This week and weekend is a mix of celebrations. Our middle son, Josiah, is 18 today. Time is flying. He is in his senior year of high school, finishing the spring play and his high school career in drama, and then this fall will be off to college.

This weekend will also mark a celebration for my grandmother. She is 95 this week. Much of our family will gather to celebrate her legacy among us. She is a wonderful woman of God who has held her family up all these years in prayer. It’s a wonderful time to celebrate FIVE generations of family. Her, my mom, my sister, my niece, and then my niece’s two daughters make up five generations and they will all be there this weekend.

We will then move into new mile markers spiritually. Next week is the beginning of Lent. This is a time of preparation for Resurrection Sunday. My spirit is stirred this year more deeply than I’ve sensed in quite some time. During Lent I want to have my spiritual ears open to hear the voice of the Spirit. There is something the Spirit wants to speak to us as the church. I long to hear.

What incredible mile markers to celebrate, and markers to visit in the days ahead.