Saying Good-Bye to the Willifords

This Sunday, December 12th, Kelli, John, Clara and Lincoln will board a plane for a 24-hour trip to the Philippines, their home for the next two years.   They will fly out of the Memphis airport, which is a huge blessing since we live about 10 miles from there! They’ll be arriving in Memphis on Thursday afternoon and spend a couple of days with us before they leave. You can keep up with them by checking in on their blog, “The Williford Family” - a link is on the right.

I had anticipated feeling very emotional in the days leading up to their departure.  Honestly, I’ve been very calm and so excited for them!  But now the countdown is on - and as we prepare, I find myself making a detailed itinerary of the things we will do while they’re here.  It’s different than other trips - not just a to-do list.  Instead, it’s a list of memories-to-be.  People to eat with, places to go.  There are cookies to decorate, pizzas to make, maybe even a favorite meal to cook.  Normally when they come to town, we can’t all fit into one vehicle, so we caravan to wherever we’re going.  Not this time!  The reservation has been made for a 15-passenger van to take us on our excursions! 

Today, as we were making plans, the anticipated feeling of sadness arrived.  Nothing has changed, I’m still so excited for them, but I know that we only have three days together before they leave.  The need to make the time count is the priority.

Although I’m not always successful at it, this is in fact a good reminder. I try to live my life like this every day.  Not focusing on what’s wrong and how it could be better - but living with an attitude of thankfulness. There’s a song that talks about living like we’re dying - some people think that’s morbid, but I don’t see it that way at all.  My life is much richer as I value the people around me, live with an awareness of how fragile life is, and appreciate the blessings that I have in my life.  

Romans 15:1-2 (The Message) says,  Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status.  Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"   

Kelli and John -  those words describe so perfectly to me what you are doing.  God put a need on your hearts, and instead of thinking, “Someone should do something about human trafficking,” you said, “How can we help?”  We are so proud of you and we love you.