Coming and Going

Over the last 7-8 years of my life I have awkwardly found myself in the same situation time and time again. From saying goodbye to my family that had been so loving to me and letting go of me in July of 01 to my first goodbye to my new found friend from boot camp in October of that same year. After three years of the Navy with 2 different schools and being in Japan for almost 2 years there were times when it felt as though there was a departure every week. How close can you get to someone when you know ultimately that they are going to be gone within a matter of days?

I should be out of that area by now. Settling down with my family and beginning lifelong relationships that you only see in a cute chick flick. Wrong. We are in a place where people come and go like the New York subway system. Yet, this isn't bad at all. In fact it's a beautiful thing.

From the picture above our friends Flo and Katrine are soon to be departing back to Switzerland! Surprising to know that we have only known them for 6 months. They finished their internship here at The Coastlands and are going to take a vacation for the next 2 weeks and head back home.

I actually went on a mission trip a year ago last March to Switzerland and I stayed at their home for about a full week. During that time I was able to talk with them about the internship program, as much as I knew about it, and answer questions that they had about it. Wouldn't you know it, a year after that they were here! It has been so wonderful getting to know them even more and to have them be a part of our family for 6 months. I am excited to remain in contact with them over the next few years as their lives will be so full with new and fun adventures!

The Lord has really taught me how to use the time that we have with the people around us. If it's a day, month or year it is insignificant....it's about relationships and building as much as you can with what you have.