Graduation!

Jet lagged -  but HERE.  I'm so thankful that all eleven are us were able to attend Josiah's graduation. It really was a miracle. We are thankful to staff and leadership who made it possible. 


Yes, he graduated....debt free! Working 40 hours a week...and DONE. Josiah hopes to do an internship this summer in a corporate office and then begin his Masters of Business Administration in the fall. He's faithfully following  the path God laid out for him when his personality and talents were breathed into him.  Josiah does plan to be a business success...the motives of his heart are a blessing. Years ago as he wrestled with either Bible College or Business College it was confirmed to him in several ways that he would be a minister of God regardless of which route he went. I believe he chose the route right for him...from the wheeling and dealing as a toddler...to now....and I do believe he will be a success. His heart is to bless his future family, care for his aging parents (::snort::), and shine for Jesus wherever he may find himself.  He's a blessing to us all.  It was pure joy to have all of us on hand to celebrate this accomplishment. 


My only regret is I neglected to grab a photo of this year's THREE COLLEGE GRADUATES together....all for His glory. 

Debbie in white - through Jared.....way at the end

Receiving his diploma

Josiah walking towards camera

Mike, Cy, Me, Bre, Jared, Arielle, Krista, Nolan, Jamin
Stacia, Zander

Josiah and Jamin's second family

Nolan 

Josiah

Jared and Michael 

Bre & Josiah 

Arielle

Krista and Michael 

Random group shot

Zander still isn't impressed with college graduations

Stacia requested a photo hugging Shelby (Josiah's friend)

Josiah and I....and they said he had no brain stem! 

The rest of the evening was a diversion. Shelby had planned a party for Josiah's friends. We had planned on planning a party, but having her do it sure allowed us more time to focus on spending time together. The party was a surprise and was kicking off on Sunday night..... but if we did nothing we KNEW Josiah would guess there was a surprise party afoot. 

Families at the boys' church here in San Angelo had gone together and given a gift large enough to take our family to Logan's Steakhouse. We invited Shelby and the Hardings to go along.  I begged Debbie to go pick out the ugliest cake she could find and then have them write Congrats Joshua on it (his name is Josiah). My thought is we'd divert him. He'd figure - "Well - dinner with friends and a cake - shoot they didn't even spell my name right." 

Logan's was great and let us bring the cake in

Deb came through! Ugly isn't it. ::snort:: 

After dinner we headed to the boys' house. We had fun playing games....enjoying each other...celebrating...

Jamin and Bre

Krista

Face of Jet Lag

This was a fun game...I think we'll order a copy for game nights

We called it a night - LATE - as we had a full day planned for Sunday - to include the surprise party Shelby planned. 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Gherkins In the House

By 08:00 we had the room packed, the children showered and were heading to breakfast and to pack the car. 

Very full suitcase

We zipped over and traded a couple of boys for a couple of girls and headed to the school showing of San Angelo Broadway Academy's  "The King and I." I cried when they sang "Getting to Know You" - reminded me of Japan. ::snort:: It was fun to see so many familiar faces. 

After picking up our boys, we drove to base and tried to check in to our new rooms.  It turned into a very frustrating experience....but we are now settled. Stacia wanted her photos with this frog. 

Josiah and Jamin met us for dinner.  We were amazed at the welcome we got as we walked in Burger King. Wow - they remembered us....remembered our kids....remembered we were in Japan. It was quite fun.  There was enough time for us to run through the commissary for breakfast foods. 


At the airport we played various games and visited while we waited.....and waited. 

They began to come through security......the excitement grew....the camera wasn't quick enough to catch most of the photos.

Steve was at the airport!

What does it take to get all the Gherkins in one room?

Five space A flights from Misawa to Seattle, three rental cars, two rides to Portland, seven domestic flights, two rides to Hachinohe, four train rides, two international flights from Tokyo to San Angelo, and ONE COLLEGE GRADUATE!

9 Gherkins and a Dad at the airport

Group Hug

Poor Stacia dissolved in tears - a bit overwhelming to be the baby when all of us get together. LOL All is well now, though. We'll have to make sure we save her a seat and don't get to loud all at once. 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

We're Celebrities

Today the kids and I finally made it over to Chick Fil A. What fun!  Zander said, "We're celebrities!" Bre (employee) made their day by saying, "I get to take the Goecker's orders!"  They got to see Tim O, Josiah and Kasey.....they were happy to remember and be remembered.  They were also excited to see Shelby working in the dining room. They were disappointed that Jamin wasn't there and asked Tim O if he were in the back. I'd explained he had two final to take today - but I don't think the younger two really understand the concept of going to be a building away from home to take tests. LOL

We shopped all through the mall hoping to find a calendar.  No luck. On impulse I stopped by the Family Bookstore (Christian bookstore). Everyone made a point of telling me they "love that store." I'll need to make sure we stop by there again before we leave.  I did find a calendar.  Sweet art work and verses woven into the scenes...I wouldn't have found something like this back home - either on base or off.

Had TX BBQ for dinner.....spent an hour or so at the boys' house....came back to the hotel and packed up. Early a.m. tomorrow. I'm not sure we'll have Internet when we move on base. 

Glad to be DONE with ASU

Meet Olive the Sugar Glider

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Bridal Preparations

I love connections.....networking....today as I read Revelation chapter 19 I made a fantastic connection to our  fall study of Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 - 7).  Note this not going to be a full theological treatment of the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb" or "Works" or "Righteousness" ..... these are a  few simple connections from my devos this a.m.

7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." 8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 


It's no secret that I like to ask questions.

As I read the very heavens are rejoicing...WHY?  Jesus' bride (the church, me) has  made herself ready....

HOW? She clothed herself in fine linen!

WHAT would fine linen be? HOW does this apply in my daily life?

The fine linen the bride is clothed in are the righteous acts she has lived out.

I love it when the questions are answered RIGHT in the passage.....

I make myself ready for the wedding by clothing myself in righteous acts (Yes, we are clothed in HIS righteousness - I TOLD you this would not be a FULL treatment - just one aspect - stick with me).  


She clothed herself in fine linen - in righteous acts....and my mind ran to Matthew 5 -7.....to what Jesus, Himself, teaches on true righteousness. Obedience to these teachings are the foundation I build my life on (Matt 7:24). Jesus cared that we know what  personal righteousness looks like walked out.....and it's that walking out that prepares us to be His bride...prepares us for the "Wedding Supper".  Check out Matt 5 - 7 yourself....here are some quick things I remembered from our study (as I didn't mark the word - but probably will when I get home where I have some colored pencils). ::snort::

• Beatitudes illustrate a life of righteousness (Matt 5: 1-12)
• Righteous believers shine and flavor society (Matt 5:13 - 16)
• True righteousness will fulfill the heart of the law (Matt 5:17-48)
• OUR righteousness is to surpass that of the Scribes and Pharisees (Matt 5:20)
• Jesus preached an internal righteousness stemming from relationship - rather than ONLY external keeping of laws (whole thing)
• Jesus calls us to a single-focus, to simplicity (Matt 6:22)
• Secret life of relationship will produce observable acts of righteousness (Matt 6:1-18)
• Secret life is first priority! (Matt 6:33) (Really focused here a lot - sweet intimacy). 
• Seeking His Kingdom and Heavenly Treasures is to be first (see above) Matt 6
• Righteousness runs from hypocrisy (Matt 7)
• Righteousness asks of the Father (Matt 6, 7)
• Righteousness is not afraid to call God  Daddy (Matt 5 -7)
• A righteous bride will be fruitful (Matt 7)
• God KNOWS the righteous (Matt 7)

Personally, there are some specific "works" that Christ has prepared for me to walk in (another musing for another day).  Yes, I get tired. Yes, I choose joy as I walk out those works. Obedience to walk out these acts of service/righteousness prepares me, clothes me, for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.  I'm getting ready. 

Love this photo as it shows generations preparing the bride

Bridal Preparations in progress. ::grin::  How are your Bridal preparations going? Have you given any thought to the fine linen which we are called to prepare? I desire to be a prepared bride. I desire to be helpful in the preparation of the Bride of Christ as we prepare for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. 


Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Outstanding Day

We all had a hard time sleeping last night - which means we had a hard time waking up this a.m.

Josiah took his final final of his undergraduate career this a.m. - we met up with he and Shelby for an afternoon of celebrating.

 Double Dave's for lunch...then a bit of shopping and then.....

Unsure of  hotel pillows she handed the missing tooth directly to me! 

One Southpaw helps another

SCORE

Shelby and Arielle (with Nolan unaware)

Deja had told us about TJ's Frozen yogurt. Josiah agreed it was good....so we went there after bowling.

First, you grab a cup and choose your flavor of frozen yogurt

Pick from a ton of toppings, weigh and pay

EAT...ENJOY

Happy to be DONE (with the degree/with the semester)

 Shelby had to go work at the University's radio station for a couple of hours, we bought wrapping paper and wrapped gifts. Josiah took them back to the house....we'll be moving on to base on Friday.

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...