Moving is always such a whirlwind, with so many things to prepare! Sometimes it’s hard to make time for saying proper goodbyes. This time, we felt blessed to have a few extra days and weeks (due to a change of plans) to do this. Our move has still been rushed, but we got to see a good number of those closest to us and spend some time with them.
First, in July we went on a long-planned, extended road trip to visit Abraham’s family in Idaho and Montana. They blessed us with prayers, love, and good times together. After that, Ernest and Elizabeth attended a Korean-American youth and college retreat where they met many of their long-time friends.
Then we all returned to Baton Rouge in August (not part of the original plan), which gave us more time to greet and spend time with people. Abraham’s prayer group met for breakfast, to celebrate and to enjoy some extra fellowship and send Abraham off with prayer. Similarly, at church, many people came up to say hi/goodbye, and many of them spontaneously blessed us by praying for us on the spot! Gloria and Abraham met and worshiped with some Korean pastors and churches in Louisiana. Elizabeth spent time with her friends and even went on a road trip to see some friends in nearby states of Alabama and Georgia. Even Joshua was able to get together with a friend from school.
Next, just before the start of the LSU school year, we helped Ernest move into his new apartment. Saying goodbye to him was hard of course, but we feel confident that he is already well on his way to independent adult life! But keep him in your prayers as he starts his new job, his second year in college, and his new social context.
Place is not as important as people, but of course it came time at last to say goodbye to our home for the last 5 years, and to the wonderful city of Baton Rouge. Yesterday morning, after a marathon packing and cleaning session, we set out for the last road trip in our trusty Volkswagen Routan van. We are currently visiting a few friends in Dallas. We worshiped with them at church today, then we head out Monday morning!
Pray that God will bless each of these relationships and keep them strong, even over the distance! Pray that our trip and our mission would be a success in God’s kingdom, and that in some special way, each encounter in our past will contribute to God’s work for us in the present and the future! We love each one of you and treasure our time with you!