first day of school, 2016

yesterday was the first day of school for all three of our boys - 6th(!), 4th, and kindergarten.

the biggest impression of the day, for me, was all the newness. new shoes. new backpacks. new unopened packs of 18 un-sharpened pencils. new bus stop, new bus driver, new bus route! new kids, new teachers, new new schools, new everything. it's a season that is ripe with unthinkable possibilities, and overwhelmingly disorienting at the same time.

and so, my prayer for my three boys, in the midst of all the brand new everything, is that they will find ways to make the "new" become familiar - that school will be like a family to them: fun, supportive, encouraging, and challenging in the best way.

i pray that they will find the joy in this adventure, and that in the midst of discovering new names and ideas, they will come to see more of the One who made it all, who makes all things new, and who calls us all family (familiar).

Godspeed, my boys, into new discoveries, new adventures, new chapters, and new ways of living this amazing life.

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