One of the hardest things

Just got back from a busy and fun weekend!  From an all night tournament on Friday night, to Al and Tiff's in Payson on Saturday, to Mtn. View on Sunday morning, hanging with the BERNALS on Sunday, then family and extended family (yeah Barnhart clan!) on Sunday/Monday....it was a packed weekend!  It was so fun, we are being blessed with some amazing memories prior to our departure.

Bags need to be all packed...in 2.5 weeks!  And almost everything else needs to be done by then. Yikes.

Often times, people will remark at how much we are "sacrificing" as we leave everything behind. I don't know how often I correct anyone or tell them my true feelings, but that is not how I feel.  This is our dream! And yes, things have to be left behind. And yes, it is hard to be farther away from family (more on this below), but God is fulfilling a desire in our heart.  We are beyond excited, and of course I am nervous too.  I feel that whether you live in America or live overseas, LIFE is good and life is hard.  Some things will be a lot easier for us on the mission field. Some things will be harder. But life is life, no matter where you go.  That is one lesson I learned when I was in Thailand 6 years ago for my study abroad.  I am sure we will remain in a "honeymoon phase" in Thailand for a period, and then it will become harder.  But the life that Jason and I have experienced together in America has been hard too (and full of blessings, don't get me wrong).  So I don't feel that extra praise is needed for "what we're doing" in Thailand.  We are fulfilling the dream that God has placed on our hearts, and we hope that every believer does the same, at home or abroad.

As I was driving home, I was messing around mainly with the photos of the cousins that I had taken during the weekend.  One of the hardest thing for me personally is Moriah living far away from her cousins. When we watch old videos of them (old, meaning one year ago), Moriah gets this deep, personal, genuine and sweet laugh as she watches her cousins. She will kiss and hug Ayden and Ayden puts up with it!  Addy and Moriah have very similar interests and bicker more, but they love each other (otherwise Moriah probably wouldn't talk about her all the time!).  So this separation is one of the things that truly weighs on my heart.  We met our Hawaiian cousin Kaili for the first time this spring, and it was magical having the girls all play together. And "Cay-bub," her CA cousin is one that she never forgets to talk about. There is such a sweetness when family is together.

All this being said, I am beyond convinced that this love that they have for each other, no matter how far apart they are, will remain.  I am so grateful for the family that God has given Jason and I together.  I never knew it would be this good!

His grace is sufficient,
-Jenn