Hi Friends,

Will and I went to the gym this morning and then I took a short walk on the beach to see this sunrise. God is so good to give me such a lovely morning to ponder this new era of my life.

His kindness to me feels so tender and loving. Yesterday we visited a church in Tuscaloosa that ended up being too far from campus to be a regular choice, but the sermon felt like it was just for me. It was exactly what I needed to hear and probably the only time I will ever be there.

We stopped on the way back to campus to take a few pictures along the river. There was only one other person at the park, a woman named Erma, sitting there studying Ephesians. Sweet Erma took pictures of the three of us and wished us well.

On the way to the airport Will and I hit a favorite lunch spot, and chatted about new things we might do as empty nesters. Our connecting flight in Atlanta was delayed and so we hit the SkyClub. We do not travel that much, but wonder of wonders the gentlemen who was checking us into the lounge was a guy named Eddie. We know Eddie! In May of 2024, Eddie helped us get to graduation at University of Tennessee despite some crazy cancellations and delays. He remembered us too. What are the chances that this sweet man would be part of our firstborn’s graduation story AND our youngest son’s send off?

Yesterday I got quite a few texts of friends checking on me. I felt prayed for and loved in so many ways. As the sun rises on this new season, I am filled with gratitude for how God has felt so present in the details. I’m in awe that the grace upon grace that has marked my life never seems to fade.

And yet I know that change of this magnitude is not diminished by a few sweet little details and a gorgeous morning. Just nine days ago we attended a funeral of a man who spiraled into a depression when his only child went to college, and I can sympathize. Change is hard. When I lost my brother Craig in 2002 I felt like having an infant son to care for was the best thing for me. The sweetness of a darling but needy baby forces you to put one foot in front of the other, to march on. And major change, even when it’s happy change, can also require resolve. Yesterday’s sermon was about making every effort. That’s going to be my mantra these next few months, as I try to finish some writing projects before I go get a real job.

As the pastor said yesterday — in essence — there is power to make every effort. We can tap into that power by knowing and relying on God’s “precious and very great promises.”

What “precious and very great promises” do you especially need to meditate on today?

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises… 2 Peter 1:3-4a

Blessings,

Kristie