Saying Good-bye

Good-byes are never easy. I should know, moving halfway across the country 15 years ago, I had to say good-bye to family and friends, the only home I knew/remembered...several times. You see, we had a scheduled move date...however, the moving company failed to show up the day we were scheduled to move (I want to say January 28). They didn't show up the next day, or the next or the next. I can't remember how many days late they showed up (3-5, I think they showed up on February 2), but having had our telephone (this is pre everyone has a cell phone) turned off already, there was nothing we could do but wait. My friends and I kind of turned it into a running joke, "See you tomorrow...maybe." The first, real good-bye was emotional and tear-filled. I hoped I would never have to experience anything like it again. Finally the call came and the final good-bye wasn't as bad. But when you have to say good-bye and it gets prolonged, it's easier. There are many cases where a prolonged good-bye just doesn't happen.

Since that time, many people have come and gone in our lives. Some who have moved away and we've lost touch with, others where we just grew apart, others that moved away and we still stay in touch with, and others we've lost, never to see again on this earth.

We are getting ready to say good-bye to some near and dear friends of ours, DM and AM, as they become missionaries. We know that this isn't good-bye forever. We know we will stay in touch with them regularly. We will never forget them, they will always be a part of our lives.

DM and AM

We have so many great memories with these two, we will cherish their friendship and the impact they have had (and will continue to have) on our lives. There really haven't been many another couples that we've become friends with so quickly...and a couple we both have so much in common with (love of crafts and video games, sharing birthday months and that's just the beginning). They really are a gift from God in our lives. I don't know where we would be without them, we look forward to sharing many more memories with them in the years to come. As AM once put it, "we are forever friends"

Our good-bye is only temporary. We know we will see them when we talk on Skype, when we visit them in the field and when they come home, we'll see them and hang out, just like old times. Our "hang out" times for the next 5 years will be over Skype. We will be praying for them as they adjust to new foods and cultures. While we are sad that they are physically leaving us, we know that we will still be a part of each others lives. Though the miles will separate us, our friendship will remain strong.

We will miss you guys so much! We love you!

Here are some of our memories from the past year.

New Year's party at DM and AM's to ring in 2013.

Disney On Ice Rockin' Ever After in January 2013 to celebrate
AM and my birthdays.

Terry and DM preparing our feast (April 2013).

Brookfield Zoo in May 2013

Galloping Ghost Arcade after the zoo.

The last picnic with DM & AM before they leave. 9/28/2013

Dinner at Japan 77. Photo with our chef. 9/29/2013

AM and I at the bon fire October 12, 2013

DM excited to burn stuff at the bon fire.

We love you guys and will miss you dearly!

If you would like to help DM and AM, you can make a tax-deductible donation here. If you want to keep up with DM and AM, you can read their blog "Snapshots".

1 Samuel 20:41-42
 And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, for ever.’” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for adversity.