Graduation May 12, 2010

Wednesday, May 12. We got a call from my brother Bob who was staying in the same hotel, but did not know that previously. We met them downstairs at the continental breakfast; Bob, Erin and son Nathan.

We got over to the college about 8:20 and parked the cars. As we walked toward the auditorium, we met my brother Joe who lives in Los Angeles. Then we took a few photos before going in.





Bob and Joe Cavalli and me.











Nathan, Bob and Erin









The Leonards had found seats on the right side of the auditorium so we all sat there.

At nine o'clock the faculty and graduates filed in. After that, two Marines carried in the US and Christian flags and placed them on the platform behind the graduates. That was a special touch. Both men are students of the college.


The College Choir came up and sang a song about We Are Not Ashamed to be called a Christian. It was a very powerful song


A couple of the College Ensembles sang specials also. They were a very coordinated, sharp-looking group of young people; a very pleasant change for what you see at the mall.

Pastor Chappell preached on Acts 6 about Men of Faith like Stephen. He was a man full of faith, the Holy Ghost and power. Faith is the deliberate confidence in God whose ways we will not always understand.

The man of faith's message was filled with the Word, he was fervent in opposition and focused on Christ. His manner is full of grace and truth in balance. He has grace under pressure, Acts 6:15. Stephen died without hate, asking God not to lay that sin to the charge of the people killing him. Then Pastor said that Saul was watching how Stephen died and it affected him on the Road to Damascus. Someone is always watching. Pastor charged the students saying, "You don't owe the flesh anything. You owe God everything." Be not ashamed.

The diplomas were then handed out by degree, starting with Secretarial Science and ending with Master of Religious Education in Christian Education, which was Peter's degree. These people got a special colored hood put on by one of the professors.

Then after all the diplomas were handed out there were several special awards given. One was to a young man named Grant Dean who graduated with a degree in Music. He apparently had some struggles and tough times which everyone knew about at the college. Peter said he is autistic, but not severely.

Afterward everyone filed out and we eventually found Peter and Johanna and took plenty of pictures .


Cavallis, Wards, Johanna and Mr. and Mrs. Sisk,









Mom, the grad, and Dad


Mrs. Leonard, Mrs. Sisk, Johanna, Peter
Dr. Sisk, Mr. Leonard.



Uncles and Nephews

After we decided to eat lunch, at this time it was about 1:30, we all got into cars and drove to the Sizzler Steakhouse in Palmdale, near our hotel. I think there were 16 of us after the Leonards joined us. Henry and Joe split a rack of BBQ ribs, several of us had salads, others had chicken sandwiches and hamburgers. We ate, stayed and chatted until after 3:00 pm. We had asked the waitress if they had a birthday special and she brought out a sundae and we all sang Happy Birthday to Peter. I think he was a bit embarrassed.

We all left; my brother returned to California, Johanna and Teresa were taken back to campus to pack up and the rest of us hung out in our hotel room just chatting until Bob and Erin had to leave about 5:00 pm to return home. It was really good to see my brothers after so long a time. Perhaps we can do it again in two years when Teresa graduates. God is good, all the time.