We have reached our last week in the United States and things are getting a bit crazy. We’ve been making the rounds to see all the kids and grands before we go. We took our oldest granddaughter Addi on a surprise trip to find a sandcastle. She was very surprised when she stepped off the plane and was in Las Vegas to see her Uncle “Man” and Aunt Maggie.
Addi got to stay in Vegas with them, while we had a trip out to Portland to meet our newest granddaughter Isla.
She kept us laughing with her little tongue the whole week we were out there. We had a special time with Matthew and Kallie. Then on our way home we picked up our oldest son Mickeal from Vegas. It was great getting to spend time with him and his wife Maggie at our home. It was also time to say goodbye to Samson. We adopted Sam as a family 8 years ago and he was the best dog we could ever ask for. This past year, he developed Degenerative Myelopathy and last week it became apparent it was time.
Saying goodbye to so many things is hard. Hugging our kids at the airport and kissing those grand babies “one last time” before they leave, giving that last hug, telling the dog he is such a good boy knowing you won’t see him again, leaving the house Sharon has lived in for 33 years of her life, it’s all hard: but it’s also worth it. Hearing our child tell us he’s proud of us for doing what God has laid on our hearts to do and knowing that our grandkids are in good hands and will grow up knowing their grandparents followed God makes it worth it.
People ask us all the time, “are you still excited?” Yes! We are emotional (Sharon the most), but we are excited to see how God is going to use us. We know that God has a mighty plan, and we can’t wait to watch what He does in Zambia using us. He has already done amazing things to make the separation smoother. One example, the house Sharon grew up in. We got a call while we were in Portland that a couple wanted to see the house so our daughter, Kaitlyn, let them in. They fell in love with the size and potential this house has as well as the fact it was out in the country and in the school district they wanted. They aren’t at a place where they want to build a house from the ground up, but they want to be able to put their touches and make it theirs. Since we were in the middle of a remodel on the older half, it’s perfect timing for them to do just that. Fast forward to last week when they want to bring by an offer, and in walks a young couple Quill married from Temple. We looked at them and they looked at us and were like “hey, I know you”. It’s exciting to see a young couple take the house Sharon’s family have owned for over 50 years and start their own family heritage with it.
So, now we will leave you to go back to packing and weighing bags in preparation for Thursday’s flights, but as we go just remember to pray for us. Pray for safety as we travel, pray for emotions and hearts as we leave, and pray for health as we enter this last stretch.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
~Psalm 139:9-10
The Quillmans 