Getting through it. . . together

How do you say "goodbye?" Why do we have to do that so often?
Over the years, "goodbye" has been a consistent part of the vocabulary of our girls. . . us too, but as you get older, say "goodbye" more often, it gets more common. Notice I didn't say "easier" just something we have to do.

This is a painful time for our teenage daughters. So many of their friends are leaving. . . or they are leaving their friends. Olivia (bottom right with Melinda) has been around since we first came to Ghana 13 years ago. She has already travelled to the US with her missionary family for some needed time out, but that means Melinda will not see them again before she travels in August.

Yva (pictured at top with Melinda) and Annie (bottom left with Candra) are friends made in the past four years. But love goes deep, so goodbyes are difficult. Yva is leaving Ghana with her family - workers for the UN from Serbia and Australia. Annie is moving back to Virginia, US with her missionary family.

These are just a few examples of the many friends Melinda (in August) and Candra (in November) will be telling "goodbye."




I know. . . they will be saying "hello" to a whole new way of life. . . new friends. . . a new church environment. . . basically, in just a few days/weeks, everyone they know and everything they see will be new. . . different. . . and a little bit scary. . . or maybe a LOT.

We will get through this. . . by sticking as close together as possible. There have been lots of hugs, snuggles in the morning and at night before sleep, and plenty of prayer going on around our house.

There have been extra trips to the mall (yep - we DO have one now), more lunches out, extra sleep overs, and anything we can possibly think of to help with this process of letting go. . .

Letting go of life as they know it, and looking ahead to "all things new."

Will you join us in prayer for the transition our girls have to make, as we are SURE that. . . TOGETHER, we will get through this, in Jesus' Name.