thoughts before school ...

While I don't have much in the way of deep thoughts to share, seeing that the new school year begins tomorrow for me and my kids, I'm feeling like I should at least have something "penned" for the occasion. That being said, I'm astonished at how quickly summer passed by. All three of my kids have grown so much over the summer. And we've done a number of fun things together this summer ... the usual trip to grandparents for long weekend excursions (the kids loved the pool!), trips into Chicago to visit various and sundry museums, and a number of walks around a few different Forest Preserves were among our summer's activities.

We also had many a trip to the town library ... on average of at least once a week, and sometimes twice. In order to connect with my oldest daughter, and gain some insights into her own reading habits, I spent the last week and a half reading all four of the Twilight series books. I have to admit, they are really well written with a good story line that pulls the reader in. As my wife told me last winter, it's more Pride and Prejudice meets the Vampire than a typical monster/horror story. But she's also read biographies of Christian missionaries, and so many other titles that I cannot hope to relay them all to you. My youngest daughter adopted her older sister's appetite for reading, and has devoured a great many books herself, including an interest in the Guiness Book of World Records genre of encyclopedias. My son was the most noticable in his growth of reading habits. He went from only getting out kid's graphic novels to increasing his reading level through the likes of A to Z Mysterys and the Chet Gecko mystery series. It's all very encouraging to see. My wife enjoyed the library, but in addition to the books, she encouraged us to attend a couple of Monday night concerts hosted on the library green. The first one we attended was a Steel Drum band, while the last was a young Christian band. Both were very enjoyable.

But now it's back to school. The kids are nervous - they still feel unsettled after having moved out here almost nine months ago - but to be honest, so am I. Tomorrow begins year two of my classroom studies, and in some ways, I feel more pressure. I am looking forward to being in classes with friends, and hanging out and catching up. I think I missed that a great deal during the summer break. But it is also back to a break-neck reading, research and writing schedule.
Sarah has taken the last few days off from work so that we could have some family time together before the school year started back up. Our staycation was good. But she heads back into her office tomorrow, with all of it's own rollercoasterness.

And I am reminded that we are not going through our various and sundry first days of school alone. The Lord is with us - He goes before us, beckoning us to follow Him. And when I focus on that, when I remember that He called me to this program of study and that He called our family out here so that we would be together, then I remember that He who called us is faithful, and He will accomplish His purpose(s) in our lives. Oh, that faith in Christ would be the constancy of my focus each and every day, and throughout. That God would be glorified in every thought, word, and deed that described my daily walk. This is my hope ... for tomorrow ... for every day.

These are my thoughts before school. As things get going, I hope to add more.