Saying Goodbye...for now...

Friday evening, Justin and I had dinner with our friends, Dave and Melissa. Dave has been our school's principal for four years. Melissa used to teach middle school Bible classes before becoming the mother of two BEAUTIFUL little girls. They have been here ever since we came in 2002 and the Lord has blessed us immensely through their friendship.

They are going to move to Moses Lake, WA, USA, on July 6. Since I leave today for four weeks in Germany, last night was the last time I'd see them before they move. We had a great time eating good food at a little italian place in Budaors, a nearby town. (Mel, I still can't get over how good that bread was! And the wine was perfect!) I didn't wear mascara because I knew that I would cry sometime that night. After dinner, we went back to their house and said goodbye to their little girls. So far, so good, no crying. So we hung out while Dave went to school for something and Mel put the girls to bed.

Justin had a brilliant idea while Mel was upstairs. He wanted to take pics of us with their stuff or just pics of us in their house doing funny things or making funny faces. Random? Very. So, we did that and I look forward to sending one photo to them via snail mail with a letter to help remind them of us and hopefully ease their transition to Washington. (Dave and Mel, if you're reading this, be prepared for some fun pics!) And it's so fun to get something in the mail. I think actual letter-writing is a lost art.

But when Mel came down, we talked about the things they need to do, memories, and family. It was fun to remember the first time we had dinner with them. Breakfast for dinner, chocolate chip pancakes! Ingenious! I had never thought of adding choc. chips to pancakes before. And most of my memories involve them with food.. Great times!

When Dave came back from school, we chatted a bit more and Justin and I wanted to pray for them. Justin prayed first and then I prayed. As soon as I started praying, the tears flowed. They prayed for us as well. I will miss them so much!

Dave and Melissa, I love you and I don't have words to truly express how much I will miss you!



(Next summer, we'll be back Texas for the summer. Does anyone know if there is cheap airfare from Houston to Seatle?)