shtuff.

Welll...last night, Jul, Rach and I went out to the farewell party for Bethany and Hannah Walti. It then started hitting me that they are actually moving! that was when the crying started. During worship this morning, many of us gathered around their family to lay hands on them while one of our pastors prayed for them and for their move to Italy. gosh, I was close to balling my eyes out. we all were an emotional train wreck. I purposefully did not put any mascara on today. good decision.

Their flight to Italy is this evening. So....after church, i had to say my last "bye" and give them all hugs. That was quite hard, though i know they will be a major blessing to the ministry in Italy. What an amazing family. They've become good friends of our family over the past few years.....my mom and Mrs. Walti are really close, so it's been pretty emotional for my mom!

And today is my mom's birthday! (it's uhh... her 25th anniversary of being 20.)
After church, we all came home and had a family lunch. Ryan and Mary came over for that. [this is my mom's first birthday with a son-in-law!! :)] We had a good old time. Crazy, of course, considering it entailed our family. Anyway, after eating the Boston creme pie that Lyd made and Mom opened her presents - Julia, Rachel, Lydia, and I went over to Mary and Ryans condo. We watched Mr. Bean's Holiday, which is definitely by far the most bizarre, hilarious (in a strange way) movie I've seen in my life. a really creative person must've come up with that storyline.
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Shoutout to my mom: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Your sacrifice, love, and prayers for our family are a blessing and example. It's an evidence of God's grace, considering all we've put you through. It's a surprise your hair is not fully ;) grey by now. I love you..... Have a great year.