Jon Kurozawa

Change is something that none of us is really fond of. We like things that are constant, steady and predictable. As human beings, we do not like uncertainty, the unexpected or surprises (except on your birthday).

Unfortunately change is something that will happen to all of us throughout our lives. But is change really an unfortunate circumstance of our lives? When you lose your job unexpectedly, it’s not a positive experience…or is it?
When something tragic happens in your life, it’s not something to celebrate…or is it?

Change is something I have not handled well in my life…or accepted graciously. On more occasions than I care to remember, I have been the recipient of job change. No matter when it happens it is not an easy thing to deal with. The inevitable questions of “what am I going to do next?” or “How are we going to get by?” flood your brain and the blanket of worry covers you. I have felt that personally, on numerous occasions, and it is an overwhelming feeling.

During these times, I have relied heavily on my faith to carry my family through. Regardless of how difficult things may have seemed, no matter how many worries that continued to creep in…our family made it through. It wasn’t always easy, success was few and far between.

This past year once again was filled with change. I was forced to accept change that I did not really want to face, challenges that I would have loved to have passed over, struggles I honestly could have done without. There were times I wanted to cry out “Why Me” and “Why is this happening to us again?”…but I knew that at this time God did not want me to understand the reason for these circumstances.

Change is not something we should fear or run away from. Why not accept the challenge and face it with a positive attitude? Why not embrace the new and shed the mentality of “change is bad”.

Do you get frustrated like I have in being uncertain of why things happen, why you are in a rut, why it seems like nothing good ever happens to you but it happens for others around you? Focusing on these things will make it even more difficult to not only handle, but accept change.

Instead of dwelling on why something happened, focus on the positive ahead of you. A closed door means an open door is not that far away. New opportunities await us every single day…but if you are too busy dwelling on change those opportunities will literally pass you by.

This year, embrace the changes that you may face…whether at home, work, school, church. Take that negative feeling of change and turn it into a positive feeling of anticipation of the new opportunities ahead of you.

Brighter days are ahead…this is your time….things will work in your favor.

I have never been a believer in New Years Resolutions…seems like a short term fix for problems we have. I am all about setting goals to accomplish to make our lives better.

In the past I have set a few goals that I have wanted to accomplish, but always seems to get sidetracked by other. 2012 will be a different story for me. I have had lots of time during my job “hiatus” to think about the things I want to do and accomplish.

Not only am I going to set goals, but I am going to make them public via this blog and keep an ongoing update. Some of these may seem trivial to those of you reading this, but each of these is important to me for one reason or another.

1. Exercise everyday of 2012…whether walking, running, gym, swimming.
2. Lose (and keep off) at least 30 pounds
3. Read the entire Bible ( the One Year Bible is an amazing resource)
4. Read at least one new book each month
5. Learn one new skill each quarter of the year
6. Do something good for someone else at least once a day (365 days of giving)
7. Spend more time volunteering
8. Spend more one-on-one time with each of my children
9. Write a new blog at least once per week.
10. Spend more quiet time in reflection and prayer.

Why don’t you join me on this journey. Make a list of ten things you want to do this year….share them and let’s keep each other accountable.

Hoping this finds you well.

The hustle and bustle and craziness of Christmas has passed. The presents have all been opened, the food eaten. Now we move forward to New Years and reminiscing about the year that was and the year that will be.

As many of you know, from either reading on Facebook & Twitter or from personal communication, this has been an interesting and challenging year for the Kurozawa family. A multitude of peaks and valleys.

Despite the challenges, our family was able to come through the year fine, stronger than ever. Our faith carried us through, but we could not have done it without the support of our friends.

Two specific periods of the year come to mind: post flood and the van crash. This was a time we were forced to humble ourselves and ask for help like we had never asked for before.

We were truly blessed to have friends, acquaintances and strangers step forward, mostly through my please for help on social media. We were amazed to see what happened.

One regret I have is I never got to personally thank everyone that helped us. Most of the help came via online services which deletes records after 30 days.

To everyone that helped us, no matter what is was, our family sends you sincere THANK YOU. My apologies for this not coming sooner or more personally.

Thanks to the support…we were able to get back on track, and even help others this Christmas season.

During this last week of 2010, do you have something that you forgot to thank someone for? Now is the time to do it…don’t make the same mistake I made and let too much time pass without saying Thank You.

Enter the New Living Translation Give The Word Bible contest and Giveaway on their Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/NewLivingTranslation?v=app_28134323652&ref=ts

Enter our Bible Contest to win NLT Study Bibles, a Grand Prize trip to Orlando, FL, $250 in resources and more! Plus your vote will help three ministries Give the Word of God to those who desperately need it by generating a donation to Wycliffe Bible Translators, the Dream Center or Oasis International.

Greetings friends and family…the Christmas season is here!
It’s time to announce the 4th annual Kurozawa Kids Christmas Wish Drive to benefit the Milwaukee Rescue Mission.
This year the donation drive is coordinated through @AMillion4Kids, meaning this year we are also able to accept cash donations.

Mia (6th grade) and Noah (4th grade) have enjoyed supporting the Milwaukee Rescue Mission the past few years, being able to bring smiles to children and families who are going through difficult times, but none of it has been possible with out the support and generosity of our friends and family.

This year Mia and Noah welcome their younger sister Isabela (Kindergarten) into the fold.

Below is a list of the Christmas Wish items that the Milwaukee Rescue Mission is asking for this year:
ChristmasNeeds
• New toys for children,
from babies to teens
• Watches and jewelry
• Perfumes
• Lotions
• Soaps and Luffas
• Women’s robes
and slippers
• Gift cards
• Wrapping paper—
we will need to wrap
hundreds of gifts!

HOLIDAYWISH LIST
Clothing
• Socks and insulated gloves
(men, women and children)
• Hats and scarves for men,
women and children
• Underwear (all sizes,
especially children’s
sizes 2-6, men’s &
women’s large sizes)
• Men’s belts
KitchenNeeds
• Juice
• Fruit
• Snack items
Personal&Baby Care
• Diapers (sizes 4, 5, 6)
• Pull-ups
• Baby wipes
• Spill-proof sippy cups, baby bottles
• Pain relievers, cough/cold/flu medications with
no alcohol content (infant, child and adult strengths)
• Hand lotion
• Deodorant
• Vaseline

Any help that you can provide between now and December 19th would be greatly appreciated. The kids are hoping for the largest donation to date for this effort.

Please pick something on the list…or if you are interested in making a monetary donation, please make checks out to “A Million 4 Kids” and put MRM in the Memo line.

For more information, please feel free to contact me at jon.kurozawa@gmail.com
The kids will be coordinating donation pickups between December 4-19, with final drop off on Monday December 20th at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission.

Thank you and God Bless this Christmas season!