This is a picture of my sister (to the left in the picture w/ her legs up) and her friends (sitting on the curb) right after the crash at the train station in Chicago. Still lots of recovery time ahead of them. The best thing I can say is that she will be ok and her friends will be too. It's simply God's protection over them.

It has been a little bit of an overwhelming 3 days ... which I even hesitate to say because I wasn't the one that even went through any of it! I did just about lose my sister though, so that's where the overwhelming part comes in.

I have been helping her these past couple days at her house, since she still can't walk. I am so thankful that I can be here to do whatever I can to help. It helps me to help her.

I have basically been helping take care of her kids while she is recuperating, so today I took my 4 nephews and my newly adopted niece to DQ for lunch today. While we were sitting there eating lunch, they were all talking at the same time about different things ... it was kinda crazy.

The thought struck me, "wow I am really going to miss these moments over the next 3 years after we move overseas." Since we have now hit 90%, which I feel so blessed to have come this far with our budget, I am now beginning to look at everything through the lens of "how will this work in India?" or "This is going to be a very difficult part of moving far away" etc...

It is hard. There's really no other way to say it. It's just the hard part. I don't like the fact that my new little niece probably won't remember me the next time I see her after we move since she is only 1 now.

I. Just. Don't. Like. It.

People ask me a lot "are you excited about leaving?" I always hesitate when I answer their question, because every time -without fail! - thoughts about leaving my family and friends flood my mind. I can't really say that I am excited about that part.

What I can say, though, is that I am passionate about doing what God has called us to do. He didn't guarantee that it would be 'easy.' He didn't say, "I'll make it all a bed of roses for you, so that you can do what I've asked you to do without any pain or hurt."

No. He said, "follow Me."

So I will.

Excitement comes and goes. It's not an everlasting emotion. But this is a passion that God has given us to do something that He purposed us for. That would be the only reason I could get through the hard part of leaving family and friends.

I think when we lived close to family, we take it for granted. Really, we lived close to family for years. Never made nearly as much effort as we should have to see each other as much as possible. This change in this season of our lives just brings that into perspective.

There are hard parts. Nothing can replace seeing my nieces and nephews (all 8 of them!!!) grow up and be a part of their lives during it. I am very thankful for email and Skype though!

I do believe that as I turn to Him and ask Him to help me during this process, He will bless me with the encouragement I need when I need it.

He has promised me that "He shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory." Phil 4:19. If you know me at all, you know that this is the verse that God gave me as we entered this itineration journey. It was clear to me that He was making that promise to me personally. I receive that. Not that I am going to be lavished with expensive gifts, but that as needs arise He will supply what we need. Not just financially, but spiritually, emotionally, and physically as well.

I have already seen Him do that time and time again over this past year. I just know that as we enter this more 'emotional journey' He is not going to stop helping us now. That's where I find my rest and my peace.

I am sure that there a lot more teachings ahead for me from Him because this is definitely still way out of my comfort zone ...