28 days

We leave Ontario in 28 days. It could be hormones, but I've been emotional about this for two days in a row now - I feel like I could cry any moment!

Although India, Nepal and finally Vancouver are very exciting things on the horizon, it's overwhelmingly sad to think about leaving behind the dozens of very loved and important people in our lives here in Ontario. I feel so contradicted.

When my Uncle Doug married us just over a year ago, he spoke some very prophetic words into our lives,

There's another gift that I've left to the end, because you both have it. When you bring it together, I believe you will have the corner of the market on this one, you're going to take it over the top in union together. And that is risk taking. Adventurous. Free spirit. And let me commend you on that. A well known world leader, a woman, once was noted by saying "Life is either a daring adventure, or it's nothing." And I think that represents you two. You know I can imagine that there is some inner turmoil in that one, you know, "when are we going to settle down, when are we going to be responsible?" Maybe other people are saying that to you. There will be a loss of memory and family times. Loss of time with Daddy, Mommy... there will continue to be. Loss with your siblings. But it is a part of who you are. It's your DNA and it's a gift from God, it's a gift to each one of us as your friends and family, and it's a gift to the church. So in 2nd Corinthians 4, God said 'Light up the darkness, and Andrew and Sarah's lives lit up' with these gifts. So to your parents, well done. Well done for raising up these leaders, they are extraordinary leaders. Well done.

While we were dating, we strongly sensed that God wanted us to spend the first year of our marriage in Ontario with our families. Now I both rejoice and mourn that God led us to do this because we may not be back here for many, many years. Especially when I re-listen to what my uncle spoke into our lives. This year has been incredible with our families and I praise God for putting us here. Our parents and siblings are incredible people.
We love them beyond words.
We will miss them beyond words.

We are camping with each of our families in the next couple weeks (yay!) and have/will see each of my extended families before we leave. I am so thankful for this. Hugging my Grandpa and Grandma Hill goodbye yesterday was tearful - it's always hard saying goodbye to grandparents. You never know what will happen with life, right?

It's been a fabulous blessing to be home for so many weddings this summer - a) to celebrate the marriages of people we love, and b) weddings are a great place to spend time with loved ones - we've been very blessed.
We are not people to over-busy ourselves, in fact we try to avoid a busy life. This summer has been, and continues to be BUSY! But I'm trying to look at it as a blessing, because busy means people. And we love our people... people that we won't be able to do day in, day out life with.

So, here's to 28 more days. I'm thrilled. I'm nervous. I'm sad.
I'm a little bit of everything.