A Whirlwind of a Month and a Deeply Personal Update
This past month has been an absolute whirlwind. After so much waiting, praying, preparing, and hoping, my visa was officially approved, and I purchased my one-way ticket for December 30th. Seeing that date on the confirmation screen made everything feel suddenly real. The excitement is overflowing, but so are the emotions that come with a transition like this.
People often say that moving is one of the most stressful experiences in life. I have moved several times before, but nothing compares to the transition, work, and planning that comes with moving across the world. It feels like stepping into a completely different rhythm of life with a to-do list that never seems to shrink, no matter how many boxes get checked off. And yet, even in the midst of all the details and logistics, there is a sense of purpose that keeps me moving forward.
Stepping into this next season in Japan feels like stepping into something the Lord has been shaping for years. There is joy in that, a deep sense of purpose that brings peace even when the future still holds unknowns. But alongside the excitement is the heaviness of preparing to leave. The goodbyes are hitting harder than I expected, especially with my grandparents and those closest to me. There is a kind of grief mixed with hope that is difficult to express fully.
There have been moments when everything felt overwhelming. Packing, finishing paperwork, organizing what needs to come with me, planning time with people before I leave, and navigating a long list of transitional details has felt like holding a dozen fragile things all at once. I am doing my best to pray through those moments rather than ignore them. I don’t want to push anything down. I want to be present to what I feel while still showing up for everything that needs to get done. Some days I find that rhythm, and other days I am still learning. That seems to simply be part of this season.
The weeks leading up to the move have been filled with time spent with family and friends, moments I know I will treasure when I am oceans away. At the same time, my mind is often already in Japan preparing for what life and ministry will look like when I land. There are still details to finalize, like housing and cultural transitions, and I am continuing to raise monthly support so I can step into ministry fully when I arrive. It is a lot to hold, but even in the tension, there is a steady sense that God is weaving everything together.
In the midst of all of this, prayer has become my grounding place. Praying for grace-filled goodbyes. Praying for clarity with housing. Praying for strength in body, mind, and spirit. Praying for the support needed to begin this new chapter well. And praying that through all of it, my heart stays soft and surrendered to whatever God wants to do.
If you would like to follow along with this journey once I’m in Japan, you can sign up for my newsletter here on my website. And if you feel led to support this ministry, you can visit the Give tab to join my monthly support team or make an end-of-the-year gift. Your partnership helps make this work possible, and I am truly grateful for it.
This season is stretching and emotional, but it is also filled with an expectation that God is up to something. Even in the chaos, there is peace in knowing He is already ahead of me.
With love,
Nicole
