Remembering...

Reality and its implications are still only beginning to sink in, but tears come more easily now. Random memories change the dull ache into a sharp, stabbing pain and bring the tears to the surface.

I’m very aware of the date: May 25. Six months ago (on November 25), Esteban and Esther and Jona and Marcos were on their way to Uruguay. We’re more thankful than ever for that wonderful trip – and memories made – with extended family and friends there!

The four Uruguayan cousins enjoyed an outing to Atlántida.

One month ago (on April 25), the memorial service for Jona was taking place in Greenville.

As we travel to Uruguay with a highly-energetic five-year-old and a six-month-old, I remember another trip eleven years ago when John Mark and I were traveling to Uruguay with another highly-energetic five-year-old. Memories of that trip are very sharp and extra precious today. We’re actually flying on the same airline, stopping at two of the same airports: Costa Rica and Lima, Peru.

On that trip we landed in Buenos Aires.

We’re recalling our whirlwind trip through San Jose, Costa Rica. On a last minute whim we asked if we could leave the airport, and the airport personnel said: “Sure!” We told the taxi driver we had only fifteen minutes… A few pictures and a half hour later, we were rushing through “security” at the airport – running to catch our plane with Jona in tow! The guys waved us through without even scanning our passports! (Those were the days before “9-11” for sure!)

These moments (present and past) remind us to buy up opportunities before us. I'm so thankful that God has given us today to live and enjoy and serve Him...