Confirmation!

Shayla reached a huge milestone in the Catholic Church.  She made her Sacrament of Confirmation on Thursday evening with her class of about 70 students.  In the Catholic Church, Confirmation is a Sacrament of initiation, establishing young adults as full-fledged members of the faith.  It comes after the Sacraments of Baptism, Penance and Holy Communion.

We are very proud of Shayla for taking this Sacrament so seriously.  This gal continues to amaze me. She reads the Bible most every night and often leaves me passages to read on my pillow with discussion questions to help focus my reading.  Yes, sometimes I have to ask myself, "Who is the adult here?"  She is amazing!  Thank God for richly blessing us with Shayla.

When she told me a couple of months ago, that she had select the name of Christine for her Saint, I cried for about thirty minutes.  I know she misses her too and still leans to her for guidance.  I wish Christi could have made this Sacrament and I know she was with us this week at mass with the Reverend Monsignor William Kubacki!

Shayla asked her uncle and Godfather to serve as her Proxy since her confirmation sponsor (Cousin Ashley) could not be with us in person due to a conflict she had attending an out-of-state college. 

Newly confirmed, Shayla Marie Christine Thomas

Thank you, uncle Gil!

Celebrating after mass at a restaurant

With grandma Nee Nee

Taking the gifts to the alter

This is the name tag Shayla wore for mass.  All of the students were given the Saint's name they selected on these lovely tags to wear.    After she was confirmed, she walked toward me where I stood taking pictures.  It was only then that I saw this name tag and tears gushed down my cheeks.  She stopped, put a kiss on my cheek and then proceed to her pew.  I don't deserve this remarkable child.  Thank you dear Lord!  Thank you, Shayla Thomas!