Today has been a bittersweet day for me.  It is Sunday, October 4th.  We are set to launch (leave this area) on Friday, October 9th.  Four more days to get ready for this great adventure.  There is excitement building. However, there is also a sadness.

First thing this morning we said our goodbyes to Crissa, Mike and Miranda.  They have been on the road for 5 years.  They don’t say goodbye, they say see you down the road.  Because our paths of travel are not going the same way for the foreseeable future, it was goodbye for me.  I should be used to this by now but I’m not.  It’s always sad to see them drive away.  I will miss them.

After the first goodbyes, we headed to worship at our family church.  We have been part of this “church family” for over 38 years.  We have a lot of history there.  A lot of good friends. Pastors and their families that we love.   As I stand to worship and sing with our leadership band, it hits me again .  This is bittersweet.  I have grown to love our service band.  They are lovers of the Lord and they bring that passion into our worship every Sunday. I look around the room and see so many faces that are near and dear to my heart.  This is hard .  I know we will meet other believers as we worship on the road.  But, Brandon and Caitlyn, I will miss you and the band.  You have brought a new energy to worship for me.  Haven will always be our home church. I will miss you all.

Tonight, we had a delicious dinner with our close family Bob and Diane.  They are family (as in cousin’s of Larrie’s). And they are also part of our Christian family from Haven.  Our families have grown up together.  We have shared many ups and downs of life with each other.  And now, we are leaving for a period of time.  This too is bittersweet.  We will miss them along with other family members and gatherings.  In case you do not know it, you are both very special to us.  Please come visit us this winter in Florida.

Leaving Michigan to explore has been a dream of ours for some time.  I am grateful we are able to do this.  There is so much to see and do.  I know we will meet some great people if we just open our eyes and our hearts.  We plan to do both.  Still, you all have played an important part in our lives and we will miss you.

JA

PS… these next 4 days are filled with many activities to be ready to leave on Friday.  One of these things is to say goodbye to our other daughter Cathy , her children, Amber and Mitchell and a grandson in Holland, Harrison.  Talk about bittersweet.  Larrie, keep the tissues ready.