Broncos

Rob and I have been trying for years to get to the Bronco Stadium to see the Smurf Turf! When it has been in, he wasn't with me and I wasn't able to get anything more than just a corner peak through a fence. Or the field has been torn up for turf replacement.  Well, today we got our chance!

We went to the campus and asked a student how to get to the field.  He told us to go through the Hall of Fame and we can see it through the glass.  Once we got into the Hall of Fame, we realized that the doors were open and we were able to go outside to see the field.  From outside we were able to go up into the stands.  Rowan, Nadine and I climbed up the lower level of the stands. Rob stayed at the bottom.  It was a good thing he did. 

The distance runners were out practicing for track. The distance track coach came over to Rob and opened the gate. He told him to get the kids down on the field to get their picture taken with the Bronco at centerfield!!! You didn't have to tell them twice! They were running out of the stands to the field! They must have ran the distance of the field at least three times. 

The coach was from Toledo, he went to Whitmer. We found this out when we went to thank him and he asked where we were from.  It's a small world! The kids had such a ball and it was amazing to see the field from that perspective!
Now if only we could get the Buckeyes to let us on the field!

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Commencement

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After lunch we headed back to the Idaho Center for the Commencement!  Mom, Jim, our kids, John and Barb, their kids and my cousins, Dan and Gina came to watch me walk across the platform and receive my Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry.  

Dr. Jerry Porter gave the commencement sermon.  He is one of our General Superintendents.  He is a phenomenal speaker! He spoke about the power of ONE! About our need to be fully consecrated and devoted, sold out to God, being a willing partner in God's vision!

This was just a great weekend of graduation festivities! I have enjoyed them thoroughly and felt so special....special...not smart! Jeremy and I were talking about how we felt so dumb compared to some of the folks we spent the weekend with. 

I met a pastor from Adrian, MI, who invited me to do pulpit supply for him! Yay! :)

Baccalauerete

Today is the day of my graduation ceremonies! Rob and I headed out this morning to the Idaho Center for the Baccalaurete ceremony.  Mom and Jim took my kids to their mother/daughter banquet, so it was just Rob and I.

We met up with Rebekah and Jeremy McLaughlin, some old friends of ours. Jeremy also became a Master today, of Christian Education.  With our last names being in alphabetical order we spent the whole today together! It was quite fun. 

It was quite surreal! We made the observation that we should have had honors cords...so we asked why we didn't have those. Our college doesn't give them out because of the additional cost of them.  Interesting? Technically, I would have been Magna Cum Laude.

It was a great morning. Dr. Alexander the school President spoke about our i-world and the need to live life for the sake of others, not ourselves. 

The hooding was an interesting experience. What I love about my university is that all of my professors knew my name! Even though most of them had never met me in person! It has been such a personal experience even across the miles!

This is John & Deanna Grant. John was a classmate. He received his Master of Divinity in Spiritual Formation.  He's from Washington State! We were the only two from our cohort that came to graduation!

After the hooding, Jeremy and Rebekah went with us to Fiesta Guadalajara for lunch and then to the University to take pictures by the sign. 

Friday's Festivities

Bright and early this morning, we began graduation festivities with a brunch at the Brandt Center with all the MA/MDiv graduates! Jourdyn and Rob went with me to this event.  We sat with two of my professors and another professor that I have not had. All of them were so down to earth and great! I was able to meet Alan and John, two of my classmates.  They both received their MDiv's. 

The best part of today has been the conversations with everyone.  It has been such an open and encouraging environment! I have been so privileged to meet all these wonderful people and to journey through life with them. 

These evening mom and Nadine went with me to a dessert reception at the college. More fellowship and conversation, as well as dessert.  Nadine was so cute. She was taking pictures of everything and everyone found great amusement in her behavior! She was the hit of the party! Imagine that!!!