Quality Time with Family

We were blessed with some wonderful time with both our families here in Missouri. We were able to spend a couple nights at a nearby resort together, and the weather was beautiful for swimming and hiking. While the two weeks we spent in Missouri was incredibly busy with final preparations for our departure, we were also able to spend a lot of time just hanging out with our families - we praise God for this precious gift. We also praise Him for families who love us and are standing behind us as we go. It will be very difficult to be apart, but we know that God will give us the grace we each need.

We had fun with pumpkins too - we carved some very happy jack-o-lanterns, and the kids all painted their own pumpkin as well. Ben had fun painting, but he did make us a little nervous - a toddler with a paintbrush is a frightening thing to be certain.

We enacted an old Jackson tradition by getting the kids up from bed to make donuts together. We let Ben sleep through the craziness, but he got to enjoy the fruits of the adventure the next morning for breakfast.

We covet your prayers this Wednesday (October 26) as we say some incredibly difficult goodbyes. I think watching the grandparents say goodbye to their grandkids will be the most difficult part of it. My heart aches at the thought of the upcoming separation, but I know that God will be faithful to comfort us with His love. And I also know that the reason we are going is well worth the sacrifice it will cost us.