Personally, I was very excited for them. What an amazing opportunity to live and serve in the land of our heritage (my family is 100% Scandinavian).
I was also extremely sad they were leaving.
Being their 3rd mission, I felt like I could definitely handle their time away since they'd done it two times before. But this time was going to bring new circumstances.
Claire - she loves her Mormor and Morfar. She saw them at least once a week.
18 Months is a long time for a toddler to be away from someone. I wondered how it would affect her relationship when they finally came home. Then I realized that I was grateful she had created such a wonderful relationship already and that when the time comes for her to see them in person again, they'll pick up right where they left off.
Baby O - this is the hardest for me. My parents will be gone for the entire pregnancy and birth of my second child. And on top of that, our little baby will be almost one year old when they first see each other. How am I going to go through that without my Mother? Yes, Skype is amazing, but it's not the same.
In order not to cry, I have to try and focus on the blessings this situation will bring and not the sacrifices we are all making so they can serve the Lord. I am so grateful for their example of service. I am hopeful that Erik and I will be able to visit them next year so that I can see them in all their glory and travel around the land of my ancestors.
Of course, I have many memories of my parents, but for Claire....I hope she remembers these moments she experienced just a few days prior to their departure: giving her Mormor kisses and playing Lego's with her on the living room floor. I hope she remembers jumping to her Morfar and how much she loves it when the "tickle bug" comes out of his shirt pocket to play. Most of all, I hope she remembers the joy she feels when she was around them and how excited she now gets to Skype with them on the computer.
I love you Mom and Dad! Wish you were here to be with us!
(These last two pictures are courtesy of my crappy phone. I couldn't believe I left
my camera at home the morning they left for Norway.)
2 comments:
So sweet! Thank you for being such a special daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. We really miss our Sunday visits with you. Sacrifices always bring blessings. I sure look forward to our Skype time each week.
that is a rough one! good thing you have such an incredible neighbor ;)
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