Tomorrow’s departure day! The past few weeks have been an absolute whirlwind. Penelope Panda’s Peculiar Family was published, I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, moved my entire net worth back to Tennessee, and have been quickly preparing materials for this summer’s work.
Shaking hands with Dr. White at Graduation!
There have been a lot of different emotions during this season of transition. Closing a chapter in life is a lot like finishing a good book or a favorite movie series. There’s a degree of apathy because you know something great has ended. But, it’s accompanied by a satisfying feeling of accomplishment. Life often comes with this mixed bag assortment of feelings. We are able to enjoy wonderful blessings in this life, but it’s underscored by humanity’s brokenness. Just take a look at any major social media platform. You’ll read someone’s engagement announcement then scroll down to find a political rant spewing hatred. Or you’ll find a news report on a recent natural disaster coupled with funny cat videos. It’s emotional whiplash to say the least.
This rather perplexing juxtaposition in life enables us to be salt and light in dark places. While rejoicing with one brother and weeping with the next, our character ought to be so wildly counter cultural that people can’t help but stare at us and through us see the ultimate source of Hope.
Expected projects include:
Translating Penelope Panda into Japanese
Collaborative dance/music performance with Anna Gardner
Another street photography collection
Women’s retreat
Helping Grace City Tokyo Church settle into their new permanent building!
Japanese Language School
And much, much more…