March 1st, 2014

March 1^st , 2014

I have officially arrived back in Japan!

All of my flights, layovers, etc. went really well. Well mostly. I was a little concerned that I'd miss my flight to Nagoya from Tokyo because I had to get though customs, security, claim my baggage, recheck my baggage and find my gate all in like 45 minutes.....

But I made it - praise the Lord.

The exchange rate was really good too, so that made me happy. But then the teller guy accidentally gave me too much yen but didn't realize it till after I boarded my plane in Chicago. So he ended up calling me and whatever, but said it was fine since it was too late anyways.

I probably looked like deaths cousin when I arrived though; I only slept a total of 3 hours (max) of the 20+ hours of travel. But anyways, I'm pretty much settled now in the church/basement of the Bostrom's home, I've unpacked and yeah.

It all still feels very surreal – probably because it happened so fast but I'm sure it will sink in eventually. 

My Favorite Thing

Some have probably heard me say it before, but I was telling a friend again today (which of course serves as a great reminder to myself) - That my most favorite thing in the whole world is seeing God do the impossible. And it really is. Whether it's the little impossibles or the big ones - He can do them all and I think He likes to.

Why bring it up again?

Because He's doing it again, and I live to give Him glory.

First off I never thought it was possible for me to go to Japan, 'cause I'm a poor kid without overseas connections, but it happened. Then I thought that I could never possibly go back - but I did. And then I thought that twice was absolutely incredible - but probably never gonna happen again. But yeah well we know how that turned out. So trip to Japan number three..... 

I agreed to go, still a poor kid, and told the Lord that it really felt like this was what He wanted for me, so I was totally all for it - but I couldn't afford it so He would have to pay for it. Yeah - guess what...

Plane tickets dropped $500 dollars that next day, and then people started giving me money, and I currently have more money right now then I did before I bought my ticket. 

Jesus you are awesome. 

Only He could do it, because honestly I'm not sure how half of the money in my account right now got there, but it's there. So praise the Lord! When He sends His people to do His purposes He provides the resources!

'Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, 

but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”' 

- Mark 10:27

An Open Door

Well, I'm not gonna lie. The last month has been very challenging.

As many already know I had an internship opportunity in Bulgaria set up for this April, but after much prayer and consideration I realized that the Lord was closing that door, which gave me peace but was still disappointing in a way. Of course this then led to yet another mid-life crisis of wondering what I should be doing instead. And then - it came. Everyone says when God closes one door He opens another (or a window - depends which you've heard), and that's what He did.

Again, as most of you know, has been two years since I first set foot in Japan and nearly a year and half since I left, but although my body returned I truly left my heart behind.....

and apparently the time has come that the two were reunited. 

I will be leaving the end of this month and heading back to Japan for just over a month. I am very excited to be helping a friend's missionary family move/renovate (framing,carpet laying,etc.) their english school/church, and possibly reconnect with some friends there.

Being that this is rather impromptu, I would be deeply blessed if you would keep me in your prayers but also, if it is laid on your heart, to support me financially, on this journey.

Thank you all in advance for your prayers and support!

More updates to come!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

-Jeremiah 29:11