Summer 2011

Memorial Day - the day we set aside each year to remember those service men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Memorial Day Weekend - the unofficial beginning of summer! I always look forward to Memorial Day Weekend. A time to gather with family and friends and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether it be swimming, boating, the beach, cookouts or camping -- we celebrate the beginning of summer on this glorious weekend. That is what we did this past weekend. We gathered at a state park with two of the three daughters, three of the four grandkids, a boyfriend and some in-laws. We spent quality time together, visiting, eating, talking, more eating, sharing, more eating -- you get the picture! It was great! I really enjoyed myself. Well, at least on the surface I did. But there was this underlying gnawing, nagging feeling that kept me from truly enjoying the weekend. Why? Well, in three days my youngest, a mere 19 year old, will load up her car and head south (six hours south) and be gone for the next eight weeks! What seemed like a great idea two months ago, now has become a dreaded date on a calendar for me. You see, I am truly blessed. Jeff and I have three wonderful daughters, who have never caused us a moment of grief or worry. I say we are blessed because anyone who has raised teenagers knows that no matter how hard you try, or what books you read or what discipline measures you implore, there are no guarantees you will not have problems with these precious beings God has entrusted to your care! But in His great mercy, we have been blessed. And with two of the three successfully raised, out on their own, married and with children of their own, we're almost home free! Daughter number three has been a blessing from day one. The baby, our Boo, as we call her, is 7 1/2 and 10 years younger than her older sisters. She's probably a little spoiled, but that happens to those later-in-life babies. But she is a good girl, who loves God with all her heart and is far more spiritually mature at her age than I ever hoped to be. She's also a Maverick -- always doing things her own way, never going the way of the crowd. Individuality - a word that describes her well, a platform she used to help her gain the Strawberry Princess crown a couple of years ago -- yes, that's our Boo! These attributes are what led to her applying for and being selected to serve as a summer missionary in south Florida for the next eight weeks. She has a heart for God and longs for others to know Him, too! She will spend the next two months leading Vacation Bible Schools all over south Florida. She will stay in the homes of strangers and work with other college students that she's never met before. She will share the Good News of Jesus with all those she meets! It will be a great experience for her and I have no doubt that she will do an amazing job! I'm so proud of her, as any mom would be! I'm also going to miss her like crazy, as any mom would do. You see, this 19-year old has become so much more than a daughter to me. She's my shopping buddy, my frequent lunch date, my accountability partner. She's my best friend. Oh, she has many friends her own age -- real best friends, but she is a best friend to me. And I will miss her more than anyone could ever imagine! Please join me in praying for her this summer. First, pray for safe travels for her this Thursday and she heads down south, and then safe travel all summer as she spreads the Good News. Pray for her to remain healthy and well so she can accomplish the task God has laid before her. And lastly, pray for her Mom -- yes, that's me. I can definitely use it!