Beginnings and Endings

Another high school year finished and another niece graduated! Just a year ago we all sighed in relief that we made it through a year of such a huge transition. It was rough. Attending last year's graduation service put it all into perspective for me and reminded me why it was all worth it. 

Will made it through this school year with just one roommate (as opposed to the 3 he went through last year) who actually shared the same birthdate. Since their 16th birthday fell during the stress of final exam week, they went in on take out pizza and ate the rest of the York Peppermint Patties I had sent through Amazon. 

We were also impressed with how much Will liked his professors - regardless of how much he enjoyed the actual subject that they taught! His marks reflected how much he was learning and growing. He continues to enjoy football and even works at staying in shape during the offseason by participating in track during the spring and lifting weights and running in the winter. 

Most of all, we're just so proud of the young man he's becoming. We've observed his growth of character and knowledge of Biblical doctrine and it's application. We continue to be grateful to Luther Prep School for guiding his education based on God's Word, providing opportunities for students to serve in worship, and for an atmosphere of peer relationships disciplined by a healthy balance of law and gospel. Praise God! 

This year's graduation service was no different than last year's in the perspective and encouragement it offered in it's worship to God and it's message found in Isaiah 30:21 "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it."'  The class hymn was Abide with Me which in and of itself is a tear jerker but add to that the fact that these 17/18 year old kids are singing it in four part harmony and I'm a wreck! The four class speakers were all full of their own personality and personal experiences but had a common message - we are here to serve: serve each and serve God out of a thankful heart for what Jesus has done for us! I was so impressed by the spiritual maturity that they showed and I know that the Holy Spirit has been active in their lives and in the lives of all the students through the means of grace offered through their education. 

After last year's packing debacle I encouraged Will not to pack ahead of time. I spent another 2 hours at the local laundry mat washing a Rubbermaid container full of all his stinky clothes and wondering why some of his clothes were missing, some of his clothes weren't his at all, and what is the great mystery of the mismatched socks? I guess having put in 5 years of dorm life myself, it's not such a great mystery but frustrating as a parent none the less. 

Unfortunately I still wasn't there to actually look over the packing of the suitcases. So he ended up bringing home for the summer his flannel shirt (I know we live in Canada but it's not cold ALL the time), left a stack of t-shirts that I had just washed and left his leather sandals in dorm storage. He did manage to pack his "slides" that he found and "refurbished" from the dorm trash. 

 Our Wisconsin trip overall was lots of fun! We stopped first at my parent's log home and spent a few days there sans my mother who's been in Germany with my brother and his family. That meant extra bonding time with my Dad that included evenings of Downton Abby and some fancy dessert martini that sneaks up on you if you're not careful - haha! My grandparents were awesome and had our crew over twice for dinner. I love that we can talk politics and who we think should win Dancing with the Stars. 

After the excitement of graduation, we spent one day in Milwaukee. Since we're pretty classy people, we choose to forgo the art museum and just go to Sprecher's Brewery. The tour took all of about 8 minutes and then proceeded directly to the sample bar/lounge. Since they make both beer and pop, we were all happy and had way too much sugar!

It was Zanna's mission to try all the flavours they had to offer! 

We celebrated Will's birthday once we got home. We picked up the obligatory Dairy Queen cake. He also went and took his driver's written test in order to start the long Ontario process of driving. Since then he's been driving us around which is weird!!!! He also doesn't stop eating. Yesterday he took a picture (with my phone, thank you very much keep your grubby paws off of it ...) of a sandwich he made that he was so proud of. Not for a meal or anything but for a "snack" in the middle of the day. I've been to Costco twice in less than a week! I'm not complaining ... it's worth it to have him home! 

Now it's the beginning of June - my favourite month - the start of summer and a new year for me!