Once again we have said our goodbyes, the number leaving, down to three.
This may be easier for us, but more difficult for them,
knowing there is no shortcut to Indonesia or back.
As parents we have felt the emotions of letting go,
and now we see our kids going through the same.
On September 3 Paeton moved into the dorm at Columbia Bible College nearby
and on September 11 Tehya moved into housing with Lifeteams.
Meanwhile, the rest were in moving mode as well,
joking that our place looked like a refugee camp.
The scene of bins, suitcases and hockeybags spread out
always sets off some emotional triggers, as it shows the reality of what will be,
a process that one could compare to labor,
giving birth to new life yet again.
But before we head into what will be,
I want to go back to some special moments this summer.
We celebrated Julene's birthday at Revive Social House,
a dreamy setting for a special occasion.
At this moment I'm so thankful for any and every opportunity we took
for a quick walk around the block,
for a trip to HomeSense or Ikea and a simple lunch out that includes scones.
She also loves her coffee.
One day we went to the cemetery
where we visited both sets of grandparents' graves.
Missing Oma's celebration of life this past January was hard.
Makenna ... what can I say, but that it's been the best summer with her ever!
We have loved getting to know her as a teen!
My first memory is of when we snuck off to the mall, almost immediately,
and how much fun she had selecting a few things at Ardene's.
I enjoyed seeing her express how we have so much available to us,
feeling it strange to hear people speak English,
and especially not to know everyone who is white.
I loved seeing how she quickly became good friends with cousins closest to her age.
There is something about family. So much fun they had!
One Sunday afternoon we took her to the local sunflower fields.
This too, was another way of just seeing who she was.
It seemed like she took in everything with the thought in mind
that soon we cannot do this, so we will just enjoy everything while we can.
This girl is also a wonderful baker, always eager to help!
She's a painter, plays the guitar and has a beautiful voice,
You'll see her doing cartwheels almost any time she runs out the back door.
She and Papa had fun going for bike rides.
She and I got our nails done together
and enjoyed episodes of Downton Abbey whenever we could.
These memories are like a take home bouquett
that will not fade too soon.
A favorite meal is Sunday afternoon Faspa.
On this Sunday we made it more of a casual charcuterie style dinner on the porch.
A special memory now.
We celebrated more birthdays
and a taste of Thanksgiving just before they left.
My view here filled me with so much joy and gratefulness,
sitting with all of our grown kids around the table
while taking peeks at what was going on at the next.
After dinner the adults went to sit outside, partly because it really was loud inside.
Wouldn't you know it ... the kids soon followed us out,
figuring they would 'surround' us with a rap/song they had just made up.
The photos are blurry because I took screenshots from a video, posted here
but the memory is another one I laugh about and cherish for all it tells me.
Furloughs have become a part of life for us,
a time when we are happy to put some of normal life on hold,
to be intentional, seizing the days.
It's a time for them to get in their medical appointments,
and restock on items they can't get where they live,
to renew relationships,
to share with their sending churches and supporters,
and to rest from the stress that comes from living in a foreign culture.
Despite goodbye tears,
I'm learning just how blessed we are
to be able to share in this venture as a family
and to experience God's amazing grace in all of it.
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