The summer went by much more quickly than I thought it would. June 8th came. I had to say goodbye to Johanna. Which was HORRIBLE! Just thinking about that day makes my heart break. So I'm going to avoid talking about it all today. But I will say it was hard to think about what the summer would be like without Johanna. She was a HUGE part of my life. I knew things would get busy again. We had plenty planned with the youth for the summer. But it was hard to think that things would get back to somewhat normal.
But they did. Within a few weeks, we were back in full swing with all of the youth events. Life was back to being busy almost all of the time (which we all know that I secretly love). And I was having regular conversations with the new student that would join my home this fall. This was all new for me. Talking to Johanna the summer before she got here was not an opportunity we had. She was placed with another family before she came to live with me. So other than a few short paragraphs that we shared the two days before she came to live with me, we didn't have any interaction. So here I was having conversations with my new student, Karyna. What was I supposed to say? Were these conversations going to be awkward? I can talk to my teens from youth all day long. But I KNOW them! That's different. What if Karyna didn't like talking to me? What if we didn't have anything to talk about? What if this first impression ruined everything? OH MY GOSH! Yep, I overthink things. We all know this. This is nothing new! I can't change that. Or that's at least what I keep telling myself. Let's move on...
Karyna and I did survive the summer talking to each other. Sure, it was different but not in a bad way. Just different in the sense that it was something new for us both. We have a lot in common. Scary movies. Naps! Crafting. And lots of other things. We got to know a lot about each other. And I know we'll have more to learn but at least meeting her for the first time won't be so awkward.
And that first meeting will happen TOMORROW! I will pick Karyna up from the airport tomorrow. And I don't know whether to be excited or scared or worried...or what!!! I'm sure she's feeling all of the same things. She's had to leave her family and friends. I can't imagine what that must feel like for her. I am surrounded by good people...no, AMAZING people and I know they will love Karyna. I know they will be supportive of her. They're all excited to meet her. I have a youth group that will welcome her and become her first real friends. I definitely pray that she loves all of the people in my life. I pray that she feels like this is home. I know it will take time. It's something Johanna and I talked about often. Friendships don't happe overnight. Making a home takes time. But I'm praying that she feels from the beginning that everything will work out.
She starts school on Wed and that makes me nervous too. Will she like it? Will everyone be nice to her? Will she feel welcomed? I make myself a little crazy with all of these questions in my head!! I have to often repeat to myself "God is in control. Let Him have this." Parents, I don't know how you do it!
Here's what I know. My life will change...again...tomorrow. A new teenager will be in my life. A new teenage girl will be living in my home. Karyna will become one of my main areas of focus. I'll get to introduce her to a lot of firsts. We'll have to work through this adjustment together. Not every moment will be easy. But it will be worth it. We'll both grow a lot through this process. And we will build a relationship that will last forever. Moments will be hard. For both of us. But we're both going to have an amazing support system.
I'm thankful for this new journey. I'm thankful that God has given me this opportunity. I'm nervous. I won't lie. But I'm excited. I'm thankful.
I have a few things that I need to finish at home; including her welcome poster. I'll finish it all tonight. Tomorrow will be here soon. Tomorrow is only a day away.
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