It was different this time.  We were at the airport, but I was the one staying and everyone else was leaving.  Saying goodbye is harder when you are staying and everyone else is leaving.  It’s Christmas time.  I had been away from family at Christmas time but never away from Suzanne.  We spend one Christmas in China together.  Now she was going and I was staying.  In 40 years of marriage we had never been away from each other during Christmas.  Suzanne was leaving with a team of seven students and one other director.

One by one the students handed me their goodbye letters.  We have done it so many times it should be just a formality, but it always gets to me a little.  The students write letters to be given to their family and friends if they do not return.  I can’t help but feel proud of these students.  They were from all over Oklahoma.  It was a put together team for the soul purpose of sharing God’s love at Christmas time.  These students give me hope for the future of our faith.  They are young people willing to put it all on the line for their Savior.  Suzanne had already given me her goodbye letters.  She had written three goodbye letters, one for Ayme and Andrew, one for Matthew, Lora, Dean, and Fiona, and one for me.  She had written them the night before.  I knew she had put a lot into them.  There were tears in her eyes as she handed them to me.  I assured everyone I would keep them and give them back when they returned. 

The goodbye letter is a crucial part of preparing for a mission.  It reminds us of how important the mission is.  It is worth our lives if called upon.  It represents a willingness to die for the cause.  The same is asked of all followers of Jesus.  He said, “Unless a man picks up his cross and follows me, he can not be my disciple.”  We are to do this daily.

I was holding the letters and they were leaving.  As they walked through security, I turned and walked the other direction. I felt very much alone.  My walk and their walk were taking us in different directions.  I suddenly realized God would be with them, and God would be with me.  I thought surely if God is with both of us than we can’t be far apart.    Our hearts were in tune with each other and with God.  What we wanted this Christmas was exactly the same.  Peace on earth.  Joy to the world.  Jesus in the hearts of men.  I think I'll go home and write a letter.