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!
okay…this may be the smallest graduate yet, but, MY BOY..graduated from Awana Cubbies!! He is now in the Sparks classroom and VERY proud I might add! He learned alot of awesome scripture this year and I couldn’t be more proud!!!
Congrats Melissa!
My younger daughter, Eleanor Lesley, is graduating kindergarten on Friday. She and her older sister Hannah are being baptized on Sunday as well. Big weekend!
I’m graduating from high school. Tomorrow is my last day of school! It’s very exciting… but also a little sad. I’ll be going to North Greenville in the fall and majoring in psychology- I want to do Christian counseling. After that I’ll get my Masters in clinical counseling at Columbia International University. (Unless God has something else in store for my future then it’ll be changing)
Congratulations Melissa!!
My first born is graduating high school! I can’t describe the joy in my heart as I have watched the Lord interrupt her plans in the past few weeks and steer her heart toward His plans for her future. The best part has been watching her respond with an obedient “Yes, Lord!” I am amazed.
Congratulations Melissa!
Our son Paul graduated May 1 from California Baptist University with a BA in Christian Studies. He has a full time job for the summer on campus while he completes two classes this summer. Paul is engaged to Alexa who also graduated. We are so blessed! Wedding is Oct. 16th! Pray for jobs and future ministry direction!
It’s official: I AM AN EMPTY NESTER. YIKES! My youngest graduated from Shiloh Christian and will be attending the University of Arkansas this fall. (just like his mom, dad and big brother) Wooooooo Pig Sooooooooieeeeeeeeee!
Hmm…what will I do with my free time?
On 5/8/10 my #4 granddaughter graduated from college with a degree in business. Was a wonderful day just wish her grandpa could have been there. Know he was smiling down on her! And praise God she has a job. Graduation was Saturday and first day at work was Monday(banking).
We are celebrating our daughter’s graduation (promotion) from middle school tomorrow. It was a two-year stint and she survived the middle school experience and earned great grades as well! Her middle school years and experiences with others have provided us with lots of topics of conversation and times to pray together, even if it was for someone who wasn’t treating her nicely. We have been so blessed by the fact that she still comes home everyday with a full report of how her day went. Our Hannah is growing up to be a lovely young woman with a heart for God and others. I am not yet able to project ahead to four years from now, when she will be graduating from high school. Going to cherish the time while we still have her at home!
My 17 year old son recently graduated from high school. We have been truly blessed in that he has received enough scholarship awards to fully cover all college expenses. I told him to never forget Matthew 6:33.
My youngest of 5 will graduate June 1 from 8th grade and as a special gift, my husband was selected as the graduation speaker for this small Christian school. He will share on Jude 24-25, the class verse. We are so proud of our “baby” as he has stood tall and bold for Christ in his school, looking out for the underdogs and being a true servant to his teachers and classmates. It is bitter sweet in that it is our last in grammer school. Last night was our last (of what seemed like hundreds of) elementary band concert. I’m so proud of my dear youngest “man child” John. He is a treasure!
I have two graduates in my house. My oldest son is graduating from 8th grade next week. I think this will be harder on me than the first day of kindergarten! He’s becoming a man before my eyes! It’s a scary thought sending him out into the big world of highschool! And my husband just graduated from college last week to be an RN. He has been trying to balance work, school and family life for a long time now and I am SO proud of him! What a man God has blessed me with!
May 8, 2010 I officially finished my MS in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from South Dakota State University.
The opportunity that was given to me two years ago to go to grad school ended up being so much more than I even imagined that it would be. Jesus helped me to see His heart and vision that I didn’t really know or understand at the time that I recieved my BS degree. I did grow as a professional, but God’s purposes for keeping me at SDSU were far greater than that.
I am so thankful for my friends and family who supported me and prayed me through.
I am celebrating the college graduation of my oldest daughter this past weekend! She graduated with a 3.96 from Valparaiso University, and was recognized as a Distinguished Student for her Service, Scholarship, and Leadership. Magna Cum Laude…Phi Beta Kappa…and an already paid for fellowship at University of Delaware to start in July!
As i posted in my blog, this was such an answer to so many years of prayer. As a single mom for years, there were some days that I just didn’t think I could go on. But my faith was in my Father, and He provided abundantly for my girls when I fell short. To see my first born singing “Our God, Our help in Ages Past,” in cap and gown at her Baccalaureate, which was my prayer for all of those years, well, let’s just say it was pretty emotional and a in my face realization of God’s providence.
I’ll be graduating from high school next week! God has grown me so much during my high school years. His faithfulness never ceases to amaze me! It’s my dream to own a small yarn shop someday, and I’m hoping to work next year at a shop similar to the one I’d like to own. That way, I can get some practical experience! It will be an adventure for sure. 🙂
At age 46, I completed a degree in Early Childhood Education and finished my student teaching this semester. Now I want to be a Kindergarten teacher. You wouldn’t be lieve (well, I guess you would believe) what all the LORD has done for me! Praise Him!
Congratulations, Melissa!
Our youngest (of 4) will graduate from Xenia Christian High School in 3 short weeks . . . some days are ‘sniff sniff’ days and others are ‘hallelujah!’ days! We’re very proud of Ben . . . along with being active in ministry and athletics, he’s maintained a 3.9 GPA and completed 4 college courses in the past 2 years! We are soo…blessed to have him as part of our lives 🙂
In 3 short weeks, my oldest child will be turn 18 and graduate from high school the very next day. Just seeing those words in print is enough to make me tear up at the thought. It seems like just yesterday that we were joyfully anticipating his birth. The time has passed so quickly. We are so proud of him and all of his hard work! He will be attending one of the nation’s best universities this fall on a full scholarship(a MAJOR answer to prayer.) As sad as I will be to catch the last glimpse of him out our car window on the day we move him into his dorm, I am excitedly waiting to see what God has planned for his life. God has gifted him in so many different ways that I honestly have no idea what He has in store for my son. I just pray that he will honor His Lord and Maker all the days of his life on this earth.
I am very proud of my husband who is graduating next week from our denomination’s seminary! After 20 years away and 25 years in full-time ministry he finally went back to school to finish what he started. I pray our children realize the example he hopes to set for them. He was a great pastor before but I admire his determination this time around and I just want to say how proud a wife I am!!!
Two precious young ladies from my Bible study are graduating this year from high school Beth Fowler from Riverside High School in Greer, SC and Emilee Hall from Mauldin High School in Mauldin, SC. These girls are two Godly young ladies who love their Lord and Savior and are seeking to follow Him. They plan to attend North Greenville University (a Christian college nearby).
God bless you my daughters in the Lord! I love you and am so proud of you!
May God bless you! Congratulations!
I have 5 more years till my triplets graduate…if I survive!!!
Congrats to Melissa….amazing accomplishment!!!!!!!!!!
My baby sister just graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in theology! I couldn’t be any prouder! She is such an inspiration to me!
My daughter graduated high school my son graduated college with an associates and I graduated from nursing school! My husband is broke!! Ha. I hope to become a labor and delivery nurse.
I am a proud momma R.N.
Congratulations, Melissa! I know that you worked so hard and that God was so gracious! I don’t know how you did all that did with LPM and still got everything done to get that diploma! You are an amazing young woman. May God bless you mightily.
Beth Herring
My son, Britt, graduates next Friday from high school. He was a 4-sport All State scholar-athlete. Won the Wendy’s Heisman for the state. Was a Coca-Cola Scholar and won over $300,000 in scholarships. He has a full ride to the University of Texas. This is a kid who saw his mom hit a severe depression 3 years when we lost our 27-year-ministry position and he didn’t know what to do. 2 Chron 20:12—he kept his eyes on God. I was attached to a ministry and not to my Good God and HE woke us all up. And we moved his junior year and he lost his lifelong friends. Then I came down with cancer. Britt turned to God and found his way to a new home, a new place in his heart! And he wrote in one of his college essays: “Life isn’t about winning awards; it’s about seeing 12-year-old wheelchair-bound Nat walk for the first time in his life because we stopped to help him.” Britt raised over $5,000 to help orphans and displaced kids in Chiang-Mai, Thailand. Congrats to our son who continues to find his way home—back in the arms of His God. St. John of the Cross wrote: “You will be graced with disaster that your soul requires to bring you back home.” My prayer for my boy is 2 Tim 4:7 Fight the good fight of faith. Finish the race. Keep the faith!
Congratulations Melissa! As a seasoned newlywed that took determination and sacrifice and courage to do that. Wow! Titus 1:1 comes to my mind—You are a servant of the Word of God to all of us for the Knowledge of the Truth that leads to Godliness—changed lives! What more hope can you give to anyone but the Living Word? “Nothing will change you more deeply than hearing God speak to you in the Bible. True Christianity turns the possible into the actual. As the biblical ax breaks the frozen sea within us and releases the warm current that flows from our God-invaded center, we become the persons we were meant to be.” 66 Love Letters. God will use you to thaw the frozen seas! Psalm 50:2 says Perfect in Beauty, God pours out of you! He does! He will! Congratulations sweet girl~!
Congrats Melissa! I have to say I’m so impressed. It took all I had just to go to college and get my CPA. No more school for me…whew! My sweet middle daughter, Madeline, is graduating from 8th grade next week. It seems we were just celebrating Kindergarten graduation yesterday!! I’m SO PROUD of her! She has become quite the leader of her class. She received an honor at the high school she is going to attend next year for her leadership while she was in middle school. A very quiet young lady and a young lady with very few words. We all STOP and LISTEN though when she says something. PRAISE the LORD for quiet leaders like her. I’m so glad God made her that way because HE knows the rest of us are LOUD. Sometimes it’s the only way HE and she gets our attention. WAY TO GO sweet Madeline! (Can you tell I’m a proud mommy:O)
My baby is graduating pre-K today at 1pm! Where does the time go? She’s as ready for Kindergarten as her big sister is 3rd grade. My heart is full and sore at the same time. Praise God He’s got them 🙂
My nephew Andrew graduated today from a high school in Castle Rock, Colorado. He was one of 34 students that had over a 4 point grade average, out of 300 plus students. Going on to college in the medical field.
My daughter graduated from Baylor w/a degree in math. She starts a 4 yr. PhD program in Statistics – again at Baylor. Her dad & I are mighty proud of her!
It’s kind of late to be adding this since this post is now five days old, but my sixteen-year-old daughter has finished her requirements for high school. We took her out of her public school at the end of her tenth-grade year last year, due to some poor decision-making on her part. This year she has taken college level classes online and now has enough credit to graduate high school a year early and with a semester of college credit under her belt. I’m so proud of who she has become this year. I’m sad that she had to miss out on some of the fun things of high school, but her heart is more important to me than her happiness. I’m beginning to see in her attitude some of the fruit of our decision, and I’m encouraged that we made the right choice for her. It’s an odd ending and beginning for her and us but we’re figuring it out. Anyone who wants to join me in praying for her is so welcome to do so! I love her so!
Congratulations Melissa!! So proud of your accomplishment, may God richly bless and guide you and your family all of your days.
Christy
Summit, MS
Belated congratulations to Melissa! A second Master’s…what an accomplishment!!!!!!!!
I am the mother of a 2010 high school graduate…my oldest, Amber Lauren, graduated May 15th from Astronaut High in Titusville, Florida. She has carried on the high school family tradition–as her father and I were AHS grads in 1982. I was, at first, disappointed that she would not be following in her mother’s footsteps–by going to the University of Florida. (And, I was secretly elated that she would not be following in her father’s obsession–University of Alabama. She has been the ultimate Crimson Tide fan–ever since my husband’s parents put her in that UA cheerleader outfit as a toddler. My hopes of having a “baby gator” left at that time.) I am so thankful that I don’t have to deal with the “empty nest” issues that my friends are experiencing, because Amber will be attending BCC and living at home for the next two years. That is a blessing for us! There will be extreme changes for our family…as her father faces the Oct. 18 layoff–as a Kennedy Space Center shuttle technician. We have to cope with the loss of his career, so I am thankful that I don’t have to also deal with the loss of my “baby girl” leaving home this fall. My salary as an elementary school teacher will not be sufficent to maintain our current standard of living, and the fear of losing all that we have worked so diligently for over the last 22 years is taking a toll on us! Given the circumstances which are affecting hundreds of families who live on the space coast of Florida, I hope and pray that Amber Lauren (and all the other children of KSC workers) will see that the future is still full of hope–instead of uncertainty! I hope that their faith in God will be strengthened during these difficult times! I pray that they will turn to Him; He will answer their prayers with blessings in abundance; and they will know, without a doubt, that He is with them, and He is good! And, for those who do not have a close relationship with God, like my husband, I pray that they are also touched by Him during this time. As my husband flies to California Monday for shuttle recovery, may he be affected with change–spiritually. Thanks for listening!!! I apologize for the length!!! I just had too much on my heart!!!
After a long and hard journey, I FINALLY received my Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Reformed Theological Seminary. I started the program in August of 2006, three months after receiving a BS in Psychology and 1 month after getting married. At the time, we thought the program would take me 2-3 years, but God had other plans. In February of 2007, I found out we were expecting our first daughter…definitely a God thing because we hadn’t planned on having kids until I was out of school. Being pregnant and having a baby that required a lot of attention while trying to be a full-time student in a tough program was a huge challenge and I decided it was best for me and my family for me to just go through the program more slowly. I finished the program on February 22 and our second daughter was born March 1. This degree was a long time in coming, but I can definitely see God’s hand at work and am excited to see how He will continue to work through me in the future!
Congratulations to all the graduates!! I want to give a shout out to my precious, amazing daughter Tayler who will be graduating June 3rd from high school. I am so very proud of the woman God is growing her to be & her obedience to that calling. She inspires me. Thank you Tayler for walking this journey so truthfully with your Father God. I love you! Love, Mom
Congrats, Melissa!! Well done! 🙂
Our oldest grandchild, Xavier, wll be graduating from 8th grade next month. His entire school existence has been at a fine Christian school, Holden Christian Academy. He is now heading for a public high school. My prayer is that all he has learned and absorbed during his nine years God will bring to his remembrance when he needs it. And he will follow it!
Oh how fantastic!!! Congratulations Melissa!
It’s been wonderful to read through the comments about all the different graduates! From littlest to biggest! Such an exciting time for everyone!
Beth, would you do another graduate post next May because my “baby” boy will graduate with his Ph.D. and I will be one grinning-from-ear-to-ear mama!!
Congrats to Melissa for all her hard work! And to all the grads, wherever they are!
My oldest daughter will be graduating from Kindergarten in June!
I also have a graduate this June. My graduate is my beautiful daughter, Megan, age 17.She is graduating from High School. I am so proud of my girl. She is going to the University of Connecticut in the Fall. She, along with her brother, Andrew, age 15, are the loves of my life. I am a single mom, but feel so blessed by God for the gift of these wonderful children.
Hi! I know I’m getting this in here mighty late, but we have had two graduates this year. Our eldest, Katie, graduated in December from Michigan State and is currently working in DALLAS! 😉 and our youngest, Laura, is graduating from high school in a few short days! Whoo Hoo! She wants to go into Business Entertainment at Asuza Pacific University for the business end of ethical, high-quality, Christian movies.
The last 12 months have been ones of great transition in our family and close friends, with the death of my sister a few weeks ago, huge health challenges for our parents and friends, a compelling direction from the Lord for me, many changes in our family’s finances and occupations. Great is His faithfulness, and knowing that the only way to get through anything in this life is to stay grounded, armed and suited up in His Word!
Nearly 30 of us came over to Grand Rapids from Memorial Church of Christ in Livonia, MI to be with you, dear Beth and your whole team. (Most of us were at the Detroit LPL several years back, so it was easy to get a whole bunch of us together!) What a blessing you are to us all!!!
As I’m sure you can imagine, we’ve got a whole bunch of stickery thorns AND we’re getting through it all with Jesus! Praise HIM!!!
. . . and loving you all! Thank you.
Isaiah 40:31 They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall rise up on wings as eagles. They shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not be faint.
Congrats Melissa on your Graduation and May the Lord Richly Bless You and your Family.. I wanted to Tell My Daughter Megan that I love Her and She will do awesome starting High School at John Curtis Christian School she graduated from the 8th grad at St Anothnoey of Gretna. Praise Be to God for all four of my children.
No one has graduated yet, but my husband, daughter, and I are all in school (my daughter working on her Masters, my husband working on Associates and I am SLOWLY working on my BSN) SO A BIG CONGRADULATIONS TO MELISSA!!! I know you had an incrediably intense year! In Jesus’ Love Kathy Knoblock
My litle sis is graduating tonight… wow! She will also be finished with cosmotology school in 5 weeks… so in 3 months time she graduates from both high school and cosmotology school. I am so proud of her… oh and yes she does my hair and is AWESOME at it!!!!!
My daughter, Carley, is graduating from High School next week. She has had quite a remarkable Senior year and is looking forward to moving on to the next chapter in her life. Last summer she had an extremely rare medical condition that caused the amputation of her right hand.
ESPN magazine did a great job capturing her story. I’ve included it as I thought some of you might be interested.
God is good and I can’t wait to see the future plans he has for not only my precious graduate – but for all of the others as well! GOD BLESS!
http://rise.espn.go.com/girls-basketball/articles/2010/05/16-RISE-Above-Carley-Cottingham.aspx
Congratulations, Melissa!
My primary/high school (to Gr 11) academically-challenged daughter has just completed her masters – ceremony to be June 10. It has been a gruelling time while working FT as professor at Georgian College – Practical Nursing, casual as RN (usually triage nurse) in emerg dept of The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto and coach for trampoline. Her husband and family welcome her back and plan to hold her to her promise – no more – for a year or two!!
My son Evan is graduation from Fort Payne High School in Fort Payne, AL this Friday, May 28. He has accomplished much and has allowed God to direct him to the college of His choice. He has always liked sleeping in his own bed so come August please pray that transition goes well. He is the only child I have that I gave birth to and this one is hard but I know God has big plans for him and because of that I can find peace.
My son is graduating from highschool. He is a remarkable chld of God who loves the Lord. He played an instrumental part of his church, but no longer does. He allowed for satan to enter into his life for a brief moment that has changed his life forever. What was once thought of as a boyhood prank is now considered a sexual offense. And he has paid and continues to pay a very high price for it. He will not walk across the stage to receive his diploma, but get it in the mail. He is going on to a small 4 year Christian college to study religion and phylosyphy with hopes of becoming a youth pastor. We pray that that can and will happen if the Lord sees it. He is loved dearly by more people than not and lights up a room with his smile and obvious love for the Lord. People looked at him as a perfect witness and child but he is not and some are having difficulty with it all. And of course there is church politics in play. Please pray for my son to become what the Lord wants for his life. Thank you for being a real witness for the Lord.
In His Love,
Christine