'Bye for Now.

From Left: Chelsea, Justin, Maddie, Kameron, Baby "Unborn", Teresa, Me, Seth

Friday we had to say "goodbye" to our friends. Kameron, Teresa, Maddie and Baby "Unborn" moved to Chicago early Saturday morning. But it wasn't "goodbye", really. We'll visit each other often. And when you share a friend in Jesus, it's never "goodbye", just "'bye for now".

We met Kameron and Teresa the Sunday Kameron was baptized. His story was so moving that it prompted Seth to go introduce himself. I had already headed off in the direction of the nurseries to rescue my children, but when I got there, another mom was picking up her own little "Maddie"! We talked casually about the similarities of our daughters' names, and when Seth found us, he introduced us: The mom I had been talking to was Kameron's wife, Teresa. (They were separated at the time, but Teresa came to church with Kameron to support his decision to be baptized...you'll have to ask them about the rest of their story. I've posted a link to their blog in the column on the right.)

A few weeks later, a woman in our Sunday School class held a "Women's Tea" at her home, inviting lots of new women from the class. I sat next to Teresa and we chatted again about our daughters. Eventually all of the ladies at the "tea" were seated in the living room and we got to some interesting discussions. Teresa shared her story, which brought tears to my eyes. (Again, you'll have to ask them :)) When the "tea" was over, I asked Teresa if Kameron had any christian friends he could talk to/hang out with? She said, "no, but he really could use some right now." So we exchanged phone numbers and the rest is history!

Over this past year, an incredible friendship has developed. It was hard to let them go, they'll be sorely missed. Maddie, Madison and Malachi have become "best friends", as have their mommies and daddies. But this move isn't "goodbye", it's merely "'bye for now."

We love you and miss you Kameron, Teresa and Maddie!