May 7 is 3 people's birthday at LCC - Jane, Steve, and Amanda! The night before I left for the summer we had a party to celebrate the wonderfulness of these 3 people! We went out for dinner at a local pizza place and then back to the Dintaman's flat for some cake and fellowship.
The end of the year came and it was time for us to say farewell to the Stave family. Such a bittersweet event. I wish them all the best and am excited for what their future holds, but my heart breaks at the thought of LCC without them. Kim has been an amazing boss and trusted friend, Andrew has added laughter to my life and been helpful beyond measure on countless occasions, and the kids had filled a void that being away from my nieces and nephews in the states has left. I know that God will fill the voids they leave in my life with new relationships, but no one can really take the place of this special family.
I really do love this family!
And I'm not the only one who loves them! :)
Alex, Kirsten, Jennifer, Amanda, and John.
Margarita, Vaida, and Ina
Greg and Vernon
Natalija and Laura
Jane, Gina, and Julija
Marlene and Vaidas
Sharon and Marietta
me and Andrea (Vaida's daughter)
For fun we rented traditional Lithuanian costumes and had Kim & Andrew dress up!
Marlene's birthday was May 2nd. Students were mostly gone and we were shifting into summer mode in the LCC offices. Robin organized a surprise birthday celebration for Marlene at the beginning of the President's Cabinet meeting the afternoon of her birthday. She was quite surprised! :)
A surprised Marlene!
Part of the party crew!
More party goers
Jane, Julianna, and Robin "popped out" to surprise her! :)
Robin, Marlene, and I all got the "wear purple" memo!
This week was our last Sunday to meet as an ICF group for the academic year. It was a smaller than normal group, as many people had already started to head back home AND it was the gorgeous kind of day that beckons people to the beach! After church we decided to take a photo of the group that was able to make it. Such a fun and special group of folks!
Sunday afternoon was commencement. The weather was gorgeous, everyone had huge smiles on their faces and flowers in their hands...a perfect time for photos! :)
Amanda and me before the graduation ceremony
me and Ira (my SOS leader from last year)
me and Vaiva - the CDC intern and amazing young woman!
me and Tanya - an RA and lovely young woman of God
me and Zhenya - an RA and a sweetheart!
Lina, Roma, and me - Roma was an RA for 3 1/2 of his 4 years at LCC
Sara and me - a great student leader and fabulous young woman!
Olena's mom was in town (for her FIRST visit to Lithuania.) It was nice to meet the woman who raised the lovely and wonderful Olena!
Satuday was commencement! We started the day with the baccalaureate service in Michealsen Centras. It was a lovely service. The only thing that I missed was some singing together - and then I remember that I'm not in Goshen anymore! :)
Marlene speaking
Iuna reading the scripture in Ukranian
Roma gave the student address.
So very proud of this young man!
Tom Frank gave the faculty address.
Kim offered a (tearful) prayer of blessing for the graduates.
