Adjusting to Life as Empty Nesters in Slovakia: Family Update

We’ve been back in Slovakia for six months so it’s definitely time for quick updates on family and ministry. Todd and Jana are back into regular school year routines but we’re missing our kids as we adapt to being empty nesters. In this post we’ll focus on family news. For the details, especially how to pray for Elisabeth and Max, click through to the post…

We’re Empty Nesters Now

Six months in Slovakia means six months adjusting to life with no kids at home. We miss them.

No more Kujawiak on violin, “O mio babbino caro” heard wafting through the neighborhood as I come into the house or “Cross Road Blues” with the slide on guitar while I work upstairs. No more family rituals like Saturday pancakes with Shields and Brooks or family hikes in the forests around our home. No more arguments about how to manage the garden or getting OFF THE PHONE!

No more taxi driver.

We miss the kids but we’re having a good time together. Elisabeth and Max are following the Lord and spreading their wings. They’re both doing well, doing what they love (see pictures below) and we talk often online. That makes missing them easier.

Check below each photo for prayer requests for Elisabeth and Max.

Elisabeth

Elisabeth is starting her last year at Wheaton this fall. It looks like she’ll be heading into the work force when she finishes (as opposed to continuing immediately in a Master’s program). Pray for God to help her establish a voice studio and to find performance opportunities and other potential employment. Also pray for her to have wisdom and handle the logistics well. Since we’re so far away the transition will be that much more of a challenge for her. Please pray also for her to manage the stress she’ll likely be experiencing starting right about…

NOW.

Max seems to be livin’ the dream. Not only does he enjoy his classes, but he has been loving the 13,000 acres of forested campus that he now calls home. He’s enjoyed a great summer with four weeks of researching in the field (literally) and now working as a camp counsellor on a ranch in Colorado. Pray for him to make wise choices among all the options opening up, for him to find opportunities to be a witness to classmates, and to continue to grow spiritually, academically, and professionally.

And of course you can also pray for us as we learn to be parents of adult children. Not such an easy thing.

Check out the gallery for some new photos.