Almost any missionary will tell you that one of the hardest parts of missionary life is saying goodbye. After the special year we shared in Texas with Pedro's family, our experience was not the exception ... saying goodbye was very difficult.
I find that there are many memories and feelings from my experiences as an MK that have resurfaced of late as we have entered this newest phase of our lives. A few miles down the road after a tearful farewell with Pedro's dad and sister (we spent a few extra days with his mom and grandmom in Arkansas afterwards) I began to cry as a picture filled my mind of my own family's first farewell when we left for the mission field 25 years ago. I was the age that Eva is now, and I was very close to my grandfather. Sadly, the Lord chose to take my grandpa home within our first year on the mission field and that first farewell turned out to be our final farewell until Heaven.
My heart aches for my children sometimes. Having come full circle through many of these experiences, I know that my children will be molded and matured through the difficult times of "missionary kid" life - and that the benefits and blessings will far outweigh the heartaches. Yet having experienced those heartaches firsthand, I also feel so sad knowing that this is just the first of a lifetime of goodbyes my kids will know.
Tonight as we settled into yet another hotel room after long hours in the car, Eva was tired and melancholy. She expressed the sentiment that she wished we could just stay in one state and not have to move so much. I tried to explain to her, as my own parents did for me, that there is always a positive side to things - for instance, she loves staying in hotels and wouldn't have the chance if we just lived in one place all the time! But I know this extended time of transition is difficult for her right now.
So if you think of us, please pray for our children especially ... and then take a moment to thank the Lord that one of the blessings of our Heavenly home is this: No more goodbyes ...
I find that there are many memories and feelings from my experiences as an MK that have resurfaced of late as we have entered this newest phase of our lives. A few miles down the road after a tearful farewell with Pedro's dad and sister (we spent a few extra days with his mom and grandmom in Arkansas afterwards) I began to cry as a picture filled my mind of my own family's first farewell when we left for the mission field 25 years ago. I was the age that Eva is now, and I was very close to my grandfather. Sadly, the Lord chose to take my grandpa home within our first year on the mission field and that first farewell turned out to be our final farewell until Heaven.
My heart aches for my children sometimes. Having come full circle through many of these experiences, I know that my children will be molded and matured through the difficult times of "missionary kid" life - and that the benefits and blessings will far outweigh the heartaches. Yet having experienced those heartaches firsthand, I also feel so sad knowing that this is just the first of a lifetime of goodbyes my kids will know.
Tonight as we settled into yet another hotel room after long hours in the car, Eva was tired and melancholy. She expressed the sentiment that she wished we could just stay in one state and not have to move so much. I tried to explain to her, as my own parents did for me, that there is always a positive side to things - for instance, she loves staying in hotels and wouldn't have the chance if we just lived in one place all the time! But I know this extended time of transition is difficult for her right now.
So if you think of us, please pray for our children especially ... and then take a moment to thank the Lord that one of the blessings of our Heavenly home is this: No more goodbyes ...
1 comment:
"So if you think of us, please pray for our children especially ... and then take a moment to thank the Lord that one of the blessings of our Heavenly home is this: No more goodbyes ..."
Amen, amen & amen!
I can hardly wait!!!
Love you & praying for you...
~Deborah :)
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