GRADUATION DAY

The ceremony went really well. The only thing I would have changed had to do with the worship. They had an awesome bad lead worship - unfortunately - someone forgot we ARE a diverse group of worshippers and the majority of folks did not know the songs they chose. Having the words on the screen would have been a great thing...other than that the day was perfect. Oh - right when we handed Cy his diploma our camera battery died. It SAID it was FULL!!!! right before it died. It's not terrible because several friends had taken lots of photos, so we'll eventually have those to add.

Here are some photos of the kids BEFORE the ceremony. I asked Mike to take a few photos. Us on graduation day (family photo on Debbie's camera or Bre's):

Josiah (18) and his table....a few other things showed up there as the day progressed...cap and gown, diploma etc.

Arielle (10 on Wed)

The 5 boys (Jamin 16, Jared 13)

Nolan (8)

Krista (19)

BreAnne (21)

Stacia (19 months)

Zander - 5 (imitating Cy's photo)

OK the men around here have informed me that he was not sweetly imitating his big brother and dreaming of being a MAN and graduating....he was pretending his arm was attacking his face....t-poisioning....can't even let me have my illusion....why would MOM think "ah - imitating" and boys think "attacking his face" when seeing the same photo? Mike confirmed the boys were right. LOL

Book Review: The Ministry of Motherhood, Ch 4

Chapter Four - The Grace of Forgiveness in Action
This chapter is excellent. I should copy the entire thing here, but I'll refrain. {g}
"Beyond that, though, I have learned that maturity in Christ is not instantaneous but a slow process. Even as a real human being starts off as a baby and matures towards adulthood, making mistakes and learning along the way, so Christian believers - including my children - start out immature and move gradually toward maturity. It is gracious forgiveness that enables us all to move past our mistakes and keep on growing . Even more important, it is forgiving grace that makes real love possible in our lives." p 53.
"Our children need the same kind (as Jesus displayed with sinners) of gentle graciousness from us if they are to learn to share their vulnerability, to confess their own sin, and to be free to love. If they fear our strong condemnation and possible rejection, they will hide their sin, perhaps even deceive themselves about the nature of it. They will definitely not avail themselves of our mature direction in their lives." p55. (emphasis mine)
"I believe we must strive to model that kind of gracious, forgiving love to our children. Of course we must instruct them in righteousness so they will understand the law of righteousness that is written in their hearts (Romans 1;18-19). We must teach them what sin is, and we must discipline them appropriately when they knowingly stray. Yet we must also show them, as Christ did for his disciples, what it means to be able to go tot he throne of God to receive forgiveness, the cleansing of our hearts, and God's unconditional love. And we must do this not only by talking about God's love (and being honest about our own need for forgiveness), but by making sure our children experience unconditional love and acceptance from us. " p. 55 (emphasis mine)
Next week we begin the Gift of Inspiration.

OH THE PRESSURE of Book Discussions!

I know many of you plan to participate in this discussion. I also know this is a busy time of the year. Say no to quilt. Enjoy the book. Read it and then click on the links in the sidebar and add your favorite quotes from the chapter or comment on mine.

When you are ready, click on the discussion questions and leave a comment.

I'll leave the links up until the discussion is over. You'll be able to read at your own pace and comment. I'll click through the links every day or so and read the new comments and leave new comments. It is my hope that others will do so as well.

This is a low pressure, low key discussion. We'll grow and learn from sharing with each other - though it would appear that it won't have the "keep up or you're out" feel of a local discussion or an email discussion.

How's that? Don't be discouraged. Comment when you can and I promise to keep checking back. I will dialogue with you - and really - I think others will as well. Don't worry that I feel bad about folks not commenting.....I figure some will read and never discuss and I enjoy sharing what I'm learning from the book.

No pressure!

SURPRISE

Now I can blog. We have been planning a surprise for Josiah's Graduation for the past few months. Everyone knew - even Zander and Josiah did NOT find out. Yippee!

We headed for rehearsal tonight. 5:00 - 6:00 was for setting up display tables and the reception area. We set up Josiah's table. It looks nice.

Mike told Josiah he was going to take the younger ones for dinner and come back for rehearsal at 6:00.

"Dinner" at the airport (and they did grab a banana at home)

Right before we left the house, the girls called. They were to be in at 9:30 tonight but got on a standby flight and would be in at 5:45.

Back at rehearsal, I tapped Cy on the shoulder. He looked back with a puzzled look. SURPRISE!!! It took SECONDS - several - while he stared at them before he realized what he was seeing. Cool. He was especially glad to hear they were staying for more than one day - they'll be here until the 27th.

Huh? WHAT?

Think he's happy?

Can you believe that rehearsal was only 40 minutes? This is the BEST group we've ever graduated with! LOL Oh and the parents get to SAY something and PRAY with their graduate.
Josiah headed out for dinner with the graduates. The rest of us went out for REAL dinner. Jamin will be at work until 10:00 - and then we'll have all the chicks in the nest. Yippee!!!

Jamin Milestone

Jamin Going In to His First Day of Work at Chick Fil A

SOFTBALL INJURY UPDATE

Yep, Debbie, he has a black eye.

Jared's MOWING BUSINESS

Jared has made $155 towards World View Academy this week. He did our outside windows - and they look great. He did 4 yards.

Today he "tamed the amazon".....the grass was WAIST HIGH when he started....he discovered lots of poisionous caterpillars, snakes, wasps.....and then he mowed through a thunder storm...but he finished and they paid him $60. LOL