Graduation

Graduation was great! Okay the actual ceremony was pretty boring, but all the events surrounding it were fantastic. It was super special to have Aaron get to be so close to the stage as faculty as I walked across and got my diploma. DBU does not skimp on the diplomas by the way. Those things are nice! Maddy, Tammy, Grams, and Mema all got to be at the ceremony and my wonderful friend Sandra made it as well. Talk about a dedicated friend! :) Aaron planned a great party for me and lots of friends stopped by to give their congratulations. People have overwhelmed me with cards and gifts to celebrate me being done with my degree, BUT I have a lot of people to thank because I definitely didn't do this by myself, so here goes:

First I have to thank my wonderful husband, Aaron. He negotiated a contract with DBU when he got hired that said that I could get my masters for free. Normally DBU does not give discounts for graduate level classes even if you are related to someone working there. He supported me and encouraged me every step of the way and kept me going when I felt like I was just not going to make it through school with everything else going on. He took time out of his schedule to watch Maddy while I was in class. (She often destroyed his office and knock out him being able to get much done for the afternoon while he was watching her.) He proofread most of my papers and listened to me practice some of my presentations. This past semester, if he couldn't watch Maddy, he arranged for Tricia or someone else to watch her while I went to class or went to work on papers. He put up with my stress and irritability and agreed to take us out to eat wherever I felt like I just didn't have time to cook or needed a break. He prayed for me constantly and never let me give up. As my Mema said while she was at our house, I could not have made it without him.

I also have to thank my beautiful daughter, Maddy for being my inspiration. When I felt like giving up she inspired me to keep going to be an example to her of how to stay with something and finish it even when it is challenging. She also kept life in perspective and reminded me that while school is good and important, there are things that are so much more important than school work and grades.

Thanks to my family members for their support through the past 2 and 1/2 years. My parents, Brian and Estelle prayed for me, listened to my stories about my crazy teachers or interesting assignments, and were always supportive and encouraging of me to get my degree. My sisters, Cindy and Tammy were great encouragers as well. Cindy kept me sane in my long night class by sending me texts and Tammy was always willing to pitch in hand in keeping an eye on Maddy during the evenings Aaron wasn't at home and she was a great study buddy this semester. My brother, Ethan came all the ways from Abilene through 4 traffic jams just to be at my graduation party. My grandparents also prayed for me often and were great supporters as well. A special thanks to Mema who came down for my graduation and made her delicious rolls for my party.

Thanks to Grams (Aaron's grandmother) for coming down to my graduation and always being a great encourager to get as much education as I could.

A big, big thanks to Tricia and Rachel who were always willing to watch Maddy for me to work on school or to just let me go on a date with Aaron. This last semester would not have happened without Tricia being willing to watch Maddy so many times while I went down the road to Starbucks to beat my brains out over a paper.

I don't think either Aaron or I would have made it the past few years without our very dear friend, Dr. Griffith. Her support, advice, encouragement, help, and mentorship were and are invaluable. She got us through the tough pregnancy with Maddy, was a rock for the two weeks Maddy was in NICU, and has always been willing to be a listening ear about any difficulties with Maddy ,work, and school. She has also watched Maddy for us numerous times. She also helped Aaron plan my graduation party. She has been an example and inspiration to me about how someone can go through tough times, juggle career and kids, and still be a giving and caring person who is willing to help others.

Thanks to all extended family members who have prayed, written emails of encouragement.

Thanks to all of my teachers at DBU who really challenged me in my class but also made them interesting and worthwhile.

Most of all I have to thank God for putting all of these people in my life and giving me the health and strength--mental, physical, and emotional--to get through the past two and half years. Many people and families choose a verse for themselves or their family. This past semester I feel like the verse that God has chosen as a promise for our family (me, Aaron, Maddy) is Phillipians 1:6, "He who begin a good work in you will carry it on to completion." Graduation and being done with my Masters is a big deal and a big relief to me, but it is only a step in the work God is doing in my life. I am excited (and nervous) about the next step(s) that God has for me, and for my family to complete his good work in us.