Back to School!

Well, the day we had been waiting on for months...well, really years....finally arrived.  JNS started school on Monday!  In preparation for the big day, we hit up Office Max, he got his supplies ready and packed his book bag the night before.  I cooked a good breakfast and took his picture on the way out the door (we've got to keep his mom's tradition going even if he is 28!)  It's here.  And so far so good - the report from JNS after week one was both exciting and scary all at once - on the one hand there is lots to do, big expectations, a hefty time commitment, but on the other there are great people involved (professors and peers), big dreams and great resources.  We're excited!

We're entering a new season of life - one we have anticipated and been slightly anxious about (maybe that's more me than him) since JNS first discussed this endeavor a few years ago.  And even after experiencing a really cool journey to get to this point, the adventure continues as we learn how to operate on a totally new schedule, tightened budget, and very different roles in our marriage.  I've already realized I won't have the same comfort with our schedule and finances as I used to.  His schedule, for now, will be unpredictable as he will work hard to stay on top of the lecture time, independent study, reading, but also the weekly group work.  And our finances - shoot, I've re-run our budget so many times it's silly.  As John Neal innocently asked me the other day, "what does that even mean, you re-ran our budget?"  What can I say, I like things to be organized.  I like to plan ahead.  I worry.  It's sort of like a hobby....weird, I know. 

Anyways, my point to all of this is that I know this phase of life will bring challenges as things are going to be different that what we've known.   But I've recently been reminded of how enriching and peaceful it is to rest in the fact that God controls all those things - change, new roles, finances, schedules, marriage, jobs, everything.  So here I am in the start of this journey with JNS, learning to daily trust that the Lord has all these things already figured out, and because of that, we'll make it through this season.  And not just okay - we'll make it through stronger, joyful and grateful that we did it.  I can't wait.  :)

Oh yeah, and neither can Mully!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving present your requests to God."  Philippians 4:4