SEMINARY GRADUATION....HE DID IT!!!!!

Tonight at Church we celebrated Elijah's graduation from the Seminary program at Church. This is a program that lasts four years. The youth begin in 9th grade, so Eli was 13 years old. What are "typical" 13-year-olds doing? Well, they're usually not getting up before the sun rises on school days to be in a classroom, typically NOT at their school, to learn about Church-related topics. From grades nine through twelve, these kids go to class from 6:00 - 7:00 am BEFORE their regular school day begins. At the end of those four years, when they are graduating seniors, they have undergone a curriculum of seminary that studies the four main works of the Church; The Old Testament, the New Testament, The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. It takes a year to cover each book. Four years these kids study these scriptures and it's all done in the morning before school. Would any of us be willing to do that before work? These kids are usually dead-dog tired but they drag themselves to seminary. Most of these teenagers are involved in sports or jobs or are just trying to make it academically. Props to these youth...and I mean it...PROPS! Eli did it. We're are celebrating his achievement. He may not be the best scriptorian, or able to pull a particular scripture out of his head, but he got up every morning, before school, and studied his scripture du jour BEFORE stepping out into the world to face what every other teen out there faces. And I think that thanks to seminary, he made it through high school without drinking, smoking, or experimenting with drugs. That says something nowadays. Props to the teacher that prepared those lessons every night also. Sister Brown was a real champ....in the truest sense....bless her heart...

Below are some of the pictures that we took after the graduation ceremony. We were honored to be there to witness it. Great kids. Great accomplishment. And one of the great payoffs? A diploma with the signature of President Thomas S. Monson on it. WOOT!!!! Take that high school diploma.....neener neener....

The happy family above.
The happy family with the happy (and relieved that it's over) seminary teacher.
Peter and old dear friend, Bishop Verdusco.
Eli and Sister Brown, the great seminary teacher.
Eli and some of his friends (hmmmm.....all girls......) celebrating the day....
The certificate that signifies.....
The signature on the bottom in our sweet and spiritual stake president, whom we adore...The signature on top....the signature of the prophet, Thomas S. Monson whom we pray for daily and sustain and love....ain't no other diploma in the world can top it....the next document he earns with that signature will be his mission call, and that will be an entirely different entry....