Farewell to Friends and Family

I'm writing this mid-week.

It will post on Friday morning.

But I won't be here.

It's the morning we move our daughter in to her dorm, in the college that is about 4 hours from us, north of Boston.  

We've been busy.

But....we can find five faves from this past week.....all of them are true blessings from the Lord.

Do you have some faves? Reflect back on your week and then link up with Susanne.  

MY FIVE FAVES:

• FAMILY BONFIRE!  The four of us, last Friday evening, enjoyed an evening around the firepit with s'mores, chatting, laughing, some singing.....it was a chilly evening, after a beautiful summer day, with a full moon and star-studded sky.  We stayed outside until about midnite and then fell into bed after washing up, more chatting, hugs.....this is always a fave with me....the whole family relaxing around the fire.  It's almost as good as camping! :)

• FAREWELL TO CHURCH FAMILY AND FRIENDS!  Courtney sat with her other teen friends at church (I'm always impressed that they sit in the front....in a different section from us...but still...the front) and at one point, I looked over and saw her sitting down during worship. Most unlike her.  I caught her eye and signed to her "Are you ok?" I thought she either wasn't feeling well or was crying.  Neither.  She signed back that she was praying!  oops....I guess I had nothing to fear!  It made me a little sad to see her so serious, knowing this was her last Sunday until the Christmas season, and yet I was also so happy to know she was worshiping the Lord.  And after church we hung out for quite a while chatting with several of our good friends....our church "family"... saying good bye, and then she and a few of her friends drove to a baseball game that evening for one last social event....spending time with the church family is always a fave with us.

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Lane  Student Center
Gordon College

• ONLINE TEXTBOOK ORDERING!  This is something that is new to me.  We sat down on Sunday afternoon to order the required books for all the 1st semester classes.  All she had to do was create an account with the website the college is listed with, click on each class to find the required materials, and bingo!  She had the choice of buying new, used, or RENTING!  After asking me what I thought, (I encouraged her to rent as much as possible because books are pricey as she soon discovered), she rented every book required except for one class which required a new edition.  She placed the order, and it only came to a little over $130!  WHOO HOO...we had been hearing horror stories about how much college kids spend on textbooks. This rental thing is awesome. And the books will be waiting for her right on campus in the college bookstore which is located in a part of the building that you see above. (along with the dining hall, mailroom, and a late night grille place/hang out place).  Good deals are always a fave with us......

• SIMPLE BREAKFASTS!  lately I've been wanting to eat less carbs in the early morning, along with less dairy.  One of my fave ways to do this is with a bowl of cheerios, the plain ole original kind, with a cup of fresh blueberries and skim milk.  Some mornings, I'll be doing a more typical French breakfast of a hard boiled egg, some fresh fruit (pear, melon, or berries) and a couple pieces of cheese.  It's a new "diet" I am putting my self on....trying some thing new...and eating less bread and dairy.  We'll see what happens....new things..always a fave....

dave, faith, claire, courtney
in Palais de Versailles
France, 2010

• PRAYER!  this makes my fave list because of all the friends and family members who have said they are praying for us this week.  Praying for safe travels, for the transition from home to college life, for the "good-byes/see you soon", for Claire as she stays with grandparents at the beach house while we do the orientation thing, and prayer for peace.  Prayer works wonders.  As I've been praying for a friend who has moved to Florida, I've come to realize just how careful we need to be when we tell people we are praying for them.  It is often splashed across Facebook pages and texts quickly sent.  This much I know.....when I say I am gonna pray for someone, I take it seriously now.  So many times in the past, I've had good intentions only to forget about it after day one.  Now, I keep a journal and use wisdom in what I write or tell people.  And many friends have confessed to the same thing!  So....the peace that I had on the drive to the north shore area (I am typing this on Thursday afternoon, as I had just this last fave to write) and the peace I have as I sit in the hotel room with my oldest, is just so evident.  I know friends have been praying.  My husband and youngest daughter made it safely to the cape cod area and he will meet me here tomorrow morning early. I did have tears in my eyes at one point while driving along I-90....I looked over at my princess as she was dozing and I just couldn't believe I was actually driving east with her to bring her to COLLEGE! WHERE did those 18 years go??  And then I thought of our time in Paris last spring and this crazy picture she managed to take of the 4 of us in the Palace at Versailles.  And...these and so many other memories are what will keep me at peace.....along with all those prayers.....and that is always a fave with me!!

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!

I will be off of here for a few days as we do the Parent Orientation thing and then head to Cape Cod for our vacation.  I will definitely check in to your blogs when I have a free moment sitting on the beach house deck with a steaming hot cup of coffee in one hand, my Bible in the other and my journal open.....I'll take a writing break and come visit everyone who comments!  Enjoy the FFF and see you soon!