Seriously, I thought he’d wake up after the first one! Let this viral video be a reminder: Don’t forget to have a little fun with friends before the summer ends!
10 Family Friendly Summer Activities to Do With Kids
Summer is the perfect time to create lasting memories with your kids. With school out and sunny days ahead, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time together as a family. From outdoor adventures to creative crafts, here are 10 family-friendly summer activities that are sure to delight your little ones.
10 Family Friendly Summer Activities to Do With Kids
1. Backyard Camping Adventure
Set up a tent in the backyard and embark on a camping adventure right at home! Roast marshmallows over a campfire (or use a grill), tell stories under the stars, and cozy up in sleeping bags for a night of outdoor fun. Don’t forget to bring along flashlights for shadow puppets and stargazing!
2. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Take a nature walk in your local park or neighborhood and go on a scavenger hunt to discover the wonders of the great outdoors. Create a list of items to find, such as pinecones, flowers, birds, and rocks, and challenge your kids to check them off as they explore. Encourage them to use their senses to observe, touch, and listen to the natural world around them.
3. DIY Water Park Day
Turn your backyard into a water park with DIY water activities that are sure to keep your kids cool and entertained on hot summer days. Set up a kiddie pool, slip ‘n slide, water balloons, and sprinklers for endless water fun. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen and stay hydrated!
4. Outdoor Movie Night
Host an outdoor movie night under the stars for a magical evening of cinema under the open sky. Set up a projector and screen in your backyard, lay out blankets and pillows for seating, and pop some popcorn for a cozy movie experience. Let your kids choose their favorite family-friendly films to enjoy together.
5. DIY Arts and Crafts Day
Get creative with a DIY arts and crafts day at home. Set up a crafting station with supplies like paper, markers, glue, scissors, and recyclable materials, and let your kids’ imaginations run wild. From painting and drawing to making homemade jewelry and building with clay, the possibilities are endless!
6. Picnic in the Park
Pack a picnic basket with sandwiches, snacks, and drinks, and head to your local park for a delightful outdoor picnic. Spread out a blanket in a shady spot, enjoy a leisurely meal together, and spend the afternoon playing games like frisbee, soccer, or tag. Don’t forget to bring along a kite for some high-flying fun!
7. Garden Exploration
Get your hands dirty with a garden exploration day in your backyard or community garden. Let your kids help plant flowers, vegetables, or herbs, and teach them about the importance of caring for plants and the environment. Encourage them to observe insects, butterflies, and birds that visit the garden.
8. Ice Cream Sundae Party
Cool off on hot summer days with an ice cream sundae party at home. Set up a DIY ice cream bar with various flavors, toppings, and sauces, and let your kids create their own delicious sundaes. Don’t forget the whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherries on top!
9. Science Experiment Extravaganza
Turn your kitchen into a science lab and conduct fun and educational experiments with your kids. From making homemade slime and erupting volcanoes to creating rainbow milk and baking soda rockets, there are plenty of hands-on activities to spark their curiosity and imagination.
10. Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
Organize a neighborhood scavenger hunt for your kids and their friends to enjoy together. Create a list of clues and hidden treasures to find around the neighborhood, such as landmarks, street signs, and hidden objects. Encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and friendly competition as they race to complete the scavenger hunt.
With these 10 family-friendly summer activities, you’re sure to make the most of the sunny season and create cherished memories with your elementary age kids. Whether you’re camping in the backyard, exploring nature, or hosting a movie night under the stars, the key is to enjoy quality time together as a family and savor the simple joys of summer. Grab your sunscreen, pack a picnic, and get ready for a summer filled with fun, laughter, and adventure!
Mom Posts Summer PSA to Parents After Spotting 150 “Miniscule” Ticks on Daughter
It’s been said over and over this year, but the warning cannot be more pressing—2017 will be one of the worst years on record for ticks.
We’ve already seen it in children everywhere—experiencing everything from temporary paralysis to extreme rashes and even death. Of course, one of the biggest concerns with this year’s tick outbreak is an increase in Lyme disease—a tick-borne illness that often causes a rash, flu-like symptoms, joint pain and weakness in the limbs.
If you’re anything like me, you hear these warnings and think, “OK, I’ll be sure to look for little bugs crawling on me when I come in from outside.” Because surely you’ll know if a creepy crawly tick is making a playground out of your body.
But as one mother wants everyone to know this week, it just isn’t that simple.
Beka Setzer wrote in a harrowing Facebook post about how her daughter Emmalee had been playing outside in the sprinkler—soaking up the summer day.
“After coming inside and laying down for a nap, I just happened to notice tiny (and I mean TINY) little black dots all over her legs, abdomen, arms and armpit area. Thinking they may have just been seeds, I tried to wipe them or scrape one off and it was a TICK!”
Beka suspects her daughter must have been rolling around in the grass near a nest of tick larvae, because she was COVERED in them.
In order to show others just how easy it is to overlook these little stinkers, Beka posted videos with her warning. One shows a tick crawling in Emmalee’s skin, and the other shows one of the ticks under her finger nail as she pulled them off of her daughter.
Posted by Love What Matters on Thursday, July 6, 2017
Y’all, you CAN’T HARDLY SEE THEM! I’ve seen the warnings, and I’ve written a handful of them this summer alone. But never have I ever thought that it would be this impossible to spot a tick!
“I spent nearly an hour and a half picking over 150 minuscule baby ticks off of her, gave her a long dawn dish soap bath with repeated washing, washed all bedding, clothing and toys she came into contact with afterwards and administered Benadryl.”
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Beka brought Emmalee to the doctor the next morning after she woke up with a low-grade fever, little red spots on her, and a marble sized-swollen lymph node.
They put her on an aggressive antibiotic routine complete with antihistamines.
“I want to make every parent aware of what these look like so you can be on the lookout. They’re not as easy to see as the ticks you’re likely looking for on yourself or children.”
The concerned mother wants others to know what they’re looking for when it comes to checking their family for ticks. Like myself, she never expected them to be so tiny.
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You can’t possibly notice these at first glance with the naked eye. There’s no telling what may have happened had Emmalee taken the nap.
Beka had some of the ticks analyzed for Lyme disease, and thankfully, they all tested negative.
Share this warning with other parents, and make sure you’re educated on what seed ticks look like. It could wind up saving you or your child’s life.
“She Could Barely Walk, Crawl, or Use Her Arms”: Mom Sends Summer Warning to Parents After Daughter Wakes Up Nearly Paralyzed
With the swimming pools opening and hot-weather-temps starting to skyrocket, one mom from eastern Oregon has a serious warning for parents everywhere.
Amanda Lewis shared a video on Facebook of her daughter Evelyn “acting a little weird” around bedtime. It wasn’t the usual stalling before bed.
“She didn’t want to stand up after her bath to get into her pajamas. I helped her and got her in bed. She was a little fussy last night and I ended up sleeping in bed with her all night.”
Amanda continues:
“This morning she was having a hard time standing. She could barely walk, or crawl, and could hardly use her arms.”
The concerned parents captured a video that’s now been viewed almost 20 million times, which shows Lantz, Evelyn’s dad, coaching her through trying to stand up.
Her legs are visibly weak, and when she did rise to her feet, her legs immediately gave out from beneath her.
Concerned it might be something serious, given that her husband has a history with cancer, Amanda says they rushed their little girl to the emergency room.
“We got into a room quickly, thank God, and were seen almost right away. The doctor talked to us for a minute and said over the past 15 years he had seen about 7 or 8 children her age with identical symptoms and more than likely she had a tick.”
After combing thoroughly through her hair, doctors found what they were looking for—a tick that had buried itself in Evelyn’s head.
“This condition is called tick paralysis. It can affect dogs also and can be fatal. I’m glad we took her in when we did and that it wasn’t something worse and that we found it before it got worse.”
According to the American Lyme Disease Foundation, tick paralysis is generally a concern among livestock, and rarely affects humans; But when it does, it’s usually found in young children—under the age of 10.
The ALDF reports symptoms of tick paralysis to include: fatigue, numbness of the legs and muscle pain. Paralysis in individuals spreads from the lower extremities to the upper, followed by tongue and facial paralysis if the tick is not removed. The condition is caused by over 40 different species of ticks—five of which are predominantly found throughout North America.
The ALDF explains severe complications of tick paralysis to include convulsions, respiratory failure and death in up to 12 percent of cases left untreated.
As NPR reports, experts believe 2017 will bea “risky” year for Lyme disease. And while not all ticks carry the disease, it’s important to be on the lookout to best protect yourself and your family.
Evelyn’s tick was a dog tick, which usually does not carry Lyme disease.
Ticks are generally attracted to dark, moist places like the upper-insides of your legs, and the back of your neck where hair may cover the base of your head. So after spending time outside, it’s important to do a thorough search of those areas in addition to the entire body.
You can prevent tick bites by avoiding high grass and wooded areas, and by wearing an insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET.
Should you find a tick, the CDC recommends using fine-tipped tweezers to remove the tick in a steady, upward motion. You’ll want to avoid squeezing or twisting the tick during extraction.
Amanda says she’s still in shock that this happened to her baby girl, but she’s glad Evelyn is safe, and that they were able to spread awareness which could protect others.
“It’s not terribly common for this to happen but it’s good to be aware that if your children or pets start having weakness in their limbs to look for a tick!”
As for Evelyn, Amanda says she’s completely back to being her “feisty-little-self.”
Man Issues Summer Warning After Drinking 2 Bottles of Cold Water in the Sun
When you’re out in the blistering summer heat, nothing sounds more refreshing than a crisp, bottle of cold water to cool you down.
While we’ve all heard that you’re not supposed to chug a ton of water (or anything for that matter) in the sun, Adam Schaub didn’t think that just [two] bottles of water could land him face-first in the ground with his body in total “shock.”
But that’s exactly what happened when he and his dad were working out in the 100° sun and stopped for a quick break.
In a viral Facebook post that has now been shared over 600,000 times, Adam issues an urgent public service announcement that will make you think twice about chugging cold water to beat the summer heat:
“PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
So we’ve all heard not to drink really cold water in the heat, but a lot of us haven’t heard the why or experienced it first hand. Cold water is good, so how could it be bad? Well, yesterday I found out. We were out working in 100° weather (not a good idea in itself) when my dad noticed my face was getting pretty red and suggested that I take a break. I immediately grabbed a cold bottle of water and drank it. After he did a little more work he suggested that I get in the truck and blast the a.c.. in the truck I drank some more cold water (another bottle) and very shortly started feeling strange. I started seeing spots, my stomach got extremely nauseous and my hands and feet started tingling. I felt like I was going to throw up so I opened the truck door and the next thing I know I’m face first in the ground and my dad’s rolling me over and wiping off my face. [He] said my eyes had rolled back a bit and I didn’t come to for a few minutes. Emt arrived and asked what was going on.
Immediately the guy knew what happened. Apparently, if you’re too hot and chug a bottle of cold water, it can send your body into shock. It thinks that the stomach is going hypothermic and so it takes the warm blood and sends it to the stomach. You can lose consciousness. He said cold water is good, but only in sips. Room temperature water is better if you need fast rehydration. Just figured I would share in case anyone could benefit from my mishap. Summer’s just around the corner. Stay cool. Feel free to share if you think it could help someone. I wish I had learned this a long time ago.
Edit: ***disclaimer*** I’m an not a Dr so please don’t take my experience or what I was told as a reason not to talk to your own doctor. Do not take my personal experience as advice. In case it wasn’t clear enough, drinking water throughout the day and staying hydrated is very important. If you mess up though, like I did, don’t make the same mistake as me.”
SHARE Adam’s important message today to ensure your friends and family have a safe summer!
Dear Mama: This Summer, Be the One
Adrian Wood is a mother of four who wants mothers to “be the one” this summer, and always.
As the “Tales of an Educated Debutante” blogger so perfectly pens it, you can either be the mama succumbing to the pressures of motherhood, or you can “be the one” who lives motherhood to the fullest.
“Be the one. Be the one who goes under because you know wet hair is a small price to pay for rapturous giggles.
Tales of an Educated Debutante
Be the one who looks for snakes under rocks and flings your bathing-suit-clad self on the Slip ‘N Slide and hopes for survival because you are making memories.
Be the one who knows some of the best afternoons are filled scraps of paper, dabs of glue, sprinkled glitter and a kind heart because those are the ones you will tuck away so as to remember.
Tales of an Educated Debutante
Be the one who eats fried chicken splayed in the grass because there is time enough for proper manners and sitting in chairs.
Be the one who jumps on the trampoline until you pee in your pants because you remember that those you jump with are the whole reason you sacrificed your bladder.
Be the one who builds castles and goes to the zoo because you shall remember those small hands clutching lettuce for a precocious giraffe.
Be the one who ignores the laundry on a Sunday afternoon, closes the blinds, and helps build a pallet for movie watching because the feeling of those feet and hands encountering your person will be a weight you never regret.
Tales of an Educated Debutante
Be the one who goes on the boat even though you long for a pedicure and a cozy nap because the sun on your face, the wind past your ears and the squeals of little people will remind you what it feels like to be alive.
Be the one who drinks in long hot days, shrieking little people, and melting popsicles because you value the chaos in the moment.
Be the one who remembers they won’t be children forever and someday is not so important because today is the best stuff.
This summer, be the one.”
Tales of an Educated Debutante
Motherhood is tiresome. It’s troubling and it’s taxing, but mamas, it’s SO SO wonderful!
We have the tendency to carry around all of this pressure to have a clean house, well-dressed kids who eat GMO-free, gluten-free and dairy-free. But at the end of the day, it’s not the organic fruit snacks that anyone’s going to remember. It’s the time spent growing together, loving one another and sharing moments that will last a lifetime.
SHARE Adrian’s words with a mama you love today, and encourage each other to “be the one.”
Separated at Birth, Twins Who Reunited on Good Morning America Graduate as Valedictorians
In a story that has captured the hearts of millions, twin sisters Audrey and Gracie, separated at birth in China and adopted by different American families, reunited for the first time on “Good Morning America” (GMA) in 2017. Now the girls are graduating high school, both as valedictorians of their respective classes. Their journey from their emotional meeting to their recent high school graduation is nothing short of extraordinary.
Early Life and Separation
Audrey and Gracie were born in China and separated at 15 months when they were adopted by two different American families. Audrey was adopted by the Doring family from Wisconsin, while Gracie was adopted by the Rainsberry family from Washington State. For years, neither family knew that their adopted daughters had a twin sister. The twins spent their early years unaware of each other’s existence, growing up in loving but separate environments.
Discovery and Reunion on GMA
The journey to their reunion began in 2016 when Jennifer Doring, Audrey’s adoptive mother, discovered a photograph of Audrey sitting on her foster mother’s knee alongside another identical baby. This discovery sparked a desperate search to find the other child in the photo. Jennifer’s quest culminated in the twins’ emotional reunion on GMA in 2017. At the age of 11, Audrey and Gracie met for the first time in front of millions of viewers. The moment was filled with excitement, joy, and overwhelming emotions as the twins embraced and shared their first words in person.
Building a Relationship Across the Miles
Since their reunion, Audrey and Gracie have made significant efforts to maintain a close relationship despite living 1,700 miles apart. They have seen each other about twice a year, celebrating birthdays together and even traveling internationally. This commitment to their bond has allowed them to share many special moments and experiences that they missed out on during their early years apart.
Academic Achievements and Future Plans
Both Audrey and Gracie have excelled academically, graduating as valedictorians of their respective high school classes. Audrey graduated from her high school in Wisconsin, and Gracie flew in from Washington to celebrate this significant milestone with her. In turn, Audrey plans to travel to Washington to attend Gracie’s graduation.
As they embark on the next chapter of their lives, both girls have exciting plans for their futures. Audrey will be attending Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she plans to pursue a career in medicine. Gracie, on the other hand, has been recruited to play soccer at Eastern Washington University. Both twins are eager to explore new opportunities and gain independence as they begin their college journeys.
The Impact of Their Story
The story of Audrey and Gracie has resonated with millions around the world, not only for its emotional impact but also for the broader themes of family, identity, and the unbreakable bonds of siblinghood. Their journey has inspired many to reflect on the importance of family connections and the incredible ways in which life can bring people together.
105-Year-Old Great Grandmother Graduates from Stanford with Master’s Degree
In a heartwarming and historic event, 105-year-old Virginia “Ginnie” Hislop received her Master of Arts in Education from Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) on Sunday, marking the culmination of a journey that began over 80 years ago. This remarkable achievement comes after a lifetime of dedication, resilience, and service.
A Journey Interrupted by War
Ginnie Hislop’s academic journey at Stanford began in the 1940s when she diligently completed all the required coursework for her master’s degree. However, as she was preparing to submit her final thesis, World War II broke out, dramatically altering her plans. Her then-boyfriend, George Hislop, was called to serve in the war, and Ginnie decided to leave school to marry him and support the war effort. This decision led her to put her academic aspirations on hold indefinitely.
A Life of Service and Dedication
After the war, Ginnie Hislop devoted herself to raising her family, which grew to include two children, four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Despite the demands of family life, she never abandoned her commitment to education and community service. For decades, Ginnie served on school and college boards in Washington State, contributing significantly to the educational landscape in her community.
Completing the Journey
Decades after she first left Stanford, the university dropped its thesis requirement for the master’s program, opening the door for Ginnie to finally complete her degree. With unwavering determination, she returned to Stanford and, on June 16, 2024, proudly walked the stage to accept her diploma from GSE Dean Daniel Schwartz. As she received her diploma, Ginnie’s joy was palpable, and she was heard saying, “My goodness, I’ve waited a long time for this.”
A Celebrated Milestone
In an interview with “Good Morning America,” which aired on Wednesday, Ginnie Hislop expressed her elation at achieving this long-awaited milestone. “False modesty has never been one of my problems,” she remarked with characteristic humor. “I felt I deserved it, and I was delighted to get it.”
Ginnie Hislop’s story is a powerful testament to the enduring value of education and the importance of perseverance. Her journey, interrupted by the demands of a global conflict and the responsibilities of family life, ultimately came full circle in a moment of triumph and joy. As she stood on the stage at Stanford, diploma in hand, Ginnie Hislop not only celebrated her personal achievement but also inspired countless others with her incredible story of dedication and resilience.
Stranger Takes Off His Pants at High School Graduation So Teen Who Violated Dress Code Can Walk
High school graduation is one of the most celebratory days of any young person’s life. It’s a milestone, and one that came out of a lot of hard work.
But for Leroy Solis Jr., that much-anticipated walk almost didn’t happen.
Not because of his grades or his failure to pass an exam, but because three minutes before the ceremony, he was informed he was wearing the only pants he could afford.
Prior to graduation, every student was provided with information regarding the MacArthur High School ceremony dress code.
A newsletter from the principal stated, “Failure to comply can result in not being allowed to participate in the ceremony or removal from the ceremony…This is not something that I ever want to see happen, but these expectations will be enforced.”
The dress code for Leroy meant asking his single father on an incredibly tight budget to buy him a pair of dress slacks. The teen didn’t have the heart to do it.
So instead, he showed up to graduation wearing jeans under his gown. Three minutes before the start of the ceremony, Leroy was sent home.
As he was getting into his car, the teen noticed a young man in the parking lot. He was similar in size to Leroy and was wearing dress slacks.
Assuming rejection couldn’t be worse than not walking at graduation, Leroy approached the stranger and explained that he wasn’t able to participate in the ceremony because jeans were the only pants he could afford.
That’s when the stranger took him completely by surprise! He and his father told Leroy to get inside of their truck so the two young men could trade pants!
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It’s not every day that a stranger requests to trade pants with you. But thanks to the kindness of that young man and his father, Leroy was able to properly graduate high school.
It’s a day that every graduate will always remember, and a stranger’s kindness that Leroy will never forget.
Dad Gets Wrong # Text From 2 Random Dudes at Graduation—His Epic Response WINS the Internet!
We’ve all been there — you text the wrong number by accident, and so begins an awkward chain of messages exchanged between strangers.
That precise incident happened to Coastal Carolina grad, Justin Campbell.
Twitter
On graduation day, Justin sent pictures to the wrong number just minutes after the commencement ceremony.
Instead of going to the right person, Justin’s photos went to Roger Hawkins.
Twitter
The father of three is a real estate agent who also works double duty as a punk rock singer.
Rather than responding to Justin with the typical “wrong number” dialogue, Roger made things a bit more interesting — and the Internet cannot get enough of it.
He responded with a selfie and some words of encouragement for the new graduates.
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Then the super cool dad shared a link to a custom iTunes playlist.
The texts made Justin smile, so he took to Twitter to give other people a laugh. In sharing the photos, Justin inadvertently shared Roger’s phone number, and people have BLOWN UP his phone with selfie love.
Twitter
It just goes to show that a small act of kindness — like making light of an awkward situation — goes a long way.
Mom Watches Son Get Murdered at Graduation—When She Gets a Flashback to 18 Years Earlier, the Truth Hits Her
Every thirty seconds, an unborn child is murdered in the womb. That unsettling statistic translates into 120 abortions per hour, 2,899 per day, and 1.058 million per year—and that’s in the United States alone.
Abortion is a heinous crime running rampant in our culture under the guise of “women’s rights” and “female empowerment.”
With abortion advocates branding invaluable, intricately-formed human lives as “just a cluster of cells” and pro-choice celebrities like Alyssa Milano announcing that her life would be “robbed of all its great joys” if not for her abortions, it’s no wonder much of society has fallen prey to that lie.
But Messenger International is on a mission to shed light on the rarely publicized heartache, destruction, and life-long implications associated with the evils of abortion. A short film by Messenger Studios entitled “The Love You’re Looking For” chronicles the inspiring life journey of a single mother and her son. Throughout the duration of the film, the son is a constant source of encouragement, light, and joy to his proud mama with whom he shares an unspeakable bond. However, a dark, ominous threat in the form of a hooded figure can be seen looming over the boy at every turn throughout his childhood, igniting a clear death-gripping fear in his mother.
The story comes to a climactic peak at the son’s graduation when the boy is murdered by the anonymous attacker whose identity is finally revealed in a shocking twist of fate.
The grand reveal will leave your cheeks tear-streaked and your heart in your throat:
While the film only took about 15 minutes to write, it conveys a message that its creator, Alec Bevere, has had on his heart for years. With a stroke of storytelling genius, “The Love You’re Looking For” seamlessly drives home the message that not only is “choosing life” the answer, but also that “abortion” is not the end.
There is hope, forgiveness, and a promising future available to those women who may believe they’ve committed the unpardonable sin.
“We had this realization of how important it was to pray over this film and the realization that not only lives would be saved from this, but lives would be born–that destinies would come out of the film,” said Alec, hopeful for film’s capacity to encourage and empower women.
“It’s really an invitation for women who find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy to understand that there’s love,” his mom, speaker and author, Lisa Bevere, added. “That child may be the very love you’re looking for, so be brave. Be courageous. God has this incredible victory on the other side of redemption.”
Be sure to share “The Love You’re Looking For” film with those in your sphere of influence today, and learn more at theloveyourelookingfor.com.
School Forces Student to Take Jesus Out of Graduation Speech, Plan Gloriously Backfires When She Drops This Line
Moriah Bridges is a girl on fire for Jesus.
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The high school senior’s faith is the driving force behind everything she does. So when it came time to deliver a speech at graduation, Moriah knew that she wanted to credit God and give Him the glory for the woman and graduate she’s become.
The Pennsylvania teen had planned on encouraging her graduating class in prayer — offering gratitude to God for His faithfulness and goodness throughout the high school career of her and her peers:
“Make us selfless. Make us just. Make us successful people, but more than that, make us good people. Lord, surround us with grace and favor everywhere we go. Soften our hearts to teach us love and compassion, to show mercy and grace to others the way that you showed mercy and grace to us, even to the ultimate sacrifice. Help us love our brothers and our sisters deeply. Lead us to bless them.”
To her disappointment, the school banned Moriah from integrating any form of religious beliefs into her graduation speech and even went as far as to say that such actions would be unlawful.
“I was shocked that the school said my personal remarks broke the law and I was saddened that I could not draw upon my Christian identity to express my best wishes for my classmates on what should’ve been the happiest day of high school,” she said.
But Moriah wasn’t intimidated. She stood firm in her faith and got to work — determined not to be silenced for her beliefs.
She enlisted the help of First Liberty Institute, a nonprofit law firm committed to protecting religious freedoms, to take on her case.
Respectfully, Moriah delivered her speech at graduation — not the original prayer she had hoped to pray, but something even better.
Bringing attention to the fact that she was unable to pray as she’d intended, Moriah dove into an encouraging word that had all signs pointing to Jesus.
She urged her classmates to put on a heart of gratitude.
“Let’s remember to be thankful for our immeasurable blessings,” she said proudly. “To have been born in a country where we’re granted quality education as if it were a right.”
Moriah went on to express gratitude for teachers, parents, mentors and family members — thanking them for their roles in each of the graduates’ lives and high school experiences.
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She then took the prayer she had planned to pray and transformed it into a beautiful declaration which she spoke over her classmates.
“I hope that we’re surrounded with grace and favor everywhere we go,” she continues. “Let our hearts be soft to show true love and compassion, to show mercy and grace to others the way that mercy and grace were shown to us—even to the ultimate sacrifice. Let us love our brothers and our sisters deeply. Let us be a blessing to them. Let us be selfless. Let us be righteous. Let us be successful people. But more than that, let us be good people.”
Moriah concluded her speech with a tasteful hint of rebellion saying:
“I’ve always been a rule follower. When they said not to chew gum, I didn’t chew gum. When they said not to use your cellphone, I didn’t use my cellphone. But today, in the spirit of defying expectations, and for perhaps the last time at this podium, I say in the righteous name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
All the praise for this brave young daughter of the most high. You are a shining example of what it means to stand firm in your faith.