A New Season: Home
A lot has happened since the last time I wrote! My final weeks in Japan were so much fun! We had a 'spring vacation' and got to travel and visit many beautiful places in the Kansai area, including seeing cherry blossoms in bloom!
We had a goodbye party a few days before we left, and I was so blessed by everyone who came just to say goodbye to us! I received gifts and notes from several people; I felt so special, and thankful for each and every friend.
I flew back to America with my teammates on April 17th, and I've been home in Michigan now for two and a half weeks. The transition home has been difficult for me... It was so hard to say goodbye to my friends in Japan, not to mention to the community I had with Niki, James, and the Thomson family. Coming home has felt very lonely in some ways, especially the first week, because I don't have anyone near me who experienced the same things I did over the past few months.
I don't have a clear picture of what this next season of my life is going to look like. I'm in the process of thinking and praying about what's next, and trusting God to show me in His timing. I'm learning to be content with not knowing all the answers to my questions about the future.
But there's one thing I do know from the three months I spent in Japan: I want to go back, and I feel that is where God is calling me. The process to get there feels a little overwhelming and uncertain, but I'm relying on God's guidance as I seek the next steps. Hopefully I will be able to write soon about the details!
For now, I am working a few part-time nanny jobs for local families, spending time with family and friends, and reconnecting with my church. I am learning to find joy in the journey God is taking me on, even when it means being home for a season. And in this case, the season happens to be summer, which I'm excited to spend in Northern Michigan! :)
I'm so thankful for each one of you who is reading this - thank you for being a part of my journey, for your support and prayers and friendship.
God Bless,
Allana
