It has been way too long since we have been able to see our girls. This separation is not easy for any of us. We each know we are where we are supposed to be, but the longing to come back together is strong. We have always been very close as a family. None of us are familiar with being apart for months at a stretch.

Lauren will graduate at the end of this month. April 28th and 29th are when the festivities are set for. We anxiously await this time together. She will finish with a double major...Adolescent Ministries and Biblical Literature. Her hope is to go on to graduate school in the fall to study Christian Counseling (for youth).

While we are in Indiana, we will be collecting her belongings, packing them up, and moving her to Oklahoma. This may be temporary, but will give her time to figure out her next step before she and David (who led both of BJ's Peru teams) lead a team of 20 to India this summer. It is an exciting time in Lauren's life, but full of distractions.

Saying good-bye to many friends will take her quite a while. Mixing that with the family present to congratulate her will leave her little time for anything else.

This means Whitney will be left in Indiana by herself (in terms of immediate family). This is easy for none of us, least of all Whitney. She finishes school for the summer, the week after Lauren graduates, and is working to plan a couple of visits our way during the break.

She will not accompany us to the field this summer. Though she knows this is right, it remains a struggle, as she knows her family will be in Asia and South America.

Sometimes the changes God brings in our lives are completely unanticipated, and not ones we would desire. Any one of us could choose to step out of His will to assure more time together, but we have certainly learned of our need to follow Him in instant obedience. We also know that many families across the US and world are dealing with similar issues.

Our collective desire is to bring glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We will have times of suffering in that journey. Sometimes it means extended time apart. Sometimes it means heartbreak. Sometimes it means we get to see Him do amazing things in and around us.

More than each other, we treasure our time with Him. He is what makes it possible for us to put one foot in front of the other, even when it takes us farther apart from each other.

I am very thankful for two beautiful daughters who serve and love Jesus. I am very thankful for a precious son who currently has a view we all covet. I am most thankful for a loving God who ministers to each one of us, day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute. How blessed we are to have the opportunity to minister to others because of His love for us!

Lord, haste the day when faith shall be sight!!!

dad