Thanks to Wendy Raksin who has now scanned all of the entries from Centenary’s 100th Anniversary Devotional Booklet, 100 Years of God’s Faithfulness. These 100th Anniversary entries will be compiled in our 125th Anniversary Devotional Booklet along with the devotionals collected in 2021 -2022.
Please send your submission by August 15, 2022 to Centenary United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 412797, Los Angeles, CA 90041 or complete the Google Form at https://bit.ly/32w3DV1.
You devotional may be about…
your faith journey
a favorite memory of Centenary
your favorite Bible verse or hymn
a saying or quote
a poem
or…your own idea for a devotional
We have been showcasing devotionals in the Chimes throughout our 125th Anniversary Celebration. Some devotionals have been short, others have been long. All were from the heart. For this Chimes, our 100th Anniversary entry is from Lorraine Suzuki. Our 125th Anniversary devotional is from Yuki the Dog as told by Phil Chang. Yuki was a regular Sunday worshipper who would sit quietly in the pews next to Phil.
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I am thankful for the company of people at church, and I am thankful for food, shelter, and the fact that we have two wonderful sansei ministers and a very good Nichigo minister. I know Centenary will continue to be a great church and I believe Sunday School will prove to be a great educational force for our young ones.
- Lorraine Suzuki, Centenary’s 100th Anniversary Devotional Booklet
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God has a purpose for every living thing on this earth and mine was a special gift of smile giving. My caregivers, Philip Chang and Janet Shimizu, did the best they can in exposing me to as many people as possible. Ever since my early years in life, I had the ability to put a smile on anyone who looked my way. My caregiver, Phil, notice my natural ability and he play it to the max. He took me everywhere and I mean everywhere. I got to go to all his clubs meetings, dances, church, and outings, Vegas, to his work and even on all his camping trips. Because of my small frame and short legs, Phil carried me so I wouldn't have to walk or get dirty. Since I couldn't speak, he also did all the talking for me and all I had to do is to sit quietly and say nothing. I heard the same jokes over and over again. The worst one was that I belong to the breed of "Crat", half cat and half rat, or I was an Asian attack dog, a dog that can lick anyone to death.
I once remembered when Phil took me to his church and during the service he put me on the floor. I went along the base of the pew where women were sitting and I lick their toes, oh how I love toes. Wow! were they surprise!. I was also blessed by Reverend Mark one Sunday, on this special day in spring this year. I love it when my caregiver Phil worked the Arigato bazaar at the beef bowl stand. For some reason there were a lot of oops but I took care of that right away. I also enjoyed seeing my good friend, Baby, at church.
Caregiver Phil also took me to his work on weekends. He would put me on the lab cart and wheel me from room to room. I got thirsty one day and I found this puddle on the lab floor. Warning my four legged friends, never lick what appears to be water when you're in a marine lab! Phil once met a coworker in the hall, and he was surprise to see me. Phil told him that the new employees that were hired were going to the dogs.
For some reason, my caregivers Phil and Janet, like to take me to these outside fares a lot. I literally would stop hundreds of people but when they left, they always had a smile on their face. I remember my caregiver Phil once said that he wishes he were able to receive 10 cents for everyone who wanted to petted me that he could quit his daytime job.
There was this craft fare at the Venice Japanese Community Center where the booths were situated in a big oval circle. Janet went one way and Phil and I went the other. After two hours, Janet finished visiting all the booths but for some reason Phil and I could only covered three booths. I had so many people asking Phil all these questions about me and Phil would be very patient and answer all their questions. I must have heard that joke about me being a "Crat" about fifty times that day.
My hair grows rather fast and Phil trims me up every two weeks. With a short cut, I do look quite unique. When I meet people on the street, I usually throw them for a loop because I won't look like a typical Pomeranian. Being white, with a bear face, small frame, I was extra special.
For all the people I encountered in my short life, I hope I made a lasting impression that you can remember forever.
Even though I had a short life, I had a wonderful life as you can see in my autobiography. I have this big heart that eventually took my life away. Take a good look at my picture below and see if I put a smile on your face.
Arf, arf. (Translate to: see you in heaven)
Yuki
- Phil Chang, Centenary’s 125th Anniversary Devotional Booklet