I have a fun post coming up of a shady looking side street, hole in the wall, downstairs, hippy/Hawaiian curry buffet that I ventured into the other day. But for now, I desperately need to find a place to live. I can't go into much detail but I need to move. No matter what I do, I am causing my grandma more stress (mostly because she is 91 and doesn't really understand) than joy because I am "home" ( in Japan) but not able to be home with her.I've been looking, visiting, talking to agencies, and the hunt will continue tomorrow after work.
I wish I could say its such a fun adventure, but every day is exhausting. Besides the normal stress of moving to another country outside of a program/study abroad and figuring things out like job, phone, Internet, bank accounts, credit card, transportation, apartment hunting, and generally acceptable customs and behavior, I need lots of prayer for strength and patience at home. I honestly have barely thought about my job starting tomorrow because it is so small on the list of stressful circumstances. On the bright side, I found dress pants that fit (I've been on the hunt for a year with no success!), comfortable black high heel work shoes (the standard in Japan), several work appropriate shirts, and a 100 yen pig coffee mug for work.
It's not all bad and depressing! I feel at rest at church and people have been very kind. I also have experienced the Holy Spirit as Comforter more than before because I'm very uncomfortable. It may sound supernatural and weird to those who don't believe the same thing, but I am constantly praying and can sense being led by the Spirit. It is a good place to be at the end of myself, and seeking God as my refuge.
"Nevertheless I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:23-26
Today's sermon was on Micah 6:8 "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" That includes caring for widows and orphans, loving those who are hard to love and expecting nothing in return, and the humility regarding others more important, which Christ showed by coming in the form of a man, away from comfort and glory. It was the perfect timing to hear that. In comparison with what God has done for me and given to me, what he requires is nothing.