The beginning of the end....

In my mind, I always knew that what we have here in Hawaii could not last forever.  We are part of a military community, and with that comes the transient life style.  People move.  Since we have been here we have said good-bye to some friends.  We have said hello to others.  However, in the last couple of years there hasn't been too much movement.  We have created a family that is stable.  Our Bible study group has grown, but we haven't had any leave.  It's been comfortable.  It's been real.  It's been incredible.  There isn't a better group that I could have ever asked for, to help me grow spiritually.  We love each other.  We agree to disagree.  We tease and we laugh.  It's a wonderful place to fellowship and truly learn about God's love.

One of the families in our Bible study group is getting ready to prepare for a six month deployment.  It's happening soon, and he won't be back before we leave here to go back to the mainland.  It was bitter sweet good-bye.  Will we see him again?  I sure hope so.  His wife is going back to the mainland to spend a couple of months with her family.  That was yet another good-bye none of us were looking forward to.  They are a wonderful family, and I hope that they are part of our lives for years to come.

About a month ago we got a blow that was pretty big.  The leaders of our group, lovingly known as Grandma Lei and Papa Dan received word that the USA would not allow them to stay here any longer.  They are Canadian citizens.  It's a long story that does deserve to be retold.  But, it's devastating.  They are here for about another month or so.  Then we are on our own.  It is another good-bye that is looming large, and none of us are prepared for.

Another guy in our group is also preparing for a 16 month deployment to Iraq.  He will be leaving about the time that we leave.  Another good-bye that doesn't sit well, but that we know won't be a forever good-bye.

Regardless of where any of us end up, we all KNOW God's love.  We are all Christians.  It can never be a final good-bye when we are all Christians.  We'll see each other again in God's kingdom.  That is a comfort for the moment.

Monday was the last time our entire group was together here in Hawaii.  We are a good group.