graduation girls

Last Thursday not only did all five of my children move up in the ranks of schooling, but all seven of these beautiful girls I get to work with in Young Women graduated from high school:
The other leaders and I took them out to a graduation dinner a couple weeks before.As I looked around that table and thought about the unique lights that each of them shine, I thought about how good they all are. I thought about how that light that shines from within each of them will make a difference in the lives of others as they go their own ways to create their own stories.

It made my heart swell up as I envisioned those lights shining from their hearts and how they will set examples for others just as they have for the younger girls here…

…and for us leaders too.

The weekend before high school graduation they graduated from Seminary.
(a couple are missing from this picture.)

It was such a strange feeling because although I’ve only known these girls for a few short months, I have sure grown to love them. My heart kind of turned into a “mother-heart” for them as I thought about them leaving. It made me wonder how tough it will be when my own kids are graduating some day. Did I teach them all that I was supposed to? Did our activities help them in the way that they needed? Maybe we should have done ________ or ______ (fill in the blank, you name it). Do they know how tough some decisions will be as they go out on their own? Will they be able to stand up for what they believe and will their actions help keep their faith growing strong?

I know these girls will do amazing. They have outstanding parents and friends and past leaders who have helped make their lights shine and have filled them to the brim with love and faith and goodness.

How I hope that some day my own children will be that prepared. It made me want to help kindle their spiritual “lights” more than ever to prepare them to shine as these girls’ do. I am so incredibly grateful for extended family and church leaders standing side-by-side with Dave and I to help out.

I’m grateful for these seven girls, and that even in the little snippets of time that they’ve spent with my children they have strengthened their lights, just as I hope my kids will strengthen others when they get older.