Like her brothers did, Ally will be attending Word of Life Bible Institute in the Fall. (Shameless plug - if your child - like all three of ours - doesn't quite know what they want to do with their lives upon leaving high school, spending one year studying the Bible and putting it into practice while trying to figure it out is time never wasted- and nobody quite gives that opportunity like WOL. Ahem, commercial over.)
One of the benefits given incoming students is an opportunity to work at WOL camps for the summer to earn scholarship money. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? But did you pick up on the timing? All summer. A.k.a. immediate departure after graduation.
One might think this would get easier with the third and final child. Yes and no. Truly it is a gift from God that they not only earn the money toward tuition, begin their independence, meet students who will also be there in the Fall and seamlessly transition into the Word of Life culture. Starting school in September is a breeze. A win win!
We could give in to our emotions and keep them home as long as possible but we don't.
These decisions come from what Scott calls purposeful parenting. It's a good thing, this leaving a little early, and we are for it.
Our girl is the loudest and most animated (see what I did there, not using the word dramatic?) of all our kids which means it's going to be especially quiet around here.
But we are not sad. We are proud of her! She graduated tonight. We are so thankful and full of joy for her accomplishment and future.
She leaves us tomorrow.
For her 18th birthday, knowing she would be leaving us a few months later, we wanted to give her an especially meaningful gift. One that might matter to her for a long time. Like most teen girls, Ally is obsessed with (overpriced) Alex and Ani bracelets. I decided to check them out. It was hard to narrow it down until I saw this one. It was worth the splurge and might be my favorite gift I've ever given her.
Dear Ally,
I bought you this bracelet because the dove charm represents the Holy Spirit. As you continue growing up into adulthood apart from us, remember that the Holy Spirit is both with you and in you. Jesus gave Him to you for several purposes:
1. He will remind you what you've already been taught about Jesus.
2. He will convict you of sin (learn to recognize and pay attention to this).
3. He will teach you the Scriptures (so read them a lot). He will help you understand them.
4. He will warn you of temptation and danger (listen carefully and watch for rescue).
5. He will fill and control you daily if you empty yourself, leave room for Him and ask.
6. He will comfort you because He is your friend.
When you look at the bracelet, remember all these things.
And how much we love you,
Mommy and Daddy
PS. 7. He will pray to your Father for you when you don't know how or what to pray for.
What a comfort to me and Scott, that even without us, she will never be alone. God is so good like that.
Our girl is the loudest and most animated (see what I did there, not using the word dramatic?) of all our kids which means it's going to be especially quiet around here.
But we are not sad. We are proud of her! She graduated tonight. We are so thankful and full of joy for her accomplishment and future.
For her 18th birthday, knowing she would be leaving us a few months later, we wanted to give her an especially meaningful gift. One that might matter to her for a long time. Like most teen girls, Ally is obsessed with (overpriced) Alex and Ani bracelets. I decided to check them out. It was hard to narrow it down until I saw this one. It was worth the splurge and might be my favorite gift I've ever given her.Dear Ally,
I bought you this bracelet because the dove charm represents the Holy Spirit. As you continue growing up into adulthood apart from us, remember that the Holy Spirit is both with you and in you. Jesus gave Him to you for several purposes:
1. He will remind you what you've already been taught about Jesus.
2. He will convict you of sin (learn to recognize and pay attention to this).
3. He will teach you the Scriptures (so read them a lot). He will help you understand them.
4. He will warn you of temptation and danger (listen carefully and watch for rescue).
5. He will fill and control you daily if you empty yourself, leave room for Him and ask.
6. He will comfort you because He is your friend.
When you look at the bracelet, remember all these things.
And how much we love you,
Mommy and Daddy
PS. 7. He will pray to your Father for you when you don't know how or what to pray for.
Jesus says: "It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend (Holy Spirit) won't come. But if I go I'll send Him to you. When He comes He will expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness and judgment...
I still have many things to tell you, but you can't handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of Truth, He will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to Himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor Me; He will take from me and deliver to you." John 16:6-8, 12-14
"Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." Rom.8:26
"Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." Rom.8:26
What a comfort to me and Scott, that even without us, she will never be alone. God is so good like that.
 |
Her home for the summer. Man, we love this place.  |
No comments:
Post a Comment