Revolving Door

I've only lived overseas as a missionary for 3 years so this topic of people coming and going and constantly saying goodbye to people is pretty new to me. But this year it hit me pretty hard. Two families that are in our Sunday night Small group left in June. For me, these people represented my family here in Bucharest. They were our best friends, our kid's friends, and our support system. I hate goodbyes, closure etc-even in small things. Take for instance a phone coversation-I dread the end because I don't know what the appropriate thing to say is except "goodbye". So I find it somewhat humorous that I've been put in this life where I will be constantly saying "goodbye" etc. I also wonder about the effect this will have on my children as they navigate their lives as missionary kids.
I will miss my friends greatly and to be honest, its difficult to imagine being here in Bucharest without them. But I do know that God will provide new friends and I think for now I just have to remember all the wonderful times and grieve the times that will never be.