Goodbyes and Notes

It's that time. Tearful smiles, laugh-filled exclamations, last glances, and many hugs. How do you say goodbye to friends like the ones that The Lord blessed me with? Well, first you bake all day. Seriously. Tonight was my goodbye dessert, so naturally I baked four desserts -- the most loved being a triple layered chocolate cake that had frosting made with one and a half pounds of dark chocolate. If that won't drown some feelings I don't know what will. After my lovely day in the kitchen, friends poured in. Actually a lot of friends poured in. I wasn't expecting the turn out, but was blessed mightily by it.

For three hours I talked, laughed, and brushed hearts with people that I love and love me. After the last goodbyes, a few especially hard, I gathered up the cards that people handed me through out the night and went back to my room. First, I opened Laurie's (Yes, Laurie I know you're reading this and I am very thankful for your generosity, you are too good to me! Love you!). But, before I could read the words I paused. From everything people have said, being away from home is hard. Especially for ten months. Sometimes I am not sure I can do it. Every one of these cards is a vote of confidence. A hand in the air, a tally next to my name, all with one message of Truth, "you can do this."

So I opened all the envelopes and put the notes in my favorite envelope (it says "Regular Attender Erin" on the front and it makes me smile and get leaky-eyes all at once). I think I'll read the letters through out the year. On the days that the Enemy says I can't. On the days when even chocolate cake won't cut it. Because really, how do we keep on? By every Word of The Father; I know those are the words of The Father through the pens of lovely friends. Soon I'll need a hand raised in my favor, a vote cast for me, a tally next to my name, and I know where to look. Praise God!