A Family's Love

Yesterday was the best day I have had in a long time with my mom and sister. Ever since the summer after my sister graduated from high school, it has been a rocky road between the two of us. We will have good days where we joke and laugh with each other, and then there are the bad days, where not many words are spoken to each other softer than a yell. I have always wanted that close relationship with her, but never have been able to really grasp much of one. She is just about 22 months younger than me, and only a year in school. Which makes it tough sometimes. But yesterday (or I guess by this time of night/morning it was two days ago, I will just say Wednesday) was a great day. I prayed for a long time the night before for the Lord to just help us make this day wonderful. I only have 10 days with my family before I leave for France, and once I get back there are only a few more before my sister and I leave our home for another year away at school. We needed a day to spend together, just us girls, before we went different directions. My mom needed this day more than anything. She has been suffering from what you could call the "empty-nest syndrome." It is when after raising your children, they leave home and you are stuck with an empty house. My sister and I were such a big part of my parents' lives. We both were involved in numerous sports and other extracurricular activities, that both my mom and dad kept busy running from place to place, supporting us in everything we did. But now, this last year, there hasn't been the nightly softball games after work, or the updates everyday of how our classes are going at dinner. It is just my mom and dad. I knew that this one day with us was what my mom needed! She needed to be with us girls again. So she ended up getting the day off of work and we shopped, literally, the ENTIRE day! We went up to St. Michael to the outlet mall, down to St. Louis Park, and then ended the day night at Maple Grove, listening to Tim Mahoney. We had so much fun joking with each other, trying on clothes and shoes, and talking about what was to come for all of us this next year.
Sitting outside, listening to the music, leaning against my mom, I couldn't help but be a little sad. I just finished my second year of college, only two more to go until I will be done. I have no idea right now where the Lord wants me to go, but I really know it would be hard to be far from my family. I love them so much and I love the time that we can spend together amongst are busy schedules. And this summer I will be away from them for 6 weeks! Truly away, not just a two hour drive up boring 169. I will be across the Atlantic Ocean!!! I know that I will miss them, and I am sure Mr. Kleenex will make an appearance or two. But I also know something else. That the Lord will be with me every step I take, and he has been since the beginning. It is just tough to leave the familiar and dive into the unfamiliar (even though I have been to France before). It's hard to be that far away from my family and friends for so long. So please, pray for the others and me who are going on this trip that the Lord would protect our every steps and that we would grow together as a true team. And please pray for my preparations spiritually, mentally, and with saying goodbye to my family.