At yesterday's church service, as we do every year, we honored this year's graduating seniors. It's a great way to remember the youth who were confirmed four years earlier, see where they are and find out where they are going. It's also an opportunity to let them know one more time that we are still thinking about them and praying for them and aren't going to forget about them as they head out into their futures.
This is the fourth year that we have presented our youth with "Faith Quilts," quilts that have been designed by friends and family of the youth and put together by members of our congregation, to give to these graduating seniors as a tangible reminder of this love. I'd like to take this opportunity to share Alec's Senior Sunday with you:
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| Pastor Gary and Alec at the beginning of the presentation |
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| Lorna, our quilter, draping Alec with his quilt as Pastor Gary speaks about Alec's future |
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| Alec seeing his completed quilt for the first time :) |
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| Continuing on with the ceremony... |
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| Amy during her presentation...she got so emotional! She hadn't even seen any of her squares before this day! |
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| Amy and Ariana |
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| After everyone received their quilts, Amanda Lembke, one of our Youth Leaders, spoke about her experiences with these youth. She has given so much of herself to this group and it was great to have her speak to them on this important day. Thanks, Amanda! |
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| The whole quilt |
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| A nice photo of Alec :) |
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| Ariana and Amy, again--you can find them together often! |
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| Celia at the tree on the patio. Alec was blessed to have Auntie Lisa, Uncle Bill, Celia, Auntie Gayle, and Grandma Herrick come to see him receive his quilt. Brian also joined us this day! He won't have a graduation ceremony, so this was the closest thing--thanks so much for coming out!!! |
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| Lisa's square~photos from their adventures :) |
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| Alec's birthverse |
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| Grandma Herrick's square~more adventures! |
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| Grandma and Grandpa Bierma's square~it's all about the music <3 |
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| Auntie Gayle's square that has been a huge hit |
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| The first of TWO Sunshine squares...Elizabeth's!!! |
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| Celia's precious drawing <3 |
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| Guess who? Uncle Robert, that's right, he's the coolest, heh. |
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| Brian's square~This is based on a video game the two of them play and was drawn completely freehand by Brian and transferred. The symbolism is as incredible as the friendship :) |
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| The SECOND Sunshine square...from Amanda!!! Okay, here's the story, Alec got nicknamed "Sunshine" one night in Youth Group and it stuck...it's pretty funny, since he's clearly NOT "Sunshine"...and yet...he kinda is cause he's so cute...:) |
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| This square goes on every quilt and is signed by Pastor Gary. It's a piece of home and I love that it's on the quilt! |
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| A shared passion for the TV show "Bones" from Monique. Who wouldn't be cheered up in those lonely moments in the dorms by looking down and reading a few of those crazy antics from our favorite "Bones" cast?? |
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| A collage of the moments of Alec's life |
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| A fleur-de-lis representing his National Youth Gathering in 2009 |
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| AND, Amy's square~pictures of some of their adventures, youth gatherings, Quidditch, and a beautiful quote from Martin Luther. |
What a truly amazing gift! I'm sure you can see how much time and effort goes into each of these quilts. I am so in awe of our quilters for the work they do and the patience they have! Thank you, too, for each of you who made a square for Alec's quilt! It will long be cherished as will the love and faith you have had for Alec :)
