This isn't the first blog I've ever had, but it's probably going to be the most important.
There are certain events that call for commemoration in our lives: graduations, weddings, the birth of a child, funerals. Additionally, I would add moving to this list.
“Why commemorate moving, Allison?” you might ask.
Moving homes is something that we all do. Sometimes it happens with the natural rhythms of life. Other times the necessity of moving is due to drastic or traumatic circumstances. My husband and I have moved over twelve times in our thirteen years of marriage for both of these reasons, albeit in different seasons.
For my family, this move is about neither of these things.
We are moving to Japan within the next few months, and have been planning this move for the past four years. Why Japan? You might be surprised to learn that Japan has the highest suicide rate of any developed nation in the world. You might be surprised to learn that Japan has the fastest aging population in the world. You might be surprised to learn that it also has one of the lowest birth rates per capita in the world.
Or maybe you're not surprised. In any case, our family wants to care for other families in Japan. Families are hurting, and people often turn to isolation and hopelessness instead of community. We realize that these problems exist anywhere humanity does, but Japan has a special place in our hearts. In fact, it's been in our story since the beginning.
Our current home may be slowing emptying right now as boxes are packed, but our hearts are full. We have MUCH hope for Japan. We have huge dreams of seeing hope restored to those who are hopeless. And so, I am commemorating the journey here, for you. For me. Here's what you can expect to see here:
| Stories about moving to Japan
| Stories about navigating motherhood and marriage in a cross-cultural setting
| Random musings about theology and sociology
| Photography, food and sewing
I hope you'll join me for the journey.