12 days and counting

This has been an unbelievably long year for our little family as most of you already know, yet one of experiencing the comfort of a faithful Father firsthand. As is on my bathroom mirror - my anniversary card from Olivia:

The sted fas love uv the Lord never seeses.
His mursy's never cum too an end.
They aer Knou evry mouning
Knou evry mouning
grate is thy fathefel'nes O Lord
grate is thiy fathefel'nes.

From a distance people have commented on my/our strength in this separation, but those who know me well know that this has been a year of humbling weakness. I have experienced more anger, impatience, pride, shame, self-pity . . . than I thought possible. Every onion lets out it's stench at some point. The joy of this humiliation, however, is that in my weakness, He is strong.

The third verse of Be Still, My Soul beautifully describes this year for our family:

Be still, my soul:
when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better
know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe
thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Keith will begin his journey home in 12 days! We are all tingling with excitement! We will be taking off Dec. 10 to Jamaica for so some much longed for family fun. The great thing: the girls can sit on either side of their Daddy and Nikolas on his lap!!!! What in the world will I do without a little one climbing all over me on an airplane? Nikolas will be 2 during Keith's 2 weeks home. To him, "Daddy" is a picture that he kisses every night and a face that he laughs at and "talks" or rather "moo's" to on the computer. It will be so fun to see him with his daddy!

Keith will return to finish his time - coming home for good in early April.