It's Now Time for the Good-byes.

Tyler has 2-3 years worth of records.... supporters, contact information, actions for raising support, etc. I have my own files. I am pleased to announce that all records have been combined and formatted! Phew! That was quite the job within itself!

Now it's on to the harder parts of leaving for Germany - saying good-byes. Our Christmas cards have arrived. Here's a preview:

Merry Christmas!

So we're sending out cards thanking everyone for their love and support and to let them know we're leaving. I have a dinner tonight at Fellini's, one last chance to hangout with all my freshmen from CCF. Tuesday night Tyler and I have a dinner/hangout at Manuel's with anyone and everyone who wants to swing in and say goodbye. (Do come! It's from 8-10:30pm)

Leaving for Germany is bittersweet. I went to CCF Wednesday night for Cafe, a chill version of Bible Study. I sat in that room and I realized how much has happened in there, how many friendships have been made, how many people have poured into me. That room is full of love, God's love. It's a thing of beauty. It's hard to leave that. A lot of work has gone into building relationships, learning a lot about God and teaching what little I know about God.

I saw a freshmen there Wednesday night that I hung out with a bit during my intern year, but he rarely came around CCF. I saw him after Cafe and he said in a joking manner, "Yeah, now that you're gone, I come around all the time." He then told me it was because of me that he comes around now. It's incredible and awesome, but I have this desire deep inside me to still want to be there...

I know God is beautiful and wonderful and works in crazy ways. I'm glad this particular "freshman" (now sophomore) comes to CCF and has found an awesome community there. I'm sad that I'm not a part of the current story. But it's a part of saying good-bye. My only hope is that I'll find this in Germany. The work will be much harder and more strenuous as I will be in a new culture and learning a new language, but I know students there need to desperately know God's love. I have faith and hope that God will use me there, too. In the meantime, I'm soaking up and enjoying my last three weeks in the good 'ole south.

My freshmen celebrating my wedding with me!

Courtesy of Tom Smarch