Graduation

Yes...Lance graduated this weekend. It was a rich weekend...full of happiness, friends, family and yes, a few tears. The day itself was a day to sit back and reflect on the last four years. I remember how scared we were when we came here and how unsure we were of how things would work out. I did not have a job, Lance was returning to school, Jordan missed her family and friends in Illinois. It was a rough first year. But then, almost as if unexpectedly, this became home. I thank God that the uncertainty didn't last long. He was faithful in taking care of us and bringing us into a community of a new sort of "family". This family came from all over the nation...and world!

So, I sat back and remembered the last four years and they will remain a truly spiritual, rich, and wonderful time in my life. The friends we have made here will be a part of us forever. The lessons we have learned are priceless. The growth we have had is unmeasurable. I am thankful for the opportunity we had in being a seminary family. And as our dear president put it...now we must move on.

I am very thankful that both sets of parents were able to make the trip to be part of our special weekend. It was a special time to spend with them!!

So, congratulations to my sweet husband, Lance. This degree is quite an accomplishment!! It has been a great four years!!

It is finished....

that is the theme at our house tonight. At least, that is what Lance is posting!! Lance attended his last seminary class tonight. They talked about fasting and the blessings that followed. Sounds like he has had a fruitful semester!! How long will it take to sink in that there are no more papers waiting to be written, no books waiting to be read, no projects to do?

It is the continuation of the lasts at our house. I had my last event with Spouse?Family Ministries on Monday night. I graduated!! :) Jordan will have her last art class tomorrow. It will be a sad day for her. And we plunge onward...

Four years

Started packing up to move to Florida. It all went well...until I found a poem Jordan wrote about meeting her friend Abbey. And it dawned on me all of a sudden that we are packing up four years of memories. Four years of our life into boxes to start over again. Jordan was 9 when we moved here...such a little girl and now she is a 13 year old...a teenager. Four years of meeting new friends and making this our home. Four years of growth, laughter, tears and life. Four years...it seemed like such a long time when we came and yet it went so fast!!

A snapshot of our new home....

We went to visit the Navarre and Pensacola areas this weekend to get some stuff done for my work down there and to see our house!! The weather did not cooperate at all--no swimming in the ocean for us! Lots of rain, overcast skies, wind and cool temperatures. Like always...we still had a great time...it's Florida after all!!

Our house is going to be wonderful! It is really big and has been mostly updated. Not at all what you think of when you envision a parsonage. Storage is going to be tricky, but we will just get creative. We may decorate the family room with our bikes! :)

In general, the area is very nice and I think we'll settle in quite nicely. Although, leaving Kentucky is not going to be easy. While watching the derby from a sports bar in Ft. Walton Beach, Jordan & I both cried during the singing of "My Old Kentucky Home". God is good and faithful and He is already taking care of details before I even ask. I know He is ahead of us in this move. He will guard our hearts and make the move be as easy as possible. I know that He has a friend (or 2) waiting for Jordan that we haven't even met yet. As for now, we'll walk through this time in joy and sorrow...laughing...and at times...crying.