Returning home to Manila after our five month trip to the States was fabulous.  It is wonderful to be back in our cozy house in the tropics.  We had a delightful young family staying here while we were away.  It was a perfect situation for them as well as us, they were in need of a place to stay and we needed someone to look after the house and take care of our dogs, Sam & Lucy.

In spite of all the great care that had been given to our dogs, Sam, our golden retriever, was quite sick when we returned.  He died just days after we arrived.  He has been a trusted member of our family for eight years, he had a watchful eye as he privately carried the responsibility of helping us raise our children.  He loved them very, very much as we also loved him.

We have been on the mission field for almost twelve years now, and saying goodbye continues to be one of the hardest parts of our lives.  It started with our first trip out of the country, our church back home threw a big going away party and one of my dear friends whispered in my ear that it felt like she was attending our funeral.  Although it was also hard for us to say goodbye, we were still excited for the new “hello” of the mission field.

After arriving on the field the goodbyes didn’t seem to get any easier.  We have made friends that we have really connected with and deeply loved them as much as they have loved us. We have known some of the most amazing people in the world, people who are truly making a difference in the lives of others. Much too often, we have had to say goodbye as they have been called to other mission fields or have returned to their home countries for some reason or another.  It’s not limited to Greg and I feeling the pain of saying goodbye, our children, Jordan & Zack have had to say goodbye more often than should be allowed to.  They have some of their closest friends now living in Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, South Africa, U.S. & Canada.

Returning to the States this spring & summer has been a time of reconnecting. It’s good for the soul to be around family and life long friends. While we were in Kansas City, we met up with some old friends and made some wonderful new ones.  We were privileged to go to General Assembly in Orlando, Florida.  While we were there, it was awesome to see and connect with many, many wonderful people that we have known from all over the world. Our home church in Salem, Oregon welcomed us with open arms.  I was even able to get together with some friends from high school. I’m pretty sure it’s what heaven will be like, people we have loved from everywhere having a grand reunion.

We had our short two week vacation in Oregon, where we grew up. Quickly being reminded of the quirks of family life and adjusting back to our positions in the tribe, and oh, how good it felt to be part of it again. It was with the deepest pain that we said goodbye to them, knowing that we won’t be part of their daily lives and missing the great love from the aunties, uncles and grandparents that they so freely extend to us.

It was with heartache that I boarded the plane, as we crossed over fifteen time zones, our hearts became contented with the peace that passes all understanding and we safely arrived home.  We have rejoined our missionary family again, have been warmly welcomed home by our beloved Filipino friends and watched our son get absorbed back into his barkada (Filipino for “his close group of friends”).

Now that we are home and our beloved pet is gone, the constant companion among the too many goodbyes.  My heart aches to have him gone, I’m left wondering how much is a person supposed to grieve over the loss of a dog.  Sam was a good dog.  A very good dog.  In the meantime, I will put my arms around Lucy and together look forward to saying “hello” to our next four-legged family member.