[Phil] After years of contemplating relationships, both of us considered that maybe God wanted us to be single instead. Yet looking back now, we can see how God prepared us to meet each other according to His plan.
[Katie] Yes! The Lord gave me a clear calling to missions in Japan. It didn't seem possible to find a man who spoke English, loved Jesus, and was willing to marry an American. I just prayed, knowing that the Lord is all I truly need.
[Phil] In 2001, I went on my first short-term mission trip to Japan.
[Katie] ...and in 2014, I went to Japan for the first time for summer missions.
[Phil] I've been helping with the biannual Japan Church Planting Institute (CPI) National Conference for many years. It turns out that we were both at the 2015 conference - - even, in the same room! We never met, but that's okay because we wouldn't have been ready!
[Katie] It was God's timing! For the 2022 CPI Conference, Phil handled logistics for the team of US volunteers coming to Japan. They stayed at CCSI (where I serve as the principal). Phil stayed on after the conference to help out with the school and other ministries.
[Phil] After six weeks of serving in Japan, I returned to the US, but Katie and I stayed in contact. After emailing, then video-chatting and texting, we officially started dating on January 21, 2023.
[Katie] My dad invited me to join my parents in Sacramento, CA for a quick trip in March. Phil was also able to fly out. So it was that we had our first date in person two days before meeting my parents.
[Phil] In May 2023, I flew to Japan to celebrate Katie's birthday. In September 2023, I returned to Japan again to serve at CCSI while working remotely. On September 8, I made it official and proposed to Katie.
This relationship was an unexpected gift and blessing from the Lord. Looking back, we can see the paths that God laid for us. The paths started separately with many ups and downs, winding through life and slowly approaching each other until we finally met.
[Katie] God is so good! As we look toward the future together, we don't know much for certain. However, we hope and plan to serve the Lord together in Japan.
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About our Rings
See Engagement Photos
[Phil] I had a special ring in mind, but it had to be ordered and made by a local atelier in Japan. I handmade rings from Pau Rosa wood so I could propose while the final rings were being made.
Following the theme of wood, the final rings were made in a Japanese "wood grain metal" style called mokumegane. Three metals were laminated forming a unique pattern and the rings are cut from the same piece, making them simultaneously unique and matching.
The three metals symbolize the relationship between Katie and I, joined together by God. The three metals also symbolize the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Additionally, a five-point sakura pattern was chosen to symbolize our joint love for the people and culture of Japan.
Together, Katie and I hope to share the grace of God, the love of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit with everyone we meet, whether that is in Japan, or wherever the Lord has planned.
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