Yesterday, Matt had the privilege of spending time as Jodie Meeks Sharpie-assistant at Pikeville High School. Of all the children chosen from the surrounding crowd, Matt, alone was selected. He sat at a table and handed Jodie markers to autograph posters. For his labors, Matthew came home with a free autographed copy of several varieties of posters. At the end of the day Matt exclaimed, “I had an awesome day!”
We, as a family, had an good day and I had one of Matt’s awesome days. Mark had insisted for many days on attending my graduation ceremony at Georgetown College. The physical stress on his body would surely reduce his numbered days on this earth. We pulled out of the driveway at 10:00 this morning and returned about 9:30 this evening. This required Mark to sit for several hours in the Suburban and then several hours for my graduation. He had a brief reprieve from sitting upon a sore backside when we stopped for dinner at my parent’s house in Winchester. The kids and I ate supper while Mark slept on Mom’s couch.
Today, I fulfilled the last requirement for my master’s degree, that of attending the graduation ceremony. The faculty of Georgetown treated me with celebrity status much like the treatment Matthew must have felt when seated beside Jodie Meeks. Of some two hundred fifty graduates receiving degrees I alone received the only student award. Mark rose from his wheelchair, clapping, as I accepted my award. It represented a team effort of sacrifice upon the part of my children and Mark. Thank you Mark, Mark, Jr., Katie, Michael, Christine and Matthew for taking up the slack and dealing with a wife/mother who many times felt like she was losing her mind. 
Thank you Lord for providing me an awesome day!
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Julie: We are just so proud of all of you. Yes, it had to be a team effort. Your whole family works as a team. Praise God. Anita was so happy to get to see you and the family. I called her late last night to let her know that you were graduating. She ask questions about the time, etc. I told her she would have to call and get the info from Georgetown. Since she used to go there, I knew she would try to be there for you. Afterall, you were her favorite violin teacher. I still appreciate all you did in teaching her to play. She has such a talent. I hope she will continue playing when she get out of school. Get a good night’s sleep and we will pray for a quiet peaceful week. We love you guys.
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME !!!!!
ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD !!!!!!!
You Did it Julie……. You were tougher than the tough !!! Way to go……Matthew…… you deserved an awesome day……..
Congratulations! How wonderful for you Julie…an award and your family all in one day.
You were in our thoughts all day and I am so grateful for God allowing Mark to be there and see his wife walk across the stage for her Masters. I pray that all of you have a wonderful nights sleep with peace. Love in Christ…Kathy and Howard
Congratulations! and Praise God for a safe trip.
Julie,
You have worked so hard through the difficult times and continued to praise God and your hard work has paid off. Congratulations! I have prayed throughout the day for your family to have a great day and God has prevailed.
God Bless,
Evelyn
I KNEW that Mark would stand to applaud you.. Somehow I just knew. He would have it no other way would he? Your family is so very proud of you, and rightly so. God in His infinite wisdom and bountiful grace has given you and your family yet another precious memory to hold in your heart and treasure. Awesome! Just Awesome!
Congratulations Julie! We are glad everything went well. Praise God for his many blessings. We have been and will continue to pray for you all. We love you and God Bless.
Steve, Barbara, Stephanie, Samantha & Andrew
Julie: I know of no one or no family that deserved special privileges or most certainly, special recognition. Congratulations. I pray the Lord continue to be with you and your family. Love in Christ, MaryAnne
A sun is setting, and a sun is rising. Each of us carries and preserves the essence of every loving and caring person who encouraged them along the way.
When I left home for college in Lexington, my grandfather Davis walked up the road to visit me…No small effort since he was in his mid-80’s. He gave me a silver dollar and only two instructions: “Remember who you are and where you are from.” I puzzled for years over those requests, for they were nothing I had expected. With time and maturity I finally realized that so long as I continued to value who I was and my origins, his life, his passions, and his aspirations would continue live through me and my accomplishments because of my love for him. So it is with you.
Cheers to you for this magnificent accomplishment! fdd
Congratulations! It is so touching and pleasing to hear of your successes today! You all deserved to have another great day! May there be many more!
Ken
Julie,
Grace Baptist Church, my church, had a season of prayer tonight where we met and lifted our prayers. You, Mark and your precious family were lifted up. How thrilled I am that you had an awesome day and Mark was able to make the trip safely! What an AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT for both of you!! Congratulations!!!
Also,I can just see Matthew’s eyes as he sat admiring Jodie Meeks yesterday. I can only imagine they were similar to Mark’s eyes as he watched you shine today!! These are memories of a lifetime that no one can take away.
We will be praying for all of you this week as you begin life in the real world AGAIN.
God Bless,
Tammy Sword
Julie:
Congradulations on your degree. Glad Mark could attend. Thanks for inviting us to Mark’s wedding. Keeping you and Mark in our prayers. The wed page has been great to keep up on Mark’s condition.
Love from your Uncle Barry and Aunt Alice.
I am so thankful that Mark was able to fulfill his promise to be there for you today. And he did it with Mark Walz style, giving you a standing ovation! I know you will never forget seeing him do that or having the family together for your special day. May God continue to give you wonderful memories. We will continue to pray for all of you.
Congratulations, through all the tough times, your family stood there. May God Bless You and Your Family, Always and Forever!!
“Awesome” individuals deserve “awesome” days! I am thankful the Walz family could celebrate together. Congratulations Julie!
Julie,
I enjoyed very much Mark Jr. and Randee reliving the day they spent with you and mark Sr. and your WHOLE family at YOUR graduation. The look on their faces when they would describe the way you and your husband look at each other brought tears to all of us! Such a precious eternal love! Thank you for having such a beautiful impact on my daughters life. She loves and admires you so much. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us. We continue to praise and pray with you moment by moment.
We love all of you,
chris w
Julie,
Congratulations! We are so proud of you too. And I am so thankful that Mark was able to go and enjoy the day with you. Another example of selfless love that the two of you share and have been such an example for your children. As he gave you your graduation gift on Sat night, his face beamed with love and with pride at what you have accomplished. I will never forget that look on his face with the children around him as they gave you the gift. Thank you for sharing that with us. We continue to pray for everyone, and for many more days like Sat and Sun for your family. We love you.
Congratulations Julie! I know Mark is soooo proud of you – as are all your prayer warriors. And what a miracle that Mark was able to attend!
Now I pray that God will grace you with precious intimate moments when you can cherish your love and the blessed life you’ve shared, despite the hardships.
My prayers are covering you all!
Standing in the gap for you! Gayle (Asbury ‘75)
I am just bursting with pride for you Julie! You are so amazing! I love you and Mark and will pray for a good day for you today. What an awesome graduation!
What a journey. Congratulations on your accomplishments.
My prayers are with you and Mark and your family. May God
give you peace and guidance today.
Congratulation Julie. Very proud of you and of Mark for going with you. God is good. Love you all.
Congratulations to all of you on your accomplishment. We learned long ago that “it takes a family to earn a degree”! So glad you had a good, memory-filled day. Our forever love to all.
Mike and Sherry
Julie, I’m so very proud of you, too…and yes, you, Mark, Mark,Jr., Katie, Michael, Christine, and Matt ALL deserve to have an “awesome day”, every day…I would love to have been there to see it…I know Mark and I had talked previously about having you a “graduation party”…congrats again, and I hope you have a wonderful, loving, quiet, and “awesome day” filled with “I Love You’s” with Mark…and please give Katie and big hug for me and tell her that I love and miss her, and to call me when she can…
Love and Prayers,C
As long as we live the witness and testimony of the Walz family will continue. Julie, you and your family have inspired all of us to re-examine ourselves in light of the example first set by our Lord and repeated in so many ways by y’all.
Thank you,
sandy and sheree
Julie, indeed this is a good update. That Mark could be that to applaud you indeed was a miracle. And yes, God is good. I am happy for you that you and your family had an such an awesome day. These are good memories that are being planted for the future. Also, glad during this time that Matt could have such a fun fill day.
May you have many many more.
Our love and prayers
Vada. Bruce and Hadley
Congratulations Julie! Mark, your attendance was an awesome gift! I’m so glad you were able to be there. Holding you tight, love, carole ann
Mark & Julie,
In the quiet moments when everything else falls away, we see Jesus most clearly and realize that He is nearer than we even knew. You are at the heart of so many prayers right now. Some for comfort, others for strength, and still others for quiet moments–moments when you feel Jesus right there with you and His reassuring love.
Congratulations Julie on your accomplishment in getting your masters degree. We’re thankful along with you for the good day in which God blessed all of you. The “Captain” & Pat
CONGRATULATIONS!! Everyone is so proud of you! r&b
No one is mroe deserving of this award than you, Julie. All of us who work with you know that, as an educator, you truly stand out in the crowd as one of the best. We are all SO very proud of your accomplishments and your awesome day. Much love to you & all the Walz clan.
Angela Lockhart
Congratulations, Julie! In the worst of times, only God can give us awesome days. I’m so thankful to know that in our darkest valley, God’s Sonshine prevails. You and Mark are such an inspiration with your courage and faith. God bless you all.
I ride by the house Mark lived in on Maple Grove Road in Manchester, MD on my way to work each morning. I pray to our Heavenly Father that he will look after Mark and his family and grant them peace.
NCHS Class of 71
Julie,
What GREAT news to hear of your AWESOME day! And Matt’s too! I’m so pleased to hear that the Georgetown faculty recognizes in you what we all recognize in you here at home. God bless you and your family!!
Sarah
This was a feel-good post on Walzhope.com! I am so proud of you and think that you are amazing! I am also jealous that Matt got to help Jodie Meeks all day. Lucky boy!
I’m praising and thanking God for the strength, patience, perseverance and commitment of the Walz family that allowed you to finish your graduate studies with honors and gave Mark the opportunity to share your special day. Quality of time and peace of mind…God is listening to my prayers and yours. God bless the Walz family!
~Cristina
Dearest Julie and Walz family, Your graduation is wonderful news! I have kept up with how your family is doing and prayed many times for all of you. I had not posted a message but felt that I could not let another day go by without telling you that many, many people have and will continue to hold you all up in prayer!
Dear Julie and Mark,
Such great news! So excited for Matt and his ‘awesome’ experience. It’s a time he’ll always remember.
Congratulations, Julie, not just on getting your master’s degree but on the special recognition award too. Mark, you truly must have been beaming! So happy God gave all of you a day for shared joy.
Sending continuous prayers for strength and peace.
Hugs,
Tori
Congratulations to the entire Walz family on your graduation Julie. May all of you have many awesome days to come. We love you all.
Teresa and Bennett
Dear Mark & Julie,
Finally back to a computer after several days’ absence while on vacation, I can see that profoundly significant events have unfolded for the two of you. Of course, I cannot help but acknowledge joyfully the graduation exercise that you experienced as a family there at Georgetown College. It was a wonderful achievement for each and every one of you, for which all seven of you are to be commended.
And then I am impressed to see that you have also made plans for an even more significant graduation exercise. Of course, I am referring to what a genuinely Christian funeral service is. When our Lord chooses not to grant healing to restored physical health in this world, then the Christian funeral service is our “graduation exercise” to that realm where resurrection bodies are granted to God’s sons and daughters who have put aside the mortal bodies associated with this earthly life.
Today a “graduation exercise” of this sort occurred in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, in my absence, as a dear saint of my congregation there had her body laid to rest after a years-long battle with colon cancer. Margie Kilgore was a wonderful minister of the Gospel, having taught for years and years the Pre-School Class in our church’s Sunday School. A pastor in the community who had once been an associate pastor at our church, officiated in my absence. Margie and I had often discussed your progress, Mark, as her journey and yours frequently paralleled one another. And unless the Lord blesses us with an extremely delightful surprise there in Kentucky, your “graduation exercise” will not be separated from Margie’s by too many days, it appears.
Mark, I do want to thank you today for the kind friendship you have extended to me over the years. From your Sweetheart Banquet ministry at Science Hill years ago to our computer correspondence in recent months, we have been blessed to share a wonderful friendship. How I love and treasure you.
Blessings!
Stan Schilffarth
IT WAS GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH THIS MORNING, I KNEW MARK WOULD BE TIRED AFTER YESTERDAY, BUT WE JUST WANTED TO COME BY AND VISIT FOR A FEW MIN. YOUR FAMILY IS SUCH A WITNESS TO SO MANY OF US. AS I PICKED UP HANNAH AT SCHOOL TODAY, YOUR YOUNG SON WAS PLAYING FOOTBALL WITH SOME OF HIS CLASSMATES, AND AS I LOOKED OVER HE WAS RUNNING TO CATCH A PASS, AND HE DID IT WITH NO TROUBLE AT ALL, I THOUGHT THAT MARK WOULD GET A KICK OUT OF THIS.
LOVE YOU ,DEBBIE AND EDDIE, AND HANNAH
Julie, CONGRATULATIONS on your graduation!!! So plaeased that Mark was able to be with you on this very special day. He is a remarkable man. God be with you all! Hugs!
Our school is praying for you! Hope he feels better!
I just want you to know how proud I am of you. I knew you could do it. I am so happy Matt had a great time, I know I did. I am praying for you and family. As I was reading the post I kept thinking how proud Mark was to see you get that award and how proud you were to see him stand up and clap. You two are a true example of what “true love” is. I hope this week is good and if I can be of an assistance you can always call Billy.
Love You:)
Julie,
All I can think of concerning your great achievement is “courage under fire”. That is what this accomplishment has been. You passed the test for your masters, but your really passed the “Master’s test”. That is the one that proves your character. I am elated for you.
Loving you all,
Jane
He said himself that he had no meaningful relationship with any of his black students. ,
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