If you asked me when I first decided to come to Japan where I would be in 4 years, I definitely wouldn't have said Japan. The funny thing is I never in a million years planned on ever coming to Japan. Not that I didn't want to but that it never really crossed my mind. Then a job fair happened and all these little things falling into place that led me to exactly where I sit. Though it was never in my plans, I know God has led me all along the way. I'm only now scratching the surface of understanding it all. (feel free to read about my decision to stay here)
Without getting too wordy (hopefully), I have a bunch of random life updates. I've constantly thought about posting something here or there. Usually, it'd be something I felt God put on my heart but then I felt awkward about sharing it with random people. I know He is tugging on me to be more open especially about my walk with Him simply because He is just that Amazing. Hopefully someday, I will feel more comfortable being open as I hope to grow closer to these verses:
Romans 12:2 " Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..."
Basically don't follow what society tells us is normal and follow what Jesus lays on your heart to do as you follow Him. I also take it as don't try to please others and care too much about their opinions because there is only ONE opinion that matters.
James 1:12 "Blessed in the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."
Right here is my struggle, I tend to pray and feel God saying something but doubt myself and end up anxious and awkward.
My simple goal is to trust more and follow better. Trust me, it may be simple but it is definitely not easy.
Its in following these verses that led me right on this path I am on to stay here, even in the face of doubt and discouragement as I looked toward the end of the year. Yet, I still felt God telling me to stay. I received a major blessing at the beginning of February:
One thing that had been on my heart if I stayed this next year was to get a vehicle. Now most people think this is A crazy or B a longterm commitment. I choose C (well A too). I wanted to feel like I lived here in this next year. A car is one way to allow me to freely navigate Japan and feel a little more normal here. Its something that you don't really understand until you get one. I had thought that I would wait until April and buy one even though it would have been a real stretch to have enough money to do it.
However, one random Sunday at church, my friend Bryan came up and said "hey, I might have a car for you its about $1000." My first reaction was to be in disbelief and go whats wrong with it, does it run? I have a really hard time accepting straight up blessings. This was one. The catch was that I had to decide and buy it by that Wednesday. Long story short, I got the car and its exactly what I need. It gets me where I need to go and I can afford to get rid of it, if I feel led to leave this country. Everytime I get in that car, I think "Wow God, you are amazing!" Trust me its nothing fancy, no Beemer or Lexus and its definitely got its share of issues... just like me! Thats what I like about it.
Another change this last March was saying goodbye to friends that made the initial journey here with me. Friends that have been through the earthquake, travel stories, life with me. My friend Aaron, I can honestly say one of my best friends I've had and even someone I look up to as a man even though he is younger than me. Its amazing to see how God has grown him over these years and his relationship with his fiance Mallory. Its another one of those things where I look at the two of them and just go "wow, God you are amazing!" I realize this is a friendship that no matter how long we go without talking, things go right back to like they were before we left, just like my great friends from home.
In keeping up with the life changes, I also had to make a change. I've always wanted to teach 1st grade since coming to Japan. I loved working with this age when I got the chance to sub back home. They have such a passion to learn and understand things at this age which makes it a lot of fun to teach.
On top of teaching first grade, I will also be teaching 3 year olds and the first year of Premier High School. For many, toddlers is their first exposure to English, its even when they learn their English names. For me, it means I can be super ridiculous and get an energy boost to start my day. Premier High School will be more of a normal 7th grade English class you'd see in America. The pioneer class just graduated in March from 6th grade. It should be an interesting challenge.
My goal is to stay busy, positive, and focused. Above all, I pray to grow in my walk and keep my heart focused on God's plan for my life. I've got a lot of changes coming up and am both excited and nervous to see where this year takes me! Please keep my sanity (haha) and focus in your prayers as I take on these challenges.
side note...For spring break I also went to Kyoto and Osaka and had a good time seeing all the great sites in the rain. If I have time, I try to post about it someday soon!
For people that know my brother Ryan and his wife Sarah, they are also doing great out here. He's leading the 4th grade and she is leading the K4 kindergarten. Their son Zachary is starting in the Japanese Kindergarten K4 program. He is like a local celebrity and speaks better Japanese than I do. I am Jealous.
Its definitely been another "wow God you are amazing!" things to enjoy having family here in Japan going through the same situations as me.
I think thats all the random updates.
Hope to see many people in October when I'm home for a week!!
Without getting too wordy (hopefully), I have a bunch of random life updates. I've constantly thought about posting something here or there. Usually, it'd be something I felt God put on my heart but then I felt awkward about sharing it with random people. I know He is tugging on me to be more open especially about my walk with Him simply because He is just that Amazing. Hopefully someday, I will feel more comfortable being open as I hope to grow closer to these verses:
Romans 12:2 " Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..."
Basically don't follow what society tells us is normal and follow what Jesus lays on your heart to do as you follow Him. I also take it as don't try to please others and care too much about their opinions because there is only ONE opinion that matters.
James 1:12 "Blessed in the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."
Right here is my struggle, I tend to pray and feel God saying something but doubt myself and end up anxious and awkward.
My simple goal is to trust more and follow better. Trust me, it may be simple but it is definitely not easy.
Its in following these verses that led me right on this path I am on to stay here, even in the face of doubt and discouragement as I looked toward the end of the year. Yet, I still felt God telling me to stay. I received a major blessing at the beginning of February:
One thing that had been on my heart if I stayed this next year was to get a vehicle. Now most people think this is A crazy or B a longterm commitment. I choose C (well A too). I wanted to feel like I lived here in this next year. A car is one way to allow me to freely navigate Japan and feel a little more normal here. Its something that you don't really understand until you get one. I had thought that I would wait until April and buy one even though it would have been a real stretch to have enough money to do it.
However, one random Sunday at church, my friend Bryan came up and said "hey, I might have a car for you its about $1000." My first reaction was to be in disbelief and go whats wrong with it, does it run? I have a really hard time accepting straight up blessings. This was one. The catch was that I had to decide and buy it by that Wednesday. Long story short, I got the car and its exactly what I need. It gets me where I need to go and I can afford to get rid of it, if I feel led to leave this country. Everytime I get in that car, I think "Wow God, you are amazing!" Trust me its nothing fancy, no Beemer or Lexus and its definitely got its share of issues... just like me! Thats what I like about it.
Another change this last March was saying goodbye to friends that made the initial journey here with me. Friends that have been through the earthquake, travel stories, life with me. My friend Aaron, I can honestly say one of my best friends I've had and even someone I look up to as a man even though he is younger than me. Its amazing to see how God has grown him over these years and his relationship with his fiance Mallory. Its another one of those things where I look at the two of them and just go "wow, God you are amazing!" I realize this is a friendship that no matter how long we go without talking, things go right back to like they were before we left, just like my great friends from home.
In keeping up with the life changes, I also had to make a change. I've always wanted to teach 1st grade since coming to Japan. I loved working with this age when I got the chance to sub back home. They have such a passion to learn and understand things at this age which makes it a lot of fun to teach.
On top of teaching first grade, I will also be teaching 3 year olds and the first year of Premier High School. For many, toddlers is their first exposure to English, its even when they learn their English names. For me, it means I can be super ridiculous and get an energy boost to start my day. Premier High School will be more of a normal 7th grade English class you'd see in America. The pioneer class just graduated in March from 6th grade. It should be an interesting challenge.
My goal is to stay busy, positive, and focused. Above all, I pray to grow in my walk and keep my heart focused on God's plan for my life. I've got a lot of changes coming up and am both excited and nervous to see where this year takes me! Please keep my sanity (haha) and focus in your prayers as I take on these challenges.
side note...For spring break I also went to Kyoto and Osaka and had a good time seeing all the great sites in the rain. If I have time, I try to post about it someday soon!
For people that know my brother Ryan and his wife Sarah, they are also doing great out here. He's leading the 4th grade and she is leading the K4 kindergarten. Their son Zachary is starting in the Japanese Kindergarten K4 program. He is like a local celebrity and speaks better Japanese than I do. I am Jealous.
Its definitely been another "wow God you are amazing!" things to enjoy having family here in Japan going through the same situations as me.
I think thats all the random updates.
Hope to see many people in October when I'm home for a week!!
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