Letter 18 – Good byes

Good-bye

Dear Diary,

I am getting so weary of saying good-bye. It seems like that is all I am doing.

Leaving Iowa was so hard. It was hard saying goodbye to our friends who have been at Oskaloosa with us. It was hard saying goodbye to my dear friend L, who had become like a sister to me. And it was hard saying goodbye to our home. All those hours of remodeling which we had worked so hard on, we just left it all behind.

After leaving Iowa, we went to visit Perry’s parents, after that while Perry went to camp, I took the boys to the farm. It was a great break. The boys played, and I helped turn bales and pick strawberries. It was hard work, but still fun.

This was followed by family camp. Here I was commissioned as a lay missionary. So, I guess it’s official. I am a missionary. From here, more goodbyes to our friends from around the district. So many knew us because of all of Perry’s work with the district youth.

We then went to our Missionary Internship, where we made some great friends and then had to say goodbye. From internship we went to the missionary retreat.

Then off to the farm one more time. We arrived in time for Jo and John’s wedding. Jeff and I got there just in time for the rehearsal (we flew) and Perry and John arrived in time for the wedding (they drove).

We had a wonderful time at home. Perry had such fun on the tractors and as always, the boys had a blast. It was great but the Monday before we left, I saw mom holding John. They hugged for a long time. Then came my first doubts of going and wondering, how could I say goodbye and take the boys away from grandpa and grandma? That night I cried a long time. I know the Lord wants me in Africa, but how could I say goodbye to my folks. Perry has been a big comfort to me. I guess the Lord never promises it will be easy– He just promises to help us make it through.

Saying goodbye, the next day was hard, but the Lord gave me strength, as always.

Then we visited and said goodbye to D and S (Perry’s cousin and wife who have become special friends) and Dan and Julie, and Paul and Mindy (Perry’s brothers and their wives). Then finally, we said goodbye to T and N. How neat to see their growth and just spend time with them. But yet again, another good-bye.

I was surprised when one of my old friends, who I knew before Perry, stopped by. As I talked with this person, I realized that I could never have been comfortable with the lifestyle that he represented. I was able to say goodbye with no regrets to the past. I now see how really terrific Perry is and realize all that God has given me.

Now here we are, in Kenosha for one more round of good-byes. A large group of our friends and family have been invited over to celebrate and encourage us. By this point, I am so ready to go. Saying goodbye to Vi and Hub wasn’t as hard as I thought it may be. But I think it is because they are excited for us to go. They always wanted to pursue missions and with us being missionaries, it is kind of a fulfillment of the desire they had to go when they were first married.

But, like I said, I am tired of saying good-bye and truly ready to go.

Nancy

Saying goodbye is emotional and stressful. How will you handle the reality of saying goodbye to family and close friends?