Listening without Hearing: May 17 , 2014

Stephen's GRADUATION

So Much to Celebrate!

Graduation Day Part I
Saturday, May 17, 2014

Stephen receiving his Master of Divinity Degree at Criswell College, Saturday. He graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Following another late night when I had finally finished Stephen's quilt about 2:00 a.m., it was hard to get up at 7:00 for another busy day. Everyone one except Ron and me slept in, so he and I went to Chick-fil-A for breakfast again.

When we returned to the hotel, again our card keys would not work. It was back to the desk to get them re-programmed. During our discussion with the clerk, he said we didn't have a reservation for Saturday night! After much research, it turned out Ron had made an error at the time the reservation was made, but we had discussed upon check-in, that we would be checking out Sunday morning. We discussed leaving Sunday when we came in Friday night and the keys didn't work. We had discussed it another time. There had been no mention of a problem although each time, they pulled up our record.

I asked if they had two rooms for that night. They did not have two like we were currently in, but they could give us three smaller ones in place of the two large ones. I said, fine. Do it. But when our kids went down to re-program their keys which again didn't work, the clerk was very rude, so our son David pulled out his cell phone and got us rooms (adjoining - which they could not give us where we were) for 2/3 the price of what it was going to pay to stay where we were. We packed up and moved. The new hotel Comfort Inn was VERY accommodating, allowing us to check in at 9:00 a.m. so we could get every thing moved right them since we would not be back until midnight. Only Ron and I had eaten breakfast and although it was time for the breakfast bar to close at Comfort Inn, they suggested that those who wanted should go ahead and eat - much better breakfast than other hotel.

Finally we got moved and got the luggage to the rooms so we would not be doing that at midnight when we got back following the party, and the luggage didn't have to stay in the cars all day. Bob, Vickey, and David went to run some errands and have lunch before meeting us at graduation. Ron, Mom, and I went to Stephen's apartment which he wanted us to see. His girlfriend and her mom and her mom's husband met us there and we all went to lunch together before going to graduation.

Here is our arrival at Criswell College for graduation.

We were early, but knew we could visit as well waiting

there as we could anywhere else.

All the tradition and formality of the ceremony

made it extra special.

Two Honorary Doctorates were presented. This man from Kenya was awarded one of them. He has a huge church there and and started many more. He has set up Bible Schools to train pastors all over that part of Africa and is an amazingly humble man.

The second Honorary Doctorate went to Dr. James Draper, Jr. who is now serving as interim president of Criswell College.

This is one very happy young man! We are so proud of him!

The ceremony was very nice. But, I couldn't hear much of it. God let me hear Stephen's name being called out. Actually, the man reading the names spoke very clearly and distinctly and I understood most of the names - of course I had a program listing the names, in front of me. I am told the addresses were excellent, but I could not hear them. We were in the center, pretty near the front, but still couldn't understand what was being said. An award was presented to a man who has been a very generous donor and I would love to have heard what was being said.

Following the ceremony, there was a reception for all who attended graduation. It was a time for photos with friends, family, and professors. You just couldn't have gotten the grin off Stephen's face.

Stephen with his very proud Grandmother Landreth.

We wish his Grandmother Johnston could have been there to celebrate also. She has been such an encourager to Stephen. Both Grandmas have encouraged him each step of the way and have been good examples of how Grandma's should help their grandchildren to be all that they can be. We wish both Grandfathers could have lived to see that day. They would have been so proud of him.

Here Stephen is with Dr. and Mrs. Cooper and Kristina.

Two years ago, Stephen went to Israel with a group led by Dr. and Mrs. Cooper for an archaeological dig in the area where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Stephen spent about a month over there digging and taking a few side trips to see the places he has read about all his life. That adventure was very special to him. Many friends helped to make that trip possible and when it came time for graduation, he focused a lot on those memories. We were so blessed that the Coopers joined us at the party that evening.