Grade 12 Graduation celebration

We have started a tradition in CIA to celebrate our grade 12 graduates.  I think we've done this for 3 years now...maybe more.  What we do to celebrate depends on the size of the group.  In the past we have gone to restaurants and people's homes, but today we met at the church...

and had a BBQ. 

Kevin getting things ready...

Jeannine.....

and Elayna helped set up. 

Apparently I didn't get enough extras to put on the burgers, so Jeannine and Elayna did a quick run to Food Basics.  

Kevin BBQ'd.  

At 6:30 our guests of honour arrived. 

Yes, I made them wave again.  

A more serious pose.  

All the great food.  

Time to eat!

I love it when people are happily conversing in the food line.

Everyone's quiet.....food in mouth.  : ) 

After a great dinner, we moved to the youth room. 

Apparently Jonathan liked the juice so much he took a full jug with him, and pretty much finished it off.  The sugar crash is going to interesting.  

The hot seat...so to speak. 

As each graduate took their place there, I asked them what they would be doing next year, had their mentor say some words to them/us, and then asked them what we could pray for for them.  

Looks like Elayna is scared. You aren't going to be in the hot seat Elayna, don't worry.  : ) 

Jeannine relaxing....

Jonathan was first. 

He's going to U of Waterloo.  

So is Simon.  

They hope to room together.  

We surrounded each graduate, laid hands on them, and prayed prayers of blessing. 

For some it was different, but I think all appreciated it. 

William is going to be sticking around Ottawa and get into construction.  

His Mentor, Gerry, noticed (as we all did) that William doesn't think long pants are necessary in the dead of winter.  So Gerry got him this t-shirt.  We all had a good laugh.  

Chris is also going to be sticking around Ottawa hoping to find work in photography and videography.  

Amy, sorry about the blurry picture, will be going to Algonquin for Culinary Arts.  

Sarah will be in Ottawa attending Carleton U. for English; and Creative Writing.  

As we prayed for each person, I noticed something interesting happening. 

First, it was just the adults doing much of the praying. 

And Chris would say the same prayer each time.  At first it was humorous, but after a while it became sacred. 

And I began asking others, specifically young people, to begin and end the prayer time. 

They did, and the prayer time became more sacred. 

Neat to watch.  

Olivia will also be going to Carleton U. for Child Studies. She will be in two of the same classes as Sarah. 

Laura will be going to Ottawa U for Bio-medical engineering.

The group of our grade 12's.  

It has been a great six years with them (through ETM and CIA) and we will miss them. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and give you His peace.............

Time to clean up and give away the extra food.  

A care package for Elayna.  

Nice colour.  

And of course, we couldn't have a youth event without these wonderful pictures.  : ) 

Apparently Elayna is ticklish.  

Who knew..........