Back in the saddle

The weather still says, "Summer time" but the schedule says otherwise.  It's back to school and time to get back in the saddle.  Next week Corey and Lauren return to middle school and Justin and Jena head to college.  A full load for Justin and a few night classes for Jena.  That means no more late nights for the kids and more sleep for me.  Hallelujah!  At Doulos, August tends to represent some transition and change too.  A few of our families have left Shelterwood in preparation of new school semesters back home.  Pretty common occurrence.  This coming Wednesday the new Leadtime class reports.  Leadtime 30, actually, if you can believe that?  The next few weeks will be filled with orientation and training for our new class but we know that no amount of training can truly prepare these young adults for a wild year in Shelterwood.  The guys and girls at Shelterwood are on house trips through next Wednesday and Post-summer Break begins next Friday.  

Following last Friday's Leadtime graduation, our big brothers and big sisters spent a few days off campus on a much deserved retreat and I enjoyed working in the guys house with the teens while they were away.   That part of my job never gets old.  No amount of policy and paperwork can replace personal time spent with the teens...plus the fact that I am still a big kid on the inside.

Jena's last day of work at Doulos was yesterday.  She is officially an employee through the end of the month but her vacation time allowed her to finish Friday.