Graduation Day

They say that one "ending" is just another "beginning".

My baby, well.....ok...my son, Jordan, graduated from high school this past Saturday night.

Was it sad? Yes, in more than just one way. It was the end of Jordan's high school years. This was the last graduating class from his high school, as next shool year, our two high schools will merge into one. It was also sad because two of their classmates weren't there. They had been killed in seperate car accidents.

Was it exciting? Yes!! Since I was taking photos for the newspaper, I got to hang out with all the seniors as they walked around, gathered in the library and then watched them line up for the ceremony.

Was it tiring? YES!! I'm beat.

Jordan, and the rest for that matter, have no idea how easy things have been for the past 12 years. The "Real Life" is knocking on their door and they better be ready. Jordan has already been accepted into a community college, he is getting ready to work a summer job as a photographer/videographer plus, he is on "hurricane watch", ready to run out the door to travel with First Response Group out of Louisville, KY.

Was I ready for Jordan to graduate? Yes. Did I cry at the ceremony? No. And I don't know why. I think I was just glad he was sitting there in his blue gown, wearing his nice black dress pants and dress shirt, that he hated. I was just thankful that he was there, enjoying this milestone in his life.

Is Jordan ready for the real world? Probably not. Is the real world ready for Jordan? Definately not. Were any of us ready at this age? No.

We live, we grow, we learn, we fall, we get up and hopefully, we keep trying.

Senior Soccer

Muhlenberg North Soccer season is in full gear with the Stars starting off the season at 0 for 2. Oh well...it's still early. This is Jordan's last year to play soccer and he's really enjoying it. These pics were at their first home game against Barren County, who won the game 4-1. This was also my first attempt at taking some action shots. Pretty good for a beginner, huh?

"Anyone Can Be A Hero"

While at church camp in June, my son, Jordan, surrendered to the ministry. God had been working with him since last December but Jordan needed time for prayer and counseling from other youth ministers and camp counselors. He announced his calling to the church and has received much support from our friends and others in ministry.

Jordan had been working on a devotional but said he didn't know when/where he would get to speak but he knew that God would provide the time and place. He did. Last night at Youth Group, he got to present his message on "Anyone Can Be A Hero." Jordan started out asking what the word "Hero" meant. He talked about how each of us can be a hero to someone and the way we conduct ourselves tells a lot about us as a person. He shared all the different names that God refers to Himself-The Almighty, Holy One, just to name a few. Then he showed the video "What About Now?" by Chris Daugherty. This is a very powerful and sad video. Jordan then asked each person in the room if they thought they were a good person. He had a few people come up to read a card telling them they we are not good, but forgiven through Jesus Christ our Savior.


The Youth Group surrounded Jordan in prayer before the devotional.


Jordan giving his first devotional.

Reading the "Are You A Good Person?" card.

Return From Washington DC

The White House

Supreme Court Building

Arlington National Cemetery

Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Arlington National Cemetery

Lincoln Memorial Statue

House Where Lincoln Died

National Air & Space Museum

Jordan

Tom Petty's Guitar At The Hard Rock Cafe

Hard Rock Cafe

Jordan's Friend Josh

Jordan & Daniel Getting Eaten by a Triceratops

****************************************

Jordan got home from Washington DC on Friday afternoon. He came back to terrible heat & humidity and said that it wasn't this hot in Washington. He had a wonderful time. One of his favorite places was at the Holocaust Museum and when he got to see the Constitution of The United States.

Look Out Washington DC!!!

Jordan passed all his tests in his Upward Bound Summer program....so Monday he and about 100 others will head out to Washington DC for a week.

They will be going to the Washington Mall, Arlington Cemetary and the Smithsonian, just to name a few places.

We'll have pics when he returns!!

Camp Cedarmore Pics

Destanee

Lining up for "The Blob".

Jordan flying off "The Blob".

Cody on "The Blob".

Madison on "The Blob".

Justin on "The Blob".

The Look On Their Faces?.......PRICELESS!!

Regina Nannie and I made a "road trip" yesterday to Bagdad, Ky. We wanted to surprise the youth group and especially our sons, Justin and Jordan. Unfortunately, neither were very surprised to see Mom show up at church camp, as the looks on their faces made that very plain. But they soon warmed up to the idea, especially after we gave them money to buy extra t-shirts! But there were a few kids there that made us feel so welcome, even some that wanted us to stay over night.

We took sandels to keep our feet cool and tennis shoes for all that walking. We drove the car all over the place, so tennis shoes not needed. (Why is it that most camps and colleges are built on hills?) We forgot the sunscreen, but there was plenty there. Obviously the kids weren't using it based on all the lobster-colored skin they had. I took the new digital camera, took hundreds of pics, too bad I don't know how to edit them yet! I forgot my "Minnie-Pearl-floppy hat" but ended up not needing it, especially when those darks clouds hung around most of the day and eventually brought a cooling rain.

We felt like we came into the middle of something wonderful and when it was time for us to leave, we knew that we were leaving an awesome experience that we were able to just get a small glimpse of. Our youth group is a very close knit group of kids and it seems like after every camp, they are even closer. We can see them getting closer to each other and closer in their walk with God.

We didn't want to leave, but due to the time, we had to. We left at a time when the Holy Spirit was moving very strongly in the Checkpoint room. We arrived safely back home at 2:00am. Now, I'm going to greet the day. On 3 hours of sleep. And of heart full of love for the GRC Youth. And a walk that is a bit closer to God.

Going To Bagdad For Jesus!!

The GRC Youth left yesterday for a week-long church camp at Camp Cedarmore in Bagdad, Ky. They left in camo t-shirts that said "Going To Bagdad For Jesus!" Everyone was so excited, especially those that went last year because they know what is in store for the week. I wish I could have went with them, but someone has to take care of the dogs. Maybe next year!

You can check in on the camp to see what is going on. Go to http://www.crossingscamps.org/, click on Parent Point, enter your email (or just use mine to get in), go to Camp Cedarmore-week of June 23-27. You should be able to see pics and videos that are updated daily.