:00 +0000

Just so you all know, I wasn't using the toilet during the making of this video. I was sitting on it, but not using it. Just wanted to clarify that.

Settling In

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:27:00 +0000

So I am beginning to get somewhat settled into my new apartment here in Utsunomiya. The apartment is really nice, and much more than what a single guy like myself would ever really need. I'm on the top floor of my building (12th floor) and am centrally located in the city, so I have great views of everything around me.

The apartment setup is coming along fine. This has been one of the hardest things I've ever done. I've never really lived on my own until now and so I've never been responsible for furnishing and decorating my own residence before. As a single guy I have no prior experience in making sure things match or look nice, and so I'm learning on the fly here. I'm still working on getting some things set up and so once things look a little better here in the apartment I'll post some pictures of what the inside looks like.

I like the city I'm living in. It has a small city feel to it, even though it has over 500,000 people. The people here are a little more laid back than the people you might find in a city like Tokyo.

I'm learning to drive here in Japan. That has been an adventure in and of itself. I'm hoping to take my first driving test sometime in the next couple of weeks to see if I can get my Japanese license. I'm driving on an international license right now. It's been an adjustment learning to drive on the other side of the road and on smaller streets and in smaller lanes than one would find in the states. I've already gotten my first parking ticket here in Japan. I had apparently parked in a no parking spot in front of a house, even though there wasn't a "no parking" sign anywhere to be found, and when I first parked there there was a car immediately parked in front of me and another one parked just a little behind me......but whatever. As you can tell I'm still a little bitter about it....so I'm using this space to vent. The very next day I got stopped by a police officer. He saw that I was a foreigner and just wanted to make sure that I had my license and papers with me. I've never gotten pulled over because of my race before. I've learned an important lesson through these two experiences though. Japanese police have very little actual police work to do. Okay, Okay.....maybe that's not fair. Please forgive me. Obviously, I still need to get out my frustration over all this.

Anyway, all in all it's been great here. I'm in the exact place where God has called me to and I'm amongst a people that God desperately wants to reveal his love to. Please pray that I continue to adjust well to my new home. Pray that I balance my time wisely so that I can devote the proper time necessary to learning the Japanese language as quickly as possible.

Here are some of my first pics of my new city. Enjoy and God Bless!

The view looking southwest out over Utsunomiya from my apartment balcony

The view looking directly north from my apartment

The river that runs through the heart of Utsunomiya

The building with eyeballs right outside of the train station...aka LaLasquare Department Store. Oh, by the way this store has the best theme song it plays on loud speakers as you walk by it outside. I find my myself singing it throughout the day...."La La La Square, La La La Square"---that's pretty much it, but it's to a real catchy tune (you'll have to trust me on this)

Rooftop Gardening

Utsunomiya's not so adventurous Adventure Bridge. This was a major disappointment. I thought it would sway in the air and be kinda dangerous or exciting to cross....but it wasn't. It was actually kind of ghetto. You can tell by the number of other people there that the Japanese probably feel the same way about it. Japan is one of those places that there are people almost everywhere you go. If you happen to go to a place and don't see any Japanese people there you just know something is up.

Awww....Bird Love!!!

Weekend in Tokyo

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:45:00 +0000

So I'm heading up to Utsunomiya today after spending my first weekend in Japan in Tokyo. Tokyo is big, hectic, and lively. It's neat to experience it and just be around here for a few days, but it's more of a place I'd like to visit rather than live. I've enjoyed my time here this weekend, but I'm ready to go on up to Utsunomiya and get settled into the city which is to be my new home. Anyway, here is a couple of pics from my time in Tokyo this weekend.

Edo Museum

People praying at Meiji Shrine

Entrance to Meiji Shrine

A wedding party getting photos taken at the shrine

A close up of the happy couple

I hope all is well with everyone. Take care and God Bless!

Finally in Japan!

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:40:00 +0000

Hi all! I wanted to let everyone know that I finally arrived safely in Japan. The plane ride was great because I got to travel with my friend Debbie whom I met at orientation who will be serving in Tokyo. I'll be in Tokyo for the weekend before traveling up to Utsunomiya with my supervisors on Monday who are going to help me get settled in up there in my new apartment. Pray for me please! I woke up today and realized once again how scary this whole thing is, but also so excited to see what God has in store in the coming days. I mean I woke up and looked out the window of the guest apartment I'm staying in and it finally hit me that I was actually in Tokyo, and I couldn't help but to praise God for how he has orchestrated events in my life to bring me to this place, at this time. Praise God indeed!!!

Anyway, it's a new beginning, but there were a lot of goodbyes that took place in the states before I came over. So I want to give some face time to my family here. I'm so grateful for all of their love and support. Please keep them in your prayers as well as we all get used to this change.

My sister, mother, and me

My father, sister, and me

Mindy and her fiance...er....boyfriend, Jimmy

Me and Mindy

I was dead...but now I live!

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:35:00 +0000

I want to share with you all a thought that has continually come to my mind in recent weeks as I look toward to heading to Japan. I can't fulfill this assignment in Utsunomiya. I'm not creative enough to do it. I'm not attractive enough or smart enough either. I have no discernible skills. Despite my best intentions, on a daily basis I fall far short of being the person whom God desires that I be. I'm still bent on fulfilling the desires of my heart rather than the desires of my Heavenly Father. I'm constantly reminded that there is nothing good within me in and of myself.

Based on that I consider it no small thing that Christ sacrificed himself upon the cross for me. What would drive the God of this world to give up his Son to pay for my mistakes, my shortcomings, my failures? It is this amazing grace and amazing love that I'll never fully understand.

I cherish the song by Casting Crowns titled "And Now My Lifesong Sings." The lyrics go:

I once was lost, but now I’m found
I once was lost, but now I’m found
So far away, but I’m home now
I once was lost, but now I’m found
And now my lifesong sings

I once was blind, but now I see
I once was blind, but now I see
I don’t know how, but when He touched me
I once was blind, but now I see

And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings

I once was dead, but now I live
I once was dead, but now I live
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You

It's the last verse that gets me every time I listen to the song! "I once was dead, but now I live!" Without Christ in my life I would be as good as dead. In fact, that's exactly what I once was. But because of what He did and because of who He is, it is now that I truly live. All that is good and decent in me is because of He who lives within me.

As I head to Japan next week I am aware that if I go in my own wisdom and strength and with my own agenda and laid out plans, then my life will resemble more of that dead man that I once was rather than the new life that I now live in Christ Jesus. Pray that I'll be wholly dependent upon God in the coming weeks, months, and years, and that I'll live out that new life I have in Christ in a way that brings the utmost glory to God.

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ..."--Ephesians 2:4-5

I'm obviously using my FPO time wisely

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:23:00 +0000

DC Trip Pictures

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:05:00 +0000

Here are some pictures from my trip to DC last week. Enjoy!

Looking down Pennsylvania Ave. towards the U.S. Capital Building.

Looking towards the U.S. Capital Building from the Washington Monument.

The Korean War Memorial with the Lincoln Memorial in the background.

Honest Abe in all his glory.

This is my friend Debbie. She's been begging me to put up a picture of her up on my blog for a while now. Since she's the only person who has posted a comment on my blog I am granting her wish. The double thumbs up sign is still in style apparently.

Finally.....the money shot! This is me standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument in the background. This is about the best I've been photographed in the past 8 years.

DC Trip and Rook Addiction

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:49:00 +0000

Hey all!

We had a great trip as a group last Tuesday to Washington D.C. Our assignment for the day was to interact with internationals in DC. We were to observe them whenever we had a chance, we were to assist them if they needed any help, we were to eat at an ethnic establishment, we were to identify 5 smells not common to our home, and most importantly we were to lead an international person one step closer to Jesus Christ.

My group included my roommate and my friend Debbie, who is going with me to Japan. We had a good day. We were able to speak with a lady from Burma at a Burmese restaurant and also to a young Japanese man at the train station near the end of the day. It wasn't a sightseeing trip so to speak and so we didn't see a lot of the sights, but I did get to go by the White House and the Washington Monument for a few minutes. One of the missionaries going to the Pacific Rim region wasn't able to go with the whole group on Tuesday so she is going to DC this Saturday. I am going to go back to DC with her for the day, and we are going to meet up with one of her friends from seminary while there.

I plan on taking some more pictures on Saturday and so when I sort through some I'll post the better ones on this blog.

Finally, I learned to play this card game called Rook here at FPO. Debbie is my Rook partner and I just want to give her credit before all 4 of you who read my blog here, for she is the best Rook partner ever. Debbie and I dominated everyone else early on here at FPO, but then we went through a period when we couldn't win a game. Then all of a sudden last night we couldn't lose again. For 5 hours we destroyed all challengers who dared to play us. The reason we were losing for a while in the middle there was all because of me though. However, despite how bad I was playing Debbie stuck with me as a partner and just kept on encouraging and supporting me. It would have been easy for her to trade me in for a better partner, but she didn't. And because she didn't we are back on top of the Rook world! Here's to you DD!

God Bless you all!

Orientation #1

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:54:00 +0000

I've finally settled in here at orientation in Virginia. Some days have been harder than others, but there have been some enjoyable moments as well. Please pray for me that I'll balance my time wisely while I am here. There is a lot of stuff to do and not a whole lot of time to do it. Anyway, here is some things you should know about FPO (Field Personnel Orientation):

1. Our daily routine includes eating, sitting in a chair for 4 hours, eating, sitting in a chair for 4 hours, and eating again. Trust me, it is not nearly as exciting as it sounds.

2. I tried to fight falling asleep during some of our early sessions. Now I just go ahead and put my head down on the table in front of me.

3. We spent an hour talking about Malaria the other day. Surprisingly I stayed awake for that entire session.

4. I'm not the only person here going to Japan. There is a girl who is the same age as me going to serve with one of the teams in Tokyo. It's nice to have at least one other person going to the same country as I am.

5. My car made it out here safely, but shortly after arriving it became sick again. It still drives okay, but it doesn't always start when I turn the key in the ignition.

Hope all is well in all of your lives. Jarod

Sushi

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 04:03:00 +0000

Friday night my sister, her boyfriend Jimmy, and myself went out for Sushi. Now my sister has no interest in anything Japanese, particularly Japanese food. So this was a big step for her to take. While sushi wasn't her favorite food in the world, she was a good sport about it all and was able to down a few pieces. I love my sister a lot, but she is one person I'm not expecting to ever visit Japan in the near future. She's lethal with those chopsticks though.

Texas Trip

jpjuriga@hotmail.com (jarod j) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:52:00 +0000

I had a chance to make a trip down to Texas last week to see some friends before I head off to Virginia for orientation in early February. I stayed with the pastor's family whose church I attended while in seminary. The Sanders family is the most amazing family EVER! I found myself at times just sitting among them watching and listening to them interact with one another. I've never been a hugely family oriented person and I know I'm not supposed to be envious of others, but man someday in the future I want what they got. I love them dearly. Anyway, here's some pictures from the week.

The gentleman in the top picture is Mike Huber. Mike's a really great guy and an even greater father. He's married to my pastor's eldest daughter and the baby in the second picture is his son Cameron. Now everyone tells me that Cameron is a cute baby, and I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt since I'm no expert on babies, but my goodness does this child have a drooling problem. I mean really it's non-stop. I was informed that this was just a stage he was going through. Pray that Cameron passes through this stage quickly.

The girl in the top picture is my pastor's youngest daughter Summer. Summer is one of my favorite people in the world. Some of my favorite things about Summer:

1. Some people have to work really hard at being funny, in fact, they often try too hard. Summer....not so much. She's just naturally funny. Sometimes you'll laugh with her; most of the time you'll laugh at her. The important thing to note though is that when your around her you will laugh a lot, and for me, someone who loves to laugh, that's a good thing.

2. One of Summer's goals is to get through college without ever reading a book. I know from personal experience that although challenging this goal is attainable. Let's support Summer in this endeavor.

3. Summer functions on a different level than everybody else. She isn't constrained by such things as alarm clocks, schedules, or speed limits.

4. Summer has the gift of decision making. She's good at making decisions for herself, but even better at making decisions for others. I can be somewhat indecisive at times, so I find this gift of Summer's to be very comforting.

5. Finally, not only is Summer beautiful and funny, but she also has one of the most caring hearts of anybody I know (she's exactly like her father in this respect). I didn't celebrate my first two birthdays while in Seminary because I don't like to make a big deal about my birthday. On my third birthday though, the entire Sanders family came up to the Seminary to visit me, and Summer gave me a chocolate cake that she had made for me. That was one of the sweetest things that anyone had ever given me and is still only one of two birthday cakes I've had on my birthday in the last 8 years.

So please pray for Summer and the rest of the Sanders and Huber families. Pray that God will continue to watch over them and pour out some of his richest blessings upon them. I'm already looking forward to the next I can see all of them.

These are two of my friends from Seminary. JC is on the left and Dong Wuk is on the right. Dong Wuk is married to JC's sister. Whenever I got stressed out at Seminary I would go and spend time with these guys and without fail they would always make me feel better. JC just started a new job at a church out in Los Angeles. I'm so thankful to God that I was able to see him for a short time last week before he headed off. Dong Wuk and his wife are currently going through the application process with the IMB. I'm selfishly praying for God to lead them to the Pacific Rim Region so that I can visit them from time to time. Pray for them during this time as they go through this process and that God will put them in the right position and in the right place that will bring the utmost glory to himself.

Finally, this is my friend Robyn. Robyn and my sister Mindy get my sarcastic sense of humor better than most anybody else. Robyn is really outgoing and a people person, even though she thinks otherwise. She also asks a lot of personal questions in her effort to get to know people, which I found to be intimidating and annoying at first, but which I adore about her now. She's one of the easiest people to talk to and has an incredible fashion sense. Pray for her as she is doing an internship at a hospital in Dallas this semester.

Until next time don't forget about me....jarod j