Blessings and prayers...

As SM promised, here is my post about the blessing and send-off from our Abilene network:

Two Wednesdays ago, at our monthly praise and potluck night, our simple church network spent time blessing us and praying for as we wrap up our time in Abilene. Several times now, I've been in the group of those that were remaining in Abilene, surrounding and praying for those that were leaving. Our friends Travis and Alicia, as they headed to Brazil. Our friends Brian and Holly, as they moved to Montana. With each of their departures, I would count the months to August and realize that our time in Abilene was drawing short. As they left, I felt an odd mixture of grief and joy – grief over their leaving, joy over their lives and the ways that they will share life with everyone they encounter.

This time, as we drew our chairs into the center of the circle to be surrounded, prayed for, and blessed by these people we have grown to love, I felt the same mixture of pain and peace. And I realized that even when you know that it is time to leave, it doesn't necessarily make the goodbyes easier. I cried, though not as much as I expected given that I've actually cried at the last three months worth of praise and potluck nights in anticipation of this particular night.

It was a special time for SM and I, though in many ways it was just one of the ordinary ways that this group of people lives life together in Christ. Perhaps that very ordinariness is part of what made it so special; in learning to share life in Christ together and with those around us, His love has been weaving through our little community and transforming the regular rhythms of everyday life. When we think of our times in Abilene, we won't recall an endless series of Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights but will be encouraged by the memories of the way this spiritual family has loved us during our time here, and by the knowledge that they will continue to love us and pray for us even as we are away. We are so thankful for and blessed by the love of these ordinary people who continue to learn to live in the extraordinary life of those that belong to Christ.