A Sad Day With Many Blessings

Well, as many of you know, today Scott left Colombia to head back to Michigan. It was a day that I had been dreading since we arrived, for many reasons. My husband is one of the most amazing men I know, and while we were here, he proved it to me time and time again. His love for his children and for me is evident in everything that he does. He made Ally happy in so many hard situations, and Will has really begun to look up to him as "Dad". He makes everyone in the hotel laugh and feel comfortable, and he just has a way with people like none I've ever seen. But most of all, he is my best friend. I love to go on walks with him, or talk to him late at night...he was a wonderful companion and he will be missed sorely here by everyone...especially me.

His leaving also means that the blogging falls to me. I think we all can appreciate how talented he is in his writing ability, and also how dedicated he was to recording our time here. I only hope that I can live up to half of that, and will try to keep you all up to date as much as I can.

Although today was a sad one, God granted me many blessings throught the day. Our friend Jen has both of her moms here now, and graciously invited us to walk with them to the markets. I was so glad that today was Sunday, as this is one of my favorite days here. We started walking the streets to the markets, and the sun began shining like I hadn't seen it in weeks. I think God knew that we couldn't take the rain today! We had a great time strolling through all of the vendor's booths, and the kids did surprisingly well for how long we were there. We then decided to go out to lunch, and went to Archie's for some pizza. Again, the kids were amazing. Another blessing. And then Will took an 1 1/2 hour nap and was in a great mood for the rest of the day. Blessing again. God is so good.

The day did have it moments, but all in all, God granted all of us his peace. I want to thank all of you who have been praying for us during this transition. I can feel your prayers, and they are appreciated more than you know.

I'm not going to try to post any pics tonight (although Will had his first sucker today, and it was pretty funny...I'll try to post that later) but I did want to leave you all with an exerpt from a great book my mom gave me. It's called, Calm My Anxious Heart, and it's a great read if you're looking for a good book. It's kind of a long quote, but it really spoke to me as I long to go home and be reunited as a family. This is where God wants all of us right now, and I know that He will bring us home in His perfect time. I will rest in the knowledge that this is where I am supposed to be.

"It was spring but it was summer I wanted: the warm days and the great outdoors. It was summer but it was fall I wanted: the colorful leaves and the cool dry air. It was fall but it was winter I wanted: the beautiful snow and the joy of the holiday season. It was now winter but it was spring I wanted: the warmth and the blossoming of nature. I was a child but it was adulthood I wanted: the freedom and the respect. I was twenty but it was thirty I wanted: to be mature and sophisticated. I was middle-aged but it was twenty I wanted: the youth and the free spirit. I was retired but it was middle-age that I wanted: the presence of mind without limitations. My life was over but I never got what I wanted."

Just a good reminder that we should live our lives in the knowledge that God is in control and that he has a perfect plan. And for that, I am so thankful.