Despite that, when I first got here, there were 3 couples, and one individual who I took note of: Kenny and Nicole Fleming, Butch and Jen Wood, Jeremy and Laura Beth Rhodes, and Ryan Clancy. What made these individuals stand out...they were all the people who I knew would be in Korea about as long as I was going to be, everyone else would leave. They were the "long-termers".
This is Ryan. He was the first to leave. He is now in Germany.
Now in the past few weeks...
Butch and Jen have moved on to Boston.
And the Rhodes have moved to Montana.
The Rhodes are the ones I will miss the most. LauraBeth is a friend and mentor. I have shared many meals with this family. Many walks to and from the gate with Jeremy as he has signed me on and off base. I had a regular Thursday night date with the kiddos where I got to play with them, love on them, and put them into bed before chilling on the Rhodes supper comfy couch to watch TV or read a book from LauraBeth's bookshelf.
And thankfully, I don't need to put a picture up here of the Flemings because they are still here and will be here until December. Five of the seven "long-termers" are now gone.
Though being part of a transcient society has lots of "goodbyes", thankfully there are equally as many "hellos". One of the reasons I know God brought me to Korea was to teach me how to invest in people quickly and to not hold myself back. This is something I have never been good at. Anyway,I am thankful God brought me here and for the many people He has brought into my life as a result.
Saying Goodbye is just a reality of life...but on a positive note...I now have freinds in various parts of the world who I could call up if I was ever in their neck of the woods.
5 comments:
Amber, the quote pic of me is cracking me up! Like you, I am not a fan of goodbye's either. I read a quote recently and I can't remember it verbatim, but it talked about how lucky we are to have something to miss and be sad about in the first place. It sort of changed my perspective on goodbyes/sadness
Yes! I completely agree with the quote...or at least the gist of it.
It is so hard when we have to say good bye to a friend to two especially those we really love and have spent time with and not know if or when we will ever see them again. But...it is even harder to say good bye to a child not know when the next hug will happen. PRAISE GOD for HELLOS!
Thanks for putting up our pictures :) I feel very loved! I've read all of the blogs--you do such a great job. Hopefully I'll be able to catch people up in like fashion soon. Enjoy your final summer in Korea!!!
I wish I could be more like you in learning how I can learn to invest in people quickly without holding out. I guess I can try to work on that when I attempt the House again next year. :)
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