My baby has gone to college-- now what?

When you are in the middle of diaper changes and midnight feedings it is hard to even imagine a time when your child would no longer be at home. After long summers of hearing "I'm bored" most mothers are counting down the days until the big yellow bus comes and takes their child off for another school year. And while you know it will eventually happen, not once do you picture loading up the car and taking your child off to college. I blinked and that wrinkly, 6 lb 2 oz little girl was suddenly 18-years-old. This past Sunday we made the 5 hour drive to Texas Tech University to take our "little" girl to college. 

Taking your child to college is bittersweet. On one hand you are excited about everything your child will accomplish over the next 4 years. This experience will be the stepping stone used to help your child achieve all their dreams and goals. On the other hand you are full of worry and a bit heartbroken. What if your child needs you?  What if they struggle with school? Where are they at 2 am? Who are they hanging out with? Does your child miss you as much as you are missing them? And the list goes on. 

God has a plan for Emily. Over the past year, He has been faithful over and over. We were worried about her transition from Japan to here, especially considering it being her senior year, but she did better than we ever could imagine. There have been people put in her life over the past year, that I know without a doubt, are part of His ultimate plan. I need to remember as sad as it is for me, that her leaving the nest and embarking on this college adventure, is all part of His ultimate plan as well. And I am so excited to see what God has in store for her and her future. I know it is going to be great.  

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6