CIA - Grade 12 Graduation Dinner

Grade 12 Graduation - CIA

Last year we began the tradition of blessing out our grade 12's at Calvin. We held it at Janine's place. 

[you can read about that in last year's entries]

This year we had many more, so decided to hold a fancy dinner at the church to celebrate the years we have had with these young people. 

I did need some help in the kitchen, and Jeannine and Annette and Saskia answered the early shift call.  Here they are peeling potatoes.  

Others soon came to help as well.  Here's Megan setting up the tables in the fellowship hall.  

Megan and Mel getting the desserts ready. 

The menu for the evening was:

Salad

Chicken Cordon Swiss

Mashed Potatoes

Mixed Veggies....

....real white and red grape juice, 

and desserts of various kinds.  

The tables nicely set up. 

Soon we had pretty much all our youth leaders helping out getting things ready.  Lots of fun.  : ) 

Annette making sure the potatoes cook properly.  

Getting the chicken ready for the ovens.  

Once the potatoes were cooked, Annette blended them to a proper consistency.  Seems it's a secret family recipe or something.  : )   

Mel and Ken mashing the old fashioned way. 

Things are all set to go. 

Nice job Megan, and Kevin.  

Taking a short rest before the guests arrive. 

Which they eventually did.  

The attire was formal, and all looked very nicely dressed.  

Here we are just about to begin. 

Enjoying conversation after the dinner. 

We took some time between the main course and dessert to share our thoughts as leaders with these great youth.  We have watched many of them grow up for many years, and to now see them graduate on to college, mission work, and other things is truly an honour for us.  

The group was also given the chance to say anything they wanted to to each other and the youth leaders.  It turned out to be a nice time of sharing together. 

A final group shot of those who were able to make it. 

They wanted to lift me up and hold me for a picture, but I didn't want that to happen....  : ) 

This was the compromise picture.  

It was a really nice evening and it was an honour to serve these grade 12's.  

May God bless you and keep you as you move on in life.  

May he make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you as you serve him in your various professions in the future. 

May you remember your years in ETM and CIA and may those memories keep you close to God, to each other, and to Calvin's church community, or some other place you may end up in the future.