Still on the Journey...now 2014

Now that it's just Rob and I at home, the blog news isn't going to be near as exciting, or as often.  Life has slowed down quite a bit, but I'm finding things to fill my time and keep busy.
After 15 years of coaching basketball, Rob has decided it is time to take a break.  He now has more time at home than he has in 15 years.  He is and was an amazing coach and truly loved and enjoyed the kids he coached recently, and in the past.  I'm not certain if he knew how much time this would give him at home, but so far, it has not been an issue.  (that's suppose to be funny)

Since my last post, Lucas has returned to Argentina and is working at his father's security alarm business and I believe now he is currently pretty close to taking exams to go to college.  He is happy to be back in his home country and driving his car and working to save up money for college life.  Without him here, our house is quiet. 

Morgan spent most of her summer (all but 2 weeks) at God's Mountain working there this summer as an intern. She had various jobs and enjoyed all of them. We have seen a lot of growth in her this summer.  The position of intern really developed a power woman within! She is happier than I have seen her in a long time.  I know her relationship with Christ is the reason for her joy.  It does my heart good to see her smile and laugh and enjoy life.  While at camp we went up and surprised her with a car.  We knew we needed to be getting her something soon, and the opportunity came when my uncle and aunt were selling their old car.  It was perfect for what we needed and so, it was fun to take it up to the mountain to surprise her. 
When it came time for Morgan to head back to college we helped her load up her car for the trip out. It was packed.  She also moved off campus this semester.  She is sharing a 6 bedroom house with 5 other girls.  They are all (minus a couple) involved in Navigators Ministry through their university. It is a wonderful, Bible teaching and disciple making ministry and it's been a good experience for Morgan since she has been involved. She is now leading a Bible study for a couple of freshman girls and is enjoying it.  She and her roommates also attend a local church that they live very close to. So it's good to see how she is growing spiritually.  Rob and I enjoyed the trip out to Colorado to help her get settled and we enjoyed a few days just to ourselves while she was attending a Navigator's retreat.  We headed out on a Saturday morning, and came home the following Friday.  The week went by really fast.

Cassie, is loving Texas.  We spent a few days with her and we also went on a mini vaca to Galveston in July.  It was a fun week, but short too, and just hanging out together, the 4 of us, was the highlight of the trip.  Cassie is also settling in and attending a local church with friends. She is also singing on some Sunday's and we were blessed to have the opportunity to hear her sing while visiting.  It was fun to stop by and check out her new home in McKinney and her spacious bedroom/bathroom area.  She is working as Manager at a local Christian Coffee Shop called Saxby's as a barista, and yes, she can make all those fancy coffee drinks and NON coffee drinks for people like me.  She is loving it there and it's good to hear that she is happy there.  I know she is wise beyond her years and yet, I know she has been terrified at times of the changes she is making, but she is doing it! She is living where she wants to live and making choices that I know have not been easy.  I consider her one of the bravest young lady I know.   IF you'd like to follow her and her adventure follow her on her blog.  http://cassandrasandberg.blogspot.com/
Cassie is working pretty much full time, and that means less trips home.  Regardless, I treasure the times I do get to see her and spend time with her. 

Christmas was a bit different for us this year, and probably it will be that way as the girls are living life out on their own.  We of course, expect that, and to us, it does not matter when we celebrate the holidays, as long as we get to see them sometime. Morgan got home around the 15th of December for Winter break, also her 21st birthday, and Rob was out of town at the time.  Once he was home, we did take her out to celebrate.  It's hard to believe our little Morgan (moonbeam) is 21.  I remember being 21 myself, so it just seems unreal I now have a child that is 21.  (sorry I'm ranting)  Cassie could not be here Christmas this year, so she was planning a few days around the New Year to come home for a visit. We held off our Christmas til then. She brought a friend home with her this year, Meredith, and it was fun to have her join us.  Christmas Day was spent with Rob's family.  Once Cassie and Meredith arrived they spent a few days around the KC area, then they made a trip to the farm to see my side of the family.  My mother had fallen and broke her leg before Christmas and had not had her surgery yet when they went down, so they quickly jumped in and helped out by fixing dinner and helping my mom get some things done before we would arrive later in the evening.  We got to see my nieces Mandy and Megan and Mandy's kids and my sister, brother and his family. It was good to see everyone.  Cassie, Meredith & Morgan left that day in the late afternoon to head to Texas. Morgan spent the rest of her winter break in McKinney with Cassie. 

As for Rob and I?  We are adjusting.  I think there are times when we both struggle, but we are also enjoying our time together.  We both started going to Bible Study Fellowship on Monday evenings.  We are studying Matthew for the next 29 weeks.  We have really enjoyed the experience with BSF and enjoyed last years study of Genesis.  It's so important to us to study God's Word and BE IN God's Word.  In today's world, you need to know God's Word, don't be LEAD astray, you are responsibile for studying it, and knowing it and applying it to your life.  BSF is just a great avenue with teachers that KNOW it and BELIEVE it and LIVE it!  Rob is also still attending his Men's Bible Study group also on Monday nights, after BSF.  It's a late night for him, but he would not miss it for nothing.  The men he hangs out with in this group are dear friends and it's been so amazing to see and experience spiritual growth with him.  We also attend a Gospel Community Group, that will meet on Tuesday nights.  This is through our church we are attending, Life Connection.  It's been an adjustment for us when we started looking for a new church, the other church we attended all our married life, and well, God showed us that it was time to leave, and so with total FAITH in HIM, we left.  It was hard, almost like a death in the family, but we are so very grateful that we followed Him.  I have many fond memories of the time we served there, but when you know God is leading you elsewhere, no matter how difficult it is, you know you have to follow and so, we did.  God is faithful and HE led us to where He wants us for now.

So, you can see, we had a busy summer, fall, and now, we are starting to get settled into our new routine.  I have many honey do lists, and TO do list of my own.  We hope to have accomplished something each month with those honey dos and TO do list.  2014 will be a good year.

Thanks for stopping by and catching up with us!

 

The new journey...

 

So, we are soon to embark on a different journey.  It's called Empty Nesters.  I don't really know what to think about it.  Not sure anyone can ever really prepare for it, it just happens. I don't believe in chinese fortunes either, but I found a little happiness when I read this.  This was from our first trip really as empty nesters (to be).  We decided to make a trip to Minnesota and enjoy a day there shopping for a new bed and night stand, for our new empty room.  You see, Cassie moved out, so we wanted to make her room a bit of a more relaxed space for her, and well, guest when we have them.  It's now a more suitable space, and she seems to have approved, however, she was not happy about us revamping the closet space back to closet space, she still wanted a bed in the closet, yeah, um, not happening.  She has been home once since moving out the 1st of March, for a wedding.  Morgan has also been home and has stayed in the "guest room", and she approves as well.  So, mom didn't do so bad on her own afterall.  Oh, don't worry, I did send photos to the girls, and they approved.   But you know, I think I'm ready for this phase. 





 

Cassie's 1st trip home since moving to Texas (Bridesmaid in Madi Salva's wedding)

 

Morgan's trip home from God's Mountain, to get her top braces off!  That's a happy face!

 

As of June 24th, we will be "empty nesters".  Lucas, our boy from Argentina will be making his way back to his home land, where his father Daniel, and mother Norma and his two brothers await his arrival (Mauricio & Francisco).  They are a lovely family.  I enjoyed so much the opportunity we had to meet them.  Here is a photo of them when we first met them and took them to eat at Square Pizza on Independence Square.

 

Daniel and the boys could speak English, Norma did some, but not as much. She tried so hard to communicate, however, as moms do, we did communicate, but not with words.  I received many hugs, and thank yous, and I felt so overwhelmed with their kindness.  I truly admire this family for them allowing their son & brother to explore his desires to reside in the states for 10 months out of a year.  With technology as it is today, he stayed in close contact with his family and friends throughout his time here.  It's been an experience for all of us, and we've grown to love him.  It will be quiet at the Sandbergs when Lucas returns home.  I'm use to my house being filled with my girls friends, and well, having boys in the house, it's a different experience.  NOT a bad one, just different. 

 

After hosting 3 students now, well, now they are my kids, we have decided to take a break from AFS.  It's been a very good experience, one that has challenged us as a family at times, but all for the better.  It made us really look at who we are, and how we communicate and just live our lives from day to day.  These students have experienced everything the Sandbergs are about, the good, the bad, the ugly, they have seen us unmasked, transparent and well, it's not all glorious, but it's who we are.  I have yet to meet the perfect host family, not yet.  But after having these 3 young people into our homes and lives, it's time for us to embark on a new journey. 

 

What might that journey look like?  We are asking that question a lot. Rob and I desire to do what God wants us to do.  We don't have a clue yet what that will look like.  We have talked about going on a mission trip.  We have no idea where that would be, but if that is the direction God wants us to go, I trust He will show us and lead us that direction, and HE will have the place in mind for us, and doors will open.  I have never been outside of the United States, and I'm not saying that is where He will lead us, because I know there is much need here in our very own country, in our very own city that needs people to show the love of Christ and to share the good news.  Being obedient, it's our first step.

 

As the changes happen to our family and our children move on with their lives, I can't help but miss the day to day times we had together.  The late night friends coming over, the summer nights out on the front porch, or the quiet evenings the girls would set out there with their lap tops, chatting with each other and with their friends through Skype.  Dinner time and talking around the table, the piles of dirty clothes in the laundry room, yes, I even miss that!  The car rides where Rob and the girls would break out into song, making up the lyrics as they go, and the laugther.   

 

I'm happy that my girls are happy.  They both have an adventurous outlook.  I'm proud that they have an independency about them.  That even though they may have fears, they are strong.  They know, we've got their back, and there is always home to come home to. 

 



 

 

So, that time is almost here.  I embrace it.  WE embrace it.  We still have lots of things to do. New experiences and memories to make, but it will be different, NOT bad, but different.  Ready or not, here we come.