. . . and THEN . . . there were THREE

The Poitras FOUR

(taken just five days before Melinda left Ghana)

August 4, 2008

Every family with children gets here . . . sooner or later. The first child leaves the nest, and the whole family shifts gears. One less plate; one less voice . . . heard in the halls and walls of the house; one less passenger in the vehicle. . .one less.
This is a natural process, and Thank God, it is not forever . . . just for a season and a time in life when the world (as you know it) is forever changed . . . different . . . in a good way.
It doesn't seem very good right now . . . today. She has finished two weeks of Bible school, and we give God the glory for that. But the adjustment is still going on . . . in her heart and ours too.
The siblings left behind . . . how do they adjust? Closeness is great . . . until it is time to let go. Then, it hurts deeper and lasts longer, but the closeness is still there. Understanding the pain, feeling the loss . . . so thankful it is not permanent . . . just temporary for now.
Mom's concerned about the wash . . . will the clothes survive? Will everything get lost, or put away and safe? Shoes in their boxes, clothes on their hangers. . . skirts and tops together? Hair fixed and things in their place? Probably not, but we tried. Someone else will plan the meals, set the table, and call the roll in classes.
The parent(s) left behind during the transition process . . . how do they feel? Left behind means left out, right? But no . . . not this time . . . except in the heart. Decisions to make . . . what do you think? Money to spend . . . is that really necessary? Where and what and when and who and why and how . . . did they think of that?
"Dad, I love you . . . and need you. . . and want to share my heart with you. . . and want you to know what happened today. . . and hope you are well. . . and wish I could give you a hug. . . and miss you so much!"
What about the classes? Will she be on time, homework done, studied and prepared? The foundation has been laid. . . the course set. . . the understanding clear . . . now it's up to her.
Calls on the phone (only certain times of the day & week) . . . IMing in the night. . . e-mails as much as possible. . . and many, many prayers.
This is how we go from FOUR to THREE . . . and God help us . . . soon it will be TWO!
This is how it works . . . how it should be . . . how we thank and praise God for our family . . . and then there were THREE.

Only a Grampy . . . or Grammy

Climbing Grampy's back. . .
riding on his shoulders. . .
giggling while he reads the story. . .
jumping up and down . . .
not really paying attention. . .
Can anybody do that?
Nope . . . just me . . . cause I'm so special to Grampy Poitras!
He loves to play with me, and he gets down where I am, or lets me climb up high. . . if he is sitting, lying down, or standing up . . . I get the best view possible! (Stephen Sisco tells all)


Want to learn piano? Well I did . . . but I didn't know about the practicing. Oh well, Mom and Dad help me with that, and Grammy helps me learn. We get extra hugs . . . I give them and she loves them!
We started this when I was five years old (I just turned six in July 2008), and it has been a challenge . . . but fun too!
Does Grammy teach anybody else? Nope . . . just me, cause she wants to share something she loves . . . playing the piano . . . and music.
I like getting stickers on my paper, cause music theory is easy . . . time signatures, quarter notes, half notes, forte (that means LOUD), repeat sign (that means go back and play again), bass clef (f clef), music staff (five lines and four spaces) . . . all these are great. And the cats on the keyboard (black notes by twos and threes). . . they help me a lot. I'm learning a new language . . . reading music!
Only a Grammy would help me with this. . . and we have a special day too. . . every Monday at TWO! (Allanah Sisco shares this scoop)

Only a Grampy or Grammy will do for some things . . . yeah!

One More "THANK YOU"

We heard from our friends in Malawi . . . their 13 year old son is seriously ill . . . needs a medivac to South Africa . . . now he's in a coma. Oh God, hear our prayer!

Now he's in South Africa (a miracle in itself with all the possible delays) but still in a drug-induced coma . . . "Hold him close in your arms, Jesus. . . and his family too!"

God loves our children . . . and He heard our prayers . . . Timo Simoneaux is improving . . . awake . . . alert . . . able to move although weak . . . "Thank You, Jesus!"

All this trauma taking place so close to home (he's an MK) . . . and yet so far. . .

And as we prepare . . . packing lockers, luggage, and document folders . . . sorting through stuff to keep ("Please, bring it later, Mom"); stuff to give away ("I won't use that in US"); and stuff to take with us ("I need that at IBC") . . . we can shout "HALLELUJAH" because . . .

So many reasons to give God glory . . . I just want to add one more. . .

Living in Africa all their lives (from seven weeks old) until this weekend when we will begin our "empty nest" experience . . . our girls have never suffered severe physical trauma of any type . . . TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

He heard our prayers (and yours too), He has been faithful . . . and I know He will continue to do, "exceeding, abundantly, above all that we ask or think . . ."

He has blessed and kept us from all harm and danger, and seen us through every sickness or distress. What a MIGHTY GOD we serve! We give Him ALL the glory . . . and add just ONE MORE THANK YOU!!!