Goodbyes and Greenwich

I have experienced the most defined period of change in my entire life over the past few months. I graduated from college, ending a separate seven-year period of change, said goodbye to my brother and hello to a new sister, then waved them both off to the far east coast. Since then, I have endured the departure of several dear friends from this house that I call home here in Winona Lake. Unfortunately, as the days of summer march on, I only have more goodbyes to handle.

Two weeks ago I travelled to Greenwich, Connecticut for an interview with a wonderful family. They have four children (somehow I'm always counting for little heads), and live in a rather spectacular home about 40 minutes outside of Manhattan. They offered me their recently available nanny position, and I accepted last week. This means that on July 28th, my dad will drive me to the East Coast and leave me there. This is what I want, and I'm very excited about all the newness that is to come, but I'm also very nervous. However, several things happened to confirm the decision. The number one thing is the family's departing nanny. She is a physical therapist, and is staying in the area when I take the position. She is a believer, and an instant friend! I knew she was from a small town in North Carolina, but when I asked her the specifics, she said I would never have heard of it. "Where is it?" I asked, thinking I would spit out my macaroni and cheese if she said Murphy. "Murphy, North Carolina; it's close to Atlanta." she responded. Anyway, she is definitely from the small town that has recently claimed two very important people in my life! We both thought that was way too much of a coincidence to be of anyone but God. I'm looking forward to a friendship with her once I arrive.

Heading to Greenwich means that I will have to bid farewell to four small children that feel like my own siblings here in Indiana. Ella, Nolan, Grant and Ava have been my entertainment, blessings, headaches and loves for almost 20 months. Not seeing them several times a week will be quite a shock to my system! Here are some highlights:

Ella: She called me while I was stuck at Laguardia (missing her dance recital) to tell me that she still loved me even though I couldn't see her dance. She says that the new children will surely like me because I am so nice to her and her siblings.
Nolan: He stepped on a piece of glass on Mother's Day, and just had to have surgery on Tuesday for a remaining 2-inch piece of glass that was still in there. But seeing him swing around like a monkey on tiny little crutches ALMOST makes it all worth it.
Grant: While watching the Red Sea part during "The Prince of Egypt" he yelled at me: "HOWY COW, WAREN, GOD IS AWESOME!" They had never heard the story of Moses before, so that was a neat time for us.
Ava: This little one breaks my heart, because she is probably too young to remember all the fun that she and I have had. We sing songs, dance and laugh. But the best was last night when I was tucking her in and she said: "Waren, you say Amen?" Which meant she wanted me to pray for her.

Oh buckets, I feel sad just typing all of this. I detest goodbyes and all that goes along with them. As most of you reading this blog know, I'm not the best at keeping up with people. The farther away I get, the more difficult it is for me. But here's to trying...

Love to you all,
Lauren