We leave Virginia tomorrow for Los Angeles – no, still no idea of when we’ll be going back to Japan, but we know God has a plan and we’re not worried about it.
We’re going to be staying with friends for a while, though depending on how long we’re there for, we may end up renting a place. We’re probably going to get jobs or at least start gigging while we’re out there.
A lot of people have been asking “Why LA? Why not stay in Virginia or go back to Florida where you can stay with family?” Which is a very fair question! There’s not really one answer; it’s an accumulation of a lot of things:
- Finances. I know it’s crazy, but we saved more money paying rent in Los Angeles than we did living rent-free in Florida. Rent is outrageous, but then it’s getting outrageous everywhere, and like everything else is cheaper there.
- Related to that, LA is a better place for short-term work and gigs and stuff. We’re not trying to start careers, just stay in the black until we can leave. I’d feel bad getting a job in Florida and then jumping ship if we get our visas after only working for a month.
- We have more options there for our cat. We’re still planning on bringing her with us when we go to Japan, but in LA, we have a lot of friends who could potentially take her if that doesn’t work out.
- I just like it better. LA is a great place and I like being there.
- The silliest reason, but it’s geographically closer to Japan and I like that.
In a less… measurable way, there’s also just the fact that the way God has been guiding us through this process has been via closed doors. We just keep making choices, and if those choices won’t bring us where he wants us to go, he makes it very clear very quickly. We decided to go to Los Angeles months ago and everything has worked out for that, so it seems like it’s either where we’re supposed to be, or at least a fine place for us to be. (And I suspect the former.)
We’re excited to see all our LA friends, but sad to say goodbye to our friends and family here in Virginia. We’ve had a great time and we’ll miss you all!