See you later

The last 2 months have been extremely busy and fun filled. Bryan's parents have been staying with us and we have gone on some fun sight seeing adventures with them, spent many hours at night playing cards, played with our 3 kids and the Beautiful Gate kids, watched and participated in 5 adoptions, received about 9 new beautiful Gate kids, and so much more. The memories we have made will last forever between all 7 of us because we had such a nice time. It was a real blessing to share a small piece of our new life with them and to have them here, seeing and living at Beautiful Gate. We were blessed beyond measure by having them here for a nice long visit and as our time drew to a close yesterday, we were all sad to say good-bye, but also feeling like we had a very nice amount of time together (I hope they can say the same next year when we will be staying at their house for many months).

As we stood around by the check in area and realized we had to give them their final hugs, Elijah just started to cry and told them how much he was going to miss them. If there is one thing I hate, it is seeing my kids cry so I also got teary eyed, then you know how it works..... As we were leaving Elijah said, "It is so easy to say hello but so hard to say good-bye" and then while holding Bryan's hand he told him that his neck hurt and Bryan figured out through talking with him that Elijah probably had a lump in his throat from trying not to cry. What a sweetie! We spent the night in Jo-burg and then drove home today. Faith said as we were driving home that she is used to saying good-bye to teams, but not to her grandparents. They have such big and loving hearts, please pray that God will comfort them and also that He will bring Oma and Papa safely to the Netherlands and then to Michigan. Also, Bryan is leaving on Saturday for the entire month of March so please pray that the kids will not be too sad and that God will bring Bryan back to us safely!