Easier? Not at all.

We've been living overseas for 7 years now and I can't begin to count the number of people I've had to say goodbye to in those years. People who have influenced and touched my life in very impactful ways. But being over here for 7 years, people start to imagine that the goodbyes get easier.

And I'm here to tell you....they don't!

Lately, I've been saying, "They don't get easier, they just get different." So let me explain.

 When I say goodbye to my sweet friends, it is very hard. Usually these are friends that I have seen on a very regular basis (Daily, Weekly) AND we've grown a lot together through trials, encouragement, or just life lived together. Living overseas creates a bonded community that, if you dive into it, becomes a new family of shared experiences only within that community. These are new brothers and sisters that have not only chosen to live here, but were called here by God.

When a friend leaves, it is almost as if our experiences leave with them. I still have them, she still has them, but they are no longer shared in the same place they were created. No one in either of our lives will remember That Thing the way we do. (One friend's donut dates, One friend's wedding, One friend's adventurous exploring, One friend's cozy house, One friend's tadpole diaries, etc) It now signifies a new era...one without them.

Don't get me wrong, I still have FABULOUS friends still here with me. AND I still serve an amazing God, who died for my salvation. I cannot complain. I still have a GOOD life!

It's just different.

Every time....It's different.