Thankfulness runs deep

We have passed an incredible week. We met new friends -- some of the IMM crew -- at a meeting in Texas. It was so good to see the projects that are on going and to begin to see how we will blend in with the team. It got us excited to leave. Wednesday night special prayer asked for visas to be released.

The next morning we got word that our visas were approved and ready for pick up in Chicago at the consulate! It was a miracle -- my visa was not expected to come in for some time! So we are rejoicing that God worked around/through/or in spite of bureaucracy. Finally the flood gates have opened and everything is falling into place.

Tonight, our home church said good-bye to us. It was great to be able to share our vision with dear friends from church and the special friends who came just for the occasion. A very moving evening. It was wonderful to feel the love, prayers and support of people who know us so well. They know our warts and love us anyway!

We have incredible friendships and they were demonstrated tonight. We have so much to be thankful for in our lives.

It's a count the cost kind of day. It's the people that make the leaving hard. The work is getting us excited; it's time to go. None of that is in question but leaving our people - that's hard especially when they are so terrific. I know we'll still have the friends, we just won't get to hang out eating cake and popcorn like we did tonight.