"Every goodbye makes the next hello closer." ~Anonymous

There are some friends that you don't want to say goodbye too. And sometimes, if you are like me, you can just pretend that they are on "vacation." My friend Rose and her husband, also friend, Lee just moved up to the wilds of Alaska. Rose graduated in June with a Masters in Teaching degree and in order to be able to work (since Oregon schools are downsizing) she took a teaching job in Pilot Station, AK, truly the wilds of Alaska. Before they left we (our core group of friends) congregated as often as we could. There were movie nights, parties, a bridal shower and lots of laughs at all those events. In a short few months Rose and Lee will be back for the Christmas holiday and I will get to say hello to them again.

Rose and Lee in Anchorage (I hijacked this picture off Facebook)!

Rose and Lee sang Pray For Me during the last church service they were here for.
After the service and the bustle of people who love Rose and Lee departed, there were a few of us who hung out for a bit longer. Jen and Daren (and Oscar) came down from Seattle and it was so fun to catch up with them and spend time with everyone that was there.

Daren and Zach had a great time with the doll and this toy...pink spiky hair, or swim cap, or...

Rose and Lee, good luck and many blessings to you in your Alaskan adventures. It will be great to say hello to you again soon!