Why do MY kids grow up so fast?!

I don't even know what to title this blog post. All I know is that I'm overwhelmed with thoughts and prayers for my second born son, the one who is 18 now and going to graduate from high school in 3 weeks. So I thought I'd take some time this afternoon to get all my thoughts out and share my son with the world because my heart will burst if I don't (or I'll eat too much chocolate!)

The picture above sums up Evan's childhood. For the first 10 years of his life, he grew up in South Sudan in every boy's paradise - fishing, climbing trees, wrestling, hunting bush animals and running around with band of other boys. He had so many cool experiences that most kids don't get the chance to have. He traveled and saw many countries and cultures, tasted all kinds of foods. This is who my Evan is.

Evan climbing the pyramids in Sudan: age 5

This picture shows Evan's goofy side. I must have asked him to get the laundry off the clothes line and this is how he did it. He collected the clothes pins on his face and wrapped the bed sheet around himself.

The 3 boys heading to public school in the States in 2021

Not only did our boys thrive in the remote parts of South Sudan but they were able to adjust back to life in the States whenever we went back. It wasn't easy but they did it. In 2021 Evan went to public high school and really didn't enjoy it, but he got through it and we believe it was good character building and preparation for this next step he takes in August, going to a public university in SC.

Evan is a lover of motorcycles and pretty much anything with an engine. This kid has incredible mechanic skills and we are so excited to see how he does majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University. This photo also shows what a great older brother he is. Carson joined our family when Evan was 12 so there's a big age gap but he's always done such a great job with his little bros.

Evan is great with mechanics but he can also fix just about anything. When he comes home from boarding school I can count on him fixing things around the house. He installed a wall fan in the kitchen to cool me down while I cook. And in the photo above, he fixed the rain gutters in April as the rainy season started so we could better catch rain water.

Evan's also willing to help Eli with whatever projects he's got going on. In April Eli bought a number of brand new bicycles to give to pastors and evangelists but they came in pieces. Evan and a few other young men worked a solid week to get them assembled.

 More recently we got to spend 2 weeks at Evan and Joshua's school in Kenya. I was so thankful that our 18 year old wasn't embarrassed to hang out with us. He was intentional to come over to have meals with us or chat with us during breaks in his school day.

I treasure that he'll let me hug him whenever I want. He doesn't always love it but I sure do and no matter how old he gets, I hope he'll always let me hug him.

So there he is folks. Our second born son. Evan William Fader. Heading to Clemson University in the Fall. Another one flying from the "nest"....