Dear Juli

Dear Juli,


I have been wanting to write you a letter to express things that I feel. Every time I go to write, I break down in tears :-) I remember thinking when we were younger what life will be like when we grow up and what we will be doing. You have always had a heart for people, caring so much and investing so much in helping and praying, even when you were little and they were imaginary. So I knew it would have something to do with help and investing in people. Never could I have imagined how God would work out and take your heart for people and lead you into what you are doing now. I remember the day you met Scott and how you told me after a couple of conversations with him, you knew he would be your husband. It took a little bit for me to understand him (Love you, Scott! :-)) but there was never mistaking the desire in both your hearts to serve God and love people. It was not hard to see you two were meant for each other!! As the years went by and life began to happen, it became very clear where you two where headed. Not living close together, I know I have become a person looking from the outside in, not for lack of contact or the family closeness, more just cuz of distance and not being involved in the day to day goings on. I am in no way an outsider in your life, just not close contact. So, from the outside looking in I have been amazed again and again how God has lead Scott and you in the direction you are going! I have a hard time putting it all into words.

In a couple of days, you and your beautiful family will be flying to Spain, to invest in peoples lives, loving them and telling them about Jesus and the gospel, a.k.a missionaries :-) Your love for the Spanish people is a wonderful example to me. Your desire to serve God is one that needs to be imitated by all. From the time that you and Scott got married, so many details have worked out that has made it so obvious that this is where you need to be. I know that there are many things that are unknown to you now, and you wonder how you will make it and start life in this new place. I have no doubt that, just the way you did when you had unknowns about going back to get your masters as a new mom, being a new mom and all its uncertainties, that you will lean and depend on the God that has carried you thru this far. You have always been such an example to me on trusting all the promises that God tells us in His Word. You have counseled me in that way so many times when I have needed to be reminded. Even tho you are younger, I don't view you that way, and have always appreciated the way you viewed me as an equal and loved me no matter what!! I know you are without your struggles, but you have always had a positive and "trusting God" attitude. I thank you for that! We don't tend to see ourselves the way others see us, good or bad, but I want to communicate to you how wonderful you are in my life.

I was so impressed with your sending church and their very biblical role in your ministry when we were there for your Commissioning Service. That was a very special time for us all. I was filled with so many emotions that weekend. One of them being that I was so proud to be your sister. Meeting people from your church who have been thru this process with you and then seeing how God has worked in your life. Knowing the process and struggle that deputation is and how God has provided it all. The support and love from your church family. And then there was the emotion of sadness. I know that technology has come a long way and we are never that far apart, as Facetime and Facebook is only one click away, but I think knowing that you will be across the world, that you will be dealing and involved in things that I will have a hard time understanding and connecting with, and that I can't just jump on a plane for a couple of hours to see you. I will miss you! I will miss your counsel on the phone, and the ease of chatting about our boys.

My sisters are my best friends and one of them is leaving. I am so happy for you and so excited about what God is doing and will do in the future. For all of us. I have no doubt that God will use you and do great things with your family. Love those boys and kiss them all the time. God's grace is amazing and He will be your help in time of need. He has proven that so many times in our lives. You are an AMAZING Mom!!! Be pliable and never stop learning. For you know, that being a mom is the greatest gift and also the most humbling and challenging thing you will ever do. There are so many things that come to mind when I'm not sitting here, writing this blog, but now I can't think of any. Isn't that always how it goes. :-) I am praying for you guys daily! I love you!
Your sister,
Jeje