January

Happy New Year, everyone! It seems like it's been a while since I've written, simply for the fact that I wrote my last blog a little early. Once again, this month has flown by. I arrived back in Japan on the 6th, and hopped right back into work on the 7th.

I've still been enjoying driving out to Shioda twice a month to teach there. Meanwhile, here in Tokyo, we're already starting to look into possible schedule changes for the new school year, which starts in April in Japan. I enjoyed getting lunch with my adult ladies class one day! Otherwise, classes continue as usual, and I keep praying that more would come to know Jesus, as they're exposed to His teachings in the Bible.

Inoues' neighbors hosted a mochi pounding event for the neighborhood one afternoon. I was so impressed by the whole process! It was also quite fun to give it a try when we were pounding the rice. It's amazing to watch it slowly turn into a ball of mochi!

One of my favorite memories this month was taking an overnight trip with a friend to Enoshima, a coastal town about an hour and a half away, by train. We went simply to enjoy a good sunset, spend the night, and wake up early to catch the sunrise. The whole experience did not disappoint!

This month was also the month of soup. Some of my favorites are pictured below.

So many things this month remind me that God gives good gifts, not because He needs to, but simply because He loves us, and He is good.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Psalm 34:4