Graduation

I am so blessed to have such a special family and sweet friends! I want to share a glimpse into my special graduation day with you all. I also included my speech which I read. I give God all the glory and thanks for this incredible time in my life.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:1-2

What an exciting season of life! I am so thankful to the LORD for His grace to me, for giving me life and filling my heart with joy as I transition from being a student of my loving parents to being an assistant helper teacher in their homeschooling and pursuer of all the other goals God has laid on our hearts. I am eager to see what God has in store for me. “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

I am thankful for the privilege of being taught by my parents in our home. Living and learning life lessons together throughout the years has helped prepare me for continuing on this journey of life, and if the LORD wills, for a future family. I can’t express how precious the God-built relationships in my family are to me and how I treasure each day I am blessed to spend with them. We have gone through life together every day; an advantage and sanctifying aspect of homeschooling. How grateful I am to God for giving my parents the vision to train up their children in the nurture and admonition of the LORD and how I get to be part of this journey.

I want to thank all those who have poured into my life – all the special spiritual mentors that have come alongside and encouraged, challenged, and helped me in my journey. I am thankful God put each one of you in my life at just the season I needed. Thank you for the example you have set and for taking the time to communicate with me and share from personal experience the lessons God has taught you. I praise Him for each of you.

Besides all the years of book work and study I have done, homeschooling has also taught me how to run a home efficiently, work through family situations and struggles, solve conflict God’s way, train up children, forgive and forget, relate to all types of personalities, and many more invaluable lessons that I will carry with me the rest of my life. Before Mom had the twins, during her 2 months of bed rest, I came to understand some of what a faithful mother does for her family! My sisters and I stepped in the place of running the home, putting on the meals, and caring for all the homely duties, and since then, God has taught me much more about the vital aspects of diligently caring for all the blessings that come with living in a large family.

I anticipate with joy all God has for me in the future. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” (Psalm 37:23) For now, I am excited about serving with my father and mother in our home, delighting in the LORD by spending time in His presence daily, studying subjects and topics that will further my education, continuing our family ministry through music, helping homeschool the little ones in my family, serving those in our community, helping my sisters run our Future Christian Homemaker’s Class, and learning more each day how to run a home according to the Word of God. He has placed me in an incredible family that I love and adore and desire to bless in every way I can.

I praise God for this unique period in my life. I pray the LORD would teach me how to redeem the moments, use this life He has blessed me with to honor and obey Him and serve Him faithfully all the days of my life. I give Him all the honor for my life and the work He has done and will continue to do. He is my goal, my aim, my joy and my all! To Him alone be all praise and glory.

Take My Life and Let it Be

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Let them flow in ceaseless praise

Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee;

Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.

Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee;

Filled with messages from Thee

Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose;

Every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne;

It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee;

Ever, only, all for Thee.

For most of the afternoon, we (86+ people who came and went) were able to visit and fellowship!

My mom and sisters did an incredible job putting together all the details and surprising me in different ways. I was so blessed.
Throughout the afternoon/evening, I was extremely blessed by the conversations I had, the advice and challenges that were shared with me and all the love the LORD showed me through the many people He has brought into my life.
God provided a beautiful HOT day for my graduation. Many people didn't mind though - they spread out and fellowshipped outside and inside.
I am so thankful each family took time to come out and bless me.
Several of the children enjoyed the trampoline and played well together. What a joy.

Many families brought delightful dishes to share with everyone. We had a lovely array of food for a group meal.
What a blessing that both sets of my grandparents were able to come out and share this special day.

Even Shredder had a pal and wasn't too bored being tied up away from all the exciting company. :)
Thank you for all who have prayed for me and have invested in my life. I am richly blessed and am grateful to God for each of you!

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ~Philippians 4:4-8

Many blessings,
~Dani