The Speech

Evan prepared a speech for last night's Graduation Ceremony. (Each Senior got a chance to speak.) He got nervous once he was up there & Harold had to read it for him. The words are all Evan's. 

I want to thank God for all my teachers.

And I want to thank my teachers:

Thank you Patsy Golden.

Thank you Janet Miller.

Thank you Mona Veatch.

Thank you Lori Gilliland.

I want to thank you Mom and Dad.

I want to thank my pastors:

Thank you Tom Bedford, Thank you Roger Moore.

Thank you all teachers for teaching me to love God and God is good to me.

I promise to serve God.

I will bless the Lord forever.

Thank you for loving me.

I love you, too.

After Dad was done reading, Evan asked if he could pray. The prayer was even better than the speech & there wasn't a dry eye in the house!

After the Vice Principal, Patsy, handed out scholarship awards to the Seniors she gave a short speech about how Evan may not have earned a Scholarship to college, but he has something more important, jewels in his crown in Heaven. She spoke of how hard he had worked over the years & then presented him with an Award of Excellence. It reads: "In recognition of his exceptional accomplishment in leading the way in loving the Lord Jesus Christ and loving and encouraging his friends." Evan received a standing ovation as the award was handed to him.

It was a wonderful evening & we are all worn out & recovering today. My brother-in-law took a bunch of pictures, some of which I will post when I get them from him.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!

Comments

[Eleanor]

Aw, that is WONDERFUL! The speach made me want to cry so I can't imagine what his prayer was like! Evan is such a sweetheart. Way to go, Ev!

[Julana]

Lori,
I'm so glad you could all be there together, and celebrate that milestone. I'm sure Evan contributed so much to the lives of those young people and the staff. They were richer for having him there.

[JHS]

Beautiful. Congrats to Evan and all. Graduation days are so special and memorable. . . how wonderful that dad got to share the experience with him.

[Richie Whiteaker]

Way to go Evan!

[Jes]

That's awesome! Way to go Evan!

[Stephanie S]

Wow, Lori, my eyes were pretty wet reading about Ev's speech and the special ceremony. What a great environment more him and what a tremendous blessing he has obviously been to those around him.

Recently I saw a quote in a book like this:

"GOD'S WILL: Exactly what we would choose if we had all the facts."

Events like this in our lives make even those things we would not have chosen seem all the more worth it. A memorial to the mighty acts of our loving God.