Hello! I hope your Easter was happy!! The dorm was closed and it was the first time many of the kids saw their parents since Christmas. It was also the first time we were able to be together as a family of Erickson's since Christmas. It was the last time we will be together just the six of us before Wyatt leaves. So, I tried to enjoy every single moment and not get too emotional. We had such a great time. We made a bucket list of things we wanted to do, games to play, food to eat etc. and we did it all! I feel incredibly blessed to have a family that truly enjoys each other. We have so much laughter in this house and it fills my heart to overflowing.
Back to the topic of Wyatt- we bought his ticket back to America. We have been searching sites looking for the cheapest flight and finally found one. Because we are short term with MAF they don't cover these costs, so we wanted to purchase wisely. He will be leaving Indo May 20. That is exactly one month from today. Even now, I am holding back tears while I write this. UGH! He will be in a different country than us. That is CRAZY! But I have a great, big God and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I can trust Him with my Kid. But please, PLEASE pray for us as we make this adjustment.
Until the end of July, Wyatt will be traveling and playing soccer with the Chicago Eagles. This is an awesome opportunity and he has raised almost all of the money he needs for the trip. He only needs about $1,000 more. After that, Garth will fly to Chicago to get him and together they will travel to Corban University in Oregon. There are so many details to take care of: teaching Wyatt to drive on the right side of the street, car insurance, medical check ups, he has a chipped tooth that needs to be taken care of, showing him how to open a bank account, and use money, and getting him settled in college... my head is spinning.
I will be back here with the kiddos while Garth is there visiting family, getting Wyatt settled, going to a missions conference and possibly a wedding. It is never fun to be split up and we will be separated for quite awhile. The end of the summer and into the beginning of the school year I will be here and he will be there. So keep praying.
God never disappoints and He is always faithful. I know I can trust Him in easy times and in difficult, for small things and big things. This is going to be the biggest thing I have ever trusted Him for: my kid. My firstborn son. On his own in a country that he doesn't call his own. He is Indonesian through and through. It will rip his heart out to leave, and mine to send him. But this is clearly the path God has for him. We are 100% sure of that. I know that God will take care of him. It is exciting to see all the ways that God shows up in his life. God is awesome and so full of surprises. He loves to bless His children.
Thanks for all of the prayers you send up on our behalf. If you think about Wyatt and want to send him an email to let him know you will be praying for him, feel free. I know it would encourage his heart and mine.
Love you
Rachel
