On Friday, May 14 Stephen graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Five years ago we moved to Louisville in order for Stephen to begin his Master of Divinity at Southern. God has been so faithful to us during this time. He has provided us jobs, a church home, and two sweet children along the way. We both started out teaching, Stephen in a computer lab at an elementary school in Oldham County and me in a preschool classroom at an elementary school in Jefferson County. Stephen eventually took a position at Prima Supply about a year after we moved to Louisville and is now the General Manager there. He works with such sweet people and God has graciously provided for us financially through his job.

When we found out we were pregnant with Julianne more than three years ago we made the very difficult decision for me to stay at home and quit my job as a teacher. I don't say "difficult" because I didn't desire to stay at home with our children, but when we looked at our finances on paper it didn't look like it should work out financially for us to live on one income, but God proved himself faithful yet again and provided for our every need and many of our wants. About two years after we found out we would have our first child, we found out that we were pregnant again. On the first day of the 2009 spring semester our baby went to be with Jesus and we lost him or her through a miscarriage. Stephen also experienced some health challenges and in the next several months we faced some of the hardest moments in our marriage thus far, but even through these uncertain times God was still in control and He taught us so much about trusting in Him and not in our circumstances. Although 2009 began with such sorrow, 2010 began with the blessing of another precious daughter, Lorelei. God has blessed us tremendously through her.

God has strengthened us both for the work which he called us to do. I am so grateful for Stephen's hard work and perseverance through each class for the last 10 semesters and several J-terms. He worked full time, served faithfully at our church, was a full time student, yet still managed to be an amazing husband and father. For several days a week, he often was away from our home at work and school for 13-14 hours a day and it was not unheard of for him to stay up until 2a.m. or 3a.m. finishing assignments. As much as we got used to not seeing much of one another, it was challenging not having him around much, but God used this time to grow us in the knowledge of His Word and to teach us that He is our joy and our hope, not one another. God blessed us greatly through our church, Highview Baptist Church, and our sweet friends in our Adult Bible Fellowship class and in the choir. The past five years have been challenging in many aspects, but I will always be grateful for them knowing that God was using them for our good and for His purposes(Romans 8:28).

If you have read this far, I commend you, and realize you must be one of our sweet family members or friends that have supported, encouraged, and prayed for us these past five years. God has used you in great ways in our lives. We are so thankful for you!

We were blessed to celebrate graduation with Stephen's parents, my mom, and my brother. The day before graduation Stephen and I attended a reception at Dr. and Mrs. Mohler's home. On the day of graduation the forecast called for rain, but the rain held off and actually sped up the commencement ceremony. It usually lasts two hours and only lasted an hour and a half. That evening we continued our celebration by going to Ruth's Chris Steak House for dinner. We had a beautiful view right by the window, great conversation, and delicious food. Here are some pictures from our weekend.


In Dr. Mohler's library


At the Mohler's home


Uncle Andy, Mimi, and Julianne waiting for Graduation to begin


Gigi and Papa


How Lorelei spent most of the ceremony


Uncle Andy took Julianne up to see the organ being played


Lorelei chewing on Uncle Andy's very seasoned chef finger


They actually pronounced Stephen's whole name correctly


It's official!


Julianne loved the tassel


The Graduate


Our family of four


My mom, Stephen, and my brother


The Mobley Clan


Daddy and his littlest girl


Five years of seminary can be exhausting!


On the balcony at Ruth's Chris


A seminary degree put to use - actually it's just a game, but a very funny picture