New Chapter

Hope you all had a good weekend and Memorial Day. I spent yesterday helping my newly-minted-college-graduate son (see previous entry for pics of that!) move into his new apartment. He is now living about 30 minutes west of us, close to where he will be working. He found a nice, new apartment building. It kind of has an industrial feel in the hallways of the building, but the interior is nice and modern. Wide hallways, high ceilings. He chose well.

I forgot to take any pictures! We were too busy carrying and putting together furniture. But we got it almost all done and now he just basically has some boxes left to unpack and to settle in. He still has a few weeks to do so before starting his new job. So all-in-all, a good day for us as we begin a new chapter in our lives.

I suppose all parents go through it, but now we have a house much too big for what we need! Five years ago, we moved into a larger house, primarily because we needed a dedicated space for my father who was moving in with us. He stayed with us for about three years before beginning to need more care than we could provide. So he moved to a Memory Care place very close to us. We still go see him every day, but he is no longer in our house. I was able to move my study/office from the basement up to the room he used to occupy.

Now with my son moved out, another room has freed up. My college-aged daughter is also mostly out of the house, having an off-campus apartment where she spends most of her time, even when school is not in session. We've kept her room largely in tact, but soon it will be open, too. So, we can set up a guest room or two, or maybe now move my wife's desk up from the basement into one of those rooms for her office. That might be nice for her.

We'll still get to see our son every week (or mostly) in church - that'll be nice. And we still have our youngest daughter home for six more years before she is ready for college - that'll help keep us young! :-)

Some people say changes like this are sad - and I guess they are a little. When I see pictures of my kids when they were little and remember those days, there's a twinge. But these are good days, too. Happy days, proud days, to see your children grow and mature and become their own person. And I look forward to seeing how my son continues to grow and develop and become his own man in the future. His apartment and furnishings are already much nicer than mine were starting out! :-)

Graduation!

This weekend we were up in Springfield, MA for the graduation of my son from Western New England University. He received a BS in Computer Engineering and won the award for the highest GPA in his major. It was a very nice weekend. Here are some pictures and a little video of his receiving his degree . . .

With my daughters and sister,

waiting for the College of Engineering awards presentation to begin . . .

(Yes, my wife was there! She was on the other side of me.)

(The family photo with everyone together is on someone else's phone!

I'll post when I receive it. ;-)

One of the cool things they did at the end of the commencement was that all the professors formed two lines down the aisle for all the new graduates to walk down between, as a last tribute to them as they depart. That's what this picture shows, though it's probably hard to tell. It was cool though. :-)

Here's the video of Rob getting his degree . . .

Walk-Run-Ride for Life Update

Thank you to everyone who sponsored me and our Lutherans for Life team for the Walk-Run-Ride for Life this year. The event was a great success!

The Lutherans for Life team raised $3,045, which was good enough for 4th place in the team competition . . . only $15 short of 2nd place! (If only we'd had one more sponsor . . . :-)

Personally, you all exceeded my goal of $1,000 and sponsored me for $1,320!

And overall, the goal was to raise $70,000 for the Pregnancy Center, but your generosity rocketed the money received to $81,000!

So thank you again for all who showed the love of Christ and help the fathers, mothers, and babies here in Northern Virginia. And look for us again next year, and maybe we can put the Lutherans on top in speaking for and support LIFE!

+ Rest in Peace, My Brother +

Well, another brother in office in my District has been called home to glory, though this one not quite as unexpected.

Picture from 90th birthday party

Luther was over 90 years old, yet still actively serving his congregation as their sole pastor! He just refused to retire and wanted to keep serving his flock. And he faithfully did, though his health had its ups and downs, as you would expect. He was truly a kind and gentle soul, and a great example and role model for a young pastor like me when I came into the District.

At our District Convention, we had our Service of Memorial for all those in the District who had died the last triennium on Saturday night. Well, on Sunday morning we all heard the news that God had called Luther home that very night. Great sadness, yet also great joy in knowing that our brother now rests from his labors.

Sadly, just like my last brother's funeral, I won't be able to attend this one either. My schedule is too tight and the cost just too much. I keep expecting flights from DC to Chicago to be cheap, but they aren't anymore - at least, not last minute ones. So rest in peace, my brother. I will see you again on the Last Day.