A SENSE OF LOSS

It has been a very hectic and at times troubling two years for Rachel and I. Our marriage is strong, and our love for each other remains as it has always been. When we returned from Peoria, we felt betrayed, discouraged, and very very lost. Rachel seemed to bounce back very quickly as she immersed herself in nursing, being a mom, and expecting Abby! It has taken me quite a bit longer. Rachel has always followed my lead, and she wandered through this process with me. Jeff, I found your blog the other day, and in doing so, I also found the Laughlin's, the Schwaab's, the Cress's, the Fentons, Matt and Audrey's, the Wonderlin's, Heath and Lindsey's, and a host of others. I began to read about all of your lives, and what's been happening with the kids, and all of the hilarious married stuff we all go through. I began to feel a great sense of loss. Not that we've lost you as friends. Each and every one of you have prayed for us, fellowshipped with us, loved on us, invited us into your lives. The sense of loss comes from having missed so much of your lives. Missing quality couples time, or having our babies play together. Missing all those great stories as they happened, and not reading them until a year later. Now, we are still in Litchfield, but in ministry in Herrick. We miss you guys terribly. I felt so lost in terms of ministry, and Lonnie kept telling me it was a tent-making season.(which it was) Rachel hung by me, and we became distant with all of you. For that, I am profoundly sorry. Jenny, I tearfully read your posts, lovingly describing your new experiences with Tug, and Sam, and also your declarations of love for your great husband, and I was moved. I read all of your comments to each other, and realized what a close knit group....really a family....that you all had become. We have missed the boat. What rich and wonderful lives you all live, and live it together! I'm sorry we haven't been a part of that. I'm desperatly sorry. We need you guys. We have stories to share, and tears to shed. We have prayer requests and praise reports! WE JUST WANT TO SHARE LIFE with you. We are hoping for another chance. We love you all.

Chris and Rachel