“Give thanks in all circumstances… ” (1 Thes. 5:18)

Of course it’s easy to quote this around Thanksgiving and Christmas, ’tis the season, right?  This is the one area our family has been intentionally working on this year; to express gratitude in our daily actions with our Heavenly Father and with others around us.  Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where it is difficult to do so and often times we avoid those situations for many different reasons.  Then I think about Jesus, there are many situations I am sure he would have rather avoid, like in his plea to our Father – “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me…” (Luke 22:42) right after sharing a meal and his fate and just before he was betrayed, beaten and sent to the cross.

Every year before thanksgiving, we grumble around gathering with family or we figure out how to tip-toe around issues.   Our culture and media encourages us what not to talk about.  And some, completely duck-out of gathering with family.  This is the enemy at work aiming to create division.

Truthfully, I don’t know where I am going with this, but it’s been on my heart… I just want to say:  I am grateful for the family that I have.  All of it’s brokenness and in all of my own brokenness,  there lies in our core… love,  creating opportunity for grace, truth, foregiveness, healing and peace.  This love was expressed by Jesus doing the most uncomfortable act imaginable, for my sake and yours.

The thief enters to only to steal, kill and destroy.  I came so that they could have life – indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.  (John 10:10)

My desire is that we all fight the enemy not allowing him to divide us.  And  sometimes that means going through the pain of gathering with those we have had a falling out with.  I hope for restoration and rebirth in relationships this season in my family, your family and for so many other families out there!

This year is special for Me, Megumi, Chloe and Ethan

This will be our last Thanksgiving with our family for awhile.  We are so grateful for the time we get to spend with our family.

It’s official, we fly out on December 26th for Japan!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!!!

Gratefully Yours,

Team Adams