University Drop-off

Part of my heart now lives 99 miles away.  It might as well be 9900 miles as my son has no use for me at the moment.  The last almost two years he has chosen to walk a different path, one that will lead to destruction if he is not saved by the grace of Jesus.  My inability to reach him has been one of the most difficult and sad times of my life.  And now he is away and there is nothing to do but pray for a miracle.

Leaving your child at university is a hard enough adjustment to make on top of this stressed relationship.  I feel as if I have failed at times and then I receive encouragement from others around me who know the details.  I am thankful for these precious ones the Lord has sent as a healing balm to me.

So far my son is making good on his promise not to talk to me.  Thankfully he will talk to his father and grandparents.  I am alone in my exile! (No, not alone.)  I would so love to hear how things are going and how he is adjusting to having a roommate.  I have sent him a care package filled with things he likes hoping he will be comforted far from his family who loves him.  (Isn't Pinterest just filled with fun ideas for care packages?)

This season of a mother's heart is a complex time for me.  Yet I know that I am going to be OK.  I am reminded that I am blessed to have two Christ loving children at home. I am grieving the loss of my firstborn, but I am not without hope as long as there is today, there is hope for his salvation.

Blooms at the Fair

One of my favorite places to linger at our state fair is the master gardener's exhibit.  It gets more elaborate each year.  So many people labor over this garden.  It is a work of art.  It's an excellent place to have fun with my camera.

2017 Indiana State Fair in Pictures

The Park Across the Street

When we were looking for a house to rent for the next year, we decided amenities were key.  This house has turned out to be situated in the perfect spot for our family.  Just across the street sits a beautiful little city park that boasts a giant sledding hill, corn hole, porch swing, shelter house, playground, firepit and a connection to a multi-use path.  Did I mention that it also has a Little Free Library?  Well, it does!  I have already donated a book.  The sledding hill is quite steep and so fun to climb to the top.  Up there one can see for miles.  There is also a table with a chess/checkerboard. We are planning to use this park for our required PE minutes.  Who knows?  Perhaps we will find a house to buy in this neighborhood next year.  We won't go far, that is for certain.

A Good-Bye House Tour

The other day we had to get the house all tidy and clutter free to take pictures to send to a Realtor who was going to give us some comparables, so I thought I would share some of the pictures here as a sort of memory post.  We have had a lot of good memories here. I have never had a nicer home. Selling is bittersweet of course.  I don't want to go into that here.  I want to remember this house as just another example of God's great mercy to me.  He is an amazing God!!  As it turns out, I was already living in my dream house and now it is time to move back home.  Good-bye home sweet home.  You have been very good.  I am so very thankful.