After emotional goodbyes and a 2nd horrendous trans-Pacific flight (took more than 50 hrs getting to the States and then more than 50 hrs AGAIN getting back, with 2 lost bags!), we started settling in to our new normal here in the Philippines with Mikayla on the other side of the world.
The boys started school the day after we got back (actually missed some things with the delayed trip). So weird having only 2 in the obligatory "first day of school" pic. But I guess not that obligatory because Mikayla never sent me one of her first day!
The boys have had a good start, catching up with friends. Thankful for good friends who are good influences on our young men.
They also went to High School retreat. Both Zach and Ben are in the Machaira House; can you find them in the picture?
Spirit Week is always a fun time in high school. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics of the boys' costumes this year, but I found this one that a friend posted of Zach with his friends on fantasy/fiction day. :)
Meanwhile, on the other side of the big pond, Mikayla has been busy settling into her new normal too. Her new home is a little bigger than her past ones...
And yet, it's a little smaller too...
So incredibly thankful for Mikayla's roommate this year. Zathra is a friend from the Faith Academy; she graduated the year before Mikayla did. The girls are good friends who will have each other's backs but also call each other out when they need to.
Mikayla's major is Outdoor Leadership Ministry, and she already got her High Ropes Course Certification over Labor Day Weekend, so she's off and running. Her favorite course this semester is The Principles and Practice of Experiential Education, and she is thankful for the confirmation that her choice of majors is exactly what is on her heart to do.
Some days we are all doing ok with the adjustment, other days the tears are very near the surface (like when I dissolved into a puddle when I got out 5 plates to set the dinner table instead of 4...). While this adjustment has been incredibly difficult (prayers appreciated!), we are so very thankful for where Mikayla is and all that God is doing in and through her. We are excited for this next stage for her...even though we miss her like crazy over here!
1 comment:
As you know, dear friends, all of your family is in our prayers. We've heard from Mikayla twice, and she sounds happy with her choice of colleges as well as her choice of a major. She is a beautiful Godly girl with a good head on her shoulders and a great deal of that has to do with her parents.
Post a Comment