Our daughter Hannah Joy was one of 37 graduates in the 2009 CHEM Graduation Ceremonies. Each family provides a brief charge (or "blessing") and then hands the diploma to the graduate. It was pretty moving ceremony (but also pretty long - Joyce and I have a few ideas to chop out about an hour from it!). Anyway, since our surname is so late alphabetically and there were no Zalewskis or Zyzyks, Hannah was the last to receive her diploma. Here is the text from my charge to her:
Hannah Joy... we love you, and we’re very proud of you. Having you and being able to homeschool you was a dream for us... that turned into a quite an adventure. We’ve loved it. However, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into! Along the way we learned that all great things require:
• Significant risk – and the enemy will fiercely attack with thoughts of fear and failure. But remember, God has not given us the spirit of fear.
• Desperate faith – where the resources you lack can only be supplied by God himself. Trust Him.
• Hard work – God won’t do it all for you, you have to be diligent with what you can do. Just do it.
• Personal sacrifice – you show what you truly value by what you’re willing to give up for it. May you sacrifice for the best things.
If you choose this path of risk, faith, work, and sacrifice, trials are guaranteed… but so is great joy as God provides and proves himself to be your God, not merely the God of your parents.
And don’t forget: knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. As you go to college to acquire the knowledge you need for your calling, may you primarily be known for your love for God and for others.
Your future is very bright. We named you Hannah, which means "grace". Hannah Joy. May you always live up to your name. We love you.
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