Thanksgiving

So last weekend we celebrated our first Thanksgiving in Japan.  This was also our first major holiday without family, and I was dreading the homesickness that I knew was inevitable.  This holiday though, is about being thankful and the many blessings the Lord has given us and I need to remember that more often.

Andrew and I decided to invite our friends from the Tokyo assembly to celebrate with us.  Though they do not celebrate here as we do, we wanted them to know how very thankful we are for them and the fellowship and kindness they continually show.  The actual day of thanksgiving was obviously not a good day for them, so we decided on the weekend before.   They arrived with incredible gifts (you always bring a gift if you ever visit anyone here) flowers, chocolates, soaps, appetizers, cheeses and even gifts for the children.  The turkey was photographed dozens of times (they don't eat turkey in Japan) and they really seemed to enjoy it and all the trimmings.  I am very glad we had them over.  The language barrier is always difficult, but with a shared love of Christ and what he had done for us it overcomes all barriers.

I do hope this becomes our yearly tradition.