Some things just make you smile...

Beth, our nearly 21-year-old daughter (boy, it's really weird to say I have a daughter nearly 21), is heading off to Western Washington University for the first time this fall. As she prepares for living in her first on-campus apartment (she'd had enough of dorm life at TWU), there have been some things that she's just HAD to have. A couple of them really make me smile.

When Paul and I were married nearly 28 years ago, one of our wedding gifts was a set of 4 Corningware mixing bowls. They were the color of the time--earthtones. I still have those bowls and use them daily. Beth saw them (get this!) in an antique store. She was amazed how expensive they were even to this day, but found a set for $25 and snatched them up. (I never would have thought that Corningware mixing bowls would appreciate in price!) Beth felt she needed those bowls to make her living situation complete. That makes me smile--happy memories of her childhood.

The other necessity was another bowl. For years, although not as many as the afore mentioned bowls, I've had a stainless steel bowl that is really the top part of a double boiler. This bowl has had 2 major uses in the Morrell household--making biscuits and being a sick bowl (although not at the same time, mind you). There were times when it disappeared for a few weeks when one of the kids had felt nauseated and took it to his room (read Ben), only for me to find it later hiding behind a bed, etc. This bowl, too, made it onto the Beth Morrell-must-have list. (After all, what is she going to throw up in?) It was acquired at an estate sale.

Seeing my last child off to her Junior year of college is bittersweet. It is time for the little birdy to fly from the nest, but has been wonderful to have her home this summer. She worked HARD as a receptionist at Microsoft and earned a good wage. She gained an open invitation to return whenever she was in town. She has grown into a wonderful young woman.

I am so thrilled with what the Lord is doing in all of my children's lives. He's shown Himself so faithful to Ben and Lisa as they deal with Ben's cancer. He's provided a wonderful teaching job for Adam in Tacoma, and a great place for he and Sheli to live in Gig Harbor (very close to Sheli's teaching job!). He is faithfully leading Beth to WWU, going before her as she lives with 3 girls she's never met, all probably international students.

And so, Paul and I once again come to empty nesting. What's next? Well, something new is on the horizon. Paul may be starting school with the goal of acheiving his bachelor's degree. Is 48 too late? I don't think so. Will it be hard work, requiring a lot of motivation? You bet! (Along with still running a small business!) Please pray for us during these days ahead--it will take more than 4 years for him to see his goal through. I'm excited, but know we'll need a ton to God's grace and mercy!

Much love,
Jenifer