It was a success!

Well, the senior banquet went really well. Even though I had to re-inflate all 70 balloons that I had prepared the night before for the centerpieces! Luckily we had a lot of student help. All of the families made it, the decorations looked great, the food was yummy, and the speaker was terrific.

The speaker is one of Zach's favorite professors at OCC so it was really neat to hear him talk and hear his testimony. He talked mostly about what happens after you graduate from high school, and what a strong foundation you need to start your adult life. He said that 75% of Christians who go to state schools (or non-religious schools) end up losing their faith. He thinks that every church should pay for each of their seniors to attend at least one year of a bible college or Christian college just to have that solid start.

It really got me thinking about how I, kind of accidently, did that. And I am so thankful that I did. I got to thinking about how much that one year at ACU meant to me. Even though the main thing that lead me there was that I was broken hearted from a break-up and wanted to get away and that my father was offering to get me a new set of wheels if I decided to go that far away, I can look back on it now and realize that God had it totally worked out. I learned more about my faith in Christ and who God is as a father during those two semesters than I think I might have my entire life. To see adults praying in classrooms and no one afraid to talk about their faith was a wonderful and empowering experience for me as a young adult. So, thanks to Zach for breaking up with me and thanks to Mom and Dad for allowing me to take that journey down to Abilene. Oh, and thanks to my wonderful aunt and uncle who also were a great support and encouragement that year. And, I can't forget that while I attended ACU I met one of my very best friends, Mary Kate, who I am still close with and we talk several times a week, even though it's mainly through text messages ;-).

God has been so faithful to me since I graduated from high school four years ago (I know, why am I still in college?) and Zach and I have been so blessed. I see every day how big our God is and how intricately He is working in my life on the small and big things.

Pictures from the Graduation Banquet:

Trying to make a gymnasium look pretty...

OK, I know this picture looks kind of weird but its Zach's burnt palm and my smashed finger. I forgot to mention that as soon as I walked into the church yesterday that the heavy door got caught by the wind and my finger was still on it. It hurt super bad and today its all puffy and purple. Zach was helping out with the meal in the kitchen and accidently touched the rack in the oven. It was a pretty eventful day!