Sunday Snapshot: Celebrations

One of the hardest parts of being an expat is living away from those you love. But we have been so blessed with a group of people that are more than just friends to us. They are our family here. Today we got to celebrate with them. At church today, two of the members of our small group were baptized. Afterwards we went to lunch and the celebration continued.

We celebrated Father's Day.

We celebrated friendships. We know that we will each only be here for a season. Whether it is 1, 2, 3 years or more. But we appreciate these people for however long they are in our lives. I know that I have blogged in the past how I hate to say goodbye. And I think there can be the danger when you are living here longer term to guard yourself and not to get close. But even though you know it is temporary and these people will move, the reward is greater. And so even though I know that I will eventually have to say goodbye, I will keep stepping out there and reaching out. Because it is worth it.

We celebrated those that were baptized.

We celebrated the joys of chocolate-peanut butter milkshakes. Tori was rather proud of her milkshake mustache.

We celebrated friends that are so close that our kids call them "uncle."

And apparently, our daughter celebrated silliness.

We celebrated the beginning of the summer. Over the next few weeks, most of the people will be going to their home countries. Our friends at the table are from: Germany, India, Sierra Leone, South Africa, UK, Malaysia and Sweden. We will enjoy time back in our home countries for anywhere from a couple weeks to month. And at the end of that time, some of us will be moving on. But most of us will return to this country that is our home away from home.

I hope that today is a day of celebrations for you as well!