Well, it’s been an eventful few weeks! Hannah graduated from high school on the 6th of July. We had a super special day celebrating with family and friends. Peter and I can’t believe we are the parents of a high school graduate! Where did all those years go? Our hearts are full of gratitude and praise to God for all he’s done in Hannah’s life. She loves Him and wants to serve Him and we can’t wait to see what God is going to do in her life as she launches out into the world
High school graduations are not really a thing here in England. But we wanted to take some time to celebrate God’s faithfulness and mark this milestone in her life – and ours too! With his grace and strength, we’ve managed to raise and educate a child – all glory goes to him! As I said in my speech at the graduation, there were so many days that I felt like a failure as a homeschooling mother and felt like I had no idea what I was doing! I hung onto Galatians 6:9 (I’ve always called it my “mummy verse”) -” Let us not grow weary in doing good, for a the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” We have an amazing God, that takes us as we are, with our weakness and failures and does beautiful things through us.
Here are some photos from the day. We had a programme that included speeches from Peter and I and all Hannah’s siblings, a photo slideshow of Hannah’s life so far, and video messages from those who were far away and couldn’t come to the graduation. At the end Hannah played her guitar and we all (30+ people packed into our living room!) sang Here is Love together. Such a precious time.
The food table with photo bunting above (one photo for every school year)
Here’s Peter presenting her diploma.
A big hug from Dad . . .
And one from Mom . . .
Hannah playing Here is Love . . .
All the guests!
Hannah and her younger friends (and sisters!)
And the Meadling ladies
Hannah is a very loved big sister!
The teens stayed afterwards for curries and dessert.
I’m so thankful to God for loaning us this precious girl for the last 18 years. It’s a joy to be her mum/mom and most of all to know that she belongs to the King of Kings.
After the graduation, Hannah’s been keeping very busy with a mission trip to Ireland, working at her holiday club job and more recently, packing and organising to get ready to leave for university. We had a goodbye open house for her last Saturday which was a very full and happy house! I am so blessed to be travelling with Hannah to Oregon on Monday (yay for frequent flyer tickets!). She starts at Corban University on the 25th where she’ll be studying English and Bible. Please pray for her to stay close to Jesus, make some good friends and grow SO much through her formal studies and the university of LIFE! Personally I would also appreciate prayer for good health and strength during the travelling (it’s a 24+ hour journey door to door)) and during the time when I am in Oregon. I do struggle with being anxious about these trips as I don’t know I will be health-wise. I really want to be a blessing to Hannah while I’m there and the rest of my family too, who I don’t often get to see. And as the Mead family, we’d appreciate prayer for this time of transition which includes lots of mixed emotions for everyone!
Peter and the kids arrive home tomorrow from a week of youth camp. We’ve been praying for real life change in the kids who went from Trinity Chippenham. We value your prayers so much for our family and ministry. We are in a battle for sure. Hannah and I have been reading the Screwtape Letters (CS Lewis) over the past couple of weeks. It’s been such an insightful read. How much we need Jesus – without him we can do nothing.
PS If you would like the links to the photo slideshow we did for Hannah or the audio of the speeches, let us know and we’ll be happy to share them.
