"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind is a part of ourselves." (Anatole France)

We are back home after moving Gracie into Union University. I have been so excited for her and upbeat until last night and today. It has been much harder than I thought it would be. Maybe it is because it is the first one...maybe it is because she is a daughter...maybe it is because our family is so close...I don't know...but the whole house feels different now that we are back home. There is a sadness and a lump in my throat that has not gone away since last night. We are so happy for her and her future...I just think it will hurt for a little while.

I do have to say that we are so thrilled with her choice of Union and they out did themselves yesterday with a totally organized move in day, a very helpful parent's meeting filled with wonderful ecnouragement and advice, and a heart wrenching worship service last night where we sang, heard excellent teaching/preaching from Dr. Thornbury, and ended with the parents and faculty making a huge circle around all of the new students to pray for them. That is something special that we know does not go on everywhere. We are very thankful for UNION!

Gracie as well as all the new students said this as we recited together the Words of Consecration:

We enter this university with confidence. We know that God's plan is perfect and that He is faithful. God has brought us to this point. We commit ourselves to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our strength. WE acknowledge that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. We ask today that God might help us unite our love for Him with our love for learning through all that takes place here.

Towards the end of the Words of Consecration the parents said this:

We acknowledge that our children are gifts from the Lord. With gratitude for God's faithfulness and confidence in His plan for the future, we commit our children to God's care as they begin these university years. We will pray for them and encourage them as they grow in stature and wisdom of the Lord. We will pray for those who serve in this place.

For the next few days Gracie will be in orientation and super busy. Classes begin for her on Tuesday. We will begin homeschooling our younger children this week and life will take on a bittersweet normalcy again. God is good and His plans are perfect...but no one said it would be easy to let go.

Gracie, We love you so much and we are committed to praying for you each day. We have watched you make choices that are not always the popular things...and we know your heart's desire to try to live a pure life. As you have made these choices for the Lord, we pray that God would bless you with the desires of your heart. And that your desires would be godly ones. Live to please Him and honor Him each day.