Missionaries

Friday was a busy day. When Nick got home from work, we headed over to our friends' apartment to help them pack. Jamie and Ashley are leaving the U.S. to head to the Czech Republic to do mission work. Since they're moving for such a noble purpose, it makes it really hard to dislike that they are leaving us. I'm selfish enough to still wish they weren't going away though.

They are currently headed for San Antonio to spend a month with family before finally heading overseas. That meant that Friday evening was the last chance to hang out and spend time loving on their 8 week old son, Luke.

Last Wednesday at church we had a going away party for them. I managed not to cry and spent my evening taking photos for them while other people hugged them and wished them well. I did tear up during the service on Sunday morning when one of the elders said a prayer for them and announced the going away party. It's so hard when people you love move away.

I admire what they are doing. I know I wouldn't have the strength to pack up my life, take my baby and move to a foreign land. It's not that I don't think God could take care of me...it's mostly that I'm kind of selfish and want to stay around the people I love. If it wasn't for friends and family, I would have packed up and moved to another state with far milder summers than Texas a few years ago. I've always wanted to live in Colorado, for example, but moving there would mean that everyone that I know and love would have to move too. I'm not sure that I could convince them all to do that.

I know it won't be too bad, since we have the internet and Facebook to keep in touch. It's not the same though. Who knows, maybe someday we'll get to travel overseas to see them. I still need to figure out who's going to finance my trip to Italy to see my friend Angy. Any volunteers?

Goodbye and good luck, Jamie, Ashley and little Luke. You will do great things for the Lord while overseas. The Czech Republic is lucky to be getting you.