Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentines Day to all my friends and family. I believe we are at the halfway mark of our trip. We said good-bye to our dear friends the Schroths today. They have been so fun to have right down the steps from us. We were able to experience so many new things together and since neither family knew what we were doing we also learned together. I love the family of God - we have met so many fellow believers over the years that we feel an instant connection with, including these new friends. So today their family piled into a Toyota van - one that we would call 7 passenger but the sticker on the back of this van said 15 passenger. Their luggage was all strapped on top and they actually had quite a bit of room for the 6 of them. It was a teary good-bye but we know we will see them again someday - hopefully on this side of heaven. Later in the afternoon we heard the bells clanging and students and faculty were pouring out of the buildings. A Pastor who graduated from CBTS a few years ago was passing through and everyone was coming to see. This time too he came in a similar Toyota van as the one that the Schroths' had just left in. The people surrounding the van were also there to say their good-byes as the Pastor had died and his casket was strapped to the top of the van. The van was making it's way with the deceased from the coast up to the final burial place, stopping along the route where ever the Pastor had been known, his wife there to accept condolences. Good- byes are hard, but so much harder for those who have no hope. Valentines Day is a great day to remember the one who loved us so much, he was willing to die - so that we may have hope.

John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."