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!
My sister is graduating in June – her PhD in genetics, after 8 years working for it! I am so excited and amazed that I have a sister who is THAT smart. My and my kiddos are traveling out to see her for almost two weeks, and we are missing so many things back home in order to do it (VBS, my nephew’s first birthday party, etc.), but I keep on telling her that there is nowhere I would rather be than celebrating her accomplishment.
I don’t have anyone graduating in my family but….GRANDULATIONS, MELISSA ON A JOB WELL DONE!!!
Well, maybe I need to go back to school and learn how to spell! 🙂 CONGRATULATIONS, MELISSA ON A JOB WELL DONE…or “well done, HIS faithful servant.”
I work at Oklahoma Baptist University and have the honor and blessing of getting to spend LOTS of time with College students. We’ve just spent the weekend here celebrating many graduates. Some of the girls most dear to me, are a few amazing women who have been involved in Senior Women’s Bible Study this year. I’m so proud of them! Congrats to all the graduates!
we celebrated mother’s day week end with my oldest daughter’s graduation from law school. you talk about a lot of hard work and she did it.!! so proud of her that through it all god was so good to her and protected her in an unsafe city and brought her safely back to her home region. there is nothing like a mother’s pride in her children.
Congratulations Melissa!
Congratulations, Melissa!!
I’m a graduate this weekend too! I received my Ph.D. from Purdue University!! I was just spending some time earlier today looking back through all of the Beth Moore studies that I have done through this degree and reflecting on what God taught me through the studies and this degree – and how perfectly He intertwined the two! To God be the glory!!!
Congratulations to everyone! This has been a huge graduation month for our family, in New Mexico. My husband graduated with two associates on May 7. My niece graduated, with her bachelors degree on May 8. My stepdaughter graduated with two bachelor degrees on May 14. I received my Masters in Education in December, but the commencement was held on May 15. Our oldest son will graduate on May 29th. Praise God!!
Congratulations, Melissa!!
I am a graduate as of last Friday. Praise be only to Him! I got my Associate’s of Arts in Early Childhood Education. I will be in school for 2 more semester’s of classes, and then I will be doing student teaching for 1 semester. After that, I may continue on for my Master’s….it ALL depends on where my King wants me. 🙂 Thanks for the support! I may not know any of you face to face, but you encourage me 🙂
So my baby, Will, graduates from sixth grade (elementary school) next Tuesday. The cool thing is that I’ve had the great privilege of being his sixth grade teacher. I have to speak about my class during the ceremony. I’ve been practicing the speech for 3 weeks – have cried every time. Prayers next Tuesday at 6 p.m. (central time) would not be wasted on me.
My daughter Elizabeth will be finishing 8th grade this year. They don’t really have a “ceremony”, but they have an end of the year party. In the fall I will have 2 in high school and 1 in 4-K talk about a difference.
Elizabeth and I attended the simulcast at the end of April at a chuch here in WI. It was her first Beth Moore experience and I think she was a tad overwhelmed. I do think she enjoyed it and took in some information. I am hoping to do more Mother/daughter things like that in the near future.
Congrats to Melissa and your whole family–I know you played a big part in her being so successful.
How wonderful, Melissa and Colin! We celebrated my husband’s grandson’s Auburn graduation last weekend in Building Sciences! So proud of you, Will! We are also celebrating the “graduation” of our 12 yr old from 6th to 7th – probably without military school involved! You younger mom’s will appreciate this milestone eventually – praying they make it from 12 years to 13! (Fran – amen?) …and our precious one from 3rd to 4th – the “diligent” one. Thank you, Father, for sheltering and upholding us.
Congrats to all the grads!!!
My precious 5 year old daughter is graduating preschool. I can’t believe she will be in kindergarten in the fall.
She has traveled a tough road with a diagnosis of Autism. God has really helped us see John 9:3b in action in her life. Praise the Lord, she is such a delightful gift.
At 9 o clock in the morning the oldest of my two amazing daughters will graduate from KINDERGARTEN. Her name is Ruthie and I am SO PROUD of her!
Congratulations, Melissa!! We are all so proud of you.
Our oldest granddaughter is graduating from high school in a couple of weeks. She is the oldest of eight grandchildren. She is an awesome young lady and is planning on going to nursing school. We are so proud of her.
Her momma is having a hard time dealing with the “last” of softball games, and the “last” of this and that.
Am praying for the graduates and the families as they all deal with the school endings and new beginnings.
My first born son is graduating from high school on June 11! I am so very proud of him! We had to move away last year from the only town he has ever known. so he had to finish his last year of high school at a new school where he knew no one. He has kept a good attitude and knows the Lord has a purpose in it all, though he would have much preferred to finish his senior year with all his childhood friends. He just attended the prom and it was bittersweet – he had fun but missed the prom that he really wanted to attend at his old high school. He will be off to college this Fall! He is a wonderful son and I have been so blessed by God in him.
Cyndi
Congratulations, Melissa! I admire your hard work and your love for the Lord.
Our graduate this year is our firstborn, Molly. She will be graduating from high school as a co-valedictorian (Shhhhhhhhh….it won’t be officially announced until tomorrow! 😉 We are so proud of her work ethic and her integrity. She earned every bit of that 4.0 WITHOUT cheating–despite comments, “encouragement”, and ridicule from her classmates. Thank you, Lord, that her eyes were on You.
An interesting sidenote (to me anyway), is that I’ve heard people over the years say, “I graduated high school” or “I graduated college.” Where I’m from (Nebraska)most people say, “I graduated FROM high school.” Is that a regional thing? Just curious….
My oldest is graduating from KINDERGARTEN! She had a wonderful year is a great public school with a super Christian teacher and terrific Christian principal. This terrified mommy wasn’t sure what to expect going in to it, but God surely had His hand all over it.
Congratulations to Melissa and all of the graduates. My kids are each graduating this year with the best grades they have ever had. Melissa is graduating from 3rd grade and Zachary is graduating from 2nd. You all have to know that we moved down here to Katy in September so new school, new friends, new teachers and Melissa did better in school here in Texas than she did back home in Illinois. They both love school and they do not want summer vacation to come. They love their teachers and their new friends. My husband and I are so proud of them. God is so amazing that he made this school year awesome for my kids.
My house will be full of graduates this year. Three sons; three graduates. One from high school, one from grade school(6th) and one from Kindergarden! How’s that for timing! Good thing I don’t have to buy them ALL cars!
Congratulations Melissa! I read this post while taking a quick break from finishing a final exam for my second semester in a MDiv program at age 53. Sometimes I think I am crazy! You inspire me!! Two MA’s?!! Wow. That gives me such determination. Thank you! It’s going to be a late night. 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS MELISSA MOORE FITZPATRICK!
Now go out there and do your thang with your big ol’ eyelashes in those books.
Have you said what you’re going to do next? Maybe you have and I wasn’t paying attention…it’s a phobia in my family.
I wanted to put someone down who is graduated her name is Heidi Tobin one of the most wonderful women in the world to know I love her dearly and she is having a celebration and its going to be the most time ever I am so prod to be her cool sister in Christ and friend hanging out is the best we go to star bucks here in Portsmouth N.H.and they just changed everything and mad it all new and everytime we go in we think of you Beth Moore you will walk in I can picture your face and you would say what happen to this place or something like that I dont like it its so funny how me and Heidi think a like and its funny how we talk abot you Beth Moore all good may I say anyway I wanted to leave a comment to say that Heidi is the best sister I could ever have a good friend she is so blessed in Gods world Love this blog Beth Moore its so coool Love you all here may you have peace in the all mighty Lord Him self
The graduate in our family this year is my amazing mom, who stayed at home with the four of us kids for the first 20+ years. This weekend she will receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, as well as having been inducted into a nursing honors society last weekend. I know from experience what an excellent nurse she will make; no one’s touch is gentler, nor could they have a heart more full of compassion.
Daddy and the 4 of us are so proud of her. This weekend we will be throwing a full on “partay” (as mama says) with the rest of her friends. I can hardly wait to see her in her cap and gown!
Our middle son, Ben, who struggled in school just graduated from Full Sail University in Orlando, Fl. with a BS in Film. When he was in the 8th grade, our church began filming the movie, Facing the Giants and Ben signed up to volunteer with the camera crew. From that experience, God birthed in his heart a passion to be behind the camera. He has even had the opportunity to connect with your very own Nate and spend some time with him. It is so awesome to watch God take a very unsure, insecure, struggling student and do something that only God can do!! We are very excited to see what God continues to do in, with and through our Ben!
My daughter, Lindsey, is graduating from Kindergarten! She is 6, has her first loose tooth, loves to swim in her Gigi’s pool, has stolen her daddy’s heart, and is so desperate to form her own Monday night Bible study group with her friends! She would really like a sister, although that’s unlikely to happen. She thinks we should just go and get one from the orphanage. In her words: “You know I’ve always wanted a dog. And a sister is just like a dog. Except they don’t drink like a dog.” She cracks me up!!
Congratulations to my sister Bethany on graduating from George Fox University!! 🙂 And to my husband Paul who got his masters from Bethel University. 🙂 Way to work hard you two!!
I went to Langham Creek High School! I was class of 97 though. Melissa didnt go there did she? Or was it Colin? Anyhoo, congrats to Melissa, what an amazing accomplishment to have 2 Th. Masters!!!!
This is my first post I think…I couldn’t resist…I promise to make it brief next time!!! I have two graduates this year…our youngest son will graduate from Preschool next Thursday and so very excited about “big school” and “learning to spell mommy not read”! At the Kindergarten testing he was asked to count to 10 – he asked if he should count in English or Spanish (Beth he is our “Melissa” and could make Dobson cry occasionally:)) We adore his spirit and he keeps us on our toes! Our older son is 14 and graduating from Springfield MS. We are celebrating both our sweet boys – at such young ages both have accepted and love the Lord!
We’re especially celebrating the middle school accomplishment as we have prayed him through every single day of these last three years! It was grueling at times for him – our eyes have been opened wide to the pressures our children face in this culture and what they’re exposed to outside the security of our home and church. I asked the Lord almost daily for three years if today is that day that I bring him home to homeschool! We continued to have peace that he was right where the Lord wants him and have had some wonderful, Godly teachers and staff surround him! His unwavering faith has left an indelible mark in this school. However, it did not happen without heartache and ridicule at an age when it’s so important to just “fit in” and not be noticed.
As the time came to select his high school curriculum and “area of interest” (this was news to us so soon in high school) we were blessed beyond measure by his decision! After heartfelt prayer, job shadowing and wise counsel from his pastor, he chose Youth Ministry as his career pursuit ! Interestingly, there wasn’t a “box to check” for that career area so it has opened up some very rich conversation with teachers and counselors! He is convinced that “these kids need hope and he wants to be a messenger who shares that they don’t have to live like this.” I know he’s young and has so much time to change his mind…I’m still basking in God’s glory though…that He has a plan for my children apart from my messed up life and heritage – we truly can surrender it all to Jesus and leave a totally new legacy and inheritance to our children! Praise God…He makes all things new!
Congrats, Melissa! I have finished one summer course already! and have two more to go this summer. Then I have only three more courses until I get to join the circle of seminary grads!!!
Our precious Paigey is graduating from preschool in two weeks. She is so excited to play the orange handbell and sing the Jesus knows how to color song! I will be a mess throughout I am sure!
Dearest Melissa,
C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S!!!! You so rock!!
I am soooooo happy for your accomplishment with your second Master’s Degree!!! I pray you get a raise in the name of Jesus!!! Teachers get an extra stipend for having a master’s degree!! 😉
God bless you for your determination and perseverance as you obtain this goal!
WOO-HOO!!!!!
Tell me your favorite restaurant in Houston and I will go get you a gift card from there so you can celebrate next time you come to town!!!
Again, I am so happy for you!!
What’s next, babies!??!? 🙂
Love ya!
Roxanne
Congratulations, Melissa! This gives me hope that maybe I’ll graduate one day. Sure doesn’t feel like at the moment…
My sweet nephew is graduating high school in Lubbock! He went from my sweet baby boy nephew whose diapers I changed and bathed and now he towers over me at 6’2″! Lol, God love him! He’s off to West Texas A&M to become an anesthesiologist! Yes, I am excited.
Ola Mae
My only child, a son, graduates from high school this week. For the past two years he’d been planning to take criminal justice so he could become a police officer. I was concerned that it didn’t suit his temperament but chose to support him and pray for him, that God would make his path clear.
In March he came to us saying he’d had a change of heart would like to study worship leadership and/or be a teacher/coach. He’s now enrolled at a top Christian university where, if he chooses, he can study both.
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
My nephew graduates from High School on the 14th of June. I was there when my handsome nephew was born in November of 1991 and I had the wonderful blessing of cutting the cord — what a beautiful moment for me to experience(first grandbaby for our mom). I am very proud of him and can not believe he is ready to go out and concur the world. He has had a lot of negativity surround him throughout his life — but he has prevailed from letting that effect him. Praise God and Thank You Jesus!!!! Wishing my nephew a wonderful graduation and you will do fabulously in the world! Keep with Jesus and you will be fine.
So proud of my middle son, Jason. Diagnosed in 2nd grade with ADD & learning disabilities, with the help of wonderful teachers, he learned to compensate for his weaknesses and discovered and developed his strengths. He graduated from college on Saturday with a degree in Management Information Systems with an emphasis in Computer Science. His wedding is in two weeks and he starts a software development job after the honeymoon.
Bittersweet weekend though. My oldest, Kevin, was due to graduate on Sunday with his Masters in Accounting, but after a diagnosis of Ewing’s Sarcoma in February he had to drop most of his classes to focus on healing and treatments. He’s responding well and hoping to complete his degree by next summer. I’m proud of him and how he is facing his challenges with faith and courage.
Congratulations to all who have overcome special challenges to accomplish your goals and thanks be to the Lord for giving each one the strength to do it!
Like they always say…”the proof is in the pudding.” What evidence of the passion the Lord can ignite in the life of a believer. It is like no other! It makes us able to do what we couldn’t do. I love how you said Melissa would study on the way to school and I stand in awe, truly, of the tenacity and perseverance of getting a second masters. What I love is that I know that her learning comes from a heart of love that surpasses knowledge and not just wanting to gain knowledge that puffs up. I praise God for the work He has done in your family line. We rise and call you blessed!!!
Applauding our God and sweet Melissa!!!!
Oh and LOL my baby girl just graduated pre-school. Breaks my heart. I know that our lives will never be the same with her starting kindergarten. Now it is school, school, school.
It seems like yesterday that Nancy Mattingly was writing me over the loss of my firstborn and then now I sit here and literally think about how the last five years have gone by in the blink of an eye…literally. I know some people may think I am being ridiculous but this life truly is a vapor and a mist. I just can’t believe what this blog community has meant to me. I went through a period of time where I was in the thick of things ministry wise, yet could not find a group of like minded people. This has seriously been a group of like minded people for me and a community of love.
When we were at the SLI silmulcast I cracked up when we were all at Pappasitas and someone asked us how we all met and we grinned and said, “the internet!” LOL. I would have thought we were a bunch of freaks years ago…yet God works through the world wide web!! ha
We love you, girl!
You so put a smile on my face and cause my heart to just leap with so much love!!!
I literally canNOT believe it’s been that long. seriously – it DOES seem like yesterday!!! – so blessed to get to keep praying for you and your sweet family.
Congratulations, Melissa, and to all of our graduates!
The last of my children, my beloved only son, graduates from high school in three weeks. We’ve had the honor of homeschooling him the whole way and now look forward to seeing what the Lord has for his future.
Congratulations Melissa !!! You deserve a big vacation somewhere now! 🙂
God bless you!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
My oldest son, Josh, graduated last Saturday from high school. He’ll be moving with us next week to Tucson, AZ (then I’ll have to change my name to Rachel in AZ:)…) where he’ll attend the University of Arizona. He’s going to study wildlife and fisheries management. I’m praying for strong, godly friendships to be forged on that campus.
Congratulations, Melissa!
My older son, Tim, is graduating from high school on Saturday. He is a wonderful young man, and I am so blessed to have him in my life – his life has taught me more about life and love than anything else could have. I don’t think I truly understood the wonder of how much God loves each of us until Tim was born, and I felt that “I-would-do-anything-for-you” love that you feel for your child.
Congratulations to all of the graduates!
I just graduated with my degree in nursing! I’m originally from PA but am hoping to find a job in Dallas!
Dallas is wonderful! I hope that works out for you!
Our son graduated from Howard Payne University last week with honors and three (yep three) majors! He is taking a year off before heading to Law School. Our retirement fund is invested in his education… we don’t mind, we plan on moving in with him in about 20 years. LOL!
My firstborn son is graduating high school. Then he’s heading to Word of Life Bible Institute in Schroon Lake, NY. You’re message in Toronto (we travelled 5 hrs to get there) was for me and my family in this emotional time. God is going to do a new thing in our lives without Drew in the house everyday. AND.. He’s going to do a new thing in Drew’s life…and it will be great! We are perceiving it…AND I’m living in the moment enjoying his celebration. It’s about him embarking on his new life…not about me mourning his childhood. He has more for us….and it will be good.
I graduated a few years back…but your words and prayer for your daughter…I am speechless.
Congratulations to your family!
I am the proud mamma of 2 graduates –
my baby girl Hannah is graduating from elementary school to Middle School
and my oldest son is graduating from Middle School to High School…….I have one more that will still be in Middle School.
So I am really graduating as well…. no more elementary students for me and on to new heights 🙂
God is Faithful and I am so blessed!
The first baby of the family graduated high school and the second baby (God’s present to me as an unknown desire of my heart) of the family graduated preschool.
Congratulations, Melissa!!
My oldest, Evelyn Grace, is graduating from preschool next Thursday (May 27th) and moving on the big world of Kindergarten in the fall. She is so ready to start school and we are so excited for her!! Who knows where her years of schooling will take her, but we’re excited to see what God has planned for her in all of it!!