"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
During park time today, I got thrown off guard by a three year old.
With a serious stare, she asked, "Ingy bye bye?"
To which I responded, "Yes, next week Ingy bye bye."
She followed with a "no Ingy?"
"Yah, no Ingy....I'm sorry..." I said as a teardrop fell from her shocked face.
She starts bawling and jumps into my arms....then I too cried with her.
This girl who graduated from my Caterpillar class last April, surprised me with her heartfelt understanding. So much that I had no words to comfort her. Like many other students, watching them go from barely walking straight to having this simple yet meaningful 'closure' conversation...once again, reminds me how much I learn from them.
Leaving teaching, something I love so much, to take yet another faith leap into the desert.... Isaiah 40:31 have done nothing but reminds me to keep putting my hope in the Lord regardless of outcome. In times when I'm exhausted from work, running to prepare home ministries, and studying two languages simultaneously, this verse brings rest to my soul. I've been quite anxious about my new job that God gave me. Actually....I keep getting jobs that I feel so under qualified for, I don't understand this mystery.
Teaching orchestra with an instrumental band degree? Directing a 450 kids music program with one year of experience when they asked for five? Starting a K-12 program with no experience in elementary? And now working as a translator in a Japanese company?
Not gonna lie, I've been studying Chinese, Taiwanese, and Pinyin for the past month....but let's be real, I honestly need supernatural powers to just explode from the heavens. Don't get me wrong! I'm super excited to finally enter into the Japanese company working society. Not only so, I finally get to use more Japanese daily.
Despite my parents' objections, increased working hours, and a huge pay cut, I am blessed.
Mom's confusion is that I'm 'quitting' teaching....no no no....I'm just taking some time to sharpen some required skills in order to teach music in Japan. These unexpected paths don't always look nor turn out the way we want.
Dad doesn't understand why I want to make less income...lol, me neither! Just kidding. Well, after four years of living in Japan, I'm estimating maybe only 30% of this time was spent making conversations in Japanese. That's ridiculous. That being said, I can barely contain my joy about entering into a big Japanese company.
I have learned this past year to stay open to God's plans and the path He paves. In fact, I was so open to that concept that I considered and tried (through many various/failed attempts) to stay in Japan as a full time missionary. Well, you already know the outcome. But! God worked amazingly in my heart and changed desires left and right. I now no longer fear the title of being a missionary if He calls me and also at His timing.
My vision has always been the same: work with suicidal students through music education. This can be done in so many forms! I've just been very stubborn up until now. I much rather soar in His kingdom, run into the arms of Jesus, and walk side by side with the Holy Spirit.
Prayers, thoughts, updates for June 21, 2019:
- Praises for a new job and God's continual provisions
- Praises for a budding Chinese community at my church
- Praises for finally getting to improve my Japanese (at a much faster rate!)
- Pray for smooth working relationships with new colleagues and boss; and of course to be salt and light
- Pray for clarity as I study Chinese while preparing for the Japanese JLPT N1 test (in December)
- Praises for a budding Chinese community at my church
- Praises for finally getting to improve my Japanese (at a much faster rate!)
- Pray for smooth working relationships with new colleagues and boss; and of course to be salt and light
- Pray for clarity as I study Chinese while preparing for the Japanese JLPT N1 test (in December)
