Ready, Aim.... THANKS!

When making a decision the normal process is Ready, Aim, Fire. We made the decision to retire and go to Africa with AIM (Africa Inland Mission) in January, 2017. So it has seemed to us like we have been aiming for 18 months. Obviously, we were not ready to leave 18 months ago and the process has been refining, growing and, among other things, a blessing. We were preparing our hearts and getting our ducks and finding their rows. Our new adventure became common knowledge in our community in October of 2017. The delayed firing (or leaving) led to people seeing us at Meijers and saying, "I thought you were going to Africa?", or, "Are you home already?" Yeah, it seems like we have been aiming for a long time.

Mostly, this time of transition has been filled with counting and crying. We have been counting our blessings and, living in Grand Haven for the last 31 years, there are many. We were welcomed in 1987 so warmly by the schools and the football family that had been created. We were loved by daycare familes that have become a part of our own family. We joined a new group of believers that became our church who came alongside of us and loved us instantly. The blessing of Grand Havenites carried through until the last minute when we were driven to the airport by such dear friends and the crying came again. Being called "a big fat part" of a young friend's family brought tears.  (We think he was trying to be inclusive but Jeff has been eating a lot of cake lately:) Many blessings to count leads to many times of crying!

As we have reached the Fire part of our journey, we are just so thankful to have been a part of Grand Haven. Thanks! That surely is not enough! THANKS! No, not yet! Hmm...I know! A BIG FAT THANKS!