Busy, Busy Summer!

I guess I've been wrong all my life. For some reason I thought people slowed down with age, but it don't seem to be happening that way for me. We've just finished our last year with a school age child at home and it ain't happening!

I even thought I'd get a much needed day for myself today, but it didn't happen either. Cindy's down for the birth of another godchild and went to the first ever Grace Bible Academy reunion. I was invited but Norman wasn't big on the idea so I wasn't going to go until . . . I spotted the blouse. It was her birthday present and I knew she had planned to exchange it, so I went - with Norman's blessing.

This is where I stop and ponder God's doings when he orders our steps.

The reunion was very informal and nothing was really planned beyond visiting and eating. We were only there five years so there were a lot of young people prior to us and after us that I didn't know. To be honest, I didn't recognize most of the ones I DID know. And all the teachers had aged as bad or worse than I had. At least I knew them though.

Because of a more mutual recent acquaintance there was one young lady I wanted to seek out. When we finally did get a chance to visit the years "in between" broke my heart for her, and I was blessed to see the dignity and grace in which she handled a most difficult family situation. And I also saw how God had replaced all she was denied through other Christians who love and appreciate her for who she is.

Another thing to ponder was God's timing in moving our family away from that school and that church. I have to admit that I didn't go happy. In fact I was pretty put out with God for forcing it on us. He knew what he was doing. I just found that out today.

I knew a lot of junk happened after we left. What I didn't know was that the depth of the divisions and disagreements that happened, or the extent of the pain that was suffered. God saw it coming. We were forcibly moved to avoid all that and also so we could heal from our own previous battle wounds. It didn't happen that way for many of my friends and their kids, and their absences today were noticeable.

But back to BUSY . . . Becky and Zack arrived in Costa Rica today. Tomorrow they'll minister in a church and visit an orphanage. Other ministry events are planned for the week.

Nephew Zack was with us 9 or 10 days before they left Friday. Like Beck he just graduated. We've had a boatload of fun - I'd lost sight of just how different guys are. I don't think any of us have been to bed before midnight since he's been here.

And last night was a wonderful evening with friends at Ft. Rucker and seeing fireworks. John and Connie will be moving in a couple of weeks, and we'll miss them sorely. VERY sorely. But I understand. I'm just glad we get to keep friends like that forever. :)

Things will switch gears on the kids return. We'll have Zack another week and plan a trek to Pensacola. After that it will be the final countdown to college. I don't like to think that far ahead. I'm glad God reminded me that even the painful things are for our good. I know it will be good for Becky. I smile through the tears forming at the edge of my eyes knowing that God has something for us parents too.