All Edumicated and Gradumated

Yesterday, during Divine Service, we took time before the Prayer of the Church to recognize, pray for, and bless Sarah, my daughter, upon graduating from high school.  This is a tradition we observe every year when we have members graduating from high school; this year, Sarah is the only one.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for graciously bringing Sarah to this point of formal education.  For all the efforts of parents and teachers through these years we praise You.  We ask wisdom and guidance for Sarah as she makes decisions about her life that will have implications for years to come.  Give her a rich measure of Your Spirit as fields of study and opportunities for employment become available.  Help her accurately assess the gifts and abilities You have given and bless the choices that she makes.  May she ever grow closer to You in faith and with her life honor the name of Your only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Sarah, the Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you now and always to strengthen you with His grace unto life everlasting.  Amen.

A pic of Sarah and me after the Service:

Alma's graduation ceremony took place yesterday afternoon.  It was a nice ceremony, and much shorter than I anticipated it would be, lasting only about an hour.  Sarah had plenty of family and friends in attendance to whoop it up when her name was announced (I'm guessing that we came in about third place for loudest whooping :).  Here are a few of the hundreds of pics taken:

During the procession; Sarah is the one in the yellow stole on the end of the fifth row looking up at us (this is the best I could do with my zoom-less iphone; can't wait to get pics from those who were using real cameras)

The diploma - after Sarah's Open House, this will surely find its way into a box in the attic never to be seen again, just like all other high school diplomas :)

A proud family 

Sarah with Grandma Sally and Papa Clay (my parents)

Sarah with Grandma Maxine and Aunt Juanita (Lisa's mom and sister)

Sarah with Great-grandma Joyce (my grandma)

Sarah with her god-mother, Bernice

Sarah with Aunt Brandy and, as of today, Uncle Mike (my sister and brother-in-law)

Sarah and Jordan (that guy she's hung around with for the last couple of years :)

Sarah with friends, Jaycee and Haley, in their best "Manly Pose"

Haley, Chelsea, Janelle, and Sarah - "Jumping for Joy - Part I"

Haley, Chelsea, Janelle, and Sarah - "Jumping for Joy - Part II"