I guess I'll try my hand at a minor blog. I have been a notebook-keeper for so long, I don't think that this will repace it quickly.

We have been on an emotional roller coaster. Dropping of your daughter for college is not any easier the second year than it is the first. I am glad that NJ rode with me out and back, we could talk with each other about how we were feeling. Our Beth is growing up, and becoming independent. We are so pleased with her, and proud of her. But we miss her a lot. She has a lot more outlets for her creativity and emotional energy, and much of it is spent on her other friends and relationships. It's normal and good, but it doesn't hurt any less when you think of how close our family used to be.

And in less than 5 days our son Ben will be married to Tamika... Another joy and pleasure to us, but combined with a deep sadness and pain at a passing of a child toward his own further independence and broader horizons, another dream realized. We have eagerly welcomed Tamika to our family, and we are so grateful that Ben and Tamika are putting Christ in the center of their relationship. But we acknowledge a real feeling of loss and emptyness in our hearts, as we recall our times together; times that are now just memories.

It was great to work with Nick yesterday afternoon adding an electrical branch circuit to his room. He's precious to us, even more now that Ben and Beth are building their own lives. He has set up his room like a comfortable parlor. Its a joy to work with him on his project and to share a task together. He now has something many of us take for granted: A light switch as you come into his room! We wired half of his new outlet to the switch, so he can plug a lamp into that one, and turn on the light as he opens the door.

Sweet, precious kids. God, look after them. Help us to be good parents to them at all stages of their lives. Amen.