His Promises Fulfilled

Right before our very eyes, we have seen the fulfillment of His promises to our family!

Fourteen years ago, while Carrie had still over a year to go before entering kindergarten, God began speaking to our hearts and asking us for a radical, extreme (in the eyes of the world, but expected by God) obedience.  Sure, we were obeying Him by keeping His commands not to steal, kill,  or commit adultery.  We were taking our kids to Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and were reading His Word to them.  We had followed His call that I quit teaching and stay home with our sweeties.  None of those things were tough.  We didn't want to steal, kill, or commit adultery.  Church attendance was a desire and a habit.  And I was really excited to stay home to hug and kiss on my own kids kids rather than being at school all day long with other people's kids.

When that call to homeschool came...when He showed me in His Word the responsibility that He gives to parents (not to the government--check out Deuteronomy 6:6-8 if you don't believe me)...we got a little nervous.  And scared.  RESPONSIBILITY!  SACRIFICE.  Radical (in the eyes of the world, but expected by God) obedience that would change our lives!  At the time, we didn't see it as being radical or extreme. But as the years have gone by, and as we have seen the looks from those around us and have been asked questions that come from a completely different world view than ours is now (but was once quite the same), we have come to see that our obedience is a crazy one!  To the world.  But to God, it is required.  Demanded.  To God, the promise of blessing beyond belief was already fulfilled fourteen years ago when we said, "Yes!" with shaky knees and voices.  To God, it was a command that required nothing but obedience.  

We honestly didn't see the high stakes of disobedience back then, because we believed that it was school choice...our choice.  Homeschooling was a fun adventure to someone who had always dreamed of being a teacher!  But we have had valley times along with mountain times.  And sometimes obedience hasn't been very much fun...especially when we haven't been able to please those around us by conforming to the world's way of doing things.  But now I can see that the only right answer was "Yes!"  The only obedient answer was "Yes!"  

And the blessing of complete, radical, extreme (in the eyes of the world, but expected by God) obedience have been complete, radical, and extreme!

This past week, we have celebrated the fulfillment of a promise that was made and already fulfilled fourteen years ago...Carrie's graduation from our homeschool!

On Friday morning, Carrie received beautiful flowers from Uncle Rick...

And the Mother's Day pink flamingo that we had given Grandma was secretly returned to us last Sunday wearing an unfamiliar pair of glasses...

Paul and William even did their own cake decorating session the evening before graduation day to celebrate.

                           

I'll translate..."Congrats! '14"
You're welcome.  :)

And finally!  The big day!  May 17, 2014.

Isn't this a beautiful location for a graduation?  An amazing place to honor God with our thankfulness!

And there she is...all capped and gowned.  

I'm so happy she chose purple.  She looked stunning in purple!

And check out the blingy '14 on the tassel!  

So Carrie.

The church pianist provided the prelude music which consisted of hymns that I haven't heard for years.

A view from above.
Thank you to Aunt Brandy and Marie for the aerial shots!

Ninety-four homeschool graduates who also chose their own cap and gown colors!  How beautiful!

The very proud, very humbled Momma and Daddy...

Thomas J. Schmidt from the Home School Legal Defense Association gave this year's commencement address.  He is a homeschool graduate and now a homeschool dad who works for an organization that defends the rights and freedoms of homeschoolers around the world.  Thank you, HSLDA.

And now, the awarding of the diplomas!

Carrie's principal and teacher (Paul and me) were honored to present her with her diploma.  And as always, our Superintendent (God) was right there with us.  (Another of His promises!)

Presenting the Graduating Class of 2014!

You may now move your tassel from the right to the left!
You have graduated!

Picture time!
Carrie, William, Josh, and Matthew...classmates.

Us!

She is beautiful!

Grandma and Grandpa...

GG...

Uncle Robbie, Aunt Brandy, Ciara, and Emmie...

Uncle Brian...

Uncle Scott...

Uncle John and Aunt Carol...

(Funny...I can't get their picture to cooperate and go center rather than left.)

It was fun for Carrie to graduate with a friend, Josiah, from our homeschool group...

It's OK, William.  You're next.

Ciara wasn't too sure of the tassel at first, but she warmed up to it pretty quickly.

Did I mention that both of these girls are named after their Grandma Carolyn?

Carolyn Jane and Ciara Carolyn.  

Hey!  Those glasses look familiar!

Just 12 more years, Matthew!  

The graduating class of 20...26!!!

On our way to celebrate at the Olive Garden, we saw the Goodyear Blimp which is in town for all of the Indy 500 festivities.  There were 17 of us to be seated at the Olive Garden...which doesn't take reservations...at 4:30 in the afternoon on a Saturday...in Castleton.  We were seated within 10 minutes and were served by a super-sweet group of people.  Another blessing from God.

What a day year lifetime of happy memories.

 And so many more to come!