The 'rents have gone :-(

My parents left yesterday. It was strange waking up and coming into the living room and not finding my Dad watching CNN and offering to make me some fresh coffee. I felt a tinge of sadness this morning at their absence.

Let me tell you about my Mom & Dad. First of all, I am so incredibly blessed to have such wonderful parents. I took them for granted in my younger years but as the years go on I appreciate them more and more. I'd say my relationship with them today is the best it's ever been. Here are some of the things that I observed during our time together and some of the things I love about them.

• We laugh a lot together
• We can make fun of each other and have fun doing it without offending
• They are some of the most friendly people I have ever known. Wherever we took them in Cebu or elsewhere they engaged with the people around them. They smiled and said hi to nearly everyone they met and struck up conversations with many strangers. They looked for ways to bless and encourage people, telling them they appreciated them.
  
• They are laid back, flexible and willing to try new things
• They are generous, compassionate, and quick to serve others
  
• They are cheerful and happy and fun to be around
• They love people and make them feel at ease
• They value people - regardless of race, gender, economic status; They believe everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with respect. This belief is evident in how they treat others. This quality is so lacking in our world.
• They are a great encouragement to Andrey and I, regularly saying things that build us up and make us feel good. They are supportive of everything that we do.
  

If you have known my family in the past you know the challenges we've faced and endured, by God's grace. Our family hasn't always enjoyed harmonious relationships as many of us (I can speak for myself) experienced brokenness on many levels. But as a direct result of our hope and trust in a God who IS LOVE and offers transforming forgiveness that leads to healing, we are experiencing his joy and peace and life and healthy relationships with one another. I just want to give God all the glory for it truly is miraculous what he has done in our lives.

Thank you, Mom & Dad for your sacrifice in coming to visit us in Cebu. I know it wasn't easy to get here but you did it and I am so blessed and so happy to have gotten to share our life in Asia with you.