Thursday, May 19, 2011

Rachel's Graduation, part 2

 


Not only is this one of my my favorite graduation pictures of Rachel, it is one of my favorite pictures; ever. Some pictures capture a single breath in time that is symbolic of much more. I look at this picture and a flood of thoughts rush through my mind.

My Rachel is GRADUATING.
My mom looks so small.
Everything changes.
One day each one of my children will stand in that gown.
Years in this life fly past like seconds.
When she was three, the doctor said she may never talk.
That yellow Honors cord means so much more than Straight A's.


All of those things are true, but none more so than the last statement. I know that pride is a sin. But maybe there is a different kind of pride? Maybe it is better described as joy. But I can't help feeling pride, joy, and love well up in my heart when I look at the expression on Rachel's face, at the demeanor with which she wraps her arm around her Nana's shoulder. It is just so her, through and through. She is tender, caring, gentle, soft and sweet. Kind, generous, thoughtful, loving. She is an "Honors" student, but what means so much more to me is that she is a student of honor. She honors her father and mother. She honors her siblings and friends. I can honestly say that she is a young woman of character, faith, integrity and honor. Not perfect. Just willing for God to change her. Just willing to take up her cross and follow Jesus. I am honored that the Lord saw fit to let her come live and grow with us. Truly, I do not deserve her.
Thank You, Lord, for this one of many blessings.

Isaiah 44:3
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.


Rachels' Graduation, part 1

Here is the Veritas Class of 2011!
 



Rachel, Mike & I (Although you can't see it, I am the one who is blubbering):
 


With our good friends, the Mitchells:
 


The whole motley crew of us afterwards:
 


Rachel with beloved teachers Mrs. Camp & Mrs. Wetmiller:
 


And beloved friends, Jenna & Anna:
 





Getting Ready for Graduation...

 

 

 

 

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Sunday, May 8, 2011

Southern Belle Farms

 

 

 

 

 



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It was an urgent email. They needed our help. We HAD to go.
Southern Belle Farms was shooting a commercial to go on our local Henry County cable access channel, and they wanted families to come pick FREE strawberries, sample FREE homemade strawberry ice cream and pound cake, and be in their commercial. I don't know if we ever made it into the commercial, but we definitely helped them out on the rest of the list...