Eggu-Nogu

'Tis past the season for any sort of festive baking attempts. But when ya live in Japan, sometimes things happen out of order! So yesterday I accepted the challenge (presented to me by myself) to attempt eggnog. To my delight I was successful! However, I'll admit that I did over cook the custard, and had to strain it 3 times to get all the little scrambled eggs out of the mix. And I may have whipped the cream too much before mixing it into the custard, so the nog is a bit thick, and slightly clumpy, but ever-so homemade! Of course I had to have a glass with my blueberry pancakes this morning! I also put some in a glass milk bottle, which I think makes it look a little more official. I must throw a special thanks out to my American friends here, who are always willing to taste my latest concoction.




One thing I've learned about living in Japan is this: It is truly an advanced nation, where anything and everything seems possible. Who would have thought I could find all the ingredients and have all the means to make such an American sweet, like eggnog? Not only in the ways of technological growth, but also in the the options offered in every area. It seems Japan is a country that sees a need, or want, and meets it. Japan likes convenience. Here are a few examples:

• There are coffee and coke machines every 400 meters, for your convenience.



• At a restaurant, you push a button to summon the waitress, so she comes neither too early or late.



• The table tennis teams have long, lacrosse-like sticks to pick up the balls on the floor- you need not bend over!



• The washing machine and dryer are one unit- no need to take up extra space!



• Some shops serve over 30 flavors of ice cream- you're sure to find one you like!



• Your cell phone doubles as an internet server, a television, an mp3 player, a camera, as well as all the normal cell phone features.
  

I am awed and wondered by the options in Japan. You can get anything you want, because for every category of anything, options have been created. However, the said side, the heart-breaking side is this: all these options, all this stuff, has been created to fill a need in man's heart. All the stuff Japan offers will never fill this hole, because it can only be filled by the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Man was created to know God personally, to see his grace offered on the cross of Christ, to accept forgiveness, and to live as a child of God. People in Japan, and everywhere in the world search and search for fulfillment, but never find it because they search for it from the world. The world will never fill the heart, only God can do that.

So although I enjoy seeing the works of man's hands in Japan- the crazy inventions and convenient ways of life, I cannot help but to sit back and pray for this nation. People's lives are a chasing after the wind without the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Please join me in praying for the nation of Japan.