Last Day!

On the day before Anna left for college..... she ran a half marathon crossing the finish line with two of her dear friends hand in hand, packed up her world here in Seattle, and said some heart wrenching goodbyes to friends. What a rich and beautiful day (and life) with our girl! 

at the start 

at mile 5 

cheerleader in action 

water stop and WOOHOO photo shoot #1

mile 9 

rocking it..... 

photo finish: https://youtu.be/efB2Rfq6_fo

Claire, Sarah and Anna

Em (cheerleader), Anna, and Elizabeth (who also ran the race!) 

small group time tonight 

prayer I patched together for Anna for small group sendoff tonight: 

Gracious God,

Thank you for giving Anna deep roots, and thank you for giving her wings.

Prepare Anna’s heart to revel in new exploration of new communities, new cities, new ideas, new classes,  and of landscapes less familiar.

Along the way, may she pause to savor the way your diverse imagination is expressed in the beauty around her, and in an artistry of peoples and cultures.

Waken her vision and rouse her heart that she might be shaped by those whisperings of your goodness and grace all around her.

Let her play, let her laugh, let her to find rich community.

Keep her safe from injury and harm and make her a blessing to all she meets in college.

Guide her as she goes to Scripps, be her refuge, be her shade in the heat, be her shelter in the storm, be her rest in weariness, be her protection in trouble, and be her strong staff in danger.  

For all our days together, we give you thanks.

Bind us together now, even though we will be apart. 

May your peace rest upon us and upon Anna as she goes.

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Anna, may the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord’s face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.

May the Lord look upon you with kindness, and give you peace.

Go out into the world to celebrate! Celebrate a new way of living while remembering the very best that you have been taught!

Celebrate going off to college and the independence that comes with it knowing that with that independence comes responsibility.

Celebrate new friends while remembering those to whom you have said goodbye.

And as you go, remember that God is with you and God loves you with His Never-Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.

“The Lord our God is with you. He is mighty to save. The Lord will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love and rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Go in peace!