When I sat down last week to write a blog entry, I was so utterly weary, my mind was blank. Call it a remnant of wedding shopping, Marina and I had just finished an exhausting shopping trip, full of frustration until we hit the wonderful shop known as Goodwill where we loaded up with exactly what we were looking for at a fraction of the cost of those "other places". Thank God that people like to get rid of nice things! But, the experience made for a great deal of weariness!

Weddings are the foremost topic of conversation and activity here at our house right now. We have finished the graduations, Yea!! Marina graduated with honors and an associates degree from Rosedale Bible College on Saturday, and Hans, while he plans to return there next year, also graduated with a one year certificate. With the graduation came the first round of guests, also disguised as helpers in the journey towards the wedding day. The noble relative,"Michelle" and the honored bridesmaid, "Nicole" along with the sweet cousin, "Melinda" are here for the week, helping out with what needs to be done.

The final lists are being made, the final stitches are being put in, the last shopping trips are being planned... and Saturday is the big day!

The excitement is tinged with a tug of dismay for me. My daughter is moving out! I know it's an inevitable consequence of marriage, but one that can easily get lost in the hustle and excitement of planning a wedding. Perhaps that's one reason why we work so hard to make it a special day for our children. If we work hard enough, our primary feeling at the end of the day will be relief, rather than the little twinges of regret and dismay that fight their way through! That doesn't mean that Marina and Landon don't have my blessing, they do! They also have my dismay. When you are young and you look ahead, you can say with never a sigh, "Well, I wouldn't want my kids to live with me all their lives." But, when the time of departure comes, it's still difficult to see them go, even if you don't want them to live with you the rest of your life(which I really don't! )

At the graduation lunch on Saturday, Patrick was wandering around seeing the sights and exploring the grounds when he encountered a hitherto-yet-unnoticed sight, there was a very pretty little girl standing there! Well, his response was the one of any normal young man when seeing a pretty girl. He gave her a very nice hug! (She looked a little surprised, but didn't complain!)

PRAYER FOR THE MORNING: "Almighty God, Merciful Father, who created and completed all things, on this day when the work of our calling begins anew, we implore You to create its beginning, direct its continuance, and bless its end, that our doings may be preserved from sin, our life sanctified, and our work this day be well pleasing to You; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen-(from Treasury of Daily Prayer)