Our family has experienced some major change in the last few weeks. We returned to Thailand with one less son! After much prayer and angst we decided that Nathan would stay in the USA and attend the Fork Union Military Academy. This was such a tough decision and took almost the entire summer to reach the final commitment.
In May we had begun discussing with Nathan his options for his Jr./Sr. year and really trying to discern if the IB program at our International School here in Thailand was a good fit for him. Nathan has always had this great desire to be in the military but because of his physical limitations that will never be a reality for him. We also desired for him to attend a Christian school. Finally, Nathan really wanted to be back in Virginia and the good ole' USA.
Because Mark had already set his vacation leave in stone before June he was unable to tour potential schools with us. Pappa Joe was willing to fill in for Marko and went with Nathan and I to tour some schools in Virginia. It was a great time for Dad to see the entire state of Virginia in all of its' splendor and beauty as we had to drive across the whole of it. It was just a most beautiful and enjoyable drive, we even managed to drive down into North Carolina and meet some dear friends-Becca and Crystal there for dinner one night. It was an extra blessing to finally meet Riley, Becca's first daughter.
After compiling all of our information the three of us prayerfully decided that Fork Union would be the best fit for Nathan. He especially liked that they have a rifle team that has been the state champions the last three years. Ironically, a friend of ours here has a dear friend on the board of the school and she just couldn't say enough good things about their program at FUMA. Thanks to each of you that supported us and offered Godly counsel during this difficult decision. We know that God has special plans for Nathan there (Jer 29:11)
It was not an easy thing leaving him there while we are all here in Thailand. I really held it together the day of check-in but then was so teary when I started driving from Charlottesville to Dulles airport. It helped some that he grew a beard and moustache this summer. I kept looking at him thinking, "He is a man!! not my little boy anymore."
We're thankful that he has our old church family, Grace Church and many friends in that area that he will be able to spend leave with. We already have his airline arranged to spend Thanksgiving with Pappa Joe and Grandmamma and he wants to be here in Thailand for Christmas. I know that he would love to receive mail from you guys. Mail can be sent to: Northcutt,Nathan, po box 2000-229, Fork Union, VA 23055.
