Sunday's Song

This was my last Sunday here in Italy at the base chapel.  My last day on the praise team.  My last day to hear the spoken Word from Chaplain G.  My last day to see many of my sisters in Christ.  I was asked to sing the offertory and I happily did so.  I chose a hymn partly because all my music had been packed and shipped off, and partly because this song had been on my heart.  How appropriate the words as my farewell song.  There have been many ups and downs for me here.  Ranging from the mental to the spiritual to the physical...through it all my God has been faithful!  How could I not praise Him with this song.  Amazingly I did well until the end.  As the last note faded away I could no longer control my tears.  I'm sure it was an ugly cry but I was among friends and they loved me through it.  I received the best smile and bear hug from our servant leader as I left the stage and the love I felt was amazing. 
We have come to our last 3 days in this beautiful country.  Again while I'm excited to see what God has in store for us in Alaska I'm heartbroken to be leaving.  This has been an extremely difficult place to leave.  With each farewell hug my emotions are a roller coaster.  I pray that I won't dwell on what the next few days will bring to my heart but what these last four years have brought to my life!  The last goodbyes on Wednesday and Thursday will be the toughest yet but I'm determined to do it with more joy in my heart than sorrow...even while the tears flow freely.