Friday, March 28, 2008

Empty Nest...Oh my!



My last child, Jenna is getting ready to leave next Wednesday for six months, to participate in a YWAM mission base in Perth, Australia. This is something we have been praying about and planning for over a year. I really want this experience for her. It will be such a great time for her to grow and give of herself to others. YWAM stands for Youth With A Mission. It is a Christian based organization that gives young people a chance to learn how to love the world around them. They participate in a three month training phase, then they are sent out to a third world country to help and reach out to people in need. Her group will be going to Jakarta for their outreach phase. I am so excited and delight that my daughter will have this fabulous opportunity. BUT and this is a big but, I am finally having to face up to all my children being gone from the nest. Now I am obviously not the first mommy to have to go through this. But last night, I had such a melt down. I went into my daughter’s room late at night and begged her to let me rub her back, and just hang out with her. Oh my how do we let them all grow up? I guess it is not about me letting her...she just is. Jenna is such a wonderful girl with so much in life going for her. Please forgive me but I feel a big need to indulge myself here. So here is a little slide show for a trip down memory land. I will miss her so much!

11 comments:

Nadine said...

What a great slide show. She is a special young woman and has been taught very well. She comes from great stock. We will all miss her. I pray the 6 months goes very quickly for you.

Knitting Mania said...

Awwwww....I bawled and I bawled...she's all grown up Sis! :(

But, I know this DTS is meant to be. She'll be in my prayers and thank the good Lord for "MYSPACE", eh?

Loved your slide show! ;)

Barbara said...

I know how hard this is, walking past an empty bedroom, sitting on the bed, bursting into tears.
What a blessing that she is going to be with WYWAM though.
Blessings dear friend and prayers.

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

How proud you must be, even though you'll miss her terribly. And what a great experience for her! Wow, Perth...and Jacarta. That's wonderful.

I empathize with the sadness too...when my one and only was just 14 he decided he wanted to live with his dad, on the other side of the country, during his high school years. That was my empty next grieving time...it was very painful.

Vee said...

Awww, this is making me teary-eyed. That slideshow is beautiful and kinda scary. My! Where does the time go?!

This is going to be a wonderful experience for your daughter. Lives will be changed. Thank the Lord for the WWW so that you may easily keep in touch.

Dorothy said...

How very sweet...I hear your little mother's heart. You should truly be having all these thoughts...What a blessing that she is going on a mission trip..I wish God's good blessings for her and you as well...Dee Dee

Strider said...

Man, it was only yesterday that you were in Seattle at a flower show and you left Dan to watch the children. Jenna was about 1 1/2 years old and Dan was feeding her a bottle filled with Coke, or some sort of pop. She was turning summer saults down the hill in the back yard. The kids sure do grow up fast.

Unknown said...

hi, came here from somewhere and i love gardening but mine is nowhere near yours, really, its so lovely and i had a good time reading all the old posts especially on your garden, its so beautiful :)

Jenna said...

oh my!! You would put horrible awkard picture of me up!! haha


Thanks!

and i'll miss you too you =]

Alice said...

Aww, Jenna, you never looked a bit awkward in those pictures, only a sweet little girl now all grown up into a beautiful young woman. I loved the slide show.

Sherry at the Zoo said...

Two young ladies that I know participated in several YWAM experiences and they loved their experiences. One was to Australia even. They both grew tremendously and grew closer to the Lord.

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