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What to dream for?

What to dream for this year? To be honest, I was not thinking of anything to do  this year - resolutions, goals, plans. Nothing of that sort. Unlike the past years, I was that woman who was always looking forward to the possibilities of the new year, full of hope and fire.

But what is a dream anyway? I read that a dream especially a God-dream is something that you can let go but won't let go of you. It is a dream that would inspire hope to the people around you. It would make them see God's favor in your life. This idea I got from the first book on my haul this year. The Kiss of Heaven by Darlene Zschech. And this book stirred me into answering the question "What is your dream?"

Anyway, my coming to Japan I would say is a God-dream. It started when in 4th grade I came across a story about a Japanese family. It was actually a sad story and I'm somehow proud of myself that I still remember the plot. Well after reading that, the dream of one day visiting Japan started to ignite. Yet at the back of my mind, such dream for somebody like me is an impossibility. 

Then in the same year I  unexpectedly received an educational sponsorship from a Japanese couple through a local church and a Japanese NPO. I would write them letters once a year and hoped they read them. I told myself that one day I'm going to Japan to meet them and personally thank them for the opportunity. The sponsorship lasted until I finished high school. At that time, the dream eventually faded away.

About a year after completing a degree in mass communication, I landed in a job where I had to teach English to Japanese students online. Deep in my heart, I knew I've always wanted to teach instead of working in the media industry. But I had no idea where to start. So while in the online teaching job, I went to school at night to formally get a teaching license. Two years later, my career direction was slowly and clearly heading to becoming a public school teacher.

However, things took a different turn that I got a job from another ESL company that sends teachers to Japan. I got thrilled. Will I really go to Japan? Will that happen? Will I see my dream being fulfilled?  It took about two years of staying in that company before they decided to send me to Japan. 

Now it's been four years of thriving in this wonderful country. And I am stuck with the question, "What is your dream?" I already had my one impossible and greatest dream made possible by God's grace. Were people around me blessed by how God worked to fulfill my dream? My family is so thankful. My friends I believe were inspired. I believe God has been glorified.

So what now? What is a dream that God planted in my heart right now? I cannot answer yet. I do have one in  mind but I need God's confirmation first and above all. So my prayer for the new year is God's clear direction. And may God ready my heart as I follow and obey his leading.

What is your dream? I pray it is a God-dream. May God breathe life into our dreams. Happy New Year!

P.S.

I have visited the NPO that sponsored me. Unfortunately the couple I mentioned has moved farther from Tokyo so I couldn't meet them. But I got the chance to address the other sponsors and thanked them in behalf of all the underprivileged kids in the Philippines who are recipients of their generosity and kindness.💕

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