The Book is Closed

One of my favorite movies at present is "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium".  It's full of clever witticisms and some very touching moments.  [spoiler warning] When Mr. Magorium "departs" the narrator (Eric, the really cute/mature boy) says,  "All stories, even the ones we love, must eventually come to an end and when they do, it's only an opportunity for another story to begin".

Well, the book has finally closed for CrossRoads.  After seven years of hard work, much prayer, and many tears....  also a very tumultuous summer and an uncertain beginning to the Fall we have closed the book on what had been our dream.  Things have been dispersed.  Paper work is done.  The final checks have been written to our missionaries.  The government got what they needed.  That's it.

I am certain that God knows what He is doing.  He has been very careful in His watching over us.  We have experienced His grace and faithfulness in wonderful ways.  Nonetheless it was a kind of death for us. 
And yet, God is the one who brings life from death.  He is the Master at taking bad and turning it into good.  He never loses control.  He is always good and loving.   At the end of Genesis Joseph says to his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done..."  Thank God He is good! 

The good thing about closing one book is that you get to open a new one.  We learned quite a few lessons in the "last book".  The ending wasn't what we had hoped but we do have a new book to open.  I hope this one has a happier ending!