Roller Coaster...

The past few weeks have been a real roller coaster. There have been the mixed emotions of joy – getting to see family – and grief –Kim’s death. I feel blessed that we were able to be with Dee’s family during this time. One of the costs to being overseas is that we miss out on many important occasions in our families’ lives. We are sad to see birthdays, recitals, anniversaries, and family gatherings pass us by, but it is truly devastating to not be with our families when tragedy hits. Thankfully, our four and half years in Ireland have not seen much tragedy……… I think – also – that it was just time for us to go back for a little while. We would have gone two years without being home…. That is just too long. I do not want my nieces and nephews to grow up not knowing us. I do not want to become out of touch (even though I already have) with my home culture. I am grateful that on this trip I was able to really come to know Dee’s family. I have been around her cousins, uncles, and aunts before, but it has always been for a single event (a party or celebration). I have never really had the time to see their humor… to pray with them… to play with them… to be a part of their lives. I am so grateful that I was able to come to know and come to really love them these past two weeks.

Dee & "the girl cousins"