Last days with our families

Thank you God for our families. It's always hard to know "this may be the last..." when it comes to things that are dear to your heart. This last week was wonderful! It was also a little exhausting getting all the last minute stuff finished, but our families were so sweet to help.

However, prior to our last week together we were all very busy packing up our apartment and all five of the suitcases (although they were unpacked and repacked a couple of times). During the packing we had a lot of help, not only cleaning out closets, the bathroom and kitchen, but with Elijah as well. I mean, who would want to pass up holding or playing with the baby? Even my nephew Jonas loved to entertain Elijah while we worked. (The little hat was too cute on Elijah! It reminds me of the kind of hat my dad always wore growing up, and now my brother Joel wears as well.)

 This picture of my dad holding Elijah in the pouch carrier makes me laugh so much! Dad was very sweet to feed Elijah, walk with him, rock him, etc. He decided to wear the pouch while walking with Elijah outside and it was too cute. Elijah loves the pouch, especially now that he gets to face forward and see everything. 

Here's the group that worked very faithfully for days getting things packed and our of our apartment. We were very grateful! Thank you Lord for the kindness of our precious families!

 Here we are with all of our bags! It looks like a lot, but it's really hard to pack your life into a few suitcases, so we did the best we could (or I did, Kristen, because Neal would have been fine not packing as many home things and things for Elijah.

After packing and visiting NC we stayed with our parents and enjoyed some time together. One of the first things our moms wanted to know was what we wanted to eat. You can't eat all of the same meals in India that we would eat in the states, so they wanted to know our favorites that we would miss. These three meals came to mind - lasanga, chicken almondene, and Bond burgers. Not only did we get some great meals, but great desserts as well!!

We got to see some dear friends while we were home, Dana, and Amy and Devin with their two kids. They both had a time of prayer over us. God has blessed us with great friends who we 

.will miss very much

At Elijah's Mimi and GB's house he got to hear the song Mimi wrote for him and GB played on his guitar. They always love to sing to him 

 The Bond crew minus Tori (above) and the Cothran crew (left).

Thank you Lord for the years we have had with our families. Thank you for all the things we have learn, times we have shared, laughs, cries, and great times together. We are truly going to miss everyone while we're away. But, the great thing is that they're all just a skype or email away. We will see each other again, but it's still hard to say goodbye for now.

Here's everyone who came to the airport to see us off. We'd already gone through security, which is why they were all behind the glass. Tears were still stinging my eyes, from giving last hugs and actually saying bye, but the TSA people helped to bring a little relief. I'm sure they didn't know that we were leaving for a few years, all they knew was the huge group of people who stood on the other side of the glass waiting, waving, and crying. Then all the TSA workers started waving to our family as much as they were waving to us as if they were so sad to see them go. It was great! I just laughed and felt a sweet peace come over my heart that I knew was the Lord. In the midst of sadness joy still remains.