“うじよりそだち” Pronounced Uji yori sodachi, is a Japanese saying that means, “nurture over nature, how one is brought up matters more than one's origins” . My mom comes from a Christian missionary family and she was born and raised in Japan. She has made a huge effort to teach our family the Japanese culture and take us to Japan growing up. I am so great full and blessed to have had the opportunity to travel to Japan 6 times in my life, and this summer I was able to return to Tokyo and the beautiful mountains of Lake Nojiri! Japan will always have a special place in my heart and Lord willing I will return someday soon!!