Jake-up Make-up

This is what I used to call my brother when I was really trying to tick him off, and it usually worked. He hated this nickname. He would usually start screaming and chasing me around the house. We fought like cats and dogs until I moved out of the house. Good times.

Somehow, he has grown up to be a wonderful man with a wife, a job, and big dreams. Instead of fighting, we became friends. He is someone that I trust completely with my children. I trust him to listen to my secrets, to give me advice, and to be a constant connection to my past, present, and future.

Yesterday, they got on a plane to go half way around the world to serve God and people. They will be gone for several years, and I will miss them more than I realized. You see, Jacob has wanted to do this for as long as I can remember. I have tried my best to support him, knowing that he would only be happy if he was doing exactly what God wanted him to do. In doing that, I have seen his occupational choice as a huge adventure - not to mention a place where I could take really cool vacations. But yesterday, standing there at the Cracker Barrel, I realized that I am seriously going to miss seeing him and his wife every few months. I will miss his crazy sense of humor, his intelligent conversations, his insight into my life.

I am also sad that my kids are going to miss out on seeing their super cool aunt and uncle all the time. Even when they were here, they usually only saw them once every 2 or 3 months. And to a 6 year old and an almost 4 year old, there isn't much difference between three months and three years. Their concept of time isn't there. I really don't think they understood what was going on yesterday, even though they adore Jacob and Alison. Especially Will. Will thinks Alison hung the moon, so yesterday he was all grins because she kept hugging and kissing him. He thought it was a great day!

Last night I came home exhausted. My sweet husband cooked dinner for us so that I could rest. When we sat down, Ben wanted to say the blessing. He thanked God for our food, and then he told God that he was really going to miss his aunt and uncle, but he was glad that they were going because "somebody has to do it." My 6 year old may not understand the passage of time, but he does understand God's love for the world and the need to serve Him.

Dear Lord, bless Jacob and Alison as they create a new life for themselves in a new place. Keep them healthy and safe, and give them plenty of opportunities to serve you and get in on your work. Ease any homesickness that they may feel so that they may focus on you and your will. In Jesus' name, Amen.