New York , New York

Well, I have officially experienced my first visit to NY. Did you notice that I said my first visit? That's because I definatly am going back! What a whirlwind of a trip. I have never experienced anything like it. London and LA have such a different feel to it. Anyway, Bryant, Brendan and I packed in as much as we could in 3 1/2 days. We saw the Empire State Bldg, Rockefeller Center, Statue of Liberty, NBC tour, many museums, STOMP, concert, ate good food, shopped and walked through Central park to name just a few things. We also had a incredible opportunity to visit Carnegie Hall and see Brendan be recognized for his Scholastic Art Award. It was a very emotional night for me! When we were walking around, it was so interesting to people watch and wonder what their lives are like. I kept wondering how they could afford to live in such an expensive place! We ran into some very interesting types around town and we found that New Yorkers weren't rude, they were actually quite helpful. We also witnessed some very needy people who were strung out and sleeping on the streets. I felt so helpless to do anything for them. So I did the most powerful thing and prayed for God to save them. We pointed them out to Brendan and told him that no matter what, to always come home. No matter what he gets himself in to in his life, no matter how bad it is, always come home. We made some great memories with Brendan and I know that we will try to do the same thing with all of our kids. I am very thankful for the time we had with him. Megan and Ethan had a great time with the grandparents while we were gone and Collin had an awesome time in Florida. I know that God had me where I needed to be but I sure missed my time with my girls at the beach. It sounded like an incredible trip and I am so thankful that it was. I am very interested to see what God does with the youth group this summer and how He will change things this next year. He is at work all around us, and I am trying to be more aware of what He is doing, the little things and the big. Being aware....not just coasting or blindly living on auto pilot. Being fully aware and awake. That's all for now....

Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well...graduation is done! We made it through the whole process without too much stress and I can say that I was one pretty proud Mama! I didn't cry until they presented the graduates and I can tell you this much, my heart swelled with love for my son. I can't wait to see what the future holds for him and for my other children as well. Speaking of other children...my 242 girls have also graduated and I am so proud of them. They are the most incredible, Godly women and I can't wait to see what God does with their lives. I was so sad on Sunday, walking in to the gym and not seeing them there. I had to watch them walk upstairs to the college group, praying and hoping that they weren't too sad. Then it was time to dive in and meet the new Freshmen! There are 15 girls and I am getting excited about the possibility of starting a new group with them. It will be so hard to start over, but I have to remember how hard my girls were when they were Freshmen. They would look at me like I was a giant pickle and be down right rude! But I knew that God wanted me there with them so I just kept taking the hits and soon they warmed up to me and realized that I was interested in them. God is starting a new work...time for new beginnings, new relationships, new 242 groups. Newness...it is all around.