Josh and Alli leaving

Graduation

Senior Recital, Candlelight

Endings and New Beginnings

The last few days have been quite emotional, marking the end of one path and the beginning of a new one.  Last week was the big senior week for Emily.  Wednesday night was her recital in which she danced to "Drink from this Water" by Anointed.  She did a beautiful job.  The next day was my last day of work.  I turned my keys in and closed the door for the last time in the library.  It was difficult to say goodbye.  I have spent 8 years of my life in the library where the Lord allowed me to serve the students, faculty, and staff of Ben Lippen School.  It was my privilege and I learned a lot.  Then Thursday night was the candlelight service where Mike and Emily read scripture together.  Our Emily has turned into a very poised public speaker!  Then, of course, Friday was the big day!  Uncle Brian and Grandmom came to help us celebrate Emily graduating from High School!  She received the Headmaster's award for receiving all A's in her senior year, and for maintaining a 4.5 gpa throughout her high school years!  What an amazing young lady you are Emily!  We are very proud of you!  Saturday we went to a beautiful wedding in Beaufort, SC where Kali Diaz married Jacob Leonard.  We wish them all the best and the Lord's blessing on their new lives together.  Then Sunday was Emily's recital.  She did her solo again and a group dance.  She also received her senior recognition as this marked her last year at Columbia Ballet School.  Monday we had a cookout and watched the new Indiana Jones movie.  This was a fun family time.  Then Tuesday was a very difficult day.  It marked the end of Mike's 20 years of teaching at Ben Lippen.  We had a luncheon and a cookout in which our family was remembered for our work at Ben Lippen.  Our family grew up at this place and we have made lifelong friends who will always hold a very special place in our hearts.  Words can not express how much we love the people whom we served with over these past 20 years nor can they state how very grateful we are to the teachers who spoke into our children's lives in the classroom as well as in living out their lives as an example of Christ.  Thank you so much precious teachers and colleagues for all you have done and meant to our family.  We also had to say goodbye to our wonderful son Joshua and his precious fiance Allison on Tuesday.  Their car was loaded done with all their worldly possessions as they headed out on their long journey to Portland, OR where they will start their new lives together.  While it is very difficult to see them go, we know that they have an exciting life ahead of them and we look forward with joy to see what the Lord has in store for them.  We love you both!  Needless to say, it has been an emotional roller coaster for the last several days.  We have closed the doors on one life and opened the door to another.  Mike started working full time today in real estate.  He is looking forward to new beginnings as am I.  It is definitely a step of faith and feels a little bit like free falling, but we both look forward to what new things God has in store for us.  I thought my devotional verse for today was very appropriate for this first day of our new adventure:  2 Timothy 4:7:  "For Gd hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of sound mind".

A New Phase of Life

Well, this month is a month of many firsts for me.  I am blogging.  This is a first.  My baby is graduating from high school.  This is a first.  My oldest child graduated from college, and is moving to Portland, OR to start a new life with his beautiful fiance (soon to be wife).  This is a first.  My husband resigned from his job of 21 years and is starting a new career.  This is a first.  I have left my job of eight years.  This is a first.  I am choosing to look at all of these things as a "first" rather then a "last".  This is a first for me.  It is my nature to look at life realistically (some would call this "negatively".)  However, as a believer in Christ I am trying to view things through God's eyes and recognize that life is a journey full of changes that help me to grow more to be like Christ.  Something that my pastor said this morning really struck a cord with me.  It was something like, if you knew you couldn't fail what would you do?  Well, as a believer I have the supernatural power of Christ living in me.  Therefore, there really isn't any failure!  If I believe God is directing my path in life, I can't fail.  So, all these "firsts" in life are God-driven.  I need to accept that, even though it is difficult to see my precious children leave the nest.  It's scary to "start over" in a new career path and not know where your are going and what you are going to be doing.  I am sure I will be doing my share of crying, but part of me is excited about what God has for me in the future.  Being safe in the hands of God, there is no fear of failure in a new adventure;  only the excitement of a new road on the journey of life.