Holidays

I met with a friend this morning and told her goodbye for 2 months as her and her family return to Germany to get their visa's renewed. She was gracious enough to let me borrow their little Christmas tree. I had no doubt that it was going up when I got home. And sure enough, it did. I put it together and strung the lights as I listened to Christmas music.

And then the tears came. And came. And came. Holidays are really hard when you are away from your family. Your friends. Your familiar. The same thing happened last Saturday as we celebrated Thanksgiving as a TEAM and I came home to an empty house.

And even through the tears, I feel so overwhelmed tonight by God's great love for me. And thankful. This love that was a baby in a manger, and grew to be a man who was perfect, who was crucified so I could be forgiven, redeemed, and free. His love is going to sustain and carry me through the next couple months until I return home. Home to my family. My friends. My familiar.