Thank you.

To all of you who prayed for us, thank you. To all of you who thought about us or sent us sweet notes of encouragement, thank you. We appreciated it more than you will ever know. Travels went as smoothly as possible with a toddler, so I know your prayers were heard. We literally ran through the Chicago airport and had to cut in the security line, but we made it to Omaha on time and God gave us the energy we needed to get up at 4:00 a.m. the next morning to make the drive to my grandpa's funeral.

John left Christmas day and made it back on time as well. Wintertime travel rarely goes as planned, as least in our past experiences, so praise the Lord for His travel mercies. Kaleb and I are fighting little colds, but we are so thankful it isn't anything worse. We are slowly getting over jet lag and enjoying time with family and friends, although missing daddy like crazy at this point. I can't explain how grateful I am for such an amazing husband to travel across the world for me and to get off the airplane upon his return to Poland to go straight to practice.

I hope that each of you enjoyed your Christmas celebrations and that you are looking forward to the New Year!

Heading Home.

This is crazy fast, because I have 500 things to finish up. As it turns out, we are heading home tomorrow for my grandpa's funeral on Thursday. We will arrive into Omaha late Wednesday night and wake up early Thursday morning to make the four hour drive to the other side of Iowa for the funeral at 11:00.

I am writing quickly to ask you to pray alongside us. Please pray for smooth travels, as we don't have much time for delays. Please pray for strength and energy, as I am already emotionally exhausted. Please pray for health for all three of us, especially for Kaleb, and for patience just when we need it.

I don't imagine I will have time to wish you a Merry Christmas before the day arrives... so my prayer for you is that this Christmas season is filled with much joy as you celebrate the birth of our Savior. Wherever you are in the world, I pray that you will enjoy everyone and everything around you.

Thanks so much for your prayers, and to God be the glory for working out all the details thus far. It seemed impossible, but He made a way. To be honest, the journey sounds exhausting, but I know He will be with us every step of the journey. For now, I just have to take one thing at a time.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours,
Suzanne

Missing Grandpa.

I lost my grandpa yesterday, Kaleb's only great-grandpa. And a great grandpa he was. Today has been hard. I have sobbed uncontrollably as John has comforted me, prayed with me, and asked Kaleb to give me a countless number of hugs and kisses. Right now? I want nothing more than to be home, with my family, mourning with them yet celebrating a life lived well.



Unfortunately, John's team won't let him leave. I know there is a silver lining, it's there somewhere. I am just struggling to see it right now. But I will, eventually. Eventually? I will.



It is okay for me to mourn, to struggle with my loss. There is a season for everything. A time to be glad, a time to be sad. Or in some cases, both.



I am sad to see my grandpa gone, yet thankful for the time I had with him. I desperately wish I could be home, but am thankful the rest of my family will be there. For now I am going to hold on to cherished memories. I wish I had more of them, there is never enough time with loved ones, is there?