Last Church

Today was the most sad and most wonderful church. 

It was our last church with Abigail home. 

Now I know because I've done this with Anna of course... Abigail will come home. And she will live here in the summer too. But today was our last church with her before she's in a different world. The last childhood time she would be at church with us. And how I will miss her next week. 

But it was also oh so wonderful. As we were walking in our associate pastor asked about her going to college and right there as we were about to walk in she gave her a blessing before Mass. It was the Franciscan blessing and it was just so special. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you

May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 

May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. 

And then we walked in as we were waiting for Mass to start our very special friends (who usually don't go to that very early Mass) came in and sat right in front of us just as they always did when our girls were little. It was a hug from God.  

The actual Mass was especially wonderful and prayerful. 

And then as we were about to leave a woman who runs the whole religious ed program wanted to talk to the girls and wish them well. She also brought a card Abigail had written when she was in second grade thanking this person for helping her get her First Communion all those years ago. 

After our Back to School Blessing (yesterday, I just haven't blogged it yet) this felt so beautiful.