Summer's Over

We took Philip and his carload of possessions back to JMU on Sunday so he can begin his sophomore year. He will be helping move the freshmen in to their dorms starting today, and will be a small group leader for InterVarsity.

You get used to having the kids around, then you have to get used to having them gone again. We had a great summer, even if Philip was gone on mission trips for most of July.

Now it is back to college and time to start another year.

Freshman Year is Over

Today I went to James Madison University to pick up Philip as his freshman year ended. As he went around saying goodbye to all his friends and classmates, I was reminded of many of my own last days of school. It is exciting because the pressure of college curriculum is over, and the freedom of summer lies ahead. But still you know it will not be the same without roommates and close friends from college.

A lot like the rest of life I think, upon further reflection. Philip spent the year in Gifford Hall, across the parking lot from Ashby Hall where I lived for 3 years. Good old bluestone, seemingly indestructible, even if the dorms are much more modern than when I was there.

Now there is all this dirty laundry to deal with.

Some things never change, from generation to generation.

Thanks Mom, for years of laundry service when I came home on the last day of college.
Happy Mother's Day!

Summer Vacation

It is officially summer now! The outside temperatures are heading way up and vacation plans are in full swing. We are headed to France soon, to see the Normandy area and to visit Paris. France was not my top choice for a vacation spot, but now I think I might be more excited about this trip than anyone else. Gives me yet another foreign language to attempt to learn.

We have made reservations in Honfleur and Paris for several nights, and are already picking people's brains for places to go and things to experience. That is what summer is all about, experiencing things that you can one day tell others about.

Go make some summer plans, and find a place to live out the summer to its fullest!
Carpe diem!
(wait, that's not French!)