The older two are back, thank God, and I feel like the three kids and I are getting into a routine again. Everyone is in bed by 8:30. Everyone ate the same dinner (their favorite—spaghetti and homemade meatballs and pasta sauce). We read a Russian book. We prayed. I may have yelled at M for getting up AGAIN, but then I calmed down and walked him back to bed.

I am thinking about the beginning of school. I was looking back at pictures from the summer, and I went all the way back to the end of the year. Seeing the beautiful rising 7th graders made me happy. I am thinking of some of the kids who are going to be 6th graders, and I am looking forward to seeing them. But I am sad that summer is coming to a close.

To be honest, summer didn’t turn out how I expected when I was planning it (maybe you had a similar experience). I didn’t expect to feel so torn up by current events. I didn’t expect the kids to travel to Houston. I didn’t expect my heart to break. I didn’t expect my friend to lose someone she cared about. I didn’t expect someone I loved to have an accident. I didn’t expect someone’s house to flood. So many things that were hard, and many that are still hard.

But I also didn’t expect to make so many great memories with M. I didn’t expect to see fireworks in Crozet. I didn’t expect to see fireworks over water. I didn’t expect to be of service to my friends and family. I didn’t expect so much love from people I cared about. I didn’t expect how much being away from my kids made me appreciate them more. I didn’t expect to watch so many movies or read so much. I didn’t expect to find someone who wants to start the same club as I do. I didn’t expect that S would want to help so much when she came back from Texas. I didn’t expect to be playing badminton with adults! I didn’t expect so many blessings. I am thankful. There is sadness and there is joy, and I will praise God for this summer!

Here is a Psalm that was on my mind today.

Psalm 67

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.

1May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—
2so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
3May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
4May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples with equity
and guide the nations of the earth.
5May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
6The land yields its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
7May God bless us still,
so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.