Saying Goodbye to good friends

Part of the joy & heartache of being at LCC long-term are the many relationships we get to develop, but then the frequent goodbyes we also have to say. We've had lots of great friends over the past 7 years here, but have also said lots of sad goodbyes. Earlier this week we took our dear friends, the Bosch Family, to the airport to see them off. They came to LCC last August from the Toronto area where they took a year-long leave of absence from their jobs & schools so Chris could teach at LCC and the family could experience something different from the norms of North American life. For some reason we didn't start spending much time with them until November of last year, but once we did, we really connected. And it wasn't just us adults that enjoyed spending time together, but Ieva adored their boys Levi (7) and Josiah (very recently 9). And they adopted her like a little sister.

Saying Goodbye in the Vilnius Airport

We've had lots of great memories with the Bosch family over the past 7 months and will miss them tremendously. One of the last sweet memories that will stay in my mind was after we had all said our tearful goodbyes in the airport lobby and they had gone to get in the security line. Andrew, Ieva & I were sitting a little ways away talking about where we were going next. All of a sudden, and completely out of the blue, Ieva jumps up out of her seat & bolts across the huge lobby space between the chairs & the security line & practically leaps into Josiah's arms for a big long hug. Then as quick as she went, she let go & turned around & ran back to us. It was really, really precious. Those two really adored each other so much!

Josiah & Ieva on Josiah's 9th birthday (we just celebrated on May 11th - the night before they flew out!)

Josiah, Ieva & Levi in the airport

Josiah is the same age as Ieva's only cousin Eli, and interestingly, they look quite similar to each other! When Eli & Ieva get to spend time together, Eli also loves to give her hugs & coddle her. In so many ways, Josiah was Ieva's surrogate cousin (or big brother) and we all loved watching them together! Chris, Lydia, Josiah & Levi Bosch

Thanks for being such an integral part part of our lives this year, Chris, Lydia, Josiah & Levi! We miss you already!!