ANGEL FROM YAGAJI BEACH

I couldn't not post this. Remember my cousin Rumiko, who: came out to see the MK's last year ? I realized I posted about her at least 7 times...and guess what? She's come back into my life again! She's the one we visited for a week earlier this year in Izena.

Oh--I got distracted--Rumiko is in mainland Okinawa for a while, and she offered to help my sister clean and get the house ready for my family! For Joyce, who hadn't been feeling well plus had to direct wedding music as soon as she returned from furlough, Rumiko was an angel in disguise.

I am one of Rumiko's biggest fans when it comes to soulwinning. She always finds a soft way to give out the Gospel. When we were in Yagaji, she was asking directions--like Jesus, she asked for help, tho' not for a cup of cold water, and you can see she thanked her with clearly written directions for an eternal destination. Of course, we talked more about this; she didn't just stick a tract in her hand (I don't like tracts because a lot of Christians do this) and assume her "Christian duty" was done!

So thank you for coming, Rumiko...er, thank You Father, for sending Rumiko!

JOYCIE'S TEARS

Today is my sister Joyce's birthday.

I hear when I was born, she shed tears for me. She's only a year older; how many one-year-olds do you know of who know how to cry out of happiness, especially out of joy that a sibling has been born? Okay; you figure I'm not telling the whole story, huh?

What REALLY happened was this (This is over 6 decades ago!):

Joyce had my parents' attention all to herself, until one day Daddy told her Mommy would be coming home with a special present for her, but...

When Joyce ran out to the door, neither Mommy nor Daddy were looking at her, but at a tiny bundle in Mommy's arms, calling it "Junie". And without asking Joyce for permission, they lay "Junie" in her baby crib! This...is my "special present"? Joyce thought. She took Daddy and Mommy away, and now...she's taken the crib too. 

When Mommy came back into the room, Joyce was standing at the side of the crib, looking forlornly at the baby, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Oh, oh, oh." Speaking slowly, Mommy explained to Joycie right away how she had a dear little sister now who needed her to love and protect--could she be a good big sister to her? Gradually, the tears dried up, the hiccups stopped, and the infant began to look innocent, maybe even helplessly cute.

By the next year, when Janice came along, I hear Mommy didn't have to explain things to me; Joycie had done a good job of preparing me, of letting me know that when Mommy came home from the hospital, she would be bringing a special present, a dear little sister who needed to be loved and protected--we'd have to be good big sisters to her!