Let Them Be Little: THIS IS WHAT I KNOW TONIGHT

and it's pretty much the same thing I usually know...

NOTHING.

When will he be home?

I don't know. (sigh).

(photo from a FB friend who posted it to my wall yesterday. So nice!)

Earlier today (Tuesday) we learned that flights out of Buenos Aires had been canceled due to ash from a volcanic eruption in Chile.

Was Nathan's flight canceled?

Yes.

It appeared later in the day that they were trying to re-route him, possibly through Santiago...which is in Chile... (thought that was funny!) Those crazy weather patterns!

But we didn't hear whether he was able to get on a flight out or not. It appears that he did not leave but we just don't know.

One thing I do know with certainty is that we will be ready to see him again whenever he can make it!

There is actually one other thing I also know...I cannot sleep!

And I am cooking and baking as if he is still going to return tomorrow.

(Ha! Could make up a new catch phrase here - "Cooking and baking like there IS a tomorrow!" You know, you've heard the phrases ending with "like there is NO tomorrow...ha, ha.)

As anxious as I am to see him and have him home with us again, I have been feeling sad for him and for the people in Argentina. He loves them and he has completely loved his mission. He will miss representing the Lord and serving every day, all day long. He will miss those dear people and I know they will miss him too. Some of those wonderful friends of his have already reached out to me and told me how much he is loved and will be missed.

Our household items from TX have arrived. Some things are in the home where we are staying now and others are in storage. Jonathan went to TX last week and got everything out. The home is empty and ready for occupancy - by someone else.

So, we are now trying to move things in and get a little settled here.

Which is causing me to feel a bit of pressure.

I feel a little like we have a dignitary coming to see us. Isn't that silly to feel that way about a son returning from a mission? I know it must sound strange but that is how I feel. And I don't know if I will be able to be fully ready for him. And yet, none of the extra fluff and stuff matters to him. He is always happy. He will be grateful for whatever we have for him.

However, he has served diligently and been completely dedicated to the Lord for 2 years AND we have missed him. I would like for him to know how grateful we are to him for his service.

The more I think of Nathan, the more I feel that we do have a dignitary coming to see us.

A faithful servant of the Lord is a special person.

Any one who serves the Lord for 2 years to the best of his/her abilities deserves a red-carpet welcome. :)

The office called me the other day to talk about his departure from Argentina and then his arrival here. (This was before the cloud of ash). The person on the other end of the phone spoke so highly of Nathan and of his service. He let me know that Nathan was working really hard and was doing a great work with many people. I knew that was true by what Nathan has shared with us in his weekly letters but it was so nice to hear it from someone else.

He has given it all.

He has been a great missionary!

Now, to get him home...

I'll let you know what happens. :)