One Year Down

This morning I made the final payment for Daniel's first year at JMU.  Whew!  One year down.  Three to go!  Well, I hope three more.  I did not plan ahead for a five or six year term so Daniel had better get cracking. 

It was a little difficult as we did not receive any financial aid, so I have huge hopes that we get something this year to offset some of the expense.  But the sacrifice is worth it.   I believe Daniel is not only getting a great education, but he is having experiences that will shape his life and is developing friendships that will last a lifetime.  He has also found time to minister to middle schoolers by becoming a YoungLife leader.

So bring on the bill for next semester, James Madison.  I think we're ready!

The Wrights invade JMU!

Last weekend was Family weekend at JMU, so of course we were there.  It was so much fun to see Daniel in his element there.  He has really made Madison his own.   Lisa and I also enjoyed returning to our alma mater.  Walking the campus brought back so many memories of our time there. 

The weekend was low-key, mostly spending time with Daniel.  We did, thanks to tickets from our good friends Kim and Vinnie Paladino, go to the football game.  It was a blast, even though we lost in the last few seconds.

Saying good-bye to Daniel was easier this time, as I feel confident he made a good choice with JMU.  Go Dukes!

JMU Move-in!

We moved Daniel into JMU on Wednesday, Aug 25.    What an exciting day, to see our oldest leave home for college.  It was exciting but also bittersweet.  I am really going to miss that guy around the house.   It is hard for me to believe that he is 18 yrs old and ready to start a new adventure, one that really doesn't include the rest of the family anymore.  He will start to become very independent and on his own.  

But that is really what Lisa and I, and most parents I suppose, want for our children.  We want them to move successfully from children into adulthood, able to stand on their own and function capably in the world around them.   Daniel has a good head on his shoulders and a very firm grasp of his faith in Christ.   I am very confident that he will continue to develop as a strong man of God, and be a positive influence on others.  That's just who he is.

So, we packed up the van, headed up to Harrisonburg and quickly moved him in, as he really didn't take much.  We had lunch and then said good-byes.  Lisa and I were both a little misty eyed as we left, but had vowed to not "make a scene".  

I am looking forward to seeing how God uses Daniel over the next 4 years.  And since he is at JMU, I am pumped he is following in his parent's footsteps!!  Go Dukes!

Here's a picture of Daniel and Rachel when we had a goodbye family dinner for Daniel at the Melting Pot last week.