A Welcome Ending

We have lived in Louisville 2 years exactly. In that 2 years, Shane completed a 90-hour master's degree that usually takes students at least 3 years to finish. And he did all that studying, going to class, reading, and writing papers while being on staff at our church as well as watching Silas 2 1/2 days a week. Exhausted just thinking about it? Try considering that this last semester he took 18 hours, one of which was Greek Syntax.

I couldn't be more proud of him than I am for how he focused deeply for 2 years, soaking in all that seminary had to offer. But he never did it at the expense of our family. Shane has spent countless hours with Silas and can tell you in just as much detail as I can about his eating, sleeping, and playing habits. There was hardly a night that we didn't all have dinner together. And the puppies always got their walks. Our marriage is stronger now than ever, which is a testimony to how the Lord uses our circumstances to change us to be more like Him. We have never been more sure that we are exactly where the Lord wants us to be.

The actual ceremony was a sweet time of celebrating this welcome ending to a long journey. Here is Shane, receiving his diploma from Dr. Mohler, the seminary president...
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And chatting after the ceremony with Dr. Stinson, whose whole family has been a blessing to us in countless ways. They have the greatest twin middle schoolers and were thrilled to hear about ours...

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Shane's mom and Lee got to come down to celebrate with us, which we loved...

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The graduation weekend was also the start of our Christmas holiday-ing. Grandma and Grandpa brought one of Silas' gifts, a wagon. He loved it. It is still in our living room so just about every day he asks for "wa-wee" (can't quite get wagon) and "ride". Then one of us pulls him from the living room to the dining room while he squeals and says "wheeeeee..."!

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I do not think that Shane quite yet feels the freedom from all his classes because he picked up most of the slack around the house while I was so sick. Hopefully now that I'm feeling better he will get to revel in his accomplishment.

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Love you, babe. We are incredibly proud of you!