I'm Cried Dry

This weekend was quite wonderful! Yesterday LGCC devoted the whole service to honoring and appreciating Jim and our family. We've been there three years, but you would have thought we had been there a lifetime. Each service was a bit different with several of our friends getting up to speak, and pay tribute to Jim. Pastor Craig returned from his sabbatical early to give his own thoughts of gratitude to Jim. I knew it would be an emotional morning, but I had no idea how touched I would be. As I sat there listening to people sing Jim's accolades, I was reminded once again, of the amazing man I am married to! Claire, the seventeen-year-old daughter of our Mexican Train buddies, blessed us with her rendition of "For Good". While she was singing, I looked over to see Jim's tear-filled eyes. You see, this is a special song to us. I don't think Claire really had any idea. But when Jim and I went to see Wicked, during the performance of this song, Jim turned to me and whispered, "That's how I feel about you, you have changed me for the good!" Wow! What more could a wife want to hear? So yesterday as Claire sang to Jim, I sat, humbled knowing that I have made a difference in Jim's life, and he in turn, has made a difference in so many lives at LGCC. There were lots of sweet words, lots of tears, and lots of hugs. At the end of the service, Pastor Craig commissioned us to our new ministry in Bozeman. Not a goodbye, but a sending off. It somehow feels better to not be leaving LGCC, but to be going out knowing they are backing us!

As if that weren't enough for one day, the parents of Grace and David's friends at Bannockburn School, had a Farewell Party for us. It was supposed to be a surprise, but word leaked out, so we were at least prepared. (Well, as much as you can be after crying all morning!) It was a lovely evening, a fabulous potluck meal with lots of good conversation. One mom gave a speech about how glad they all were we had come to Bannockburn, Jim followed with a great big "thank you for everything", and on the way home I realized that all of the wonderfulness of the evening was because of what great kids Grace and David are! I'm so thankful for the blessing of having them in our lives!

We leave this place next week. We have made a difference here. And for that, I am so thankful to the One who makes the biggest difference in all of us! Thank you, Jesus!

FOR GOOD (Stephen Schwartz)
I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason bringing something we must learn And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them, and we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you. Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes the sun,
Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood...
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime so let me say before we part
So much of me is made of what I've learned from you, you'll be with me,
Like a hand print on my heart.
And now whatever way our stories end,
I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend...
Like a ship blown from it's mooring by a wind off the sea,
Like a seed dropped by a sky bird in a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better!
Because I knew you... I have been changed for good.