The last one to leave home

Last week we went with Jess to HBU to tour the campus and meet with Admissions and Financial Aid. It was a fun experience and exciting to consider what God could do through her life on the campus of HBU. I believe that it is the perfect place for her - campus atmosphere is very accepting of everyone, classes are small (max of 30), professors are accessible and Dr. Sloans wife wants to "adopt" her while she's there.
But there is something so bittersweet going on here. God placed Jess in our family when most of you were preparing to leave home. She has been an "only child" of sorts and has filled our lives with joy and challenges. I grieved for each of you as you left home and became independent (though you were all independent before you even left home), grew up, etc. etc.... Now I am looking at the last one. What will it feel like? Someday all of you will have this experience.
I am excited and scared. I loved watching all of you find yourselves and God's calling on your lives, find your mate and have children, children and more children! But I felt your pain as you each struggled through that process only to emerge on the other side as strong warriors for Christ and as the best people and parents in the world.
Let's all commit to pray for Jess as she approaches this time in her life - that she will find herself and her calling, that she will find the mate that God has for her and that she will emerge strong and healthy - ready to face the world and all that it might bring to her.
I love you all,
Mom