They Come and They Go

Sometimes you're coming, other times you're going.  It seem like that has been a theme of the week.  It seems so hard to say goodbye, but is so effortless to welcome friends home.

Ryan is home from Africa! I've been praying for him a lot and am so happy he is home.  I have learned so much from him already. God just shines right through him when he talks. I can't wait to have more conversations with him about Africa. Alex, Can, Ry and I caught up outside Bdubs on Thursday.  Not the most adventurous place, but definitely an adventure.  Between our cigarette war and photo shoot we definitely had a blast. I love these beautiful friends.

This week we have also had some great friends come and visit us from Virginia and Oklahoma.  We spent all day Friday at a Greenville pond.  These kids are crazy and so much fun.  Even though they had to come and go in one week, I am so thankful to get to see them.  It is really cool to see how close all the kids are.  They are making life long friends all because their mother's love to scrapbook.  This week we went to Kings Island, Young's Dairy, and the water park.  All of their mother's are amazing.  They are full of adventure and say YES to their kids whimsical ideas.  Saying goodbye to all of them was really hard knowing that it will be a whole year before we are reunited.

         

The first of the school goodbyes were this weekend.  I'm not sure if I'm ready for everyone to leave yet, but that doesn't stop them from leaving.  Laura left for college this morning.  She is always so adventurous and full of love. I miss her already. And Luke announced that today was his last day at work, which almost too much for me to handle.  He always is a hoot and knows how to make me smile at work.














  








Today I also got married. Well, fake married but kind of for real.  It has been a joke on the Crestwood swim team the whole summer. Coach Derek and I have been telling the kids that we are engaged, and they actually believed us. So to appease them we let them be a part of the wedding.  I was a little nervous about how it would all play out, but we exchange ring pops and seriously had a blast.  Michael may have objected... so I am not exactly sure who I even married, but the kids didn't seemed phased.  We also celebrated Coach Jordan's going away party.  She is going to intern at Disney this semester.  I am so excited for her! I am so thankful that we got to spend so much time with her this summer.  What a fun and unusual afternoon.

Today I also got to hang out and catch up with Amanda. She has been in Scotland and Whales for the past month.  I truly have missed her and loved getting to hear all about her experience.  She is an awesome friend.  A couple weeks ago I went to breakfast with Alyssa.  She leaves for work crew at Rockbridge tomorrow morning.  I will be praying for her all month and am so excited for her.  I know God will work through her like crazy.






















It has been a week of comings and goings and I know it will only continue as we get closer to school  starting.  It is really hard for me to see amazing friends leave, but when they come with stories of their amazing world adventures I can't help but smile.  God works that way, he takes us on world wind adventures and teaches us lessons, then brings us back to live a little bit more like Him, with His heart, in our everyday lives.  I am so thankful for so many wonderful friends that go on adventures with me, and are willing to follow God's will around the globe and then come back share their experiences.