Good-byes and Hello's

This spring and summer started with the plants we brought from our last house growing like crazy.  Blooming like they never did before,  and adding some life to a rather dreary street. The bumble bees were all over them.  Usually I am scared of the yellow and black stinging insects but not this  year.  It was a pleasant surprise to see these little endangered critters on my somewhat dark and dirty street.  I think only one flower was robbed from the front garden this year, it just happened to be the first flower of spring.

Saying good-bye to Justin in front of his dorm.  (Clark University)

college shopping

We have said a lot of good-byes this summer.  It has been difficult.  I personally, am learning to live a different way, saying good-bye to the old life in a sense.  We have experienced some figurative good-byes.  The kind you get when you know it's time to move on - wherever and whatever that means.  Each of the three older kids have said good-bye's to their schools;  Justin the high school, Renee the middle school, and Barbara the elementary school.  We have said good-by to the other Roundy family (Curtis' brother).  Curtis was able to have a visit last month with his whole family in Wisconsin as they all saw Jonathan and the gang off to Senegal.   It looks as though our elderly neighbor Fred will be leaving the building next door.  He is in his 80's.  He lives alone and last week his back hurt so bad he called the paramedics.  Evidently he fractured his spine.  I think he is looking to get into assisted living.  He is a great Christian man, it will be sad to not have him around.  The hardest and most depressing good - bye of all has been leaving Justin behind at college.  Wow, it feels like the family is broken.  I'm sure Justin doesn't feel that way, at least I hope he doesn't.

With all "good-bye's" it seems we need to ready ourselves for the "hello's".   We have spent a good amount of time getting Justin ready for college.  Preparing him physically as well as spiritually and emotionally - I hope.   A friend of ours is in charge of Intervarsity in the Northeast.  Wouldn't you know that this is the first year for Clark University.  So happy about that.   Justin will need to study hard and keep his head about him but I think he'll do fine.  He has a great dorm room, a little secluded with it's own bathroom as well as good roommates. 

My daughters must prepare for their "hello" to their new schools as well. This year will bring them lots of new experiences, frustrations, change, promise, extra curricular's, friends etc....  I'm excited for them.  I know Renee is excited to go to High School and I think Justin did a fine job paving the way for her.  His teachers loved him and always had positive comments.  Some even got in touch with him over the summer.  Although Renee is much different than Justin and interested in very different things he has given our family a name.  

As a family we are experiencing some renewed friendships from the past.  Some old friends have moved here from the coast.  As well as just hanging out with people that we haven't been around in a while.  It was one of the benefits of our homeless situation we experienced last year.  It's nice to have the familiarity of a friend who knows you and there is already a history.  The good, the bad, and the ugly!

I think it's interesting that God is always shaking things up.  We have the opportunity to sit and cry about it or move forward.  As we are saying good-bye to many things right now, (people, places, seasons), it is important to look toward the future and prepare  for what lies ahead.   I wouldn't have been a very good mom if  I had worried about getting Justin his stuff the night before he left, and tried drilling into him all the things about life and Godliness on the trip to Worcester.

As a family we are asking God what he has for us here, in this house that some say reminds them of Amity Horror.   This has been most challenging.  Should we do this or that.... just live, what are we supposed to do.   We have ideas but God directs the path.  Please join us in prayer as we navigate through this next "hello" in our lives.  Whatever it may be.

Random pictures of summer

Renee with her friends at the last dance 8th grade

Justin graduating

A day at the beach with Ang and the nephews

Renee trotting Hannah at Living Waters summer camp.  She took horsemanship

 Justin having fun one the wave board at camp, same week as Renee.

The balloon festival from our front porch.  They put them up all over the city that weekend.

Kiana deciding she had enough of Clark.

Well, the girls liked Justin's bed.

He doesn't seem nervous.  Wish he could feel my emotion for 30 seconds.

There is a park across from Clark University with these huge trees. 

I am so proud that I am raising a tree-hugger (I am serious)

veggies from garden - picked yesterday.  It was quite a heavy bag.

Barb graduating 6th grade.

Barb with all her awards.