College!

As Andrew heads to his first day of college on Tuesday, I find myself fluctuating with emotions.  I am so happy for him and proud of him for always trying so hard and doing his best.  I am relieved he will be home at night and be at Appalachian during the day.  I am thankful for those who help with last minute changes in plans and for understanding and support and encouragement.  As so many ask him when he is "moving in",  he has answered nicely or looked at me to explain.  That is when I wish he did not have to worry about the "extras" - the things he has to go against every single day.  Sometimes we just roll along, and other times the "extras" stop us in our tracks.  Sometimes it is a big deal.  Sometimes it is just the mom who cries and prays and hopes they will go away.  It gets old.  But when I look up, I know God is right here; and we can keep on going. 
Sometimes I will see something else much worse, and it puts things in perspective.  So comments made with good intentions have not broken through my thankfulness the past few weeks as all Andrew's plans changed.  Sitting in orientation this week, I felt at home.  I felt we were where we belong with Andrew.  He feels that way too.  He is so excited.  He has walked on the cross country team.  He went with Laura to find all of his class buildings this afternoon.  The decision to change was his.  We did have some talks about commitments made, what was best, what should be considered, etc.  But I prayed for a few days while he thought and prayed.  Pete and I are relieved.  We are thankful.  And we are so excited for him.
We did find out in the last couple of weeks that his thyroid is way way way out of whack.  We are trying to correct it now.  I will just say that in a few weeks, he should feel like a new person; but I would not be able to function like he is!  He does not complain, so it was not obvious.  It was just found in a routine check up.  And while I was upset that he goes to so many specialists and still was not checked, I know that it could be the cause of recent problems and should be an easy fix.  And I try not to think it is something else.
Sam has been doing well.  He has had some lows, and some nights I set my alarm a couple of times to check him.  He loves his second grade teacher and is working on loving school.  He has a "tooth" that has concerned us because it looks awful.  The dentist took lots of x-rays this week and found his two permanent teeth still to come in.  So he has to go to an oral surgeon to get the extra one pulled.  They want to be extra careful because of his diabetes and make sure he is not in pain that will cause him not to eat.  We should schedule that for soon.  He is so happy our neighbor is back home afer suffering a stroke.  She just got her new puppy back tonight, and she is determined that Sam and Walker will grow up together and give her dog a playmate while helping Sam with his fear of dogs.  That was one of the first things she said to me when she got home from the nursing home!
Will is having fun on bike #10?  He has been released by the doctor for his hand and is trying to get in shape for cross country while catching up on his bike riding.  I told him that broken bones were totally prohibited.  He smiled and nodded okay.  I have been looking in my home magazines for projects he can do for me while in construction classes. 
Peter is doing better and better with his foot but having some hamstring issues again!  I hope to get him in the pool this week.  I cannot believe he is a senior, and I cannot believe how fast this has all gone!
Pete goes back to Israel in October, and this time my busy project is not trying to paint the equivalent of three rooms while he is gone!  While I am excited for him, I do dread the days he is gone for me.  I think my project will be much smaller; although Will has been talking about "opening up" the downstairs.  Most of our rooms have doors, and that has started to drive him crazy!
This morning, our Sunday School lesson was on authority - more specifically, Jesus' authority.  We talked about the temple and how He turned over the tables of the moneychangers.  One part of our discussion was about why people do not believe in Jesus.  I really think we try to control everything ourselves - either because we like control or because we want to make sure it's covered.  And some people have probably not gotten to a place in their lives where they realize they have no control.  When bad things happen, those who believe can lean on Jesus and trust Him.  Sometimes those who don't believe become believers.  I am so thankful that everything is not dependent on me or in my control.
Toby gave our sermon from 2 Corinthians 4:8-18.  I thought he was talking right to me.  I am thankful we have those eternal things to look ahead to and forward to.
Thanks for praying for our family. We sure have felt those prayers the last few weeks.  And we know people pray for us even when they don't know what is going on!  Toby said that people are coming out of a storm, in the middle of a storm, or approaching a storm.  I feel in some ways we have been in one for a very very long time.  I measure that with my sleep and calmness level, I think.  But today could be the day that changes.  The storm may go away.  I know it will one day.  And though I tend to think it will be later rather than sooner, I realize that is not very optimistic.  So I am looking for the calm this week.  With all of Andrew's stuff, I feel my breaths deeper and better.  I feel as if a weight has been lifted - a huge, heavy one. 
So as my first child goes to college this week, I am so happy and not taking it for granted one bit.  This is huge.  And the great thing I realized is that is even bigger than I can even know.  Have a great week!
Love,
Wendi