Saying Goodbye

I really don't like to say Good-bye, so last night was a little rough. We met my Mom, Dad, Sister and 2 Nieces in Ft. Wayne for supper, but this would be the last time we would see the Coppedges for probably 4 years. I hate that! This picture below was taken after dinner when we were all just standing around in awkwardness not wanting to actually start hugging and begin the process! (Well that's what I was doing, the kids were eating peanuts!)

Grandma has enjoyed having her Grand babies so close and watching them all interact. Below Eli and Elsie take a minute break as they wait for their food.

I think I did pretty good. I got through my good-byes and hugs and kisses and got into the van before the tears started falling. I cried all the way home. It's been a crazy 8 months since my sister and her family were in the states. As you may recall they were boarding a plan on their way home when I told her, "mom has cancer". I'm sure I don't have to tell you that has been a strain. Additionally, when I saw my sister the last time she had only been a mommy for a couple of months. Now when she came, she had 2 little ones. Life just seems to be changing so fast. We had moved to a new place since we had seen them last and we honestly have no idea where we will be when they return in 4 years.

The boys will be 4 years older (we all will be), but Lucy...she'll be 5. That's how old Nathaniel is now. It seems overwhelming to think about. I love those little girls. They are so cute and I have enjoyed getting to know them and see what their little personalities are like. This has been a rough 8 months for them too. Can you even begin to imagine?

So, as we traveled home from Ft. Wayne last night my tears rolling down my cheeks, there were lots of thoughts going through my head. I am thankful for the time we had. I can wish and wish that things would have been different somehow, but I am thankful that Jo and Billy are following Jesus and returning to Arua, Uganda to serve Him and tell the people of Uganda, Sudan, the Congo and beyond about the love of Jesus. Thankful and yet tearful!

When we were little, Jo and I were close. We had to be! We shared everything. As we grew older and our personalities grew we realized we were a lot different. I'm like my mom, Jo is like Dad, neither is wrong, we are just different. However, we always had that bond as sisters. I share a bond with her that I cannot ever share with another human being. I have sister-in-laws who I love so much, but Jo and I we have a different bond.

And so, as she asked last night, "how can I pray for you?" It's not just something she says because it's the right thing to do. I'm so blessed to have a sister who loves Jesus. Who is teaching her little ones to Love Him and who even though we are thousands of miles apart she will pray for me.

Somehow Good-bye is hard and yet it really is only C-ya later. Whether we meet again in 4 years on this earth or not, I'll see my sis in heaven and I'm so thankful for her!

Elsie and Jo

Lucy Mae
Holding my nieces!

Jo, Billy and the girls leave on Sunday, the 5th. It's a 3 day trip to Uganda, then another 5 or 6 days before they are back to their "home/home!" Please pray for all 4 of them as the Lord reminds you!