Jeremiah 7:23

"But I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you."

New Year's Day 2021

This is a much delayed farewell to Nagoya, yet, nonetheless... here I go:

Thank you to everyone in Nagoya, you have all helped me grow in so many ways. 

Honestly...

There is too much I want to share.

There are too many to whom I'd like to convey my gratitude.

There were still places I didn't get to explore.  

Here is a brief glimpse of what happened last year... 

Unemployment 2021 (February ~ July)

1 - Work became overwhelmingly depressing and difficult (6 days a week, 12-15 hours work days, promotion was an hourly $0.20 raise with more responsibilities as team leader/editor, no full time contract offer after two years, and use of Japanese kept decreasing over time). 

2 - After some meetings with the department leaders, I left the meeting feeling shamed and guilty. I finally decided to leave the Japanese company with no idea what was happening next. 

3 - Using all my savings, I managed to survive five months mainly walking and biking everywhere, lots of amazing people fed me, and I took time to detox. 

Calling to a New Location (May ~ June)

1 - Throughout the pandemic, I have continued to watch the education community both survive and strive like never before. I was so moved and encouraged by many teacher friends and mentors. After 2 months of rest (forcing myself not to settle for just any job), for some reason, I felt led to search "Music Teacher". On the same day I decided to search, a position was posted. His timing never ceases to amaze me. 

2 - The one city I have dreaded for years...The one place I begged God "Please don't send me there." However, my resistance was futile against His will. So I said "Fine, if You want to send me to Tokyo then show me because I have no ability to move there." 

3 - God mysteriously and brilliantly organized my move to Tokyo. As a matter of fact, our new home is more than what I could have ever imagined, it's the best place we have ever lived. Aki can run all the time now, I can host and do community outreach again, and my neighborhood is so peaceful and quiet. He knows me so well. 

Moving week: slept on floors, drove from Nagoya to Tokyo (Aki sat for 5 straight hrs.), ate on floors, packed/unpacked, planted herbs and veggies, got an amazing bike (because everything is 20-30 mins. away cycling), and started a compost. 

Haven't decided what to do for a Tokyo chapter yet....any suggestions? Leave a comment below  :)

Prayers, thoughts, updates for February 20, 2022:

-  Praises for God's incredible provision all throughout the move 

-  Praises for God giving me multiple folds more to bless those around me
-  Pray for this new chapter living in Tokyo (teaching music, local outreach, joining a church plant)