First day of School

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future - Jeremiah 29:11

I woke up this morning with great anticipation in my household. THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!! Remember how exciting that was? As I crept downstairs in the dark to do my Bible Study, these words for Jeremiah lept off the page. What an appropriate verse for the first day of school! I know today will be exciting for them, but in a few weeks the excitement of school will probably wear off and we will be back in the drudgery of school. Running late because no one can find their shoes, trying to pack lunches and write checks for lunch money, trying to remember to sign papers so we won't get in trouble... Life's like that, huh? I needed the reminder that the Lord's plans are plans to prosper and not to harm. Plans to give us HOPE!!

After we dropped off the children at school this morning, it was hard not to bounce out to the car without a spring in my step. Micajah - my one that doesn't like school much - told me how EXCITED he was to be able to use his school supplies! When we got to the door of the classroom, we were met with shouts of his name from his friends from last year. That's got to make you feel good and give you HOPE. When we walked back by after dropping off the girls, we peeked in the window to see him digging through his backpack to pull out the treasured crayons. This is the first year he has gotten to buy school supplies so it is very exciting! His teacher, Mrs. Amy, is so sweet - so it will be a great year!

Lindsey Kate began 3rd grade. WOW. Last night at open house, her teacher Mrs. Pam told us how excited she was to finally teach one of our children. That's got to make you feel good and give you HOPE. Lindsey Kate's class has 15 boys and 5 girls. We were not too excited about those odds, but know LK will do JUST fine. Mrs. Pam has a treasure box in her room with prizes for the kids. She said sometimes she gives them at random just for being sweet. Well, Linds has that in the bag - especially in a class full of boys!!

Our sweet Heyward started the 5th grade. I can NOT believe it. I remember the 5th grade SO well. It doesn't seem THAT long ago that I was in the 5th grade. I also remember the 5th grade as the beginning of "hard" school. More subjects, more tests, more homework, etc. We're going to have to begin to work on those study habits to keep those grades good. She looked SO grown and so tall heading into that hallway today and I swelled with pride that she still wanted mom and dad to walk her to class. Sweet, huh? That's got to make you feel good and give you HOPE!

All in all, a bittersweet day. I was glad to see them so excited but it seems so quiet here at the office. Being home at lunch will be even more quiet. Maybe Jody and I will actually get to have a conversation that doesn't involve bodily functions, Hannah Montana or stuffed animals. Hope indeed.