In life, there are seasons when separations, though difficult, are well worth the pangs of missing one another. Adoptions, mission trips, and heart surgeries have historically been separations of the worthy kind for us, the ones where we gladly endure the distance knowing the Lord is using the time for His type of gain. And so it's been with their trip to Tennessee to visit cherished friends and make memories.
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This past week Brodie took the older girls, Aida, Elka, and Olia (who had never been on an airplane before!) on a very special journey, a "mission trip" of a different sort, watering seeds in our daughters' hearts that I can see will yield a harvest for many years to come!
(Daddy LOVES his girls!)
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On Monday, they set off for a red eye flight, giddy with excitement for the adventure they were about to embark upon!
Our teary goodbyes lasted only a little while as the girls refocused on the joy set before them,
while those of us back home huddled together for a snuggly evening (and I'll admit, some cookies!).
(first tram ride)
(my little women)
(waiting for the plane...safe with Daddy)
(reading a note from Mommy)
(Olia was especially looking forward to the escalators. :))
With all the energy in the air, the girls didn't sleep on their first and longer flight, though they did have a nap during their 3 hour layover in Atlanta. What a pleasure it is to watch my girls grow into such little ladies and to get to see them have this new experience...together!
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On Tuesday morning, I woke up to the sweetest note by my coffee from my (not so little anymore) Brodie. He knows how to take care of his mama. I love to see the kids shine as they take on new roles during times of change like this. Brodie has grown so much and he really knows how to act like a gentleman and the man of the house when Dad is gone. It's been a blessing to bond with him this week.
(my little girls doing big sister work in the kitchen)
At 5:30am our time Tuesday morning, they finally arrived in Tennessee! First stop Cracker Barrel!
They spent the following days enjoying one another's company, catching up, planting potatoes, frolicking through the fields, talking, giggling, and talking some more. It's so special to share time with these amazing friends of ours, real treasures from the Lord who always spur us on to love Him more and focus even more intently upon His Word!
(view from upstairs in the barn)
(Daddies off in the distance on a Bulldog ride)
(my flower girl in her element)
(antique shopping in town)
(cozy inside on a rainy afternoon)
(Wishing I was there with these wonderful ladies!)
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Though the plan was to travel to Virginia on Thursday, the weather did not permit, but on Friday after much prayer for the storm to pass, they finally made the drive to meet up with new friends. What a blessing to spend the day with such kind, God-fearing families!
(Aida loving the Newfoundlands...her favorite!)
(loving all the animals)
Such a sweet day!
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
Proverbs 27:17
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This morning as Brodie and the girls prepared for the airport, the joy of coming home for our reunion comforted their hearts as they said goodbye to dear friends. It's clear to me that each one of them holds a piece of Tennessee in their hearts and that they've grown in new ways for having had this experience. Oh, Tennessee, we can see why people love you. I have a feeling they/we will be back...
"Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"
Psalm 106:1
