I had the day perfectly planned.  We were going to have a day in the Mongolian countryside with Renee's folks.  It was so exciting to have them here with us and we wanted to show them the beauty that this country has to offer - particularly outside of the city (beauty is tough to come by inside the city).  So we were going to go to Terelj National Park for a cookout and a picnic.  We knew of a nice shaded spot on the river where we could set up the grill.  Cori was taking her best friend, Jeanie.  We had the car packed with grilling and picnicing gear.  I had laid down the cash for some American made "Kingston" Charcoal - which is pretty tough to find around here.  We even took our dog Sadie along for the outing - and she was thrilled.

We were at about the half-way point when Renee' asked the question.

Renee:  "Did you get the meat?"

Silence.

Bernie: "I got the cooler. It was zipped. I assumed you had put the meat in the cooler"

Renee: "No, you went to the store to get zip-lock bags to put the meat into before it went into the cooler. I was waiting until you got back"

Jonathan: Oh my gosh, you've got to be kidding me, you guys forgot the meat? Let\'s just go back home.

So the conversation went.  Needless to say, we didn't go back home (in spite of Jonathan's protests).  We had baked beans and brownies and Pringles potato chips, along with drinks. We were good.  Jonathan still didn't see the point in going on without meat. He's part Mongolian in that sense. A meal is not really a meal if there is no meat involved - but we talked him through it okay.  We unloaded the car, and now that we didn't need a grill there was less to carry.  Jonathan had wanted us to try and run over a farm animal on the way so at least we could grill something.  But I didn't listen to his barbaric, carnivorous suggestions.  At least we had baked beans.

Until I dumped them all on the ground in an attempt to move to a different picnic spot. 

So we had a picnic of Pringles and brownies and Coke.  I am just grateful Renee' made the brownies.  To top it all off, we did have a jar of Rheba's pickles that we ate some of (she makes incredible sweet pickles). Unfortunately the jar broke, and we lost most of them, as well.  So went the picnic that was a series of unfortunate events. We didn't eat much.  But we enjoyed each other's company and the Mongolian countryside. I must say that Sadie had the time of her life and is still sleeping off of her day of excitement (run in with a cow and everything).




This morning we we had an early morning airport run and had to say goodbye (again) to Renee's folks - and to our kids, as they will be spending the next six weeks or so in the States.  I miss them this morning.  I will miss them during the time they are gone, and will look forward to the day they come back to Mongolia.  This morning as I prepare a message for our church from Hebrews 11, I am reminded again that I am living for something that is yet to come. When Jonathan and Cori return to Mongolia I will be at the airport, looking into the baggage claim area trying to get a glimpse of them prior to our happy reunion.  "Having seen them and greeted them from afar" (Hebrews 11:13)  I look forward to the day of being reunited with my kids.  I look forward to the day when we will see many of the readers of this blog once again.  I look forward to being able to see my parents and friends and loved ones who seem so far away right now.  I look forward to the day when Jesus will wipe away every tear and make right every wrong and we will receive everything that he has promised. Jesus makes this life bearable - and even good - because of His promises for all that is to come.  Therefore, I don't mind being a stranger in this land and I don't so much mind broken pickle jars and spilled beans and forgotten meat. I can even live with the pain and angst involved with missing my kids and other family members  - short and long term. Jesus knows. He is good. He will grant all that he has promised. Some in this life.  Most in the next.

In spite of what many best selling authors are saying, my best life is not now.  And frankly, I am really okay with that.