Life of the Rainers

A long time coming....

We have been waiting for the Akins to come home for 2 years now (they have been on the mission field)! The Akins are dear dear friends and we couldn't wait to see them! We kept in touch these past few years through email, facebook, and skyping, so we were thrilled to see them in the flesh!

We met them at the airport Wednesday night to welcome them home! We were excited to see Micah again (he was only a few months old when they left), meet Jordan (there newest baby girl), and introduce them to Canon!

Saturday we had a pool day with some of our closest friends - Paul, Kari, Micah, Jordan, Brandt, Jill, and Nate! It was kind of chilly and rainy, but it didn't matter!

Here's Paul, Micah, and Jess

The girls, plus Micah and Canon

We had a cookout on Monday night. We were supposed to have it at our house, all the food was bought and the house was clean, but switched it to the Waggoner's home due to Canon being so sick with croup. :( Jess and I took turns hanging out while the other one stayed at home to be with Canon. Sweet Jordan was sick too with a double ear infection.

The girls with Micah man!

The boys minus Jess (it was his turn to be with Canon)

Jordan Kate

She is so precious! Wish I could have held her more, but didn't want to expose her to croup.

The whole gang minus Jess and Canon

Canon and I were able to have lunch with Kari, Lindsey, and Griffin one afternoon.

We had such a great time catching up with our dear friends. The time went by too quickly, but are so thankful for the time we did have! We hope to see them again soon!

These pictures make me sad, but happy all at the same time. Since we have been in seminary the Lord has blessed us with wonderful Godly friendships. These friends have been our family, our support, encouragement, and our prayer warriors. I personally have learned so much from the women the Lord has placed in my life. I honestly don't know what I would have done without these women. After I had Canon I needed them and still do! I can't even tell you how many times I have asked for their Godly advice or just needed encouragement. These friends have been Canon's babysitters. These friends are the people we have spent holidays with when we couldn't travel home to be with our family.

With all this said most of our closest friends have all moved in the last couple of months, are moving in the next couple of weeks, or have plans to move in the very near future. This makes me sad and very emotional at times. I am thankful for the ones that are still here and for the new friends we are making, but I am sad. I know what I am about to say is trivial, but I was making a guest list for Canon's birthday and it looked so bare without certain names on it. These people have been a vital part of Canon's life. I know these friendships will last and we will still be close no matter how far away we are. I am encouraged they are following the Lord's call, but I selfishly want them here. ;)

Our time at seminary will come to an end in the near future as well and we will say more goodbyes, but I will forever be grateful for all of our dear friendships and cherish all the memories for a lifetime!

Love,

Rachel