Nicholas James Fletcher

I'm typing this post in my living room with a huge lump in my chest. It's October 4th. A day I have been dreading for months. Fletch is sitting across the room and checking in for his flights back to the states. We got back a few minutes ago from breakfast at his favorite pancake place right around the corner. We ate, talked, laughed, reminisced, as I fought back tears. I'm so thankful for his friendship! I love this guy and because of that I'm gonna hate saying "goodbye" to him!
When Fletch and I went through Missionary Training International in 2007, they informed us that by becoming missionaries we were getting into the business of saying "goodbyes." At the time I didn't realize how true that statement was and how painful it would be. And that eventually I would need to say "goodbye" to the guy who I had begun this missionary journey with.

On November 15th, 2007 Fletch and I said "goodbye" to our families together in Sky Harbor Airport. Up until that day I had never cried so much in my life. We boarded a flight bound for Latvia. And that began our crazy Latvian journey.

Now six years later, we are sitting in my living room and waiting for a friend to pick us up and take us to the airport. Life has come full circle and today I need to say "goodbye" to Fletch as he boards a flight bound for Sky Harbor Airport. Didn't think it would end up like this.

I believe God is leading Fletch in this next step of his life and because of that I have peace. However it still sucks saying "goodbye" to such a close friend! Few people on this planet have seen me at my worst. Fletch has. He has been next to me at some of the lowest points of my life and he still loves me. I see Jesus in that. I don't know many people who have a friend (outside of their spouse) like that. And for that I am grateful! That is what makes saying "goodbye" to him so hard. As my teammate Donna said, today feels like an end of an era in Latvia. Fletch will no longer live here, but God used him to leave a mark on this country. And I am sure that the next places where God leads Him will be just as blessed as we have been in Latvia.
God has blessed me by allowing me to "grow up" over the last six years with this guy by my side. He became family and saying "goodbye" to family is never easy. We went through a lot of great times and a lot of hard times and I'm blessed to have seen God's faithfulness through it all! I'm holding onto that for our futures now on different continents.
Fletch loves selflessly and in that He reflects Jesus. He is a servant at heart and in that He imitates Jesus. Fletch works hard and does everything with 100% effort. I have learned a lot from him and am thankful to have been part of his life.
Thank you, Fletch! You ran well. You blessed this country. You are loved. Keep going!

PS-Come visit us sometime! :)