"See You Soon"

A few weeks ago we helped pack up two of our very close friends and sent them home to Illinois. Kenny and Martha (and now their new son Jackson) have been amazing blessings to our family for the last two years that we've lived in Waco. We met them at church, joined a small group together, hung out...lived life together. When Caleb was born, they took care of Josie and stayed at our house with her while we were in the hospital. Like I said, they have been a huge blessing. The day they left we stood outside hugging each other. I decided to say "see you soon" instead of "goodbye." I know it may be cheesy, but I think "goodbye" just sounds so final.

I have had to say a lot of "see you soon"s this summer. Besides Kenny and Martha, several of the girls in our college department at church that I had become close to through Bible study graduated this year; other friends moved to different cities; and this week two families who mean a lot to us will be leaving to answer God's call to make His name known to the people of Central Asia and North Africa.

Yesterday at church, the family who will be going to North Africa shared their hearts with the congregation. The church then surrounded them and prayed for them. After the service, Wesley and I lingered with many others to hug them and encourage them. It was once again a very difficult thing to leave and not know when we would see them--or even if we would see them again on this earth. But, because of the hope we have in Jesus, I know that if it's not on this planet, it will only be a short time until we see them in Heaven. After all, like James 4:14 says, our lives are but a "mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." Our lives here are short compared to the amazing future God holds for us in Heaven; so, I won't say "goodbye" to them. I'll simply say, "I love you, see you soon."

~Paige