homecoming 2010

Our first major high school event occurred last night...HOMECOMING! Nate had a great time with friends, and I was thrilled that he chose not to take a date. Things have changed since I was in high school, and now it is perfectly acceptable to go "stag" to homecoming. This was a great option for Nate, as he has no interest in the "drama" that girls bring to life at this point. He did end up being asked by a girl, and had to gently turn her down (so much for avoiding drama...), but had a great time just hanging out with friends.

A friend from the football team had dinner at his house for about 30 kids, then they all headed to the dance. I was glad to be there to take pictures, and a part of me wishes I could have been a chaperon at the dance, but I'm thinking Nate is glad I wasn't lurking in the shadows snapping pictures.

Would you just look at how grown up and handsome my boy is?

heavy, heavy heart

When I wrote my last post about the winds of change, I didn't realize how much more the wind was going to blow.

My mind is swirling and I can't take hold of any of the thoughts. We had a staff meeting at church yesterday that was overwhelming, saddening, and just plain sucked the life out of our staff.

The changes coming to Vanguard are so huge, there is no way to comprehend what the church will look like when all the dust settles. My heart is heavy. I don't understand what God is doing, but I do understand that He IS DOING. What comfort I take in knowing that God is still on His throne. He is still in control and He is still trustworthy.

I am praying fervently for God to lead...our church, our individual ministries, and specifically the families most affected by these changes. There is nothing about this I like, but I do believe that God will fulfill His promise to work together all these things for the GOOD of everyone involved.

O, Father, let it be so.

the winds of change

The wind has been blowing around here the last few days. Fall is in the air. We have had record high temperatures, but still, somehow, you can still feel it. The leaves are beginning to hint at yellows and oranges and reds. I absolutely LOVE this time of year. Hands down my very favorite season. I could break out into Mandy's "Welcome Fall" song right now! I love the changes that the season brings. The end of the lazy summer days, but not quite winter, yet. Fall is transition.

That's where I feel my life is, once again. Transition. I've been here before. Many times. Transitioning into married life. Transitioning into motherhood. Transitioning into mom of school-age kids (harder transition than I expected, btw!). Now, here I am again. Transitioning into mom of teenagers! Gulp.

How did I get here?? I mean, really! Teenagers? High School?! I swear to you I just graduated from high school about 10 years ago at best. I remember high school so clearly, so that must mean it wasn't very long ago. And if I can remember it so clearly, then there is no way I can have a child of my own in high school!

But, alas, it's true. Somehow, some way, my children are growing up. Nate is now driving (btw, I am so thankful for the new driving laws that require my children to drive with a permit for a full year before receiving their license. Not because I don't trust Nate's driving, but because it requires ME to be in the seat next to him for a full year before he drives away without me. I am cherishing the time I have with him in the car!), homecoming is this week, and the school is already sending information home about preparing for college!

I am coming to the realization that my children will be leaving me. It's something I've always known, back in the recesses of my brain, but now it is on the horizon. And it makes me wonder. How have I done? How am I doing? Will they be ready? Will they fight the good fight, run the race, live lives radically abandoned to their Father? That's all I really care about. And I'm afraid I haven't given them a very good example. But, I pray fervently that they will run farther, pray harder, live larger than I ever have. And I trust that God's grace will cover over my multitude of mistakes, let-downs, and failures.

And I praise God I'm not done, yet! I will continue to guide, love, and cherish my kids every day that I have breath. What an unbelievable privilege it is to raise children and to watch them grow in their relationships with Christ. Nothing like it. Nothing.

trying again...

Oh my. I'm not sure if I can remember how to do this... I am going to try and resurrect this thing for my mom's sake. She has been going through withdrawal over the past four months.

Life is beyond busy right now, with three boys playing on three different football teams, with three totally different schedules. It's hard trying to find the balance of keeping the kids involved in their activities, while still keeping our faith as a priority. What does that look like when from the outside, it looks like we've sold our souls to football? We are committed to keeping our family prayer/devotions time going in the evenings, and trying hard to stay connected through conversations in the car and at bedtime. But, man, does it take intentionality! I can so see how easy it is to disconnect from your kids during the teenage years. Only by God's grace will we keep that from happening!

Bob's brother Rich and sis-in-law Anna came to visit last week with their little girl, Ava. We had a really nice time, as it was the first time in a few years that the whole Schwarz family was together. Anna is expecting a baby boy (my boys are so happy to be getting a 2nd boy cousin!). We are excited to meet Tylin Alexander Schwarz!