Sometimes things catch us off guard. They come from the proverbial “left field” and we are left reeling wondering what in the world is going on.
I’m going to be transparent. I have been struggling recently. I am a missionary in a country that is not my own. There are things going on in the lives of my children that I long to be a part of and it makes me sad, because I feel like I am missing out. We talk or text often, so it’s not like they aren’t trying to keep us in the loop. I just long to be there. In Japan, a lot of things that have been part of my comfort zone have changed and/or are completely gone, such as a favorite store, a favorite perk at a store, a favorite restaurant, etc. I’ve also had some culture clashes recently and I’m dealing with a physical struggle…again. Add that all up, and it makes for a very unhappy camper.
I’m writing this on a Sunday evening. The Lord spoke to me today in that still small voice through His Word. For one thing, I realized that even though I have been in Japan for over 15 years, I can still experience culture shock. I need to return to the things that helped me when experiencing this in the past. God helped me before, He will help me again.
The Lord can also meet my other needs. I need to turn to Him. If I do this, there will be exciting times ahead such as finding a new favorite store, etc. I also need to think on things to be thankful for instead of looking at the negative things that are happening. This will help me to take my thoughts captive and have a better attitude.
Life is full of changes and there are always new areas for growth. I hope you will join me and keep pressing on!
until the next time…
photo credit: free photo from google images
Drinking at the Springs 
Thank you for sharing ~ praying.
Thank you for your prayers.
Yes, thank you for sharing. Your words are an encouragement. “…..but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
That’s one of my favorite verses. Thanks for sharing.
For some reason, the older I get, the harder it is to adjust to many kinds of changes – even though I have years of experience and know that God is in charge and everything will work out ok in the end. I don’t know why that is. But, like you say, we keep our eyes on Him and keep taking our thoughts captive. Praying for you…
It does get harder as we age, doesn’t it? Thanks for your prayers.
Sometimes in America the past 20 years, I feel culture shock. No joke! The past 10 years especially have had unbelievable changes in so many areas, none that I know for the better. Praying for you . . .
That is so true. I actually have reverse culture shock when I return to the states for a visit. Thank you for your prayers.
I admire you greatly and have always thought that you have a ‘spiritial’ level that must be very special, dedicated to God as a missionary. (I know you must! ) I don’t suppose you can get the app ‘Marco Polo’ ? …I wish you could get it to work from Japan to the U.S. It is so fabulous. J is in Ala and Marco Polo’s me 2 or 3 times a day and it is a wonderful way to be part of their lives when we are apart. The app is simple to use and like face timing only better….you video via the app…yourselves talking to one another, stores..pictures, anything that you are ‘living with’ just in the moment. I know being apart is hard, for sure.
We all have valleys’ along with the mountain tops. I will pray. And…Satan knows how to work us over quite often, preying on our weak spots. mine anyway. Pastor Hoffman gave good advice when he said…keep busy, when my heart was breaking over losing Jaime.
btw, did you get to see Netfix’s production of ‘Anne spelled with an ‘e’? Season 2 is supposed to start up at the end of March. I hope so. Take care dear friend! p.s. Your little dog is so adorable! Sending hugs, k.
Thanks for your encouraging words. I am no different from you. One thing about living here is knowing how totally dependent I am on the Lord. That should be true of all of us, but I definitely see it here. My kids recently introduced me to the app Marco Polo. It’s great!! Thanks for the tip about Anne. I’ll have to check that out. Have a great day!
I’m glad you ‘Marco Polo’ also. I think its wonderful and I really enjoyed the first season of ‘Anne with an e’ very much. There are a few places in it I wish weren’t, but still give it an ‘a’. The photography is over the moon and the girl who plays Anne does a wonderfully dramatic version. I like it. =)