thankful

by Alanna

  These days I frequently do happy dances around my house, cry, laugh hard, wake up every hour through the night because I'm too excited to sleep, pack my things into boxes, take down pictures of beautiful African kids from my walls, pray and hope and wait with so much expectation. I watch in awe as all these godly women gather at my house- to sew and gather and glue and roll and dip creations. I'm humbled by their encouragement, their support, and the way they intentionally pursue Christ. I'm thankful to have so many godly wives to look up to for advice. I'm thankful for my man and the way his eyes are kind to me and he listens even over Skype. I'm thankful for the way he upholds me with truth and love across these miles. I'm thankful for the way God uses us together sometimes, even now, becoming one. I let the twins sit on my lap for lunch today, because its one of our last. I kiss their blonde heads and sing to them about Jesus because if there is one thing they remember from me, I want it to be Him. I hold my little sister's hand and my dad's arm and walk before sunset with all of them. I'm filled up with blessings, to overflowing. I hug my brother extra these days, touch my tiny nephew's new soft skin, talk late with a friend because now is not the time for sleeping. I'm so filled up with emotion these days that I haven't known what to write here. I feel excitement and joy the strongest. I feel utterly inadequate to teach in Honduras, and sometimes terribly afraid that I won't make a good wife either. I cringe from all these goodbyes coming soon. But mostly I feel FULL. I feel full of gratitude and thanksgiving because God has shown me His love. He has shown me mercy, has gifted me above and beyond all I ever deserved or even imagined. In ten days I'll be called Yonas' wife, and in 8 weeks I'll pack my life into a suitcase and together we'll go. I tightly treasure all this here now, but I also dance with joy when I think of the future. I hope and pray that this filling of blessings overflows into gratitude. Always, only, to the Giver of all good things.

excitement

By Mary

 In just a week (ok ok one week, 15 hours and about 45 minutes) baby and I will be flying back home. Which is completely exciting in and of itself. And to top it all off I get to be a part of Alanna's wedding to a super great guy whom God so clearly brought into her life with His perfect timing. I love their story and I already love what God has ahead of them...more of His big, beautiful plans. And I really really love the friendship I have with this pretty lady

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phantom hands

By Mary

Every time I see a toddler with sweet pudgy hands, my own hands feel a phantom ache, the memory of how it felt to hold your hands in mine.

To this day tears spring to my eyes when those little things take me back to our times together. No more regret or guilt. I just miss you.

So I hold my baby a little bit tighter and rock her before bed a little longer and pray your parents are doing the same. I hope you know how loved you are.