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! I know your paremts are so proud of you and so are we. From a parent of a child getting ready to graduate from college as well and is also married, it is hard to mix both worlds: but we are so very proud of our son for his accomplishments as I know your folks are too. Go celebrate and enjoy this together. Carla
I remember balling my eyes out as I held our firstborn son, watching all the kids get on the bus for the first day of school. Six years later (in the blink of an eye) my little man will march on that school bus in just shy of a month and “graduate” from kindergarten….where does the time go?!?! Although he has declared he is “NEVER going to college or traveling or getting a job, or marrying, or having kids….because who would sing to him and rub his back every night???” High school graduation will be here before I know it!! LORD HELP ME! 🙂
Congratulations to all those brave mommies and daddies who have survived “THE SCHOOL YEARS!”
Much love to you all!!
Katie,
Sherrill NY
Haha so cute! My nephew announced when he was like 4 or 5, that he was going to travel and threw out the country Russia. WHO knows! He is 13 now, so we will see!
I say this with tears of joy and sadness that my oldest son will be graduating from high school on May 28. I feel as if I have hit a brick wall and going into a new chapter of my life that I am very unfamilar with. My whole life has been about raising children. Has anyone else felt this way before???
Congratulations Melissa!
My precious, first born will be graduating from High School next month! I have repeatedly thanked the Lord for all of my son’s accomplishments. Having successfully overcome the hurdle of dyslexia, faithful attendance at bi-annual IEP meetings just to stay on top of things, enduring the stigma of being “pulled out” from the rest of the class because he learns differently year after year, studying ALL forms of mathematics in summer school (every summer – YUCK!), and special accommodations to satisfy the mathematical Standards of Learning requirements………HE IS GETTING A STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA……like everyone else!!!!!!!! As his Mama, I’m trying so hard not to have button bursting pride over his accomplishments (but obviously this is a challenge for me). He could have taken an easier way out, but THANKS BE TO GOD, he didn’t!
I just graduated with my bachelor’s degree in math. I begin graduate school (also in math) in June…quite a mission field there. 🙂
And oh yes, CONGRATULATONS Melissa and Colin!!! Amazing! It was after the Esther bible study, the session where we learned about “chiastic structure,” that I remembered why I never got my master’s…:)
Although, I DO remember what Chiastic Structure is! Thanks siesta mama! 🙂
Katie
Sherrill, NY
My firstborn son graduated Saturday from Colorado State University with a degree in Business Finance. I was so proud of myself, I only cried once during this graduation ceremony and that was the opening when they sang the National Anthem.
He is going back for his Masters so we will get to have him nearby for one more year. Praise the Lord! I am afraid tears will flow with that graduation.
My 32 year old son FINALLY received his Master’s in Biblical Counseling on May 1st!
After playing football for Virginia Tech and being picked up by the ‘Colts’… he left Professional Football – believing he was being called out by God and became a Missionary in the Dominican Republic for 4 years…
Where he met the love of his life, a young woman from Kansas and they married. Coming back to the States to finish his Master’s degree, while working, and being blest with 2 children along the way (Miriam & Silas) with a great supportive wife…
I congratulate ‘their’ perseverance – – may God continue to direct their path <
My dear Beth, Amanda & Melissa,
CONGRATULATIONS MELISSA!!!!!
So excited and overjoyed to hear you did it!!!
((((((( HUGS ))))))) to you my dear friend!!!
After watching my son,David study Nietzche,Kierkegard,Hegel,John Stuart Mill,Plato, Aristotle, THeory of Justice, Philosophy of Religion,The Power of Critical thinking, The Theaetetus of Plato, and Modern Hebrew ~ he has graduated and has been accepted to NY School of LAW.
I will be in the same position as you are Beth.
My child will be tooooo many miles away from me!
I guess I will start planning/budgeting some New York trips!
I have some great wisdom for you Melissa,
This is what I have shared in the past
(Safina information)
* FIND A GOOD ACCOUNTANT, LAWYER,DOCTOR, AND HAIR STYLIST.
ONLY TAKE ADVICE FROM YOUR HAIR STYLIST IF IT’S ABOUT YOUR HAIR. 🙂
* MAKE GOD’S PROVISION THE FOUNDATION FOR YOUR PERFORMANCE.
* MANAGE YOUR MONEY AS IF IT BELONGS TO GOD. IT DOES.
* TAKE OUT THE TRASH BEFORE THE GARBAGE TRUCK IS TWO HOUSES AWAY. ~ I do this a lot!
* IF YOU AGREE TO BURY THE HATCHET, DON’T LEAVE TO HANDLE STICKING OUT. ( my husband loves this one)
* IF DOCTRINE IS YOUR MOTIVATION, YOU WILL BE A FANATIC; IF GOD IS YOUR MOTIVATION, YOU WILL BE AN OBEDIENT SERVANT.
* HAVE A BEST FREIND WHO CAN MULTIPLY YOUR JOY AND DIVIDE YOUR SORROW.
* A CARD SENT WITH A PERSONAL NOTE INSIDE IS SO MUCH MORE MEANINGFUL THAN A CARD SENT BUT ONLY SIGNED.
* YOU CAN GIVE WITHOUT LOVING, BUT YOU CAN’T LOVE WITHOUT GIVING.
* SUPPRESS NEITHER SNEEZES NOR LAUGHTER ( my husband fav)
* THE PERSON WHO OFTEN LOOKS UP TO GOD RARELY LOOKS DOWN ON ANYONE.
* ALWAYS GO THE EXTRA MILE… WHETHER FOR A FRIEND OR STARBUCKS. ( my fav)
* GIVE YOUR SPOUSE A GIFT FOR NO REASON.
( JB=just because)
* UNCONDITIONAL LOVE COMES ONLY FROM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. AND, IF WE’RE LUCKY, OUR PARENTS.
* IF YOU WANT TO BE RICH—GIVE.
* IF YOU WANT TO BE POOR—GRASP.
* ASKING MAKES THE DIFFERENCE.
(this is our Safina quote)
* (another fav) MAKE A LIST OF SIX PEOPLE YOU COULD COUNT ON TO CARRY YOUR CASKET AT YOUR FUNERAL. IF YOU CAN’T COME UP WITH SIX, DEVELOP SOME NEW FRIENDSHIPS, OR PLAN TO BE CREMATED.
* CALL YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW. TELL HER HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE THE PERSON YOU MARRIED.
* LOVE GOD, NOT GODLINESS.
Melissa ~ I am so proud of you and look forward to seeing what GOD has instore for your future. I AM ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST FANS!!! You have been such a blessing in my life. Thanks for teaching me A lot about studies, and mostly eye mascara!!! Laughing Out Loud!
I love you dear friend!!!
With “Heaven Bound” Blessings,
Kim Safina
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE GRADUATES!!
I loved these, I am printing them out. Thank you
Kimmers!
I love you so much!! 🙂
You are such a precious friend! I am AMAZED at this friendship the LORD developed via this blog! Who would have “thunk” that!?!?
And now you are such a household name. Even this morning when you called and I was teaching, AO said,
“Mrs. Worsham, Kim Safina is calling on your phone!”
LOL
I am sooooooooo thankful we got to meet in person last month! You and Dave are soooooo precious – not just as individuals, you are precious as one! I love the man God gave you as your life partner! <3 <3 <3
Thank you for being a faithful prayer warrior and for standing in the gap with me and even for me at times.
You are indeed a jewel, Kim Louise Reece Safina, and my life is so much richer and sweeter because our paths have crossed!
I love you!
Roxanne
Philippian 1:3
Hey Beth, and congratulations, Melissa! Through God’s grace and mercy, I graduated from law school yesterday! Three and a half years ago, when I was trying to decide where I would attend law school, I also happened to be reading “Get Out of that Pit.” Through that book and the powerful message I heard at the D-Day simulcast, God awakened me to see the bondage of perfectionism that I had been enslaved to almost my whole life. I knew that if I was going to go to law school, something would have to give. I could not live like that anymore. I was weary of my chains.
I am so happy to say (and thankful to my God) that my three years in law school have been characterized more by victory than defeat. This Spring, I facilitated a group study of “So Long Insecurity” with some other law school girls. That study, along with the SLI simulcast, drove the last nail into the coffin of my perfectionism, which I had identified as “insecurity in an art form.” My consistent prayer these last few months has been that I would not walk across the stage to receive my diploma with the same bondage I brought into law school. Yesterday, as I received my degree, I knew in my heart that God had done what He promised to do!! He set me free! So, Beth, as I thank Him for what He has done to liberate me, I also want to thank you. He used your song of victory in “Get Out of that Pit” and “So Long Insecurity” to teach me that freedom is possible in Christ!
I am more excited by my new found freedom than any degree or laurels academia can offer!
Love you lots!
Missy, WAY TO GO! Lord have mercy. God must be so taken with you!
Thanks, Beth! I am taken with Him too!
Missy, This was beautiful.
Warmly,
Christian
Congrats Melissa! My best childhood friend is graduating with her masters in a few weeks, my Kindergartner will be a first grader in full day first grade next year, my middle schooler will graduate to JHS and my darling husband is retiring from a 21 year career from law enforcement!
So I join you in a season of celebrations over the ones I love as well!
All the best dears!
We have a special graduate in our family this year. Her name is Kelsey and she is 6 and she has a very very rare from of brain cancer. She was unable to attend her kindergarten graduation but her Grandma and sister went and she graduated although she missed the last four months of school. Currently the drs have told her family there is nothing they can do. She is at home with her parents and 3 siblings and we are all praying that God would heal her so she could infact attend first grade next year.
Praying for her right now.
Oh, my gracious. Oh, Lord Jesus, please show Your mercies to your darling Kelsey and her family.
Thank you so much for your prayers and concern. Kelsey is in heaven tonight.
Offering prayers for your precious Kelsey and her family.
Congratulations, Melissa!!
My little man graduates from Kindergarten tomorrow and he’s thrilled about entering 1st grade. Where did the time go? There will be tears, I’m sure! Mine this time, not his!
My oldest son graduated Saturday from Baylor University with a BBA in both Economics and International Business – Summa Cum Laude. He will attend SMU School of Law in the Fall having earned a full scholarship! Can you say proud mama in the house???? He had several times in his young life in which he could have made different choices and gone down an evil path, but did not. God has answered this mother’s prayers in all things – Praise Him!
We have a very special graduate in our extended family this year. Her name is Kelsey, she is 6 and she as an extremely rare form of brain cancer. She was unable to attend her graduation but her Grandma and older sister went and she graduated although she was unalbe to attend the last 3 months of school. A little more than a week ago the doctors told her family that there is nothing more that they can do. She is currently at home with her parents and 3 siblings and we are all praying that God would heal her so she can infact attend 1st grade next year.
oops sorry I posted that twice- 🙂 Thanks so much for your prayers and concern.
Praying for Kelsey.
I graduated from NURSING SCHOOL and ONLY because JESUS CHRIST was my strength!! …and now I can fulfill my calling – to care for sick, sick children!
But right now I’m a twenty-two year old who doesn’t have a job, doesn’t have a boyfriend, and doesn’t know where I’m going to go … BUT if God got me through nursing school – he can get me a JOB, a MAN, and a place to live!!
My 5 year old daughter’s pre-school is having a comencement to celebrate their graduating to Kindergarten. I am so proud of her and am soooo not ready for kindergarten. She is totally ready. I am typicly not a crier but this milestone in her life is bringing out a new side of me.
Congratulations, Melissa! I have tears and chills! 🙂
My middle step-daughter is graduating from High School at the end of the month, one day after our Kindergartener graduates! 🙂
Many blessings to all grads!
I’ll be finishing my own Masters degree – MBA! 18 months later and hours spent finalizing a business plan, the end is in sight. Next week is my final presentation and so I’ll be doing a happy dance after that!
Congrats Melissa and all those who have graduated!
I graduated early in December with a B.A. in English and a Spanish minor – in 3 1/2 years! I did so in order to go on a semester long mission trip this semester, but the board I was supposed to go through did not have funding enough to send me last minute. But God is always faithful, Siestas! I am now in the process of preparing for the Journeyman program (2 year mission stint) and for seminary as well, so I am excited to see what God can do with a recent graduate who is determined to follow Him wherever He takes me.
My baby is graduating from Kindergarten on Friday, and I’m none too happy about it! Oh, I am so proud of my girl and how she has handled this year, but I am a little sad that time keeps ticking and she keeps growing! When my twin boys reach new milestones, it is new and exciting. But her milestones make me a little sad! BUT…everything happens according to God’s plan, and I praise Him for His faithfulness!
Congrats to you, Melissa! Phew…you are ONE SMART CHICA!!
Melissa!
Congratulations! I look forward to pulling your commentaries off my shelf when I need to go to a source deeper than my own Bible’s notes!
Or whatever your dreams may be! God bless.
Congrats Melissa! What an accomplishment.
My oldest, Adam, graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri with his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. This is especially meaningful to us because during Thanksgiving break his sophomore year he was in a car accident and broke his back. The doctors said he was lucky to walk again. Through sheer determination he started back the next semester and every day since then has dealt with constant pain but graduated on time and cum laude. We couldn’t be prouder.
I’m so grateful for this community. I’m one that Mother’s Others and this next week we will have an 8th grade graduate in our home. He is the youngest of three boys, and three years ago his parents adopted a baby girl from China. They leave this weekend to bring home their 7 year old girl from Taiwan, and asked if their “young man” could stay with us and that we would go to his promotion on their behalf. We do so, gladly.
Congratulations Melissa!
Congratulation Melissa.
Our middle daughter is gradutaion first weekend in june. She is our third graduate from our homeschool. Yipee 3 down one to go. Don’t get me wrong I love me children and enjoy being with them. It is just that I am ready to be done the schooling end, although I know I will miss it a lot.
Kim B. in AZ
On May 15th I watched our son graduate with his JD in Law!We are so very proud of you Aaron Lee. My tears of joy flowed and my heart nearly burst….what a great blessing.
Hello Siestas!
I actually graduted from college on May 8th with a Bachelor of Science in Business (Entrepreneurship).
The end came too fast, but when I start to miss it, I try to remember the stress and chaos! I’m grateful for the opportunity that I had.
Much love,
::Taylor
Hmm, my little sister graduated at the end of April with her BA in Christian Ministry. Then the crazy girl got married the week later and she starts her Masters in Christian Counselling in September. So proud of her and all the work she’s done to get to this point. (Although I do think she was a little crazy to plan her wedding while she finished her final semester or her BA. Talk about making yourself busy!)
after a rough year, my baby boy is going to graduate from high school. (sometimes I think he’s paying me back for the lamenting I’ve done over him graduating. Believe me, the past few months my prayers have been, “please God, let him graduate.” Amazing how a little perspective changes our focus!) At any rate, I am proud and thrilled to be his mom. (and thrilled that he’s getting that diploma. You have no idea what kind of year this has been…) Congrats to all the grads! I know my God has plans for each one of you…
Our oldest grandchild will graduate from high school in a few weeks with honors! He is such a wonderful young man of integrity. I could not be prouder of who he is! Seems like it was only yesterday that Brayden and his Gigi were playing catch in the backyard or lying in the floor playing “Go Fish”. So crazy about that kid. Something so special about that firtborn grandchild. I have decided it is because you have loved them the longest!
Our oldest boy Kyle is graduating from 6th grade this year. He would have had an actual ceremony if we were still at his school out in Papua New Guinea (we’re missionaries there), but the school he is in here doesn’t have one. Though he’s missing his friends in PNG (and his graduation), we are so thankful to be here.
You see, Kyle’s Daddy, my man was med-evaced out of PNG with severe necrotizing pancreatitis in October of last year. After a couple of weeks in the hosital in Australia, I went back to PNG to pack up our bags and our 3 boys and pick up my man to return to the U.S. (for further medical care). Within a month of being back home in the Seattle area, Kyle was diagnosed with a very rare form of margina zone b-cell lymphoma. So, as I said, though Kyle misses his graduation with his friends in PNG, we are so thankful that God saw fit to bring us back here for medical care for our precious boy. And after two surgeries to remove the tumors from his face, he is a beautiful, cancer free graduate, and a shining example of God’ grace and faithfulness!
Beth, I was going through Believing God with several of my missionary girlfriends in PNG when my man was med-evaced and was able to finish it here just this week after “settling in” after all the medical issues. Thank you for allowing God to use you to encourage us on in our faith. I love Him so much and so desire to grow more and more in believing Him. He has shown Himself trustworthy over and over and over again. When I returned here to Seattle, I discovered this blog in time for the So Long Insecurity study. It has been a real treat for me to have some fast internet access and the opportunity to fellowship with all of you. I see the Lord so clearly in you Beth and He has taught me so much through your studies I’ve had the privilege to do. We plan to return to PNG as soon as we are able, but for now, are happily living life here.
Kyle, I am so proud of you my special graduate! Keep walking with the Lord. He has entrusted you with a lot and I am sure He plans to glorify His name more and more through your life. Congratulations!
Congratulations, Melissa!
What an accomplishment!
May the Lord continue to bless you.
My baby girl is about to graduate high school and make our home an empty nest. We are so excited for her but will greatly miss her and the friends that frequent our home. Most of them I have know since they were born.
The past four years have been full of emotions. My oldest graduated high school, two years later got married, two years later had my first grandchild and now my baby is about to leave! Whew makes me tired thinking about all we have done in four years but it has been wonderful.
May God grant peace to all of us who will be dropping our children off at college in a couple of months and make that hard drive home without them.
As if there are not enough reasons to celebrate life, my son is graduating from 5th grade. Yes, here in northern Michigan that dictates a ceremony, graduation video, cake and punch reception, flowers for everyone, etc….. On to the middle school. While there are some parents really excited about the ceremony and a bit teary, the kids (boys esp.) are most excited about getting to the middle school where they have way better lunches they tell me – “french fries every day if you want them mom!” Lord help me!!!
Congratulations Melissa. I have 2 great nephews graduating this year. Frankie is going to high school and Qu’ran is going to middle school.
Congratulations Melissa! Our oldest daughter, Amy, will graduate high school on May 28th. We couldn’t be prouder of her and how she has allowed God to lead her life.
This is my first time EVER to post on a blog…we’ll see if I can get it.
(I even posted my picture. Wow!)
Congratulations Melissa!!
I have to tell you that I am so excited to see your mom in person this weekend in Grand Rapids, MI!! I am driving the church van and bringing a group of ladies from Ft. Wayne, IN. We are so excited for what the Lord has in store for this weekend. We are praying!
My middle son, Kurt, is graduating with honors from HS June 19th. Four days later, June 23rd he will leave for the Air Force Academy. We are so proud of him but will miss him so much!
I am the proud mom of a college graduate this year. My daughter Brooke graduated last weekend from Middle Tn State University with a Master of Education. She is the most wonderful daughter a mom could ask for and whomever is fortunate enough to get her for a teacher will be blessed beyond measure!
Our graduate is the baby of the family and she’s graduating from Kindergarden. Our little spit fire is an extra special gift from God. After adopting two girls from China, God told us that we had another daughter waiting for us in China. We brought her home almost 3.5 years ago. She’s beautiful, smart and as I said a little spit fire and the joy of my life. Back in January she punched 2 second grade boys…where it really hurts. I must add that she’s also tiny, the smallest in the class. That’s probably the only reason the boys didn’t punch back. Well her teacher/my friend, had to send her to the principal’s office. Sarah is tiny but has a huge personality and wins the heart of everyone who meets her. I am so blessed to be her mommy.
Tamara
I graduate with my Masters in Library Science in August then on to being a children’s librarian. Im the first person on my Dad’s side to ever earn a Masters degree!
My first, Caroline Grace, is graduating from kindergarten! She learned to read, announced the boy she plans to marry, and was recenty told by a classmate that she likes it when Caroline preaches to her. My heart is busting its banks!
I’m bawling my eyes out as I read these sweet stories. 9 months ago I lay (lie?, I never get that right) in my 5 year olds’ bed, holding her close, while she slept, praying fervently that the Lord would shine a light as bright as the sun down on me, revealing whether or not I should send her to Kindergarten or hold her back! How silly it all seems now, she had a wonderful year but I was a basket case. God was my strong hold and my strength as I battled some major fears! Fears for her failure, fears for my failure as a mom (and probably countless others I couldn’t even name if I tried). As I sat in Beth’s bible study on Esther, crying out to Him to take those fears away OR should I say help me overcome them, He did! He is who is He says He is – Faithful! And now she will be graduating from little ole kindergarten! She exceeded our expectations just as God always does…
Mrs. Beth!!!
I GRADUATED FROM AUGUSTA STATE UNIVERSITY in Augusta, GA this year. I am a FIRST GENERATION college student and guess what!!!! I was selected to be the Student Commencement Speaker. Bless the Lord… I never expected to be THAT person. I’m still overwhelmed. Wow!! He also blessed me with a job at gmc (Gospel Music Channel) here in Atlanta. !!!!!!!!! My life is an exploration of my wildest dreams…through sweet Jesus!
P.S. I’d be honored if you’d listen to my commencement speech. Several of the Siestas streamed it live and one even came and supported me on the day I graduated. I love you guys. Here is the website, fast forward the time to 44:47:
http://www.wfxg.com/global/link.asp?L=440280
Also, a beautiful article was written in the Augusta Chronicle:
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/education/2010-05-08/asu-grad-urges-classmates-reach-high?v=1273330535
I’m not putting these to boast in this at all…you just have no idea how much an honor such as this has meant to me. From my background… we literally grew up poor….I’ve stayed with different families through out my college career because I couldn’t afford anything, but I met Jesus along the way and He provided all. I give Him all the glory and praise. Unfortunately my speech couldn’t be religious or political… but it may not have been written with His name, but it was delivered IN His Name.
I love y’all!!!
Congratulations, Melissa! All your Siestas are celebrating with you!
My youngest daughter (of 3) is “graduating” from kindergarten next week. This is the end of an era for our family, in that this marks the end of our involvement at a small, Christian school that meets at our church. One of my best friends has been my Sarah’s teacher for the last couple years and we are so blessed by and thankful for the time and energy and love she has poured into our little girl. This has been a big year for Sarah.. she learned to read, count to 100, and cooperate with group activities! I’m soooo proud of her.
Our son, David, graduated May 6th with a degree in Computer Science from Southern Wesleyan University in SC. We are so proud!! David was the child we were not supposed to have according to the doctors. They don’t know my God!!! 🙂
Johnnie
Wake Forest, NC
We had 2 graduations at our house on the same day! Older child.. daughter.. graduated from College with a B.A. in Christian Studies and Philosophy. I home educated her from 5th grade through 12th and during her teen years we participated in a ladies Bible Study doing Beth Moore Studies. Ladies from 15 (my daughter and her friend) to 88! It was grand! My younger child… son… also graduated on May 8… from high school.. home educated from 1st – 12th grade. What a trip! And while he has never participated in a Beth Moore Study, Beth has infuenced him. We used A Woman’s Heart when studying the Tabernacle… I did a version of Believing God with him… and he has watch Wednesdays with Beth over the years. So Beth, you have played a big role in my kids education! Thanks for loving and teaching the Word!
Hi Siesta, my husband, Clay, received his doctorate in musical arts: choral conducting with a minor in music history just 2 Saturdays ago. We are trying to wait without anxiety as we look to God for a job to open up for his this fall. It was the longest 4 years of my life that included huge highs: meeting him, our wedding, 2 hospital stays, delayed graduation dates, moving away from family, an un-ideal job, and now seeing him receive his doctoral hood and to see the look of relief in his eyes – I am so thankful!
Congrats, Melissa! Do you and your beloved have your next step planned out or are you like us in that you are looking for the next step to be revealed?
I almost forgot my most important graduate!
Phenias is a kid I’ve known since he lived at the Star of Hope mission years ago; he was 5 and a refugee from Congo, and I was his teacher at the shelter. He and his family joined our church, I stayed very involved with him even after he moved out, and Phen ended up living with me for a while because I was concerned about his education and wanted him to attend a KIPP school that was opening near me (KIPP schools are college preparatory charter schools for inner-city kids).
It was not always easy. He cried, I cried. There were times I thought I was going to have to beat a love of learning into him. 😉 But in three weeks, he will graduate 8th grade having won admission to a great high school in Houston. And this boy who at 5 was learning English as his third language (after Kiswahili and French) and who was identified as Limited English Proficiency in fifth grade, when he was testing at a second grade level, just earned a perfect score on the English portion of the TAKS test.
Cheeky Monkey, you are my heart and I could not be more proud of the mannerly but mischievous 14-year-old you are.
Miss Melissa,
I am so proud of you! You rock girl.