We aren't due for another Barrett family missionary for awhile, so we attempted to do all the "right" things. Mainly, immediately forcing awkward hugs with children he has never met before and decorating a large sign. In theory, I would present the whole thing for your Youtube viewing pleasure, but unfortunately, my phone corrupted that video file, and since we were videoing it, we didn't take any pictures at the airport once he actually came out of security. Next time, I guess? Wait a minute . . .
The experience is a bit surreal. He is so much the same but different, too. A few people standing next to us outside security asked whether we were waiting for a serviceman. Afghanistan? one guessed. No, we said. But when we hugged him a few minutes later, when I looked down at his shoes, when I saw how he had worn them out in the service of the Lord, well I felt like I was welcoming him home from a battlefield. I am grateful that he chose to make the sacrifice to serve. It has made him a better man, and I feel very lucky to be spending this time with him before he starts in earnest on the next phase of his life.
In the car just before getting released (and at the end of a long nap-less day on the heels of a red eye flight)
