Gone - but not forever

Our church has lost quite a number of people over the last month. Fortunately, they all left due to a physical move, whether is was a job change or new military orders. A sweet family of six moved to Oregon, another large family (five) moved to Wisconsin, a newly married couple moved to Germany (army), a good single friend moved to Virginia, and a young couple with a toddler moved to Washington state. I tear up when I realize that we might be losing another young (pregnant) couple in a few months (another army move) and then ANOTHER couple in the next year as they begin their seminary journey. Our nursery at church is dwindling!

I don't like losing friends. I never know if I'll ever lay eyes on them again or hug them once more. It's almost a little scary because I want to stay in touch with all of these people but fear that we might lose contact. Darn that hectic pace of life! Hurray for Facebook! However, this is all very normal to us since we live in a heavily influenced military town. I know that this will continue to happen year after year and, for that, I am grateful.

I am grateful because God has blessed me with the friendships of some amazing women. They have encouraged me and shown me more about the love of God. The cross is evident in their life and I have seen the gospel permeate their heart. They have been shining examples of Christ to me as I've watched them be a mother to their children and a wife to their husband. It's hard to see them go but it's also joyous at the same time. How wonderful that they get to journey to a new place where they can be a new friend to someone else! How awesome that they can be discipled where ever they are and then turn around and do the same elsewhere.

Selfishly, I want them back, but I'm excited to see who God will bring to our church next. In the meantime, I need to buy several books of stamps.