Well, I can't believe how quickly this term has gone.  It seems like just yesterday we were leaving the States to come back to Kenya, and now, here we are 2 years later going back to the States.  Unreal.  We are currently in Nairobi - having said good-bye to all our dear friends in Kitale and to all our pets :-( - waiting to go to the airport at midnight tonight.

Amy and Princess - our prodigal cat.  Praying she's still here when we return.

So many special people...

...what a blessing they all are!

Amy and Ellie

4 of our 6 cats.  From left to Right front...Princess, Marshy, Neko, Punky

Doing some gardening with the dogs hanging around.  The one by Josiah is Bear.  In the background is Stonewall.  Not sure where Annie is...

More dear friends.  This is Emily with Ethan Beagle.

My dear high school friend, Beth Ann Downer.

Beth Ann with Amy and Josiah.

Amy holding a baby at In-Step.

My dear friend, Meredith Stewart.

It's been a crazy term on the emotional side, but we've all come out with our emotions on the up-side, and I think most of us are not truly ready to leave, though we're ready to be with friends and family in the States.  I know that doesn't make much sense, but I think most missionaries can identify with the statement.  It's actually a good place to be; it means we are at peace with where God has us.

Amy, I believe, has had the most dramatic turn-around this term.  She's gone from truly hating being in Kenya, to totally finding her place here and being at peace.  It makes leaving difficult for her because it upsets her sense of identity and location.  Again, not that she's not excited about being with friends and family...she is.

Emily is the one who is most anxious to go, which is to be expected.  Leaving Kenya this time around ends a chapter of her life - a very important one.  But, it also means a new one is beginning.  And it's not just the beginning of a chapter.  It's like those very long fiction novels with many chapters which are in turn divided into parts...Part I may have 10 chapters, as might Parts 2 and 3.  Well, this isn't just the beginning of a new chapter, it's the beginning of a new "Part," and she's raring to get going on it.  It's another one of those bitter-sweet things.  We're excited for her too, but can hardly comprehend the fact that she won't be returning to Kenya with us.  I cried our last morning in Kitale (Sunday morning) as I hugged Emily while standing in the room she shares with Amy.  Hard to imagine, it may be 5 years or more before she's ever in that room in our house again...

But, I'm not thinking too much on that right now.  We're thinking about things like parents and brothers and sisters, Sand Lake, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bellbrook, Ohio, Bob Evans, El Toro, Longhorn Steakhouse, Dairy Queen...you know, all the important things in life ;-)

Well, I guess that's it from Kenya for us this term.  Here's to seeing you on the other side...