Graduation Party

I had my graduation party yesterday with a bunch of family and some close friends, and it was wonderful!  My parents and my brothers worked so hard getting ready for the party...and it all paid off.  We had delicious food, lots of people, and perfect weather!  We really were blessed with such a nice change of weather after so much cold and rain!  :)


Here's some pictures from the party for those of you who didn't see them on Facebook.

Me with both grandpas...mom's side on the left and dad's side on the right.

Some family on my dad's side.

The delicious food!  :)

Lovely Costco cake thanks to my wonderful co-workers.  :)

Jennifer and her grandmother Sittie (Arabic for "grandma")

All of the cousins (minus my bro Jake) on my mom's side.

My mom's parents and brother & sisters :)

Some of my cousins on my dad's side.

My cousin Kara (dad's side)!  :)

Hannah and her boyfriend Jake.  So glad they came!

My younger brother Joel.

My parents. :)  Love them.

I was blessed with an abundance of nice cards and financial support for my GAP year from my graduation party.  People were so generous and I am extremely grateful for that.  It was not only nice to receive this support from all these people, but it was so encouraging to have them come to my party and celebrate with me!  I loved talking with everyone and sharing about my GAP year.  One person who I am especially grateful that she came to my party is my godmother, Mrs. Gallagher.  I am so sad that I didn't get to know her more as I was growing up.  She is such a wonderful woman of Christ and she is a great person to talk to.  She just has a really loving and caring way about her.  At my party yesterday I had the opportunity to share with her how I discerned whether or not to do my GAP year, so that was awesome.  I love when people ask me questions like that...it makes it easier to share my heart with others.  It's like...the more you practice sharing your heart the easier it gets.  And then the more it'll flow naturally in conversation!  :)  Soon there'll be no more surface-level conversation (or at least not much).  It'll be just straight to the good stuff!

That's all for now.  As for a financial update, I now have (with the money from my graduation party added) a total of $4,572 out of $11,000.  I'm getting close to halfway there!  Come on Lord...keep providing support for me!