Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye has become a part of our lives as missionaries. When we left for the field in 2000, we said our goodbyes to family and friends. What we didn't expect, though, is how often we would be saying goodbye to people as they leave Guatemala. This morning we said yet another tearful goodbye to our good friends the Ellers. Kory and Laura Eller, along with their children Katie (11), Ben (8), and JoshE (6) left for the States for a year long furlough. From their they will be in Spain for the Fall of 2006. We will not see them again until January of 2007. As we hugged their kids, I thought of how much they will change in this year and a half. Driving home, Kayla asked, "Mommy, when is JoshE coming back?" "In a year and a half," I told her. "How long is that?" she asked. "Well, Kayla, you'll be seven before he comes home." I turned back to see the tears streaming down her face. When you live overseas friends become like a second family. The Ellers have been that to us: the kids like cousins, their parents like aunt and uncle to our girls, and to Kyle and I, great friends. They will be missed.