Well there is a constant "pit" in my stomach these days. Almost every time we see someone it will be our last now. This week we went to an In His Image/Family Medical Christmas party and hugged and said goodbye to so many sweet, sweet friends. We truly felt loved as they prayed for us. We know that they will be with us when we go.
Friday was Hudson and Jude's last day at Victory Mom's Day Out. Almost 4 years ago Hudson started going there. He learned his ABCs and 123s and shapes and colors. He learned the fruits of the spirit. He learned the lesson to turn to the Lord and pray the minute there is pain or a friend who is hurting. Jude learned to say "No thank you" to even the unpleasant things. He learned to take turns and wait in lines and have fun! Each time I had peace and knew they were loved and cared for. So, we said goodbye to the beautiful aquariums filled with exotic fish. We said goodbye to the larger than life giraffe that is sporting some beautiful holiday ball "bling". We rode the carousel for the last time. And we hugged our teachers a little tighter at the end of the day.
So thank you...Ms. Christine, Ms. Donna, Ms. Brooke, Ms. Niesha, Ms. Megan, Ms. Carissa and Ms. Linda. You have planted seeds that will last a lifetime. We will be praying for you in Kenya and looking forward to sharing our stories when we return!
And lastly, tonight we got together with my sweet, lifelong friends. We have been friends for over half my life. It began in high school as Shannon and I were in student government together and then off to college to live and learn about life as freshmen. Natasha came into our lives and "spiced" it up as she came to know Jesus and loved Him with great abandon. We grew more in our walks with the Lord then we ever expected. We learned how to love and serve and cook and we had so much fun! We watched each other cry and fall in love and have babies. I watched Shannon and Greg follow the Lord to India and serve Him faithfully there. My life is richer because they are in it. They are beautiful women who inspire me more then they'll ever know. They have amazing husbands and the most adorable children. My heart aches to think it will be at least 2 years before we'll kneel and pray and cry together again! They are my sisters for eternity!