As I write this, my family is getting ready for a new journey of life. On the homeschooling front, this Saturday (May 31st), Mike will be "walking the stage" for his graduation. (Granted he still has work to accomplish before we deem him graduated, but that was due to illness, so we are participating in our homeschool group's graduation along with 7 other seniors.) On the familial part, my mother is about to move in with us. (She arrives June 3rd.)

Homeschooling won't change much for us, since he is a senior and he is working fairly independently now. If all goes according to schedule, he should be finished on November 14th. At this point in time, we're planning for him to take some time off academics and do volunteerism to get some real life experiences under his belt. Then in the fall of '09, he'll be joining the college crew, in some form or fashion. It sure would help if he had an idea for what he wants to do, but we're praying that he will hear the Lord's voice for direction.

With my mom here, I'm not sure what our lives will look like. I'm sure there will be a bit of a honeymoon period, but that might only last three days... LOL We are working on getting a one-level garage apartment built. (Our garage was torn down three years ago due to extreme age and pressure from the city.) Once that's completed she will have her own one-bedroom apartment. Since we have a "makeshift" kitchen (extended remodel on this very old, 121-year-old house), I've mentioned to her that it might be a good idea that I just move most of my kitchen-ware to her kitchen and I'll go down and cook our dinners there, to eat there with her. With inspections and permits, contractors and subcontractors, we can hope it will only be six months of living on top of one another here inside the "big house." She will be sharing Mike's bedroom until her place is completed. So not only will we be experiencing living with my mom, but will experience a building project. I have a feeling we will all be ready for that one-bedroom apartment to be built.

My hat is off to those who have a parent either living with them or so close that they are in essence living with them. I might need to hear some good news on this new lifestyle. My husband and I have always felt that we would step up to the plate when the time came to take care of our parents. Now is the time to start with my mom. My father lives on his own in the next city (a twenty minute freeway trip) and Glenn's parents live in a city on the east side of Dallas (a one hour freeway trip). At this point in time, one of Glenn's sisters lives near their parents and both his parents are in good health.

We all have to remember as our life journeys take twists and turns, come to abrupt halts, and/or we have to take U-turns, that the Lord goes before us and holds us in the Palm of His Hand. He is ever faithful and knows what we are up against. Remember His faithfulness is new every morning for your life journey! You are not alone and there are others of the faithful who have walked this road before. Don't try to reinvent the wheel but lean on those around you for tips and help, and lean heavily into the Lord. He will bring you through with a testimony to share. As for my husband and I, we know that the end will be worth whatever hardships we may have to endure. It's been true the last 26 years of our marriage, and we expect it will be for the next and for years to come. God is good. ALL the time.