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!
My first born is graduating from highschool next Thursday evening. As I prepare for all of the excitment centered around this wonderful day, I wonder where did all the years go? I am praying for a long summer because the “see you soon” will be hard to say in the fall.
My husband Chad graduates this weekend with his bachelor’s degree. In addition to being a full-time student, he also pastors a church and works another full-time job—and has a three-hour round trip commute to work and school each day! This fall, he’ll begin work on a master of divinity degree. It has been difficult at times for him to juggle all his responsibilities, but God is faithful. I’ve never been more proud of my husband than I am today!
My grandson will be receiving his M.D. the end of this month. He is graduating from Med school in Thunder Bay, ON. His sister will be receiving her degree in kinesthesiology at the same time from the same university. He will be setting up a family practice after two years of hospital placements.
I am in my late 50’s and will graduate with a Master’s in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Spring Arbor University in Michigan (online). Wasn’t able to ‘walk’ because too far away and not enough funds. God has been so evident and close during these years of struggle. Praise Him!
Rebecca
Consider yourself walking right here down Siesta aisle, Rebecca! We are so proud of you!
Warmest congratulations Rebecca. What a phenomenal achievement!
My sister is graduating at the age of 55 with a Associate degree after losing her job 3 years ago. She went back to school. We are so proud and blessed.
Congratulations, Melissa! I’m anticipating a Bible study coming from you one of these days! I love your passion for the Bible and Jesus. Your lengthy posts are always anticipated and worth the great read that makes me think, think, think. I would LOVE to be able to get a Master’s in Theology… GREAT JOB! 🙂
Speaking of graduation, my baby graduated from Happy Apple Preschool on Friday (isn’t that the best name?) Does that count? Tee hee!
Awesome Melissa congratulations to you. Job Well Done
I did not graduate this yr. and did not have anybody in my family graduate. But I just wanted to give a shout out to you on your big day I bet your mom and dad and family were busting at the seams, and your Heavenly Father had a huge smile on His face saying well done my child.
Praise The Lord
Love you
Carol
Our one and only daughter graduated from high school last Thurs. night!!!!!!!
Congratulations Melissa! That is so terrific!
We have a graduate, Lord willing, in a couple weeks. My oldest is completing her paramedic degree. She will still have her internship to do but we are so proud of her! This is culmination of her desire since she was little to be a missionary to Africa. This will allow her to do medical missions. She has been to Africa and felt as if she had come home. (even with becoming very ill there!)
Sarah has overcome some great obstacles to do this and we are so proud of her!
Melissa!!! I am super proud of you – and I know that you are such a blessing to your family, your friends, and the Lord! I have prayed so many prayers for you as you continued on this journey, and stand amazed at all God has done, and will most surely continue to do through you and Amanda. I love you both so much.
My graduate is my fourth and final child. My one and only girl. As I read this post, sitting in my quiet kitchen after a wonderful day of work, my eyes immediately filled with tears. But I really am happy. really. grin. I feel like it will be my own graduation of sorts – with no more lunches to pack, children to greet after school, or schedules to keep track of. I also feel it was just yesterday we were graduating from kindergarten! Ok, officially, Sara Amanda Mattingly will graduate from high school on June 6th, to the great applause of her parents, brothers (and sisterinlaw) , and family and friends. We love you so much, Sara! And are so so proud of you! yep – still have tears in my eyes……
*tears*
Olivia, my darling Livybug and firstborn. You are leaving elementary school behind forever. Thoughs about middle school thrill you, they terrify me. I am so looking forward to the ‘big’ graduations from high school and college.
Clever daughter, I am so proud of your math awards and desire to be the best at math in your new, much bigger school. When all the things of teenagedom come knocking we’ll do it together. I am so proud of your character, and hopeful for your future.
Our son Nathan is graduating with a (similar to Melissa a second) Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. We are so proud of him. After persevering through Attention Deficit Disorder, he’s graduating with honors. God has faithfully led him into this field where we trust he will use his gifts to help others and glorify the Father. We covet your prayers for a job for him in this uncertain economy.
Congrats Melissa!!!! What an accomplishment.
No graduations here. I am getting ready to send my baby girl off to preschool in the fall. She is ready, ready enough to go now. Mommy cannot believe she is already old enough to go to school, sigh. One day I will come back and write about the day she graduates high school and say I cannot believe she is old enough to graduate high school. Oh how the time flies.
Congrats to Melissa! And to the family!
I am nearly there – just ONE more year and I get my Bachelors in Art from UH! Finally, after going back after 14 years. I can. not. wait! 🙂
Congrats Melissa! I have to give a shout out to my mom who will be graduating this Saturday with a master’s degree from UVA at 54! I am super proud of her!! I also have to say congrats to all my chemistry students who will be graduating high school in a couple weeks. They are so worth the hard work it takes being a teacher!
Congratulations, Melissa! What a wonderful accomplishment!
No graduates here….just a shout-out to Melissa! Congratulations!
Melana
Congrats Melissa —–
Congrats Melissa!! 2 Masters!! U R truly a ROCK STAR!
I know this isn’t what we’re talking about…but I didn’t know where to ask….when will we find out what Summer Siesta Bible Study we’re doing??
One grandchild will graduate 8th grade and one granddaughter graduates kindergarten. So exciting!
Congrats to all the graduates and their families – I do believe it is a joint effort.
I finished my master’s degree in executive leadership and graduated from Liberty University on Saturday. I graduated with highest distinction. I will start my PhD at Emory in the fall! Beautiful ceremony and sweet times with the family.
Congratulations Melissa!
I “graduated” on May 1st from a 2 year Academic Language Therapy Training program through Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. What in the world does that mean? That if I pass my Alliance Exam on June 12th I will be a Certified Academic Language Therapist! My goal: in a few years once my husband and I have school-aged children I want to start my own Dyslexia Therapy Clinic. I have been doing this in the public schools for 2 years, but am thrilled to get out and find those kids who struggle who aren’t getting their needs met at their schools. Public, private, or homeschooled. It’s good to be done!
I graduate from Harvard next week with a master of divinity degree. I’ll spend the next 15 months or so on fellowship in South Africa and Rwanda studying the interaction of religious institutions and civil society in emerging democracies.
Wow, I sounded terse in my own reply. You can tell I am still recouping from finals!
I’m so excited to spend summer with family and friends in Houston and head to SA in August. I got my yellow fever vaccination today which I think is the last imaginable one I could be lacking–have already had typhoid, Hep A and B, meningitis, etc. I. Am. Elated.
The baby of our 4 children graduated from 4-year old playschool last Friday. I have dreaded that moment all year because it means I will no longer have a “little one” at home with me next year, and oh, how I loved my little ones! He will go to an all day Kindergarten next year and I miss him already!!! Cherish the time because it goes by SOOO fast. (I’m crying as I write this!)
Yay! Way to go, Melissa! I have to confess a few of your theological questions TOTALLY went over my head!
You’re a smart, beautiful woman of God. Congratulations!
Oh those pictures make me remember my graduation from Lexington Theological Seminary 14 years ago! I can’t believe it was that long ago and I STILL don’t know everything there is to know 😉 Melissa, I pray you delight in your knowledge of the Word as much as I delight in mine, and that your studies in seminary only serve to fuel the fire for more and deeper studies into God’s word and will. I pray that 14 years from now, you’ll be sitting on your porch, as I am on mine now, feeling as if those degrees were only the begining.
My nephew, Del, is graduating from the US Naval Academy at the end of this month, and will be heading off to flight school. He had a rough start with an abusive father, but was delivered from that and has met every challenge laid out before him. Praying for salvation for him and that part of the family!!
My Brother-in-Law Ted graduated from the University of Arizona Law School.
My sister Katie graduates from Sahuarita High School.
Congratulations to all!
My youngest of four boys is graduating from High School in a few weeks. If I give myself a minute to think about it, it is bittersweet. I have had kids in school for 24 years. He will leave sometime this summer to join the Air Force.
Four years ago my friendship with my best friend went from “Let’s watch Anne of Green Gables all day” to “Let’s meet halfway between our towns and you can show me flashcards in the hot tub. At lunch we can stop studying for about an hour. Then I’ve got to get back.” I was happy to drill her with flash cards in her mother-in-law’s hottub. I was proud of how diligently she studied. And I’m so proud of her now. In five days she’ll be an M.D. And in a couple of weeks, we’re watching Anne of Green Gables all day while we nurse our babies and catch up. No studying involved. Congratulations Dr. Trish Shirley!
First of all, Congratulations on the amazing weekend! And also to all the other siesta’s with graduates.
As for me, I was the graduate! I just got home last night and can hardly believe I now have two Master’s degrees as well. It’s been a long road and somehow even in this moment I am not sure how I survived it. Many crazy nights and a lot of God’s grace and even tears and tons of laughing at myself – BUT IT IS FINISHED. At least till I can save some money to study some more LOL. But for now, it feels weird not having homework all ready and it has only been two days….:O)
Thanks for letting me share siesta’s – I am happy for all of us who had fun weekends! Also, thanks for all of you who share your hearts on here, there have been many nights when hearing your stories gave me the courage to keep going…
TTFN
April, WAY TO GO!
Thanks!
Congratulations, Melissa! What a wonderful achievement. I rejoice with you, your family and ALL those graduating this year.
Be blessed.
Melanie 😀
My 19 year old son graduated from Firefighter Academy and will start paramedic school in August. I never thought I would see my child who HATED school so eager to learn. God has been faithful and exceedingly good.
My first born graduates from pre-school in the middle of June. Zachary James has grown so much in his two years of pre-school. I can only pray that my younger three grow this much in their pre-school experiences and that in the next year or two I will be ready to start on the journey of home school…prayers for that!
My youngest daughter, Megan, will be graduating from high school on June 13th. This child has worked very hard at her studies, involvement in school leadership and always looking out for the “under dog.” I am so proud of her and can’t wait to see how God changes her in her college years to follow hard after Him!! She is my baby and will be headed off to Trinity International University in August to pursue a degree in business with a minor in digital design. She will join her older sister for one year until she graduates from college. My husband and I will be empty nesters, but probably for only 1 year. The college graduates seem to gravitate to home base. My heart is full of so many emotions that it is hard to process all of them. More than anything I want my girls to be women of God, follow hard after Him and love the Word of God-this is my prayer.
Beth, I am sure this is how you felt as your daughters were at this stage. God bless you for showing us the importance of loving the Word of God. I am forever grateful. I love you to pieces!!!
Congratulations, Melissa and all graduates!!
Way to go, Melissa. I just finished my first year of grad. school while working full-time and raising a family. I have never appreciated, until now, how much time and energy is put into these degrees. It is probably a good thing that I didn’t realize this, or I am not sure I would have never started this program. Every time I receive a grade to a paper or project, I know it is by God’s grace this it was finished at all and also finished to the best of my ability. Thank you that you are involved in the details of our lives, Heavenly Father. May we trust you to guide us in the future.
We have two graduates in my house!! My firstborn, Aiden, graduated preschool last week. Ceremony, diploma, hat and all! SO CUTE! Luckily, for me, he still has another year before he goes to Kindergarten!
And my honey is graduating with his Masters in Administration! He is an elementary PE teacher in the inner city. Rough group of kids but he adores them! I am so proud of him! While getting his Masters he is a hubby, daddy of 2, and in the midst of remodeling our home!
I am a graduate!!!
On May 1st I walked across the stage and accepted my diploma–a degree in NURSING!!! Can I just say Praise the LORD?!!!
This degree has been a long time coming (6 years actually) but I’ve had the most amazing family and friends stand beside me and behind me as I’ve walked this journey with Jesus.
I am so looking forward to what God has in store for me next!
Congratulations to all the other graduates out there–way to go!!!
Not really a graduation of sorts, but this Friday I will have survived my first year of teaching kindergarten! Feels like a graduation to me! I don’t hve a job guarantee for this fall, but I have a feeling God has something big in store for me…not even sure it’s teaching! 🙂
~Sarah
Saturday I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from Brewton-Parker College!! I am now home job hunting and believing that God has plans for me He has already ordained…and today my baby brother graduated from kindergarten. 🙂
WOOOO HOOOOO!
I am celebrating the graduation of 3 of my autistic preschool students who I’ve had from the time they turned 3. This graduation is a bit bittersweet as I’m being let go from this position (due to very negative and painful circumstances) and graduation will fall on the day before my final day as their teacher.
I am proud of Ana, Gabriel, and Jesus for their hard work over the last 2 1/2 years in the preschool autism program. They’ve grown so, so, so much. It was an honor and blessing to watch them learn and grow.
So precious, Bethany.
Congratulations on your accomplishment Melissa! Sorry, I failed to mention that in the previous comment 🙂
I am graduating with a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. I have to say, however, harder than all the academics has been the training (school) of the Holy Spirit. I’m anxious to see how God will use this in the years to come.
Dr. Jennifer! We are so proud of you! God’s blessings upon you, Dear Sister!
Jennifer, I totally can relate! I have a Master’s in Counseling…and I found the work of the Lord internally to be tougher than any paper I could have researched. Congratulations to you!
I am currently working on my degree in counseling and I have figured God working internally would be a big part of this journey! Mercy! Glad to hear yall made it to the other side!
Blessings!
Congratulations, Melissa! What an incredible accomplishment.
This year I am celebrating a young woman I’ve discipled for the last 7 years. She is just such an amazing person and I adore her. She has graduated, summa cum laude, with her degree in education and is off to Oxford in the fall for her Masters. She will be in England for a year, will be missed terribly but also with great anticipation to see what God will do with her next!
Congratulations to all of those people out there, young & old, receiving all manners of diplomas and degrees in the next few months!! I am in awe of your dedication and hard work. God’s blessings to you!
We have a preschool graduate who had her first cavity filled today. Poor thing. She can’t wait to get her Princess Bible upon graduation!! And, I can’t wait to read it to her!!
I’m sorry about the filling, Laura. For all three of my kiddos, in the picture of their first day of school, they had each lost their first tooth. I always said there was something about starting kindergarten that made their teeth start fallin’ out. Don’t worry though: with one in high school and two in college, there’s not a set of dentures between them.
MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU MELISSA AND COLIN
My nephew graduated from nursing school at Bevill State Community College. We are so very proud of him. He was diagnosed with diabetes while in high school, he played collegiate baseball and is now preparing for his state boards. Please keep him in your prayers. His name is Jimbo Woodward and we are excited about what God has planned for him. His older sister is also a nurse and is expecting her second baby in the fall. We are truly blessed.
I have a college grad this year! Three down, one to go! If you have time, look at my blog where I recorded the graduation day for all to see.
http://www.dinahjean.wordpress.com
Love you guys!
Beth,
Our lives have been blessed greatly as we have watched our first-born grow into a beautiful woman of God. She will be graduating from high school on June 8th. We are so proud of her and grateful for all God has done in our lives through her. We head into college years with great anticipation of what God has ahead for our beautiful daughter and for our family! Thank you for the example you have been to me of how to raise girls.
Blessings to you.
Chris