Our Daughter, The Graduate!

Aria-Magna Cum Laude
Outstanding Graduate in Communication

I could barely focus through my tears as I watched my youngest daughter, Aria, walk across the stage to receive her Bachelor's Degree. Cheers from lifelong friends and dear family members rose as we celebrated together this special achievement in her life.

Each of these special souls have poured into both Aria and Emileigh's lives through the years. They are different and better as a result. Celebrations such as graduations give us opportunity to pause and remember all those who make our lives richer.

So I cried for the way Aria navigated life in the US, then Egypt, followed by Sudan and Kenya and the US again.

I cried at the continued love that our community shows us in words and deeds. They drove from Texas and Illinois and Michigan...to SIT IN A GRADUATION CEREMONY with over 600 names to be read. That's love.

The Cheering Section

I cried remembering Emileigh's graduation just 2 short years ago and how she and her husband have thrived since that time.

John gives me a hug understanding all of the emotions swirling in the moment. We are thankful to be in this moment. We want to freeze it in time just to savor it a bit longer. The Lord has brought us this far...and we are blessed.

We'll return to the desert in a couple weeks, but just for now we sit with the overwhelming gratitude of children who agreed to live a life of adventure, challenge and stretching and came out on the other side stronger, deeper and more confident.

Congratulations, Aria! We love you.

John, Pam, Paula (Sister), Aria, Bud (BIL), Jacob, Emileigh

John, Pam, Jacob, Emileigh, Brittany (Niece), Aria, Alexis (Niece)
Shirley, John

The Fam

Proud Parentals

Celebration Lunch and S'Mores as Ocean Zen

Norma and Jerry (Friends since 1985)

Susan (Dear Friend and Auntie driving from Texas!)

Terisa (Dear Friend and Auntie driving from Texas!)