Good morning everyone. Just thought I’d do a grandma-esque note to let you know how all of us are doing… It may be the end of summer… but it’s hot in Houston. And humid. I believe Grandma would call it miserable. Maybe even horid. Our garden has finally given way to the weeds. But we have a few jars to serve as reminders of the summer’s hard work. Jeannie let me take home Grandma’s big canner and a few boxes of genuine Grandma Frieden Mason Jars, and now they are brimming with pickled peppers, and pickles, and tomatos, and pickled okra, etc. Joe and I are planning on getting a piglet next weekend to put in the garden (a converted horse corral) to dig around and get fat in time for winter (which still seems very far away).

Well, I suppose this has been a tough year for all of us. It’s Saturday morning… It is still hard to believe that I won’t be sending my “update” email to Grandma each Saturday, and that she won’t be sending me the weekly update on the status of the weather and everyone’s health, and that Mom won’t be calling at the crack of dawn on my one day to sleep in to tell me a verse she thought of that I might like or to tell me to quit my bad habits and to start having kids so she could be a “Nana” (that’s what she wanted to be called because “you already have a Grandma Frieden”). I still pick up the phone to call them every once in a while.

But life continues to move at the pace of life. This summer, at various times, casa Andi & Joe served as the base for Dad, Michelle, Jonathan, and Isaac. But, times are changing, as they do, and our house is about to be a lot less interesting. Isaac, following a few weeks of fishing in Minnesota with Dad and 5 of his brothers and sisters, is spending a few weeks with Rob & Kristin in Georgia. Kristin is pregnant with their first baby — and Baby Girl Frieden is due this winter! Kristin is back in school finishing up her degree. Rob graduated last year and is busy working with Liz’s husband Benn. Liz too is back in school. The two couples remain in South Georgia, and show no signs of moving any time soon (despite my best efforts to get everyone in Texas). Daniel is off to college at the University of Minnesota in about a week. Michelle and I will dearly miss our favorite roommate Jonathan, as he heads back to law school in St. Paul on Tuesday. This my 4th Summer rooming with Jonathan, and I always miss him when he heads out to do his thing (who will mow the yard???). And Dad. He’s moving out too, I hear. Heading to his new post in Minneapolis. After nearly a decade in the deep south, I hope he has some heavy coats! Isaac will join him as they embark on their new adventures together in the land of 10,000 lakes. What did they used to say? “Change is Good”? The jury is still out on that one. At least I get to keep my rock, Michelle. Having my best friend around makes everything a little better.

We serve a good God. And we can do all things through Him, who gives us strength. Joe & I have been so blessed this year to have family around. We will miss them, and I suppose as each one pulls out of the driveway, or runway, I will shed a few tears as Grandma did when our van left the farm each summer…. but it is good to know that we don’t have to lean on our own understanding. He is directing our paths.

Love you guys. Come visit soon. I suddenly have lots of room!

Andi