Exodus 31:3-5

"...and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts."

God continues to amaze me by his provision of knowledge, skills, encounters, and opportunities in my life. Some will call it coincidence, but as for me, it's too good to be true. I choose to believe that God diligently designed a path for me.

God allowed me to get into Indiana University, which that alone was a miracle. Attending IU opened doors to so many connections and gain numerous experiences to build my skills as a music educator. After graduation, my first job landed in a middle school orchestra classroom. I majored in instrumental band.... what???

Guess what? The skills I learned from teaching strings enabled me to help the string students at my following position in Hong Kong! 

Accidental? I think not! But wait! There's more!

While teaching in HK, I started writing music curriculums and lessons for grades 4-12, started a choir, pep band, and string ensemble, helped with the school mission trips to(GID), took swing dance lessons, and started learning how to lead worship from a great brother at Solomon's Porch.

Had I not received that teaching position, I would not have been able to build a K-12 music program at ICAN in Nagakute, Japan. Had I not took swing classes with my friend Maggie, Alf, Alfie, Ivan, and Sam, I would not have been able to be a part of the Nagoya Swings. Had I not served at SP, I would not have known what servant leadership looks like in worship and small group.

But oh. It does not stop there.

Teaching little ones at ICAN and serving in the toddlers room on Sundays at various churches has prepared me for my current awesome job: teaching 2 year olds. Yet, a new challenge arrived.... Mandarin Chinese.... ugh. The past two years, I have talked to so many Chinese families at our school. Not only so, I now know three ladies at church that are Mandarin speakers. I don't know why I have to practice Chinese while working my butt off in Japanese.... but I'm sure God has His reasons.

Chinese speaking ladies 

On top of that, I started meeting with a Korean friend for medical interpretation practice. She brings a medical study in English, then we discuss it in Japanese. It helps both of us because she wants to learn English and I want to practice medical interpretation. Fun side is learning a few Korean words each time we meet.  ^.^

Medical Interpretation Practice

My pastor in HK once said (something along these lines...) "if God has gifted you with a skill, then you better get good at it, and use it to serve His kingdom."  This has always encouraged me on days I don't want to study or don't want to attend meetings.

My first time translating at English Cafe Night 

I'm very thankful for how God has planted each skill and opportunity in my life at such perfect timing.

My friends Ashley and Sayaka (practicing for a live next month) 

It's nice to pause and look back at how God stringed everything together. 

Of course there's more, but, I don't want to bore you.  :)

Standard Aki picture. Throwback Indianapolis days.... 

Have a great one!

Prayers, thoughts, updates for March 23, 2019:

-  Praises for opportunities to practice various languages, musical skills, and a chance to serve
-  Praises for God’s favor on my church ANF as we keep growing
-  Praises for God's perfect timing and how He has prepared me up until now
-  Pray for my VISA (I need a sponsor or might qualify for a Highly Skilled Professional Visa!)
-  Pray over my school as we start a new school year in April

Psalm 92:4-5

“For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts!”

This verse made my heart feel so warm as I reflect on God’s good deeds last month. Witnessing His great works through my tiny little apartment brought so much affirmation to my living location. Also, just downloading His profound thoughts to make peaceful faith leaps.


My Apartment....
One of the saddest moments of my life thus far is downsizing my living space. The biggest reason is I love hosting events and cooking for people. When I had to move, due to a series of complications, God led me to my current one room apartment. The location itself is not bad, but I’m still ‘out there’. I could not understand for a long time why God placed me here.

But of course, sometimes God speaks through His blessings to answer our WHY’s.

Throughout the past month or so, I was finally able to reorganize my home a bit. Enough to host 7-8 people! Like the sermon yesterday from John 6, my five loaves and two fish seems so small....but not for Jesus, na’ mean? Not only so, these “Nabe Ministries” have become some of my favorite nights! (The nabe pot is so useful and not just for nabe!!!)






I have categorized my hostings in order to stay in my budget and give wisely ^^;

Heart to heart: 1-2 people, small enough to dig deeper, I love these, people really start to open up their hearts and share their struggles (usually movies or ice cream involved)

Yaki-Niku+Nabe: 4-8 people, an excuse to eat tons of food, celebrate someone, welcome new people, support younger brothers and sisters, host church small group nights, feed some college students (birthdays have been a huge hit)

On-call Gatherings: unknown, random people come, random people bring more random people, friends bring their friends, friends suggests meals they want to eat, very casual, I never know what to expect but it somehow ends well (praise God)

And as always, an Aki for you today. 

Prayers, thoughts, updates for March 4, 2019:

-  Praises for a friend who decided to come to Christ! I’ve known her for 3 years and it was not an easy journey. Please pray for her heart as she prepares for her baptism.
-  Praises for God’s favor on my small group. We got to see answered prayers to one of the reasons why we started the small group. At the same time, please pray over me and several small group leaders as we start a book study together this week. Pray for servant leadership to take place deep in our hearts and serve like Jesus.
-  Praises for God’s provisions and multiplying my bread and fish
-  Pray for my VISA and passport to go smoothly this year!!!
-  Pray for my friend with mental illness to have the courage and trust in Christ, also for healing in broken relationships
-  Pray over my adorable students as many of them are either graduating or transitioning to the next level. For the families to gather and truly celebrate their children’s growth this school year.