A Hundred Thank You’s

The last few months, we have been saying so many goodbyes – at least for now – to a land we have called home for 11 years.  We moved here in 2010, pregnant with our first child and sort of bewildered.  All these years later, we have three miracles – two of them born here and the third conceived in pure surprise miracle fashion, lots of desert wrinkles, worn out clothes and underwear, and hearts full of gratitude.  We’ve had the privilege of watching local and international colleagues move into leadership roles, allowing us to step aside so they can grow and we can spend some time in our passport country near family.  We’ve spent these months working and packing…but mostly hugging so many people who have become dear to us, like family, and sitting long with dusty desert sunsets and ancient ruins flanked by villages.  Our boys have grown used to calling their goodbyes and thank you’s to the many places and scenes and foods that have become our home and our teachers and our lives here.  It’s hard to put into words and so, consistent with this mostly-photo journal space, I will put most of our thank-you’s in pictures…