Tomorrow ... Big Sister Carissa is coming home for a visit. Yea! While I just saw her in September, the rest of the family hasn't seen her since April 4th. Seven months is a looong time to be missing the big sis.
I think Elijah has the hardest time with his older siblings being gone ... every time he talks to any of them on the phone he says, "WHEN are you coming home? Will you live at home then?" Christmas will be especially hard, with 3 of the big kids gone this year (and it being our first Christmas with our 3 new kids). Lindsey is in the middle of her 6 month time in Germany, and Jeremiah won't be home until June (after 10 months in Jordan). It is so hard to explain to the little ones ... how, why, and where their brothers and sisters are and when they will be home. "Will he/she be home for my birthday? Will they be home when I play baseball?"
We brought our 3 kids home from Ghana in March (while Gregg was still serving in Iraq). By the time Gregg got home, Carissa had left. Shortly thereafter, Jeremiah and Lindsey headed out on their adventures. So, next summer, when we finally get everyone home for our first Big Fat Greek Wedding, it will have been 2 years since we were all together (and the first time we will have been together with the new kids ... and they will have been home for 16 months by that time). This is VERY sad for the mama that LOVES Family Pictures. Looks like we get to send out another collage for our Family Christmas Pic. Very sad!
Welcome to Our Journey of Faith. My blog is a place where I share the joys and trials of living a faith-filled life as the mother of an extra large (12 children) homeschooling family, and my prayer is that it brings encouragement to others to live their lives as an adventure of faith, as well.
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Oh, Laurel. Your family travels are amazing. Jordan. Iraq. Argentina. Ghana. Germany. Not to mention all those places your kids have been to in the past . . . India and other places in Africa. My guess is that God may have a special crown for mission-minded mommas who JOYFULLY put together those Christmas-collage pictures. May His grace be on you, and on all of your kids, wherever they will be, as you celebrate Christ's coming to earth.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, the true message of Christmas is not about "coming home" . . . it's about "leaving home" in obedience to the Father.
Love you!
Ann
I'm very excited to see Carissa in a few weeks, but I will miss Lindsey and Jeremiah. I can't wait for that wedding, and I'm soooo glad that everyone will be home for it. I've been waiting for that family photo you mentioned since March! :)
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