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| Excited Over Her Accomplishment! |
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| Giving Her Speech |
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| Faculty Praying Over Each Student |
Graduation for a Very Special Student!
Destiny Parton, Christian Ministries Academy, May 19, 2017
I do not know of any student who has worked harder to achieve this milestone. I am so proud of all that she has accomplished; but most of all I am so grateful for her willingness to follow God's leading and to be one of those rare young people who truly desire more than anything else in life to become everything God has planned for her to become. Destiny, I love you and I am so, so proud of you!
Destiny Parton has been an integral part of my life for over twelve years. As a Kindergartner, Destiny was in my Junior Church and Wednesday night Pee Wee Patch club. In First Grade, she entered my school classroom. Her entire class was one of my top favorite classes of over (so far) 25+ years in the classroom. She was a kind and considerate girl who had to work extra hard at memorizing just to keep up with addittion and phonics. Destiny has always been a hard worker and a determined student.
I was privileged to be her teacher again in third grade, then again in seventh and eighth to help prepare her for high school. Destiny's 5th-6th Grade teacher was my good friend and colleague, Miss Kristen Hall. So, between us, Kris and I were responsible for 2/3 of her school years before high school and 1/2 total. I know that Miss Hall also thought very highly of Destiny and counted it a privilege to be one of her teachers. She often spoke of her sweet spirit and Godly attitude. Truly, in my heart, Destiny is more to me than just a student. I am so grateful that the Lord allowed me to be a part of her formative years. As I said in Every Kid Is Different, Destiny has called me her teacher, but I have learned so much from her about what truly counts in life.
I wish you all the best in your new endeavours! I am excited to watch God's plan unfold in your life. Destiny plans to attend Champion Christian College this fall.
Other Graduates: of which I was also pleased to be able to attend at least part of the ceremony:
Many former students of Gospel Light High School, May 21
Joe Pultz, Lakeside HS, May 21 (ceremonies at the Convention Center)
Congrats to Joe on earning an academic scholarship towards college tuition. I appreciate Michaela's words of homage for Miss Hall and myself. I was so encouraged while I was out soulwinning on Saturday with Heritage Baptist Church to see two young men out doing the same thing for GL -- Nick Cantrell and Junior. I was amused by Isaiah's inclusion in his video clips of a memorable part of our joint 1st Grade experience. (Disclaimer: I am 99% certain that that picture was taken on Isaiah's 6th birthday.)
Other Highlites From My Trip to Arkansas:
Heritage Baptist Church was a blessing to me. It was wonderful to see the faithfulness of God's people in God's House and to rejoice over the blessings of the past two years. It was great to hold the two babies born since I have been gone.
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| And, of course, all my crew! |
Time With Friends was much cherished and too short. I truly felt like I was coming home for a visit. Thank you to all who think of me as family and treated me as such during my stay.
