Graduation Festivities

As we have decompressed a few notches here after the move, it's time to reflect on what actually happened to us in the last couple of weeks. Ryan has officially graduated Westminster Theological Seminary with an MDiv degree. He finished in three years, though the program really is designed to take four (and WTS has no summer classes so he just squeezed it all in the semesters). Although Ryan has a tendency to downplay his accomplishments, this really is a big deal and I am proud of him. The Lord was definitely with us from the beginning, giving Ryan the strength and stamina--as we look back we realize this truth even more.
Last Wednesday night WTS had a banquet for their graduates at The Presidential, which was really more upscale than we were thinking it was going to be. We arrived not dressed in formal attire, as we were supposed to. We looked nice, but not exactly suit and tie. Truth be told, we lost the invitation months ago, but regardless all of our clothes were already packed on the truck and there was nothing we could have done anyway. All the graduates were able to take the podium and say a few words about where they had been and where they were going. Ryan was able to artfully explain his attire as only a trained public speaker could, I guess. The picture is of us and the Cryders at the event.

Graduation was Thursday afternoon. Two hours before the ceremony Ryan was caked in dirt from finishing up loading the truck and all our belongings were packed away behind straps and a bulkhead. The speakers were fabulous and the ceremony was very poingent for me, though I'm not sure it hit either of us that it was really true. Here are a few pics of the graduation.