Goodbye, Southland!

We never look forward to this day every summer. It is so hard to say goodbye to camp and the people we have grown to love so much there. This summer, it was especially hard to say goodbye to our great friends, the Gustafsons. How God led them to Southland is truly remarkable! There were many tears shed that day! We are so thankful for the godly friendship we have with them. They are truly a gift from the Lord!

This year was also sad because Mike's grandparents, Grandpa and Gigi Stokes, ended their ministry at Southland. After 13 years of serving on staff, they have moved to Kansas City to live with Mike's parents. We compiled a special memory book for them and gave it to them the morning they left. Thank you, Grandpa and Gigi, for your faithfulness to the Lord and your godly example to us to serve with a happy heart. We will miss you so much! Who will the kids play Mexican Train or SkipBo with next summer?! :(

We all had breakfast up at Todd and Melanie Sasek's house. One of the huge blessings of being at camp is that our children are able to enjoy their friends for three months. It's always hard for them to say goodbye as well. We are all reminded that even though it is so difficult to say goodbye, we're thankful that we have such wonderful friends to miss!