An album of Dylan's graduation ...

Yesterday was a happy day! We celebrated Dylan's graduation from Kuyper College. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biblical Studies, Pre-Seminary Studies, Communications, Biblical Greek, and Philosophy. His grade-point was just a tiny hair shy of a 3.9. Congratulations, Dylan, on this achievement!
It was kind of a prolonged journey for Dylan to get to this day. He earned his Associates Degree from Community College, spent a semester or two at Grand Valley State University, took a year (or so) off, and then enrolled at Kuyper three years ago, receiving a generous scholarship for his Pre-Seminary studies.

We attended a very nice luncheon in honor of all the graduates earlier in the day. This was the best picture my photographer (Mr. Jones) took of that event. Commencement took place last evening in the auditorium of Sunshine Church, which is right across the E. Beltline from Kuyper's campus.

Family showed up early so that we could all find each other and all sit together. Shane and James met us in the narthex and visited for awhile with Nana and Roy ...

Mr Jones agreed to be the primary photographer for the occasion ... for which I am very thankful!

This is the 2009 senior class. Dylan is on the right, almost-top riser. There was quite a variety of degrees earned from this group: Business Administration, Cross-Cultural Studies, Elementary Education, Music and Worship. New Church Development, Youth Ministry, Social Work, Pre-Seminary Studies ... to name just a few. The commencement address, "A Blessing," was given by Professor Teresa Renkema, Associate Professor of Intercultural Communications at Kuyper. Numbers 6:24-26 was the passage of Scripture she spoke from:

"May the LORD bless you
and protect you.
May the LORD smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the LORD show you his favor
and give you his peace."

After the ceremony was finished, we tried to connect again with Dylan and snap some pictures of family and friends. The lighting was really tricky throughout and so these pictures are not the best, and my computer is giving me fits about using any photo editing program, so I'm just running these pictures as they are!

Ray and Marilyn are Dylan's godparents

Andrew (left) was one of Dylan's roomates this year

This is Kelly, lead singer (and dear friend) in the band Dylan is part of ...

Close friend and comrad, Brad

I am so thankful to the Lord for this wonderful and happy graduation day, the culmination of so many years of waiting and praying and working.


What will Dylan do now that he has graduated? Well, I guess this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as school is concerned. It's a good thing Dylan is enthusiastic about studying! He has plans to attend Calvin Seminary (three years) to pursue a Masters in Theological Studies ~ but whether that will happen this fall or perhaps a year from now is contingent upon scholarship availability (because a deadline that was inadvertantly missed). Eventually, he hopes to get a Doctorate and teach at the undergraduate level in a secular school setting.

So congratulations, Dylan! We are proud of what you have accomplished. May the Lord continue to bless you and protect you on your life's journey.