A day of "lasts"...for all of us!

Today is Dan's last day of Ethics after a week in Charlotte. He preached last Sunday at morning worship, and flew to school at 3:00 that afternoon. When Dan travels for school-especially for the longer classes, it is a mixed blessing. Of course we miss him BIG time while he's away, but feel very thankful every now and then he gets to spend a week focusing on "just" school. It's also good because I get to be more in-tune with Graham and Hannah Reece's needs since it's just me (and sometimes grandparents) meeting them! Also, I get to stretch myself and be a little more "independent"-I rely on Dan SO much when he's home. I try to have something for us to look forward to each day-either visiting with buddies we haven't seen in a while or hanging out with family. This was a busy week all on it's own!

It was Graham's last day of the three's class at our church Preschool. Ms. "Cole" Nicole, Graham's teacher has been taking care of Graham since he was an infant in our church nursery. She has been such a nurturing and loving teacher-she makes learning fun and natural for all of the children in her class.

Ms. Elli is Graham's assistant teacher and is a woman of gentle, quiet faith. She also led the church congregation as they vowed to help us train Graham up in faith at his baptism when he was 9 months old. Elli is a sincere model of Christ's love for the little people entrusted to her care.

The day ended with a magic show and picnic (aka controlled chaos with lots of food laying around on the floor). Graham had a blast running around like a wild maniac with his buddies Noah and Kaden. Throughout the year during the daily my best friend" roll-call, these two were consistently at the top of Graham's list. Graham says his favorite thing to do with these buddies is "tell each other jokes" which have evolved from Raffi rhymes "have you ever seen a fly, wearing a tie?" to the more recent 4-year-old potty humor (which include anything involving stinky excretions). When I ask Graham what makes Noah and Kaden his best friends he said (after a few moments of pondering) "they give me the fast bike on the playground".

And as for Hannah Reece, it's her last day to mourn Bubba's absence (or celebrate her freedom?) when we return from drop-off at Preschool...by making a B-Line to Graham's bed and snuggin' up under his covers.

And the last of the lasts for today was my "graduation" from the Apples of Gold Program at church. Our mentors hosted a lovely dinner for us and our spouses to culminate this 6 week mentoring program which is founded on the passage Titus 2:3-5 (RSV) "...Train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be sensible, chaste, domestic, kind, and submissive to their husband, that the word of God may not be discredited."

I told the ladies that I didn't feel ready to graduate, and maybe we could hold a "remedial" Apples of Gold? Oh, I will so miss those Monday evenings spent sharing a meal and God's word together!

Our precious teaching mentors who have humbly served and loved us...and encouraged my heart!

Top: Jackie, Jeanne, Judy, Ann, JoAnn

Bottom: Carol, Robin

My fellow "apples" and sisters in Christ...

Tracy, me, Jill, Jen, Lana, Sheila