Here We Go

We're in our way.

The day finally came when we left for the airport. As I write this post we are flying over the Pacific and are about one third of the way to Seoul, Korea, the longest leg of our flight. In just under 7 hours we should be touching down in Seoul. From there we fly directly to Chiang Mai for about a 5.5 hour flight.

The week leading up to today seemed to go by rather slowly, which was good because we were surrounded by family and just enjoying being with one another. Then all of a sudden it was the night before with so much that still had to be done to get ready to leave. Our kids were fantastic and helped us out cleaning the house up and getting final things packed away and suit cases balanced out with the weight so we could check them in with no problems.

I love my family. We were able to hold them and look them in the eye and tell them how much we loved them. We were able to weep and feel the pain of separation and, yet, realize just how connected we are. I knew this would be hard and it really hit us suddenly like a ton of bricks. We will miss them so very, very much. Our grandsons were so precious. They offered big hugs and tears and I know we will be missed, especially Ya Ya.

We stopped at Christa and Erik's house to say goodbye. Ella was still sleeping. Christa said we could go ahead and get her up. Kalya and I both went into her room to get her and she was sleeping so,so very peacefully we didn't have the heart to get her up. All we could do is look at that beautiful miracle and cry our eyes out because she will be so missed. The night before we both had a great chance to hold her, smell her and tell her how much we love her.

So, here we are, on our way to our big adventure. Pray for grace when we yearn to hold our grand kids and hang with our children and be with our family. It's so easy to romanticize this adventure and bring to it all these glorious expectations when the reality is it will be hard work with many high moments and many discouraging moments. It will be life. We want to be a blessing to everyone that we come in contact with while we are here and I know that there will be ups and downs along the way. But, if there is one thing I have learned over this past year it is that Christ will sustain us and give us grace, comfort and strength.

Thanks for following us and holding us in your prayers.

Bryan and Kalya