David went back to Tanzania where he taught for a little while a few years ago. He wanted to visit his old students before they graduated from the school where he taught them. He'll be gone for a little over 2 weeks.
This is the longest David and I will have ever been apart since we were dating! And David and Max have never been more than a night apart from each other. Mind you, he works from home and therefore, is a stay-at-home dad, which makes for an even more emotional separation for the two of them. David cried while he held Max at the airport before he left and I've shed a few tears myself, including at inappropriate times, like at work. Oh geez. And pregnancy hormones only make it worse. Since David left (Wednesday night), he has gone through quite a testing experience so far over there... including dropping his telephoto lens (that he was saving for his safari) and it broke! He's also had less than a full night's sleep in those 4 days and I've worried for his safety at times as well.
Let me digress for a bit now. Today, my bishop shared two intense and personal stories--one of his cousin and the other of his wife's 15 yr old nephew. His cousin was a park ranger in Moab, and after walking away from a confrontation he had been having on duty with a man in his truck, the man shot my bishop's cousin several times, including in the heart. Amazingly, his cousin survived. The other story was of his nephew in law who was riding his long board to church recently and was killed instantly by someone driving who did not see him.
My bishop's stories and my family's recent, and in comparison, very small trial made me think about one thing in particular-- about how grateful I am for experiences that test our hearts and our minds.
Why do some people live through tragedies and others don't? Are there special purposes in these tragedies specifically? Or is it more important that we, the onlookers, somehow benefit from the faith-growing experience that comes from them? Do the people who live through or die in tragedy agree to such an experience before coming to the earth?
Whatever the answers are, and there are many I'm sure, I know this much-- I find the most strength and core of who I am and where I want to be when my faith, love, capabilities, or patience is tested to its breaking point. When I am broken, humility or the sincere desire to be taught and to find answers, pieces me, not only back together, but into a whole new person that sees more and feels more.
A two week trip to Africa, while not a tragedy, has still packed enough punch to shake our egos a bit and sober us up-- make us appreciate the simple beauties in life and just how much we love our family. We love you, Daddy, come home to us safely and soon!
**This post's picture was taken by David when he was living there in Africa. One of my favorite shots!
5 comments:
How sad. I remember Elder Eyring talking about different reasons for trials: consequences of our own sin, consequences of nature (or others choices), and those that are for the soul purpose to refine us. I think they all ultimately refine us, but sometimes it is so difficult to see that when we are in the middle of it all. I suppose the only way is to have faith that we will understand in time.
On a completely unrelated note...so excited for your little girl!!!! Congrats :)
Thanks Lisa. And yes, we're so very excited as well for the little female addition to our family! :)
that is so sweet jess, you are so lucky that your hubby can work from home!
Wow Jess. Thank you for sharing that. Keeps things in perspective. I feel the pain of the dropped lense.
Good luck surviving these two weeks without the big man in your lives.
Thanks, Daisy! I know, his heart broke along with the lens!
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