Sunday, August 22, 2010

Back to School

Our summer has come to a close. Tomorrow starts a new chapter in our lives:  the start of a new school year.  Kirsten will begin 3rd grade and Katelyn, 2nd grade. 

We had a lovely summer filled with vacations, swimming, ice cream and time with grandparents and cousins. We spent a fabulous week together at Kanakuk Family Kamp in June, Brad and I had spent a relaxing week in Palm Springs and Santa Monica doing nothing, and last weekend Brad and I flew to Nashville to visit our much missed friends, the Edgeworths. But it's time to get back into the routine of early mornings and all that goes with the schoolday.

Each summer I pray that the Lord would place our children in the perfect classroom environment for them the following year.  I pray specifically for the right teacher, classmates and even the classroom itself.  Each of our children are so different so what works for one child does not work for the other. You know what I mean.  Well, of course the Lord blessed us with terrific teachers.  Kirsten has Mrs. Tomlin who loves the Lord and is as sweet as can be.  Mrs. Lowe will be her special ed teacher and we already know and love her.  She was Kirsten's special ed teacher in 1st grade.  Katelyn has Miss Green who is fun and sweet.  We can't wait to get to know her better.  And to boot, I found out last week that Josh's preschool teacher (he starts August 31st) is the same lady he had last year and she is wonderful!  We are all praising the Lord for his special gift of wonderful teachers.

As I put the girls to bed tonight, I prayed Numbers 6:24-26 over them:

"The LORD bless you, and keep you. The LORD make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up his face toward you, and give you peace."

I remember so many times my Dad blessing me with those verses as I was growing up.  They are some of my favorite.  I want the Lord's favor upon my children.  I want them to walk into that school tomorrow with confidence and peace knowing that their heavenly Father goes before them and will be with them all day.

As they head to school tomorrow, I will be praying for them throughout the day and for Josh who will miss his sisters and be bored out of his mind!! 

I love this prayer that someone sent me:

       Here we are again, Lord. Their backpacks are loaded and their faces are scrubbed and their lunch accounts are full. And I know you'll walk with them, Lord. You always do.  But a mommy still has to ask.  Will you walk with them? Will you whisper to them what they need to hear when I'm not there to whisper it? Will you please cover their school with the protection only you can give, and please keep harm far away.  Will you make their minds strong and ready to learn? Will you help them undersatnd that hard work honors the one who created them?  Will you guide their teachers, giving them patience and wisdom and creativity and more patience?  Will you bless them for their efforts?  Will you love all those children there, the ones whose lunch accounts aren't full, the ones who feel alone? Will you teach my children to be kind and unselfish and to love those who are different from them? Will you point them back toward home at the end of the day?  Lord, I give them to you today and everyday, trusting them to your care.  Amen.