A Birthday And Gradutation-December Update Part 1

Another birthday I missed while in CO, was Evie's! So we celebrated the day I got home, which was two days after her actual birthday!  

 It's hard to believe she's three now!:)

We enjoyed singing to her and she really, really, enjoyed eating her own mini cake by herself!:)

 

A few weeks later, much to our joy the guys, Ryan and Daniel graduated from high school! In their honor, Faith Baptist had a graduation ceremony and celebration on a Sunday evening! It was a very special time, and we were blessed by all who came to be a part of it and show their love and support to both guys!

 We started the evening off with prayer and a few hymns!

 Susanna and Nathaniel Smith, and I playing along with the singing like we normally do for service....

 On the last verse of For All The Saints, Ryan and Daniel walked down the aisle....

 Giving their speeches with slideshows in between....

 After the guys shared all the men in our church spoke. Here Mr. Randall and Mr. Smith were sharing on, joy in Christ, the importance of putting God first and always reading His Word.

 Mr. Keller and Mr. Nyer, challenging the guys in their commitments and walks with Christ....

Dad shared how grateful and proud he was for two such fine sons, admonishing them to walk with the Lord. Pastor addressed the guys, reminding them of the absolute necessity to look to Jesus Christ and their relationship personally with Him before any other earthly ambition.

 Finally the moment arrived for the handing out of diplomas!;) Ryan was first up....

 ....then Daniel!

 Turning their tassels.....

 keep going!

 Congratulations, Class of 2015!!!!:D

 I thought this picture was so perfect as it really captures the guys and some of their best friends whose lives they have invested in during their school years..:)

 Visiting with old friends....

 Receiving line...;)

 A picture with cousins, Janelle and Tina, and her husband Miguel.......

 Uncle Kenny, congratulating the guys!;)

 They were both so glad to have the speeches over with!;)

 The little building was fairly bursting with people, so many were there!

 ...we even had people eating outside!!

 ...and in the nursery we had fun visiting with the graduates! After the busyness of the day, it was really nice for the guys to be able to take off their caps and gowns and sit down and relax!;) I do believe that all the laughter coming from our table was due to the fact that many of us were low on sleep preparing for this exciting evening!

 Thanking Mom for all her hard work over the years!

One last picture with the cake!

 

Congratulations, Ryan and Daniel! Only the Lord knows what the next years hold, and He will guide them both to where they need to be! A verse the boys kept receiving was Jeremiah 29:11, and we have found that verse to be comforting even now in the new year, as the guys are praying and waiting on the Lord for the next step. How comforting it is to know God has a plan and purpose for our lives, even before we have thought to worry about it!;)

 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

                                                                                                                                   Jeremiah 29:11-13