We have adapted well to living in Europe. Every now and then we get those American “cravings”: a good hamburger, Braum’s Ice Cream, real soda. One does not see people walking around with Styrofoam cups filled with 44 ounces of ice and beverage. The biggest soda you see is the large from McDonalds … and you pay extra, generally, for ice. Every now and then, a Route 44 from Sonic calls our names …

Our sister-in-law, Becky, did something this week to sooth our Sonic craving. She sent us an empty (I’m still bitter) Route 44 Sonic cup! Having lived in Washington, she knows the anguish of not being able to zip through a Sonic drive-through and get such yummy goodness. This was her attempt to ease our pain and sympathize with our loss. Can I just say I laughed out loud when I opened the box!! We love Becky … and her sick sense of humor!

Then, our long awaited Christmas packages from Chris’ Mom finally arrived. We opened our gifts via Skype. It was the next best thing to being there in person. One by one we opened our little treasures in full view of the sender. The miles didn’t matter. Actually the gifts didn’t matter … ok, maybe a little (I love gifts!!). It was the experience of doing a traditional act together that mattered most.

In that moment, a strange thing occurred. We were greatly aware of the miles that stood between us. I was sad for the holidays that have gone and will go by that we are apart from her company. I counted the cost of following God … and it hurt.
Not long after our post-holiday celebration with Chris’ Mom my parents called. They were out and about and just wanted to call us. Hearing their plans for a normal Saturday afternoon in Oklahoma made me realize, too, how far our calling has taken us … how far it has taken us from family.

These are the moments that make you. These are the moments that test your will to be obedient. Despite the tissues and tears, this is when you know that being obedient to God is more important than jumping on a plane and heading home.
Last night as I was drifting off to sleep and talking with God, I told Him how thankful I am for a place called heaven. The costs, the sacrifices … will all be worth it.

Excuse me, I gotta go … I need to refill my Sonic cup and grab another tissue!