We started the week of graduation by giving Rachel a present every day after school. It was fun for all to see her come in and find a present as well as cards that had come through the mail. We gave her a new camera, the New Testament on cd, a chocolate fountain and other little goodies. The camera is to record memories so that she can look back on God's blessing on her life. The set of cd's is to be listened to and stay in her car (which Grandma gave her two weeks ago.) The chocolate fountain is to help her practice hospitality in the future. (That's my kind of hospitality.) Ray topped off the presents by writing her a special letter and giving her the book Letters to a Daughter on Practical Subjects. Here is a post of the letter: http://psalm78.wordpress.com/ It is filled with wisdom and blessings that only a godly daddy can give. What a great weekend! Friday started with family arriving for the high school awards ceremony and dinner of ribs. Rachel got to pick the food this week and I must have gained ten pounds. Hannah received the Christian Character award, Geometry award and AB honor roll. It's always exciting to be recognized for hard work. At the school each senoir's family set up a table to showcase parts of their child's life. Friday evening was the baccalaureate - Rachel played the piano for the service and Sarah played the postlude. Friends and more family came over and spent the night. Saturday morning we woke early to get ready for graduation ceremony. Rachel and a boy in her class have always had very similar grades so the spot of salutatorian was never sure. The valedictorian has always been obvious, but last week it was announced that the honor of salutatorian would be shared. Rachel gave a great speech (to be published later) that honored God and pointed her classmates to a higher purpose in life. There was also a slideshow of each graduate that they put together. It was very moving to see special pictures and memories flip by on the screen to the tune of What a Wonderful World and Daddy's Little Girl. After the ceremony we had a "Rachel-fest" and enjoyed fellowship with lots of people. There was pictures of her every where and even confetti with her name on it. We invited those we love the most from every aspect our lives. I cooked eight pounds of chicken for chicken salad and made two dozen eggs into egg salad. We had her chocolate fountain flowing all day so the little ones stayed wired until late in the day, then crashed at the appropriate time. Rachel enjoyed opening presents and counting her loot with her friends and family. God truly blessed her abundantly! On Sunday after BOTH sets of grandparents and an elderly aunt left, Rachel was recognized at church. Rachel has received a lot of awards over her high school career, but the commendation she was given at church was by far the most special. Kevin (Ray's fellow elder) hadn't been told that he would be doing this part of the service but he said some of the kindest words about Rachel that a parent could ever hear. He commended her speaking at the graduation saying it was the best he'd ever heard at a graduation ceremony. Then he called her a godly young woman. Our goal for Rachel is to love God and follow after Him. It is such a blessing for others to see that displayed in her life.
Today we woke to a new day and many new opportunities. We haven't a solid plan set in place for Rachel yet but we know that God is faithful and will guide us all.
Pictures above in order: Rachel speaking at graduation, her with Nana and Graddaddy (Ray's parents), her with Grandma ( my mom), her with just a few of her cousins, her trying to impress a few of her friends with her awesome muscles, and the best group of sisters a girl could have.
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