Nations Apart

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 Currently, I am cruising at 30,000 feet in the air somewhere between Colorado and Nashville. Much has happened since I last wrote. We were in the valley of indecision for months regarding if we should/could fly to the USA for an annual leave. More importantly, for our oldest son’s wedding. After much prayer and contemplation, we finally felt at peace to fly and purchased our tickets 1 ½ weeks prescheduled flight.

We chose to spend our first week in America in Walla Walla, Washington so that we could intentionally connect with our sons and their girls. We know that the wedding, though special, will not be time for quality conversations and peering into their lives. So, with 105+ degree weather we managed to create some fantastic memories just hanging out, in rivers, under windmills, on cliffs, in homes and eating fun food. We met the pets. We saw and heard about things that were important to our oldest sons and we simply were present, something that we do not take lightly living nations apart.








Aubrey has one year left of a mechanical engineering degree and Mia is already graduated with her B.S. degree in nursing.  Andrew is running through one door after another in his career as a filmmaker, along with juggling full-time school. Somehow, he makes time for his sweet girlfriend Meredith who is studying also and a successful songwriter and performer.

We were graciously hosted by Jan (our former neighbor in Papua, Indonesia). She spoiled us with the freedom to come and go as desired and with breakfast’s (and more) that were plentiful and delicious as only Jan can do. She also gave us bowls full of peaches that were divine.

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The count down to the wedding is on, as it will happen on the 28th of August in a mountain meadow in North Carolina. I am loving working with Mia on a few of the details.  It will be a small gathering as we wade through the most unusual year to get married. We decided to drop the reception due to pandemic complications.   We are so sorry that we cannot all celebrate together.




In addition to a wedding we will also support Jacob and Nathaniel leaping from nest on August 9. They will be attending boarding school here in the USA. This has been a long thought out decision. Perhaps fast forwarded by our move to Lebanon, but not entirely as they had begun this idea pre-Middle East move. They are grateful for their year in Lebanon and have many rich experiences that will be an important part of their story.  I, their mother, am particularly grateful for this year with them. We spent hours together and it really was a gift in time that I will always cherish.


                                    Celebrating finishing a another year of school (homeschool). 


We are extraordinarily grateful to be traveling during this time and to be able to witness and help during some significant life changing events in our children’s lives. Please join us in praying for Aubrey and Mia as they begin their lives together. Also, for Jacob and Nathaniel as they transition from living overseas for the past 9 years, to school in the USA.

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Darron and I plan to return to Lebanon (Inshallah- God willing) at the beginning of September. A new chapter for us, as we will go home, alone.

All those people were right, who told is, “enjoy your children, it will go by so fast”. So many spoke these prophetic words over us, that I knew they must be true. To think we have had children in our home for the last 22 years and soon to be only on occasion. All those people were right. Thank you for the warnings and reminders. I treasured every stage and I will choose to believe that the best is still ahead. Therefore, with open hands we release the treasures that were given to us for just a moment in time. May the Lord watch between us as we will soon be nations apart. I am ever grateful that I can trust His hands and His timing.

(This was written one day prior to the devastating explosion that happened in Beirut, Lebanon.  Though we are nations apart from Lebanon currently, our hearts are already bonded to this place that has only been our home for one year. Therefore our hearts mourn for this nation that just experienced a blow that they did not need. May good come from this turn of events.)

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