Spring in Japan! Wow, it has been a while. It is my favorite time of year in Japan. The flowers are in bloom and people are out and about. This year I am fully participating in tracking the cherry blossoms in our neighborhood for blooming status.
On April 1st The boys will be moving up a grade as spring is the start of the new school year here. Solomon will be 2nd year of kindergarten, and Judah will be in 2nd grade.
Recap
We have had fun exploring our nearby parks. We are more in routine at our home that we’ve been in for one year now. I am getting to know the neighbors a little more (sometimes a slooow process in Tokyo) and one neighbor came over with a present and asked to meet for an language exchange.
Stewart in America
I was able to visit my family for about 10 days. Unfortunately due to work demands, I was unable to come to visit Oklahoma, but I had a wonderful trip. It had been 2.5 years since I had seen my family. I had a great time with them and felt very refreshed when I came back. Also was able to enjoy some good Mexican and Louisiana food! - Stewart
Currently
As we move into a new school year, we hope to continue fostering relationships as well as evaluating long term goals for our family. School is very demanding here for even first graders and continues to get more difficult. Judah has learned how to read and write over 100 Japanese characters this year- we are very proud of his perseverance. I (Stewart) am also unsure I can actually do the kind of work I want to do here. We appreciate your prayers as we continue to work through the challenges of being outside our home culture.
Looking back over the past 6 months
It has been a joy to prioritize inviting others into our home. Some are believers, some aren’t. Some are Japanese and others are from all over the world. This has been my desire wherever we are; that our doors are open and I can learn how to welcome others in. Many times since leaving the states we have felt like wanderers, and spending time with others in their homes has been an anchoring experience. Please pray that our home can be a blessing to others.
Our church continues to be a wonderful place of community. We are so thankful for it! Thank you for your prayers.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13
Prayer requests:
- Marriage and family rhythms
- Our home to be a blessing
- Balancing both English and Japanese reading practice for Judah
- Future long term decisions for our family
