Nothing Can Stop the USAF!

So I've been putting off writing this post. There are a couple of reasons, but I won't bore you with them. Truly, it's a post I've been dreading because it's a send off to my friend Sarah. Where is she going you might ask???

Well...the answer is...Turkey...and I do mean the country!

I remember a Sunday in 8th Grade, and there were two new visitors to come to the Life Saving Station from a small Lutheran Church down the street. I was sort of the "welcoming committee" and remember greeting both of them. And, with out going into too much detail...we spent the rest of our youth group days hanging out and developing a great friendship.

Sarah and I were off to Auburn and throughout those 4 years, we made many memories. We still reminisce about the Loveliest Village on the Plains...and would go back in a heartbeat...if we could still stay up past 10:00 p.m.
But we L-O-V-E our Auburn Football and have promised to even get tattooed if they ever win a National Championship in our lifetime. If you know us, that probably reveals just how much faith we have in that actually happening...but War Eagle anyway!

After college, we both moved to Birmingham, and after a series of other roommates and apartments, we ended up having a place of our own. The next 3 years were an absolute blast! I watched as Ryan and Sarah became a couple and eventually were engaged. At this point, our friendship was one of the most important relationships in my life...her family pretty much adopted me (my pseudonym is Kelley Elizabeth Thompson)...and I was blessed to be a "welcomed 3rd wheel" when Ryan was in town visiting.

So...I love Sarah...and her family...and Ryan. However, there is one little kink in all this. Ryan is in the Air Force. A noble profession that deserves all the gratitude and respect I can muster up. His service allows me to be here in Colorado Springs, but his service is also taking my best friend to Turkey for the next two years.

I remember this past March...getting a call from Sarah...who was a wreck on the phone. Ryan had just told her the news about the move. Luckily (OK...Divinely) it was my spring break, and my awesome husband booked me on a flight to San Antonio right then and there so I to go be with my friend. We needed to sort this Turkey thing out in our heads...and our hearts.

What a great week we had...and when I left...we knew that Sarah and William would go (IATT) with Ryan to Turkey...there was no doubt about it...and hasn't been any since then. Even though there has been other difficult emotions, and certainly s-t-r-e-s-s...I can say I've never been more proud to call someone my friend. Sarah has handle this just the way I would hope to if I was in the same position.

Last week, she came to visit us here in Colorado Springs. It was the last time I'll see her before she moves. We had a great time...and it was the first time that she'd left William (her adorable 2 year old) so we could enjoy being together...just like old times. (Thanks to Mom and Pops Thompson for making it all possible...what great parents and grandparents you are!)

Here are some pics from her visit:

Although the military provides us with our freedom everyday, it doesn't give its loyal recruits freedom to chose where they would like to live. When Sarah heard the news, there were lots of emotions...but the decision was made...there was nothing she could do to change the plan...so as the lyrics go...off she goes into the wild blue yonder because nothing can stop the US Air Force...including moving the Stebbins to Turkey.

And because she loves her husband more than anything and values her marriage above any other relationship, she will set off on this adventure with Ryan knowing it's what she must do...and can do...because she serves a God greater than any move to Turkey, greater than any fear, greater than any anxiety, greater than any comfort, and yes...even greater than any Pappasito's tortilla! Our God is greater!

Sarah, I will miss you. That goes without saying. I could not be more proud of you. Your faith will be tested. Your heart will be challenged. There will be hard days. There will be great days. Your life will be changed...and I believe for the absolute better. I know you'll always be you...and I'm thankful for that...cokes in the fridge, Blistex in hand, leftovers on your plate, sunglasses on, flat iron plugged in, and a best friend a girl could ever have.

So...bon voyage to our Turkish Delight (a sweet candy that originated in Turkey in the 1700s). We'll look forward to hearing about your adventure at Incirlik Air Force Base in Adana, Turkey (Incirlikingood.blog) and like you always say...we'll see ya soon!