It's Time

This weekend brings another major change to our home. Joseph is moving into his own place.

It's time.

We encouraged both of the boys to live with us for a while after college to allow them to build up some financial stability. The plan has worked very well for Joseph to this point, but no more. We simply live too far from his church. It wasn't such a big deal when his full time job was at a nearby bank and he only drove back and forth to the church a couple of times each week. The driving became much more problematic when he went full time at the church this year. With the drive running about an hour each way depending on traffic, it was time for Joseph to begin looking for something closer.

Joseph signed the lease on his first place last week. It's a small one bedroom apartment; but it is perfectly adequate for a 25 year old, single guy.

It's time.

Joseph is both excited and nervous.

Diane is both nervous and excited.

I'll be picking up a small U-Haul trailer early tomorrow morning to begin the process of moving Joseph into his new place - starting a new phase of his life. Matthew is out of town on business so Diane, Joseph, some of his friends and I will load up his furniture and belongings, head to his new place and help Joseph establish his new home. A home that signifies so much more than just his first apartment. It's a home that will be uniquely his.

Joseph will only be about 40 some odd minutes away, so it's not like he's moving too far, but it's still something different.

We said goodbye to Joseph when we sent him off to college. We didn't know then whether he would ever return to live with us or if God would lead him off to who knows where. He ended up right back with us - right back in the house that he has called home for virtually his entire life. We welcomed him back knowing full well that the time would come when he moved on - when we all would know for sure that he had truly moved away from home.

It's time.

Our home will be much different beginning tomorrow night. Joseph brings a vibrance and dynamic to our home that is unique to him. He is never still and never, ever quiet. His over the top exuberance both entertains Diane and overwhelms me at the same time.

But tomorrow we will all look to the future as he moves on.

It's time.