If this is any indication of what it’s going to feel like when my children leave home for college, I’m doomed!  This mom has been crying off and on all afternoon!  I’m trying to pull it together, but not having Morgan here is absolutely killing me.  As Morgan would say…she’s the glue that holds this family together.  I’d like to think I’m the glue but, she may have a valid point.  I would glue her to my side if I could.

This group of 7th & 8th grade kids pulled out of the parking lot of our church this afternoon in 3 large white vans labeled “Dory”, “Marlin”, and “Nemo” (Reece was thrilled when Morgan got to ride in the “Dory” van).  They are heading to DesMoines, IA until late Friday night and will be working in the community with small children, visiting homeless, sorting/organizing at a food pantry, packing meals for nationwide distribution, and much more.  I’m so proud that Morgan made this choice to graciously give her time and talents to help others.  I think this will truly be a life-changing experience for her!  On the flip side, I’m very sad to not be able to talk to her or see her for almost a week!  They are not allowed to have cell phones so we will not get to communicate with her!  I had hopes that maybe she might get sick and not be able to go or perhaps the van would break down and the trip would be cancelled…I shouldn’t be saying that out loud, but seriously, I miss her and it’s only been a few hours.  We barely got out of the church parking lot and Reece was already saying she missed her best friend.  This is excruciating!  

We got to the church about 12:15 along with about 32 other middle schoolers and the adult helpers going on the trip.  They started loading up sleeping bags, supplies, snacks, games, suitcases, musical equipment.  A LOT of stuff was shoved in those vans!  Reece and I got the privilege of spending about an hour there with her while they prepared and I was not going to leave one minute before those vans pulled out.  I was hiding my tears though my sunglasses and trying to be brave for my girls.  Meanwhile, Reece spotted a stack of hula hoops that were making the trip too and she looked at Morgan and said “Morgan have you practiced your hula hooping?”  Morgan said “nope” and Reece said very seriously “you better quickly get the hang of it!”  This girl absolutely cracks us up sometimes.  Soon after, I spotted a very shiny penny sitting right by our feet.  At that moment I decided that it was a lucky penny and it was a sign to the three of us that Morgan was going to have a great week.  Reece kept that penny and it is going to be a reminder of Morgan  for her.  Of course, we played several rounds of “heads or tails” to pass some of the time and as soon as we got home she put that penny in a special place.

We also watched Jake’s baseball game on my phone and I wished the boys could have been here to see her off!  They will get to greet her when she returns home and who knows…they may learn to appreciate her a little more!  or not!?  According to Drew, Morgan is going to pay him 5 bucks if he won’t fight with Reece and make her cry while she’s gone 🙂  and as I sit here writing this, Reece is by my side saying…Morgan told me not to miss her and I’m trying not to…

Of course many of you know that she is super organized and responsible so she had been getting herself packed all week and checking and double checking the packing list without any need for help.  She is not a last-minute type of girl….she was prepared!  

MoMo, I’m so proud of you and that group is lucky to have you there.  There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that you will make an amazing impact on many people this week!

Thank you to our family that came to church this morning to see her off and wish her well. The cards and words of encouragement will stick with her forever.