We're Back!

After many hours of traveling we finally made it safely back to Houston last night. None of our luggage did...but when they started handwriting the luggage tags on the Iraq side of things I pretty much resigned myself to lost luggage. It should be here sometime today anyway. I've been up for several hours already and it isn't even 7 am - looks like me and my friend jet lag will have some time to get reacquainted.
In other much sadder news baby Daryan died yesterday morning in Istanbul after receiving heart surgery. He was in ICU for over a month recovering and finally gave up his fight for life. We are so sad and I felt a serious 'blow' to all of the hope we had been believing and holding onto for him. On the plane somewhere over the Atlantic I was just praying and processing and was really challenged to a resurgence of HOPE. Not just for Daryan's family as they grieve, but for all of the lives we have the opportunity to be in contact with in Iraq. We have a Hope that does not disapoint - not ever. Sure we feel disapointment keenly and we grieve things deeply, but we have Hope that covers all of the evil and hurt in the world. Let us be people who speak this Hope and live this Hope to those around us who are hurting. You can read more about Daryan here