November 4, 2011 was a night to remember as we held a graduation, publishing, and book signing event for our fourth son, Michael Dane Holladay.
Michael is a unique and amazing creation of God. We all are! But for this evening, we celebrated what God has done, and continues to do, in the life of this precious son of ours.
Using his God-given talents, Michael began writing his first novel, "The Dark Legion" at age fourteen. Through countless hours of hard work, revisions, more revisions, seeking out and hiring a professional editor (thank you to the amazing John David Kudrick), learning the ropes of the publishing world, submitting his book to many, being rejected many times over but never giving up, Michael’s work was ultimately accepted and he signed on with John McClure at Signalman Publishing.
While other young men and women his age were honored with graduation services last spring, we held out for the time when Michael's work was finally in print and available for purchase.
Celebrating with him this outstanding accomplishment was a joy to both Doc and me as we've watched Michael grow through the years and work so hard on his craft.
For this big night, we created a theme with both decor and menu to fit his medieval Christian fantasy. The combined efforts and generosity of dear friends resulted in tea stained muslin and burlap cloths that covered food service and dining tables. Crosses, candles, swords, and medieval books served as centerpieces.
A memory table was set up with pictures of family and friends, Mike's accomplishments, and works he's studied and read throughout his homeschooling experience.
Knowing a taxidermist came in handy for our friends, Syd and Kathleen Newman, as they were able to borrow a huge wild hog’s head to use as one of the main exhibits on the food table. Jeff and Jeremiah Frankland contributed by setting traps and catching a wild hog to butcher, and Vicki roasted the head, complete with an apple in its mouth, which was also featured as the finishing touch as it sat high on top of a pedestal alongside the stuffed head.
A feast of smoked wild hog, pulled pork, smoked chicken legs, roasted hens, freshly baked artisan breads, roasted rosemary potato wedges served with a creamy horseradish sauce, and whipped yams w/honey cinnamon butter was set out for the nearly one hundred guests to enjoy. Huge dough troughs and heavy pottery were used to hold the various culinary creations.
As guests seated themselves, other servers walked through w/wooden platters of select cheeses, grapes, brown sugar/butter/walnut stuffed baked apples, and spiced oatmeal cookies.
Doc and I welcomed the arrivals, gave thanks for the meal and the fun began.
Once plates were filled and folks were settled in, special guest speakers took to the podium and gave Michael charges to consider as he moves into another season of life.
Close family friends, Jeff and Vicki Frankland, spoke about Michael's attributes, encouraging him to continue to pursue his service to God. And they presented him with a beautiful sword as a reminder to hold fast to the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
His editor, John David, talked about how we met and the bond of friendship that's taken place between him and our family. He spoke to Michael from Scripture, and encouraged him to keep on the path that God has for him.
Then a slide presentation was shown, complete with music Mike had selected and featuring pictures from birth to the present. Michael then welcomed his guests, thanking them and paying special tribute to those who have played an important part in shaping the man he’s become.
Then Doc and I spoke to our son, relaying particular memories of his childhood and citing Scripture as his path to follow.
And last, Michael returned to the stage and was joined by godly men who have made an impression and/or set the highest of examples to him over the years: Doc, Kevin (our oldest son), Daniel (our fifth son), his papa: Bob Holladay, our pastor: Brad Aldridge, family friends: Jeff Frankland and Bill Ragsdale, and John David. What a fitting end to the program as each man prayed over our son and asked for God's continued blessing and leading in his life.
The evening closed with guests able to visit with Michael and given the opportunity to purchase and have him sign his novel.
With emphasis on denying self and submitting to the Father's will being heavy in his first work, Michael is hoping to touch the lives of his readers in a way that inspires them to follow God's leading.
Becoming a man of God is a high calling, and as Michael seeks to use his gifts to bring others to the Lord, we pray blessing upon blessing for this amazing son with whom we've been given the honor of raising, directing, teaching and ultimately giving back to our Heavenly Father for His glory and continued work in Michael's life.
As you look at the pictures to the left, right, and at the bottom, I hope you are as blessed as we've been in this incredible journey of life.
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