Tuesday morning we have to bring Andy to the airport at the unmentionable time of 4:30. Don't you think it's bad enough to have to send him off without having to be there at that time of the morning? His flight leaves at 6:30 for Atlanta. After a layover there, he flies directly to Korea. I know there will be plenty of tears because he won't be back for at least a year. We've so enjoyed being able to spend this last week with him. At least he is able to take his lap top along and we can communicate that way. I'd appreciate your prayers for us, as we will really miss him, but even more for Andy's safe travels and that he quickly feels comfortable there and makes some good friends. Thanks!
34 comments:
You got our prayers lifting your family and Andy. Hang in there, keep lookin up!!!
I'll be praying for you! Give him an extra hug for me! :)
Mari,
You have a prayer warrior in me. I have his name listed on my blog too!
I think sometimes it is harder to say goodbye, than the time apart. Oh goodness friend, I am home getting ready for work now and the only person home is my 13year old son. After reading this, my son is going to be ambushed with hugs and kisses from an emotional mommy.
Sending you my prayers and love and gratefulness for raising such an amazingly selfless son. Because of people like your Andy, I can put my babies to bed at night and sleep in peace.
May God put His army of angels around him and may Andy be a light to others while his time away.
Oh, friend, I can't wait to hear about the reunion part you will have when he comes back home!
Mari, you've been in my thoughts today as you enjoyed this last bit of time with him, soaking it up.
You will all be in my prayers and I will pray he settles quickly and is surrounded by good friends soon.
I am certainly praying for your family Mari.
I won't presume to know what your family is feeling right now... so I will just commit to praying for Andy. (And all of you)
Love you-
Chelle'
Yes I will be praying for you all. May God fill you with his peace and grace and all that you all need as Andy takes this next step. Love to you all.
Must be difficult Mari...praying...
You're always in my prayers! I've been thinking a lot about your family this past week and my heart goes out to you for having to "let him go" again. Take heart in knowing that God will never let him go and will always keep him in His care.
Mari, praying for your whole family! May this year go by quickly!
Wow that has got to be hard. It will be helpful to have him have access to e-mail and such to make the distance not seem so far.
Hang in there.
Smiles!
HUGS! My little boy isn't even HERE yet and I feel major empathy. I hope your morning wasn't too unbearable for you and that Andy is safely in Atlanta now. I will continue to think of and pray for him, and for y'all.
Big hugs being sent your way. I know this is a tough day and God goes before him!!
Prayers all around!!
prayers for y'all
we still don't have the official orders yet -- which has been very frustrating and faith-challenging
Big Hugs to you. Actually, I just remembered I had a dream last night that I gave you a big hug.
My sister is big in dream interpretation. hmmm, I wonder what that means.
Anyway, I will keep Andy (and you) in my prayers.
Mari,
Andy will remain on my prayer list. I am thankful to him for what he is doing. While I don't look forward to the day my boys leave home, I do hope they grow up to be respectable like your son.
My friend's husband just returned two days ago from Iraq. We had a going away party for him last year and it was with mixed emotions. However, Saturday night there will be a party welcoming him home. It will be happy.
Start planning Andy's welcome home party - I hope the time passes quickly.
Prayers going up.
I know this must be a very difficult day for your family - but we believe God will hold him in the palm of His hand till you are reunited once again.
I've been thinking of you all morning. Nick was sad this morning too. I hope the airport wasn't horrible.
He will be missed terribly. It will be nice to have the web-cam to communicate that way.
Hugs
I was praying for you this morning too. I'm so glad that he will have that computer. It will be so much easier to communicate. Can't wait to hear that he's there safely and is settled in.
I am praying for you all. I know how hard it must be to let him go, but God goes with him even when you can't.
hi mari, he looks so handsome in his uniform! you really made the best of these last days with the birthday party for your husband with andy there. having the computer will make things so much nicer being able to communciate and send pictures back and forth. your family and andy will be in my prayers. ~janel
OMGravy - i didn't realize he was leaving oh so soon - I am so sad - but he is going to LOVE it over there and he is having an awesome life experience - we will pray for a safe trip! I think HE should start a blog so we can keep up with him and he can get some love from home!!!!
plus I really want to see what korea's like - I think (as the newest member of the family) we should plan a SISTER trip and go over and visit - don't you think he would love a visit from his Mom and THREE favorite aunties! I guess heather and laura could tag along!
Where has Laura been - I have been missing her!
PS - i need to be moved to the family section on the bloggie link!
Oh Mari I'm so sorry you have to say goodbye for so long! I can't imagine how hard that must be. I'll be praying for Andy & for you.
Hugs,
Alane
I read this verse this morning:
Be strong and of Good Courage,
Do not fear nor be afraid of them;
For the Lord your God,
HE IS THE ONE WHO GOES WITH YOU.
He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deut. 31:6
I was thinking about Andy and how the Lord is the one who goes with him. You are not sending him off alone.
I remember sending my brother off on a train to go to Germany while he was in the Army. I was very little at the time, but it seemed that as the train pulled away, it pulled the heart out of me. I will never forget that feeling.
What would we do without the Lord? Where would we turn? May the Lord comfort all of you and give Andy safe traveling and quick adjustments to his surroundings.
When I read Korea, I thought, Oh, there are a lot of Christians over there!
Mari, I'm keeping him in my prayers.
Take it from someone who's husband has been to Korea for a year....it's hard, you will miss him like crazy, but I think he will adapt just fine and will make good friends.
Nowadays they can stay in touch daily and have computer access and internet, I think he will be just fine.....so will you :)
Sending you huge huge hugs over the internet.
Sandra
May the Lord watch over and protect him and may He give your hearts His peace knowing that He's watching over him.
Wow, Mari....I can't imagine. I often wonder what else is ahead for Ray and Thyda, but there's no use worrying about it ahead of time. I'm so glad he has that laptop and can stay in touch.
I feel sad just thinking about it...
I will hug Jack a little harder tomorrow.
Thank the Lord for the web!!
I am praying for you, Mari! And, I will keep doing so. I can't imagine how I would feel, but it is an honor to see how much you love your family - and especially Andy during this time. It has come out in every post!
YOUR FAMILY SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF FUN TOGETHER. WE WILL BE PRAYING FOR ANDY THAT HE ARRIVES SAFE AND STAYS SAFE.
Mari, my dear sweet Mari, I know this is a hard time for you. I will pray for your family and Andy. He is a good kid and glad he is serving our Country. I give high respects for that. When we are at the whitecaps game Saturday. When Mitchell is singing the National Anthem. I will think of Andy then too. Glad he is able to take a laptop for communication.
Love ya!
My prayers are with you and your family. It's always hard to say good bye to a loved one~ no matter what time. Please pass along a sincere~ Thank You for Protecting us and Serving our Country!~ message on to him.
Thinking about Ya...
My prayers are with him and with you and please THANK him for serving our country... God Bless him!
Your post made me cry. I so vividly remember being at the airport when my brother left to serve in the army. It's hard, isn't it? I'll be thinking of you in the days ahead. I hope you get to communicate in some way, often.
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