Thanksgiving with Friends and Family

By jeff

It’s been a while since we have updated our blog.  The reason for that is because Natasha and I were able to go home and visit with friends and family for Thanksgiving last week.

We flew into Atlanta where I went to high school and some of my family lives.  We were able to visit with my grandmother whom we haven’t seen in almost two years, old friends from church, and former teachers from high school.  We had a great time staying with my family while we were there!  There is nothing in the world like home cooking!!  We drove to Nashville for the second half of our trip.  On the way there we were able to stop in Woodbury, TN where we had a fantastic pot-luck luncheon with our good friend Aletha Thomas and her daughter (our honorary “niece”).  We were quickly ran by to see the rest of the Thomas family as well (Jackson is pictured below on the right).

While in Nashville, we stayed with Natasha’s family and had a great visit with them, including more great food at numerous Thanksgiving feasts!  We tried to see as many of our friends as possible during our short stay but we’ve learned that there is never enough time.  At the end of the week, we boarded the plane bound for San Diego exhausted from our overstuffed holiday schedule.

One observation we both made on our trip home was how easy it was to step back in our old comfort zones.  As I thought about that, I was reminded of a book by John Ortberg called, If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat.  In this book, Ortberg invites readers to consider the incredible potential that lies outside of our comfort zones by discussing the story of Peter walking on water with Jesus.  Ortberg writes, “Out on the risky waters of faith, Jesus is waiting to meet you in ways that will change you forever, deepening your character and trust in God.  The experience is terrifying.  It’s thrilling beyond belief.  It’s everything you’d expect of someone worthy to be called Lord.”  Upon returning to Mexico, I am reminded that not only will Natasha and I meet Christ anew in this “high sea” where the footing at times seems impossible, but we will be refreshed by the truth of knowing that we are not alone in this journey.