The kids and I will be heading home after church tomorrow. Well, actually after we play a game of Skipbo. (never travel without it)
I've has so much fun here, it will be very hard to leave. You can really feel God's presence here. As I said before, my journey here started all because I decided to go to Josh's wedding. I've been able to share a lot of things that have been going on in my life over the last five or so years and just in conversation, felt God next to me, whispering "Do you now see Erin why I made it possible for you to go to the wedding?".
Already, I've had to "pinkie promise" we will be back next year and come for VBS. The kids have said we need to stay longer because we didn't get to do all the "fun stuff" because half the day was gone by the time we got home from VBS. I told them they would get sick of us and each time they say "no we wouldn't, you're too much fun".
Noelle has really connected with her cousins. Obviously more the girls than boys. She and Michaela have been cooking up some plan for her to stay here.
Michael has really connected with all the kids in some way. He tends to be a pretty much go with the flow kind of kid, (which is why his panic attacks caught me off guard) He has played with the youngest boys ages 2 & 4 and played with the older boys as well. Of the older boys, I'd say he really has a good connection with Daniel. It doesn't hurt they both play guitar. I believe he is also coming up with a plan to sneak one of the tea cup poodles into the suitcase.
I've put on a strong/brave front as they tell me they will cry when I leave and think that the kids and I should stay a few more days because they didn't get to spend as much time with us as they wanted to. I'm not going to lie, it will be very difficult to drive home and leave them here. Don't get me wrong, I have really missed Sean, but at the same time, I have so enjoyed connecting to a family that reminded me, (and I think the kids as well) how important it is to be connected to the Lord.
I'm going to miss all the excitement that goes on here and how much fun it is to watch the kids interact. As all kids do, they have their moments, but you can tell they really love each other. These kids are so truly wonderful to be around. The first night, they could tell something was wrong with Michael. Now, most of them had not seen him since my gramma died. They asked what was wrong and as soon as I told them, they stopped what they were doing and said a prayer. It wasn't like they were all in a group together. At different times, one by one they would come and ask how he was doing and asked if they could pray for him. It really brings tears to your eyes.
Merlin and Lori are just two amazing people. They have been married for 25 years and have 13 kids. Their house may be chaotic at times, but you know who the center of their world is.
So now, our bags are packed back up and after church and the promised Skipbo game, we will load Beulah and head home. Our hearts will be heavy, our eyes filled with tears and our minds full of fun memories made during our trip.
Next summer, I'm sure, won't get here fast enough.
