I'm not the only parent

I'm not the only parent who has ever had to say goodbye to an only son, but today it sure feels like it. Tonight when I hug Nick goodbye, it will hurt more than any other time before. I know it's part of being parent to let your kids go. But what about when you're the one going? Sending him off somehow seems easier.

We're missionaries. We're supposed to understand leaving family behind. We've done it many times before. But no one ever prepared me for today. I'm not sure I really understood sacrifice until this moment. I'm not sure I understood what trusting the Lord with all your heart looked like until I had to trust him completely with this treasure. I'm not sure I'm doing this right.

But I am absolutely certain that no matter how it feels, I'm not the only parent who has had to say goodbye to their only son. And today I'm just doing my best to lean into the One who did it so well.

Leaving It All Out on the Table

One of our favorite things about being in the U.S. for HMA (Home Ministry Assignment) is the opportunity to take part in family camps across the country. We spent this week at Camp Sharon in Wadsworth, Ohio.

The Challenge: 
One week to build meaningful relationships with complete strangers

The Goal: 
To make an impact on lives and for the mission in Honduras

The Strategies:
Serve. Interact. Start conversations. Listen. Be open and vulnerable.Bless and be blessed. Love people.

Of course we played games and interacted with kids and teens. That comes naturally to us. But we also got out of our comfort zone, met some amazing people, heard their amazing stories and shared our hearts. We poured our entire selves into the people of Camp Sharon this week and we are spent. We left it all out on the table and now there's nothing left but to trust God to use it for His glory and our good.