Lessons from God - Looking back on 2019

Jeff - Seek Him first and He'll take care of the rest.

While working full-time to pay the bills, I always found it was easier to trust in myself and my own ability to provide for my family. However, the Holy Spirit began prompting me in Fall 2019 that it was time for me to step away from my "dream" pharmacy job in order to dedicate more time to focus on moving to Japan. It became clear that God was saying, "OK, you need to trust in Me instead. Fully." While I knew this day would eventually come, it was still a scary thing to realize that day was upon me. It was like my safety net was being removed. In February 2020 I will go from full-time to part-time in pharmacy and begin working full-time for WorldVenture. Ultimately, I know my family is in good hands. This verse gave me peace with the decision:

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day as enough trouble of its own. -Matthew 6:33-34

Malia - Following God needs to be my priority.

This past year I have placed a much higher priority on giving our kids everything they may not have in Japan and worrying about how our extended family feels about the move than actually moving forward toward Japan. Of course, I still believe it's important to take care of our family but God has been teaching me that it's time to adjust my main focus. How can I walk forward if my head is still turned toward the things behind me? I love my family and community here in Washington. I don't feel ready to leave. I don't want to leave them. But God calls us forward and promises we will find our lives as we follow Him.

Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. -Matthew 10:37-39

Mason - I asked Him into my heart, but wait, there's more!

We are all so excited that Mason gave his life to Jesus earlier this year, just before his 6th birthday in May. Since then, Mason has learned that life with Jesus doesn't stop there. While the growing pains haven't always been fun, Mason is starting to experience the blessings that come from following the guidance of God's Word. He doesn't always get to go first and sometimes he has less stuff than others but Mason has found he can actually be happier.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. -Galatians 5:22-23

Kaili - God loves me.

This is Kaili's first year at Eastside Christian School and between that community, our community at Lighthouse Christian Church and family, Kaili knows she is loved. She knows how much we all love her and has started to understand that God loves her even more than we ever could.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. -1 John 4:16b