It’s that time of year when hard-working students – AND those making it by the skin of their teeth – walk across platforms and get their diplomas. Anybody besides us have a graduate this year? If so, tell us about him/her! No matter what the age or kind of graduation – from kindergarten to tech schools to doctorates – if an official ceremony is involved, let’s celebrate! If you ARE the graduate, that’s even better. We love any opportunity to celebrate a Siesta. Tell us what God has enabled you to accomplish and what your plans are now. This is what community is for.
While we join you in your celebration, please join us in ours. Here’s a huge Siesta shout-out to Melissa Moore Fitzpatrick for earning her second Master’s degree, a Th.M from Columbia Theological Seminary. Child, you have worked your fingers to the bone. You’ve done what it takes and at no small cost. Your Dad, Amanda, Curtis and I are so proud of you and amazed by you. THIS from the high school athlete dash prom queen with the blue and white 69 Camaro Z28 who mostly studied for a test on the way to school that morning…while driving. You are a stud, young lady. Just like your sister. I celebrate the different directions Jesus has taken the two of you and I am so proud of the young women both of you have become. Make no mistake. You both need Jesus equally to make it through the lives He’s entrusted to you.
Colin, Melissa was so right to say that this graduation was just as much about you as it was her. Thank you for so often gazing at your new bride over a sky-high stack of books and papers and for listening to Hebrew lingo and doctrinal debates you never cared to know about. I have a feeling you didn’t see this coming when that young woman passed you in the halls of Langham Creek High School ten years ago. Keith, Amanda, and I will love you forever for how you love our girl and for how much you support her continued theological education. She’s so worth it, isn’t she? I speak this blessing as much over you as over her:
May God sanctify you, anoint you richly and shine His light brightly on your next steps. “May He remember all your sacrifices…May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy…and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.” Psalm 20:3-5
OK, Siestas! Let’s hear it for your graduates!
Congratulations, Melissa! Two doctorates…wow! I can’t even imagine. Does that mean folks should call you Dr.- Dr. Melissa? Or Double Dr. Melissa? How do you now address envelopes…Dr. and Mr. Colin Fitzpatrick? 🙂
Our sweet young daughter, Stephanie will be graduating from college with a degree in history education. That is quite an accomplishment considering her student teaching assignment was in psychology. We’re so proud of her taking on that assignment with only one psych class under her belt and it not being her major. She didn’t complain, but took it as her “lot and portion”. We can’t wait to see where the Lord leads her.
Hi, Linda! Two Masters. No doctorate…yet. Congratulations on your Stephanie!
My Oldest GORGEOUS daughter,(first of four) Graduates with honours from High School! First to graduate in decades. Is it wrong to claim pride?? Cause I got me a bit!
Off in the fall to get a Bachelor of Arts!
Congratulations Melissa!!! What an amazing accomplishment! We Siesta’s are so proud of you also. Praying that many come to know the Lord through what HE has planned for your life. You Go Girl!!!!
Lori
Congratulations to Melissa. What a worthy accomplishment!! I have five year old twin girls graduating from preschool next Wednesday complete with cap and gowns. My first-borns are going to Kindergarten in the fall and I get a lump in my throat every time I speak about it.
Congratulations Melissa!
I have no graduates this year but next year my one and only baby graduates from high school. That is if the good Lord is willing and the creek don’t rise!
Congrats Melissa!!!
I have a big celebration ahead with one graduating from the 5th grade and the other from Kindergarten. This is the first and only year they will attend the same school and I am mourning that just a tad, but so proud of my sweet babies!
Congratulations, Melissa! Way to go!
I have several nieces & nephews graduationg this summer. My one niece already graduated on the 7th of May from Ferris State University with a degree in Business Management. I have 2 more nieces and 1 nephew graduating from highschool. We are very proud of each of them! God is SO GOOD! Congrats to all the graduates! Joan
My dear Mellissa, I am delighted and inspired! Keep up the pathfinding, we are in your wake! Praise you Jesus for this incredible woman!
1. Congrats Melissa – I can’t imagine the studying and work a degree like that takes – I’m grateful God gave you the heart, determination and passion for such a thing. I’ve already been blessed by it and can’t WAIT to see what comes of it in the future!
2. Congrats to all of the other graduates as well – I tend not to cry at graduations, but rather to be so excited for people because it’s at times like these that the opportunities seem endless…
3. This past weekend I was able to celebrate the graduation of my cousin Sarah from Texas A&M Corpus Christi – she graduated with her B.S. in Nursing. She hasn’t been a totally traditional student as it took some time for her to discover her passion and direction, but once it took hold there’s been no turning back! She calls me exuberant at the different experiences she’s had, and I know there are many more calls to come. She truly has a heart for people and I know that God is going to use her in big ways. She will be a ray of light and hope to people at times when they desperately need it. I pray that she is placed in a hospital where she can shine brightly… I’m so proud of her!
4. And last, but not least, many of my Young Life girls in Sugar Land are graduating in a couple of weeks. I’ve been with these girls for 3 years now and they have truly given me so much joy that I can hardly explain it. My life has purpose and direction and meaning because God has allowed me to be a part of their lives. I couldn’t be more excited for them as they take their next step…
God Bless,
Reneé in Houston(ish)
We have 3 graduates in our family this year. First is my precious niece, Kayleigh, who is 4 years old & graduated from preschool on Friday.
Then, my cousin, Brittney, who will be graduating from high school on Wednesday.
Last, but not least is my younger sister, Kristen. She graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Alabama State on May 8th. I am SO proud of her. She had to overcome some of the hardest obstacles during her 3 years in PT school. Way to go KIKI!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS Melissa and to all those who are graduating this year. What great accomplishments everyone.
My oldest grandaughter will graduate from Evangel Christian High School this week. Katie, we are so proud of you–what a blessing you are.
Proud Grandma
Our 17 year old daughter will be graduating from High School. Yee-Haw! This fall she will attend the University of MN to study Kinesiology. She is so ready to leave the nest! And her Dad and I are ready for her to leave the nest! (But we are so glad she will only be 30 minutes from home.)
🙂
I didn’t graduate, but I had two friends, married, who were supposed to attend commencement last Saturday for their masters degrees. However, the baby that Adriana was carrying in her womb decided he wanted to graduate as well – into the real world. Read more about their story here: addenduming.blogspot.com. They took pictures in their regalia: Ben and Adriana in cap and gown, baby Atticus in his beanie and blanket. They are too cute!
Congratulations Melissa (& Colin)! May God do wonders in your lives.
My “graduate” is my son, Dan. He is leaving middle school and moving onto high school. He is growing into a fine young man. There will be a promotion ceremony in about 2-1/2 weeks. Of course, his mom will be there for him.
He also just completed confirmation classes but still has a pastoral interview to do and will be confirmed on Reformation Sunday in October.
He is faith verse was so wonderful — Isaiah 48:7.
Blessings to all graduates and their loved ones,
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
My baby girl graduates from Kindergarten next month. I simply cannot believe where the past 6 years have gone?!!
I tell her all the time that she needs to slow down growing and she giggles and says “no mommy, then you wouldn’t see me get married and be the grandma for my 10 children!” Ha! ( when she talks about her future, it’s always 10 children … 5 boys & 5 girls. we’ve tried telling her that it’s actually up to God 🙂 Such fun!
Wow!!!! Way to go Melissa!!!
Well my baby is graduating from High School on the 29th of May. Her name is Shelby and I want you to know I feel like she has had a horrible case of senior-itis since she was in the first grade… We have pulled and yanked that child every step of the way. Her dyslexia and A.D.D. made me almost crazy at times, and for a child who hated school, she spent every summer there. But, by the grace of God… He sparked something in her this last sememster of her senior year and now she wants to go to College and study Sociology. Lord thank you for lighting that fire in this young woman’s heart…Well I am just thrilled beyond belief that she wants to do this and I almost ordered a cap and gown for myself… because I feel like I am graduating too!!!!
So I am proud as punch for all of those parents and children who are graduating … Congrats!!!
Love
Yay Mrs. Lichelle!!!!!!
Congrats Melissa! I just graduated this May with my masters in mathematics!
Daughter #2, Emily, graduating from high school and heading to the University of Georgia! Proud of all she has accomplished! Woohoo!!
Yay! Congratulations Melissa!
My husband is a youth minister, and we have several students from our youth group are graduating from high school. We are so proud of them and honored to have walked through their junior and high school years with them. We will miss them so!
Awesome job, Melissa! Congratulations!
I was planning to post for my 8th grader’s graduation, but boy those third grade posts are sure true!! What a doozie. Made me realize that 6th has been no picnic either. Praise God for bringing each of my three thru this trying year of education. And on to High School for my sweet firstborn Sophia. You go Girl.
Congratulations Melissa! Something tells me there will be a time in the future we will have to address you as Dr. Moore-Fitzpatrick. Dang that sounds so cool.
My 14 year old brother Andrew is graduating from 8th grade 🙂
So excited for you Melissa! If God continues to lead me in the direction I’m thinking He is then, I will be attending Moody and hopefully majoring in Biblical studies. You are an encouragement to me…it can be done 🙂
Chesney
16
Knoxville
Our youngest son, David, graduated from high school last night. As a result, I have graduated from Moms in Touch. Glory! He has been a delight to raise and pray for as he learned to read, write, and calculate. His heart for God is a blessing and his obedience to us as his parents a rare attribute these days. With much excitement (and sadness), we will move him in a mere 45 minutes away in August to Auburn University. That is an answer to prayers prayed that God would “delight” sweet David. Now, may he continue the journey without me breathing down his neck and looking over his shoulder. He deserves the flight from the nest. I love my littlest (not little at all) man-child. Thank You Lord for this gift!
My husband graduated a week ago from college. We have only been married 5 years but he was in college almost that whole time. He was working fulltime, coaching, leading the youth ministry and the dance ministry at church as well as going to school and being a 24/7 husband and dad!
I am so very proud of him! He received his degree in Counseling Psychology and Biblical Studies and Theology. He is such a wonderful Godly man! He plans on going for his masters and also going on to get is doctorate as well.
We are having a reception for him this weekend and I just don’t even feel that it is enough for the accomplishment but I know that he feels rewarded every day with the gifts that God has blessed him with!
-Gina
Love it, Gina! Celebrate!
wow! what a woman! congrats!
ummmm now you can focus on more grandchildren for bibby???
My sweet, mischievous, precious twins (Jonah and Lydia) graduate from preschool on Wednesday! My babies will be in kindergarten soon. Yikes! What a blessing they are, each and every day. Little brother, Jude, will be watching and cheering them on. 🙂
Congratulations Melissa!!
Collin-It takes a special man to stand beside his wife, as she walks out the calling on her life! That is true love and commitment!
May God bless you both as you continue on this awesome journey He has you on!
The Billings Family
Alexandria, VA
Congratulations Melissa!! While I haven’t quite got my second masters, I just graduated from Miami University of Ohio with my bachelors in Accounting. Right now I’m looking for a job, hoping to eventually go into womens ministry. If I’m really blessed I’ll get to work for Glorieta Conference Center, but who knows where the Lord might take me!
Our youngest son, Eric, graduated from Grace College with a BA in Communications and a minor in Law (not sure if he wants to continue on right now). So very proud of him!! Especially for finishing on time, when his freshman year was such a bust for him…but he kept on pushing and completed everything on time!!
He is on a mission trip right now in Russia and we are looking forward to having him home in another week!
Now praying that he will find a good job to aid in helping him pay back some student loans!
Congrats Melissa!
I just graduated from Liberty University with
a Bachelor of Science in Religion with
a Biblical Studies concentration.
So proud of you, Brittany! May God show you His glory!
ADVICE TO FIRST-TIME MOMS OF GRADUATES:
Have a good cry at home before the big event! Then you can probably survive the ceremony with only a few polite tears.
Congrats Melissa!
My baby brother gets his doctorate in 2 weeks. I’m so proud of him. (Plus with the proofreading and the never ending discussions of his thesis it has felt like a family project.) But more than that, in the five years it took for him to get his doctorate I have seen the Lord begin to restore and rebuild a broken man.
My youngest (of 3) will graduate from high school on Saturday. Almost “empty nesters” ~
Congrats Melissa!!!
My oldest, he just turned 6 this week, is graduating from Kindergarten on May 27th. I am so proud of you Chase! You are growing up WAY TOO FAST!!! I love you!!
Congratulations Melissa!! May the Lord shine His face on you as you continure to follow Him wherever He leads!!
My 2nd son is graduating highschool in a few weeks, and will be attending a Christian University (here in California) on a full ride for athletics! Yeah God!! He will attend the same school where my first son is also! So thankful to Him who has brought them to this place! Curtis spoke there last year, and I remember my oldest being blown away with him! I was so excited when he told me it was Curtis Jones, and my son thought I was a real nutcase when I acted like I knew him personally! Thank you for sharing with us, and for giving us a chance to share with you also!
So thankful for all of you!
Kelly
My oldest, Alyssa, graduated with a BFA in Theater/Production–Costume Design from the University of Utah on my birthday last week! It was a beautiful day to celebrate her and the journey she is on with God.
My youngest, Paul, will graduate from 8th grade on June 1. They make a big deal of it at his school, so we will, too.
God is good!
My firstborn is graduating from high school. He is an honor graduate and we are so proud of him. I guess you could say it is a happy/sad moment. (happy to see him grow and achieve his goals and sad that time has gone by so quickly)
I’m the homeschooling mom of four, and I’ve been so blessed to really be an active participant in our local homeschooling community. (ya’ll I LOVE these families!) I direct a large co-op here and I decided that we needed to hold our first Upstate SC homeschooling K-5 graduation this year! I admit, it wasn’t all that altruistic, though. My baby of four has graduated from K-5 and is now an official 1st grader! (I’m not sure if I’m happy or sad about that…)
You’d think with a upcoming 11th grader, a 6th grader and a 4rd grader, that I wouldn’t have been so emotional. As the director/MC, I thought I would be more…detached. I was wrong! 🙂 When I called out my baby’s name to come get her diploma and she had on that cute little white gown and that big ‘ole graduation cap…ya’ll I just cried. She marched right up, took that diploma out of her (crying) momma’s hand and turned around for Daddy’s photo op that she knew was coming! (she’s even missing a front tooth, so it couldn’t have been more quintessential kindergartener!)
I just can’t praise Jesus enough for the blessing He’s poured out on our family. If someone had told me I’d be a homeschooling mom when I was in high school, I’d have probably fell off the chair laughing. How good He is to know us, love us and be so willing to lead us right where we should be, especially when we don’t recognize a single road sign until we’re there! (yes, I’m still emotional about it! LOL)
By the way, my 11th grader, obviously, still has a few years before his graduation, but I have to throw this in: He made the National Home School Honor Society and is now on track to compete in the National Merit Scholarship via the PSAT this year…I’m so proud of him I could just do a happy dance. Thanks for the opportunity to share, Beth!
Let’s hear it for the alumini’s of Columbia Theological Seminary such as well known J. Vernon McGee, graduate (1933), founder of Thru The Bible Radio Network.
J Vernon McGee speaks in his commentary:
Not having been brought up in a Christian: home, I had no Christian training at all. When I went away to seminary, I didn’t even know the books of the Bible.I had graduated from college where the emphasis was placed on the intellectual and the philosophical, and I was trying to be that kind of preacher. Then I heard Dr. Harry Ironside speak. He explained Scripture in a simple manner. And I heard him make the statement, “Put the cookies on the bottom shelf so the kiddies can get them.” And I remembered that my Lord had said “Feed my sheep” (see John 21:16). He hadn’t said, “Feed my giraffes.” So I went to God and prayed, “Lord, I want to be that kind of preacher.”
Later, I substituted for Dr.Ironside a Dallas Theological Seminary, and when he passed on, the seminary’s president, Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, called me on the phone He asked, “Would you take Dr. Ironside’s lectures here at the seminary?” I could hardly answer him clearly, and I almost rudely hung up the phone. I dropped to my knees, and confess that I wept as I thanked God. I said “Lord I prayed that You would let me teach like Dr. Ironside, and You have answered my prayer!” I coveted earnestly the best gift, and He answered my prayer.
Although I am no Dr. Ironside, how I thrill today at the experience and the privilege of teaching the Word of God.
[Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program.]
My youngest child of three will graduate from kindergarten next week. I’m excited for him but I’ll tell you, my heart’s a little sad thinking that in a few months he’ll be in 1st grade full time. My, where does the time go.
Way to go to all the graduates. I rejoice with you! To God be the GLORY!
Wow, Melissa! I am proud of you, too, young lady! You are a true scholar. You 3 Moore ladies are so beautiful(inside and out), so intelligent , and so full of life, love, and personality.
My little Jack, 11 years old, will move from 5th grade to middle school next week, and all but one of my 72 students will move on from 8th grade to high school next week. I am so proud of all of them – they’ve had to work hard to get there. The one who will not move on to high school? My student, Austin Bowlin, who passed away unexpectedly in February. He graduated from earth to eternal GLORY, but I miss him right now.
Youngest son, Jared, graduated with a 4 year degree in Criminal Justice. He’s the last one so we’re done paying tuition. Hip hip hooray!
My oldest boy will be graduating from high school June 3. It will be a great day! It has taken lots of tears and pleadings to get homework done! Very proud of my yound man for sticking it out and racing to the finish line!
Congratulations Melissa!!
This may sound silly, but I am looking forward to my first graduation in a very long time. I missed my college graduation because I got married the day after my last class(twenty years ago, mind you). Two years ago I finally finished my Masters, but felt silly walking as old as I was. I am currently working on my doctorate but have no idea when I will finish that…I digress..
What I am excited about is the fact that now that I am a college professor, I will attend my first graduation in a very long time. I know this may seem silly and maybe a bit self-centered, but after spending years focusing on my children, their graduations, and their successes, I am looking forward to wearing an academic robe that represents all of my hard earned degrees.
🙂
After reading the comments, I can’t help but say to you Siestas out there with graduating kindergartners: You (Moms) made it! I know on that first day you thought you would never be able to let them stay the day; now you have a whole year behind you! Bless your hearts. I have been a kindergarten teacher for 35 years, and by now, the parents are as cute and precious to me as their children!