Our Graduates!

We had two graduates this year - Grace graduated from high school and Luka graduated from 8th grade!  Grace plans to take a gap year in Obule (which is great cause she is only 17) so we decided to officially celebrate her graduation next summer in Michigan with family.  She also hopes to have her open house then. 

But when she got to Michigan to see her classmates graduate, she was included as an honorary graduate!  Thanks to her Grandma asking Unity Chr. High School, Grace was part of her high school graduation.  (She attended Unity for two years.)  She arrived to Michigan one day before graduation.  We were so happy for her...but so sad we couldn't be there for our daughter's graduation!

We tried to watch from Uganda but we only heard because it was so blurry we couldn't see.

Thankful family could be there to celebrate with her.

Grace and her best friends Laura and Megan.

And then we had Luka's 8th grade graduation from our homeschool!
We try to make it special and celebrate this milestone.  We made graduation cakes, had a ceremony and went out for lunch together.  Luka really wanted to raft the Nile River for his celebration but we found out you have to be 16 years old.  Something to look forward to!

Our school entering the graduation ceremony.

The graduate - we like to say he is top of his class!

Josh's tradition for our 8th grade graduates is to give a Dad Rap.
Luka acts like he is so embarrassed but they all love it and Josh is really good at it!

Our school awarded Luka with the "Self-Motivation Award" and the "Confidence Award".
Luka does his school work without being told to, keep track of everything, keeps to the schedule and does his work by himself.   He is confident in who he is - and Whose he is.  His self confidence had made him a great leader. 

Each of us gave a short speech to congratulate and appreciate Luka.

Grace sent a congratulations

And the grandparents send congrats too!

And he got his 8th grade graduation certificate from AACA
(African Adventure Christian Academy - our homeschool.)

Our little school!  It is great to celebrate these special occasions.

Future AACA graduate.

End of school year celebration lunch.
We did it! 

Grace's Senior Pictures

(Our friend Emilie took the first 3 - awesome job!)

Grace's favorite place in Obule...

Luka surprised us and wanted 8th grade pictures!

(These were back in October.)

I'm so proud of and thankful for these kids!

I thank God for His help educating them.  I wrestled with God about homeschooling.  I am not a teacher and struggle with dyslexia.  But God gave me kids that learn well and end up teaching me!  It was an honor to be with them every day, see them learn to read, and watch their faith grow.  I will never forget our fun times with dress up days, creative learning, and holidays.  And I cherish our normal days learning History together and my favorite subject Bible.  I sure made mistakes and had to learn to say, "I'm sorry."  But my kids always taught me by forgiving me, persevering and being flexible.  I love you guys!  It is a privilege to be your mom, teacher, facilitator and your student.