Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

So here I am jumping – as one does – from one extreme to the other. Yesterday it was old age and my mum’s struggle to find peace, now today it is the grandchildren – all of them – and the abundance of hope and promise embodied in the milestones we celebrate.

August 9th – and I can’t believe it was four years ago Rebekah and I were with the A-Team in Dresden (see “Welcome to Earth Mr. T“) – our “Mr. International” grandchild turned four! He is all airplanes and Legos and trucks and construction stuff. Born in Dresden, living in Manama, summers in Midland. Just four years into this adventure that is life and already so many stories to share.

New School Year:

Then, today in Orlando, David and Beks begin their new school year, and Geoffrey – two – will be losing “the best of the best of the best” siblings who play with him all day long!

Beks is in 5th grade now. David is in 6th and beginning his middle school adventure. They are both excited, and eager to learn, and ready to take on the challenges.

There’s a tab in the photo-editing software that allows me to add “brightness” to an image… but these kids don’t need it. Would you look at them shine!

So here is my personal word to the two oldest, David and Beks, as they get this new school year under way.

These two!

Dear David and Beks: When Joshua was getting ready to lead his people into The Promised Land he got a message from God: “Be strong. Be brave. Be courageous. There is no need to be afraid, because I am going to be with you, always, wherever you go!”

Jesus said something similar to his friends when he left them. “You can be sure,” he said, “that I will always be with you. Always. Until the end of time.”

I want you to know that you are never alone. You are not only surrounded by love, you are occupied by it too – love lives in you!

This, David and Beks, is going to be one amazing year. I look forward to watching you share all that light and love with everyone you meet.

In love, and because love makes everything that is good possible.

Grandaddy Derek