Author: Nathaniel Reutter

Building a strong family doesn’t happen by accident, and a lot of work needs to be done in order to have the family of your dreams. I have a goal of always improving as a husband, as a father and leading my family to realize their full potential (which is something that requires God’s help to do). But part of building a strong family is spending quality time together. That’s where weekends and special holidays are critical. The tendency is often to fill this time with whatever we as individuals (or as a couple) want to do. But a strong family is built when we do things that strengthen the whole family, even if those things are not our first choice personally. A happy family is well worth the sacrifice of personal preference, because it won’t matter what you do, you’ll have a blast.

But trying to do fun things with the family during Golden Week can be a huge challenge. Why? Because that’s when so so many other people are off and out with their families. The roads pack with traffic and camping grounds and vacation destinations fill to the max with visitors. It can really be a deterrent to a good time. But even in the midst of these challenges, we visited 2 new parks that were well worth the hassle of Golden Week. One of them had one of the craziest slides I’ve ever experienced!

But when it comes down to it, it doesn’t matter where we are or what we’re doing, we’re going to make the most of it. You can be in a field of weeds, but if you know what to look for, you can find the beautiful path that leads on to things you’ve never experienced and places you’ve never gone. Thinking about the blessings in life will prepare you to experience more and more of those blessings in the future. It is something that you have to train yourself to do. But the more you look for blessings and praise others for their good attributes, the more you’ll live a positive life.

Big changes are in store for the Reutter family, as after 6 years at our local elementary school, Rebecca & Anna graduated elementary school! Not only will they be moving on to Junior High school (be steady my heart…) but Joshua graduated kindergarten and is moving on to join big sister Sarah in elementary school. The amount of change that this brings to the family cannot be understated, as so many other Japanese parents who have done this can attest. But before that happens, we have a blessed pause in the craziness that is Spring Break. This short break is like the eye of a typhoon (or hurricane, if you prefer), where for a brief moment you can take a breathe of fresh air and rest up for all that is about to take place.

As break finished up, we prepared ourself for the plunge. Both Joshua and Becca & Anna had their entrance ceremonies on the same day. We were baptized in new information, all in Japanese, about the coming school years. It was a bit overwhelming to say the least, but we did what we do: take it with an attitude of faith that with God, anything is possible. And so here we go..

The beginning of Spring is declared with great fanfare in Japan by it’s beautiful Sakura trees. And if there’s one thing you could argue that Japan loves, it’s the Sakura! This time of year is also the time of year when the old business and school years come to a close and a new year springs to life. It’s all beautifully captured in the symbol of the Sakura.

I have always lamented how short the work and school breaks are in Japan. Growing up in the West, we value our 2-3 month summer breaks and several-week winter and fall breaks. Not so in Japan, because just as quick as the Sakura blooms and falls, so too the breaks come and go, and it’s time to move on. Whether it’s vacation or the Sakura, you have to enjoy it while you can!

Raising kids is a lot of work, but it’s a MOST important work. Schools and jobs, bosses and colleagues come and go, but family relationships are forever. These little moment may seem insignificant, but they are key moments to embrace. Engage with your kids and family when you have a chance, and as they grow they will remain engaged!