Joshua 1:9 May I be strong and courageous; may I not be afraid or discouraged, for You, Lord my God, will be with me wherever I go.
I have been a bit quiet here since I returned from my second home in Japan four weeks ago. It took me about two full weeks to adjust since I basically traveled back in time 14 hours. (It really does take about one day per hour of time difference). I had to learn to drive my car again (it really felt awkward). I had to get used to being on the right side of the road in a car or on a bike instead of the left. I dealt with a bit of unexpected culture shock and loneliness. My body wasn’t sure if it was day or night so I ate rice for breakfast and slept at 2pm.
I missed my Japanese family and friends more than I expected. In Japan, time passed slowly. I was a kid again in a land of wonder for an extended period of time and believe me when I say that I was blessed to have been given that experience. It was a dream come true. But now here I am back to reality at my apartment in Indiana with my two cats. The nearby rice fields are replaced by cornfields. Authentic Japanese restaurants are replaced by Mexican restaurants. Sake and Orion beer is replaced by LIT’s and Bud Light. Rice is replaced by potatoes (and mainly in the form of potato chips for me) and so on and so on.
I can say I have adjusted back to normalcy now. I started a part time job. I have worked on some other writing projects. I have hung out with friends. I have spent A LOT of time outdoors. I have done a lot of soul searching and deciding what I want the rest of my life to look like…and taking my time in doing so.
I left Indiana on April 15 anxiety ridden and fearful. I was unemployed and unsure if traveling to Tokyo for six weeks was the right decision. But I listened to my gut and I faced my fears and I boarded the plane and I prayed the entire way. And although I have no idea what my future holds since I have returned, I will do the same things. I will take things day by day as they come. I will do things that scare me. I will say no to things that are not meant for me, always listening to my gut feelings. I will trust God fully. And I will keep praying the entire way because I KNOW he is with me wherever I go.
Blessings,
Stacey ~ iamalive