Good-byes

As much as we love what we do and as much as we are excited to be in Germany- the hardest part of it all is the good-byes. They hurt. We thought that it would get easier as time went on but tears still flow freely each time we have to say good-bye.

Today was our last day in Lubbock. We are all packed up and ready to head to Dallas. We will spend New Year's with Marcus' sisters and their husbands, celebrate Carson's early birthday on Saturday and then leave the USA on Wednesday, Jan. 6th.

As we say good-bye, we can't help but think back upon our time in the States. We've had a wonderful time reconnecting with family. We are so thankful that we've had time to spend with both our families- Carson adores his grand-parents! We've loved that they have had so much time to get to know and love on our Little Man. It's been such a blessing to celebrate the holidays with our family. We've treasured all the memories we've made with our family- we are so blessed to have supportive families who understand why we do what we do- but still miss and love us like crazy.

Our time with our friends has blessed us so much. We've got to spend time with old friends and have been so blessed to have had the chance to make new deep friendships. These relationships have refreshed our souls as we've had great conversations over coffee, laughed with each other, and cried at times too, studied the Scriptures together, and done life together. We've been overwhelmed by the generosity of our friends as they have taken care of us while we've been home and provided for our needs and wants as we prepare for our big move. We missed our American friends so much while we were in East Asia and this time in the States has been so good for us.

As we look back over our last few months, we have been reminded of Father's faithfulness in our lives. As we get ready to enter into a new culture, enter into the all the unknowns, we take great comfort in knowing that God is FAITHFUL and will provide for all our needs... physically, emotionally, relationally.

Honestly- during these last days we ask ourselves several times if it's all worth it? Is the stress up packing up all our bags for the 20th time in a year worth it? Is the pain of leaving parents, grandparents, sisters, in-laws, and cousins worth it? Is knowing that there will only days where we will miss our friends so much worth it?

Did all of heaven cry the day Jesus left heaven and was born as a baby? Did God's father heart ache when he sent his son to the earth to save us from our sins? We take comfort when we remember as we celebrated Christmas that God/Jesus considered a reconciled relationship with him worth it.
So we go to Germany, to the nations, because we believe that the reward will be worth it- we go to speak truth and love and the message of reconciliation.

Will you pray for us as we say good-bye? Pray for our families and the loss we all feel as the distance will soon separate us. Pray that the cost will be worth it.