summer goodbyes

we've been saying some goodbyes this summer.  i've never been very good at that...selfishly wanting to keep all the ones i love close.  it turns out, marit is a little like me in that way and she has cried many tears over our dear next-door neighbors heading out to seminary.  we have been so blessed and encouraged to look to Christ by this precious family as they have walked through much in the last few years.  it has been such a sweet time for our young families (including many others in the neighborhood) to grow along side each other.  the kids miss these over-the-fence conversations, i miss the in-the-midst-of life-teary-heart conversations that would happen while chasing children and such.

i had to borrow this picture...we are so thankful for you guys!  praying for you, planning to visit, and knowing you will thrive where you are because your hope is in Christ alone.

this week we were privileged to host my brother tom and kelly and fam for their last night in georgia as they are moving to maine.  we have loved having them less than 2 hrs away for all of tom's doctorate work and it has been such a delight to see little cousin relationships form and develop as we have each added children.  not just family, these dear ones are some of our closest friends.  now they will be 20 hours away, but we are saving and planning to visit at least once.  as adam prayed that morning, we are thankful that God calls people to be lights for Christ in all places.  and while we miss those that go to new communities, we are so thankful to be a part of the larger body that does not cherish earth as our eternal home. 

marit and aida soaking up auntie char char's creativity

caught these tired expressions and they made me laugh...moving is hard work!

the six okie grandkids