Lia's Baccalaureate & Seminary Graduation

Lia and I had a busy Sunday yesterday.  After going to church, we only had an hour at home before we left for the rest of the day and didn't get home until almost 9:30 p.m.  We started off by heading to Lia's high school to attend Baccalaureate in the theater.  Luckily, an LDS couple was in charge of planning this year's Baccalaureate program, so there were a few LDS students who were asked to be involved.  This was very different than my Baccalaureate 32 years ago where the entire program was run by Young Life students and all of the LDS students sat in the audience and were not asked to participate.  So I was so grateful to the Wards for making this change for Lia's school as the dad told me afterwards that this has not always been the case in the past at Rogers High School.  Since Lia had Sister Ward as one of her teachers for seminary in 10th grade, she was asked to be one of the ten students to participate in the program by reading a scripture passage and sharing her thoughts on it.  Lia chose to read Luke 15:4-6.  This is the message that she shared:

"In defending his practice of eating and socializing with outcasts and sinners, Jesus taught the parable of the lost sheep to the pharisees and religious leaders.  Luke 15: 4-6 says:

4.  What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5.  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing.

6.  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.  

I love this scripture.  I love this parable because it teaches that God does not ignore those who are lost or have gone astray.  He actively seeks them out, rescues them, and rejoices in their return.  These scriptures reinforce to me how much God loves us, and how every single one of us in important to Him.  Although it may be easy to feel like the lost sheep, just know He will never abandon us.  In fact, it is quite the opposite.  He is constantly pursuing us and wants us to return home to Him.  Thank you."

After the Baccalaureate program was over, the group went to the cafeteria for pictures and some refreshments.  Lia and I then raced home to quickly change and pick up Ella and Emmett who wanted to join us for Mollie's graduation party who is one of Lia's closest friends since preschool.  After spending a little over an hour at Mollie's house, we rushed home to change back into our church clothes and head to the Stake Center for Seminary Graduation.  Lia and I listened to another hour long program before heading into the gym for a second round of taking pictures and eating dessert.  I am so proud of Lia for participating in her school's Baccalaureate program and for graduating from seminary.  Although seminary became much easier when she changed to the online program for her last two years of high school, she still had to attend a weekly Zoom meeting and complete four online assignments a week.  Juggling this scripture course on top of school, homework, and her extracurricular activities was no easy task.  So I am so proud of Lia for sticking with it, passing all eight semesters, and graduating from Seminary last night.

Lia reading her scripture to the audience at Baccalaureate.

Besides sharing her scripture and message with the audience, she was also able to sing the only song, "The Dawn," that was part of the program with Concert Choir.

Lia on stage a second time to receive the white cord that was handed out to all of the students at this event.  Here she is shaking hands with Mr. Schwebke who is the advisor for the Jesus Club.

Lia getting her cord for Mr. Schwebke.

Lia walking off the stage.  I just love this picture because it has her walking past the RHS letters which I think is symbolic of things to come with her graduation in a few days.

Lia and I in front of the balloon arch in the cafeteria after Baccalaureate was over.

Lia with two of her three closest senior friends, Hope and Ani.  Unfortunately, Erika had to work and couldn't make it.

Lia with the other LDS students in her stake.

From left to right:

Lia, Hillary, Lauren, Sophie, Kaila, and Tony

Lia receiving her Seminary diploma in the chapel of the stake center.

Lia receiving her second white cord of the evening from her Young Women's President, Sister Robinson.

Although there are six seniors graduating from our ward this June, only two graduated from seminary.  Here is Lia with her friend, Suzette, who she has know since they were five years old.

All of the Seminary graduates from our stake posing together in the gym after the program was over.