Here's to next time

Quick note: if you are just now finding this page, I am now blogging over at Geeky Travelers Wife.

Tomorrow morning we fly out of Schiphol for the last time on this journey. The chapter is closing. We could be out having a last hurrah in Amsterdam Centraal, but we are too solemn right now to enjoy life in a European city very much. It was really really hard to say goodbye to our congregation here. I managed to stay dry eyed only by telling people that I was determined not to cry because I know I'll see them all again sooner or later. I was too sad to even take pictures. I just wanted to soak up every last second of being in our congregation here. I am relying heavily on the generosity of all the others who were snapping away to get me those digital memories. My resolve lasted until our bus ride home when, just after pulling away from Geinwijk, we passed the family who first led us to the Hall on our arrival (Bortisie's) standing on the corner waiting for the light (on their way to the Twi meeting after the English...we only met together on Wednesdays) and smiling and waving their hearts out when the spotted us on the 47 heading to Bijlmer Arena Station for the last time. We'll miss you all so very much. So very much....

To Amsterdam Zuid-Oost, thank you for being so warm and hospitable to a couple of wacky American's in your midst, for helping us figure out everything from bus routes and Dutch greetings, to where to grocery shop and how to deal with the icy winter there. You've really encouraged us to stay focused on the more important things. We would have been lost without you.

Here's to every last one of you visiting us in California (or Utah depending on how the wind blows...) We love you.

See you round the bend.