My beautiful girls were confirmed in their Christian faith on Sunday, and what a glorious day it was! But before we get to the actual Confirmation Day, we had the Questioning last weekend. As we pulled up to church, we saw our sign announcing "Congratulations Confirmands" to all who passed 15th & Iowa.
How fun is this?!
We went in the sanctuary and the girls found their seats with Kyla.
Pastor explained how the Questioning would go and then we began. First he asked each confirmand to state their name, baptism date and confirmation verse. I didn't even think to record any of it, but was thankful that Libby got Violet singing her verse! It was precious.
I was SO proud of these kids! They recited all of the 10 Commandments and the explanations, the 3 articles of the Apostles Creed and the explanations, the Books of the Bible, the Lord's Prayer, the explanations of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and about 3 pages worth of other questions/answers about the Christian faith. Russ and I determined that this confirmation class probably learned more of the Small Catechism than possibly any before them (and definitely more than any in the 25 years we've been at Immanuel). They worked so hard these past 3 years and did a GREAT job of demonstrating to their church family all they'd learned. And just to brag a little on my Evie June. . . she was being confirmed with the 8th graders (and Violet) because she is the only 7th grader at church right now. So she did 3 years of instruction in 2 years. This girl studied, studied, studied! She never had to be asked, either. My heart about burst with pride with how well she knows her Catechism. I told her we'll keep coming back to it so she never forgets all she's learned. It's the most important stuff there is!
To celebrate such a successful questioning, we went out to dinner as a family at the new Olive Garden in Lawrence. What a wonderful evening celebrating the youngest Deterding/Dwyer ladies!
Another reason to celebrate was that our family finished reading the Bible together, cover to cover, during the time of Evelyn's confirmation instruction these past couple of years. We did the same thing when Oliver started catechism classes and enjoyed it so much, we decided to do it again during Evelyn's time. This time we used a chronological reading plan, which was cool.
We got our house cleaned and decorated throughout the week to prepare for the big day and it arrived! My girls looked SO beautiful in their new dresses, ready to head to church to be confirmed.
There was a bulletin insert for our church family to learn a little more about the confirmands. I had a few people giggling with Violet's hobbies, "cats, music, babies, grandparents." These things describe my girl pretty accurately!
We got a couple pictures before the girls were robed up.
I'm so thankful Evelyn can experience these special events with her cousin and BFF.
For the 20th year, I framed all of the kids' confirmation verses as a reminder of their day.
Violet giving a "thumbs up" to the cake :)
Aunt Dana (Violet's godmother) is here!
I was thankful Kristel and Libby took some nice pictures of the Rite of Confirmation.
Here the confirmands are saying their vows, acknowledging the gifts God gave them in their baptism, and renouncing the devil, his works and his ways. They vowed to hear the Word of God and receive the Lord's Supper faithfully and to "continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it." As we told Evelyn, these are the most important vows she will ever make. By the grace of God, we pray she always keeps them.
Then each confirmand came up with her parents and godparents/baptismal sponsors to receive the blessing and hear her verse. Evelyn June: "Jesus spoke to them saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" John 8:12
Violet Joy: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
Next we began the Service of the Sacrament, in which my Evie June would receive the body and blood of Jesus for the first time. It was so special having the whole family at the Lord's Table together. And I pray she never takes this gift for granted, but receives it often to strengthen and preserve her faith unto life everlasting!
Pastor preached on the Gospel lesson of the day out of John 14. He specifically focused on John 14:6 which is MY confirmation verse! Just when I thought this service couldn't be more meaningful! Jesus is truly the ONLY Way, Truth, and Life and what a gift to know this! At the conclusion of our service, we had plenty of pictures to be taken. First, the girls with their godparents/baptismal sponsors. I'm so thankful that Dana, John & Becky could be here for this important day. And I'm thankful they have been there throughout the girls' lives, supporting them and praying for them. First, Violet & Dana at Confirmation and Baptism:
And Evelyn with John & Becky at her special days:
Next with grandparents and confirmation teachers.
Sharon taught the catechism to Violet one-on-one these past couple of years. She is so special to our family, having taught Calvin also from kindergarten to 3rd grade!
(Calvin has changed a lot more than Sharon since his confirmation day. . .)
We are SO thankful for Pastor Wehling! He is an incredible teacher and a faithful shepherd for us.
And this is a pretty awesome picture of all of our family at church together on the girls' confirmation day! What a gift to worship together and share our faith in Christ.
We are SO proud of the godly young ladies Violet and Evelyn are growing to be. Thank you, Jesus, for these daughters!
Our family at the final Confirmation Day for a Dwyer kiddo!
Once our pictures were dutifully taken, we headed to the Activity Center for a great reception and time of fellowship. These young men are the cutest.
It just doesn't seem like it has been that long since they were the ones being confirmed. But this has been 8 years!
Once the girls had received all of their greetings/congratulations from their church family, we gathered up their gifts and headed home for a celebratory dinner and more cake!
They are just so beautiful.
We had pulled pork, cheesy potatoes, green beans, rolls, fruits, veggies and a lemonade bar.
Violet was VERY excited that her Deb could come! It was so sweet of Deb and Sharon to drive down for the dinner.
When we were done eating, the girls had LOTS of gifts to open.
Miriam got them some really neat shirts with their confirmation verses on them!
I'm very thankful for Miriam's influence on my girls and her excitement to teach them about Jesus.
They received some beautiful jewelry as well as a personalized jewelry box, a new Bible and Bible cover, their very own Lutheran Service Book, and lots of other wonderful gifts to commemorate the day. Oh, and Violet also got a new cup and phone case, both with her verse on them -- her family knows her too well!
My favorite gift to give Evelyn was the framed Micah 6:8 verse at the top of this picture. I had made these as Christmas gifts for teachers using Evelyn's little hands and feet when she was 2 months old. I was so excited that Kari still had hers (she was Oliver's preschool teacher in 2012) and was willing to gift it back for Evelyn's confirmation :)
One last picture with my girls before we cut into that cake. . . I couldn't be more proud to call them mine.
I just love their confirmation certificates.
And these beautiful ornaments Joy gave them to remember the day.
I'll finish with the prayer Pastor prayed over the confirmands.
Almighty and most merciful Father, in the waters of Holy Baptism You have united Your children in the suffering and death of Your Son Jesus Christ, cleansing them by His blood. Renew in them the gift of Your Holy Spirit, that they may live in daily contrition and repentance with a faith that ever clings to their Savior. Deliver them from the power of Satan and preserve them from false and dangerous doctrines, that they may remain faithful in hearing Christ's Word and receiving his body and blood. By the Lord's Supper strengthen them to believe that no one can make satisfaction for sin but Christ alone. Enable them to find joy and comfort only in Him, learning from this Sacrament to love you and their neighbor and to bear their cross with patience and joy until the day of resurrection of their bodies to life immortal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
We had pulled pork, cheesy potatoes, green beans, rolls, fruits, veggies and a lemonade bar. 
