On September 24, 2021, not only did we celebrate your 13th Forever Family Day, but also we had the joy of celebrating your Quinceñara.
I hope it was everything you imagined and dreamed of. As your mother, I couldn't be more full of pride, joy, and happiness. I don't know how much you will remember, but the service Ms. Susan officiated was amazing. I've included the transcript of the service for your future reference.
Good evening!
On behalf of the Gjerde family, I would like to welcome you all tonight as we celebrate their beloved daughter and sister, Lily.
My name is Rev. Susan Mulholland, and I and my husband have had the pleasure of knowing the Gjerdes for almost 20 years as church members, fellow musicians, and good friends. I am honored that I have been asked to be with you tonight on this very special occasion in Lily’s life.
Our service tonight (and the party that will follow!) takes the form of a Quinceañera. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Quinceañera tradition, it is a big step in the life of a young woman. It is a “coming-of-age” ceremony. A celebration of Lily turning 15, signaling her transition from a young girl to becoming a woman. An additional, unique fact is that tonight—September 24—marks 13 years ago that Lily, or Lilian Rosmery Gjerde, as Olav and Kim’s legal daughter, literally took her first “baby steps” on US soil at the Baltimore/Washington Airport!
The Quinceañera ceremony is also deeply spiritual. It is a time for Lily to take responsibility for her own faith. As a young woman, Lily will no longer rely solely on the faith of her parent. She will be expected to shape, grow, and take ownership of her own faith.
So tonight, Lily will have the opportunity to make a public commitment in front of God and you—her friends and family, to live a life of faithfulness to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Please join me in prayer.
Creator God, we gather here tonight to celebrate this amazing young woman, Lily Gjerde, whom you have fashioned and made. The Bible tells us that even before she was born, she was YOUR daughter, for you knit her together in her mother’s womb. We rejoice that by knowing you, Lily will never lack a Father who understands every detail of her being, loves her deeply, and accepts her unconditionally. Lord, you have commanded us to love one another with a love like yours. We pray that you will anoint Lily with your grace, so that, as she grows in you, she will be able to demonstrate this love to a world so desperately in need of it.
Lord Jesus, we ask you tonight, as Lily makes the transition from girl to woman, that you will take priority in her life. That she will commit herself to loving as you loved, and serving as you served, all the days of her life.
And now, Lord, we lift Lily and this very special occasion to you in joy! Amen.
MESSAGE: Loved From the Beginning
Lily Gjerde, you are easy to love! Did you know that? Take your parents, Olav and Kim Gjerde. At first, we all thought your mom and dad were a little bit crazy! They kept talking about a photograph of a “tiny baby girl lying on a pink fleece ‘Hello Kitty’ blanket and dressed like she was ‘ready for a Norwegian snowstorm!’” And, based only on that photograph, they started flying back and forth to Guatemala 15 years ago, because they had fallen in love with you!
And our church held a fund-raiser for you that we called Lilypalooza. It was also a way for us to learn more about you. That evening, I sat with Ms. Ippy, as she crafted my own pair of personalized “Lily” earrings, which I am wearing tonight in your honor. It was at that event when you stole my heart—even before I met you!
But Lily, there is someone in your life who didn’t have to see a photograph of you or learn more about you before he loved you. And that someone is God. He not only created you, he loved you from the beginning and blessed you with so many wonderful attributes.
For example:
In the book of Proverbs 15:13 we read, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful…”
In her book, your mom describes your earliest reactions to everyday surroundings: how you “…howl[ed] with laughter, squeal[ed] with delight, and savor[ed] the very sweetness of life.” Evidently, your joyful personality, still visible today, charmed those who met you, even when you were only two years old!
And Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people…clothe yourselves with compassion and kindness…
I can personally attest to the fact that, even as a child, you were kind and compassionate. In bright Crayola colors, you would draw pictures on lined tablet paper, fold them up and give them to random people who had been a special part of your life on a particular day. In my Bible, there is one of these carefully folded pieces of paper. You drew me a brown, stick house with a red front door, surrounded by multi-colored flowers, and a bright, yellow sun above. But the part I will always cherish most are the words you wrote: “Ms. Susan, I thank God for you.”
Tonight, Lily, we celebrate your transition into womanhood, and God wants you to recognize what this means.
1 Corinthians 13:11 teaches this: “When we are children, we talk like children, we think like children and we reason like children. But when we become adults, we need to put aside the talk, the thinking, and the reasoning of childhood.”
Lily, tonight you are on the threshold of adulthood. You have grown into an intelligent and caring young woman. This year, as only a high school sophomore at Linganore High School, you have distinguished yourself by being accepted into a special program that focuses on homeland security and criminal justice. That is an adult choice, Lily. One that—were you to pursue a career in that area, would allow you to use your experience of multiple cultures and languages in ways that could help many other people.
Lily, you are sweet but strong. You are a defensive guard for your HS soccer team, and I understand you are pretty good at it! This strong, spirit will allow you to strike out on your own and be successful, as long as you also maintain a humble heart. In I Peter 5: 5, we read, “…clothe yourself with humility…because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Proverbs 17:17 reminds us that “A true friend loves at all times.” Emery, Dorothy, Madison, and Taylor—all friends you have known for years—are, I believe, here tonight. You have shared many life experiences with these friends: classes at school, team sports, sleepovers, conversations of all sorts, and perhaps some secrets?! 😉 Never take these good friends for granted, for giving and receiving true friendship become more and more precious as the years go by.
So, Lily, we celebrate tonight the fact that you have taken the gifts that God has given you from the beginning, and have grown in grace. Lily, this is an exciting time in your life – a time when you can still dream, as you learn and grow. But you are also on the threshold of adulthood, and—as an adult—you will face difficulties, trials temptations. You may find, at times, that you need to stand up for something you believe in, even when others don’t agree with you. You will be expected to take responsibility for your own beliefs, your own decisions, and your own actions.
But fortunately, Lily, our loving God does not want you to face difficulties by yourself; he clearly speaks of where to turn for advice, counsel, and support. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Lily, my prayer, as you continue to walk this wonderful journey from childhood to full womanhood, is that you will allow God to travel with you. Trust him, and God will guide you. Ask him, and God will keep you on a straight path. Pay attention, and God will show you the right choices to make. Lean on him daily, and you will never be alone. Continue to nurture the attributes God has given you – joy, compassion, strength, kindness, loyalty to friends, love of family, and wholehearted commitment to your faith. For with these things, Lily, God can use you to change the world. Amen.
GIFTS
At this time, Lily, your family and friends have prepared some gifts for you. Each gift has a symbolic meaning that represents your commitment to God. As I introduce each person or couple, please come forward. I will offer a short reading, and then, you may present your gift to Lily.
• BIBLE: I would like to introduce Debbie and Glenn Gravatt, affectionately known as Abuelita and Hombre Sin Nombre! Glenn officiated at Olav and Kim’s wedding 21 years ago, and the Gravatt's have been loving supporters of the Gjerde household ever since.
Psalm 119:105 proclaims: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Lily, this Bible is a reminder to keep God’s Word as a central part of your life.
• TIARA: Evie VanderMeer and her late husband Pastor Mark Vandermeer, following God's lead, came to Frederick, Maryland in 1990 to plant a church called Monocacy Valley Church. Evie and her family, as well as the close-knit church community God created through their ministry, have been some of the biggest supporters and encouragers of the Gjerde family. Evie will present Lily with a tiara.
Isaiah 62:3 tells Lily that “[she] will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand…” Therefore, the Tiara symbolizes that you are a “princess” before God. It is also a reminder of the greater crown that Christ will place on your head one day in Heaven.
• EAR BUDS: Yolanda Rodriguez Yos has been a treasured member of the Gjerde family since she was their housekeeper in Guatemala! She had the opportunity to come to the United States 10 years ago and is now a registered nurse.
Deuteronomy 30:20 instructs us to “…love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.”
These earbuds are a reminder to always listen for the voice of God as you walk through life.
• WATCH: Elaine Goebel and Emily Rodgers have been Kim’s close friends and fellow travelers for many years. Elaine—also known as
“Tia Elaine,“ was so excited to meet baby Lily that she traveled to Guatemala twice to do so! Emily has been a faithful and encouraging prayer warrior for Lily and the entire Gjerde family since “ day one.“
A familiar verse from Ecclesiastes reminds us: “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.” The Watch represents being aware of time and the events in your life, Lily. It is a reminder that life is short and that you need to make the most of every second.
• CROSS RING: Colleen Cagle, or “Tia Colleen,” and her entire family—Jeff, Abigail, and Elizabeth, have all faithfully championed Lily’s adoption since the beginning. They will present Lily with a cross-ring.
Lily, the cross on this ring symbolizes your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior. The ring itself represents God’s infinite, never-ending circle of love for you.
Please pray with me...
FINAL PRAYER
Lord, we ask you now, as Lily moves from childhood to adulthood that you watch over her. Bless her. Guide her steps. Help her in the decisions ahead that will determine the direction and destination of her life.
Give her the strength to make the right choices, even when it’s hard. Give her the courage to stand for what’s right, even if she is the only one standing. Give her the faith to trust in your Word, even when trials and temptations come her way.
We also pray that you would help us, her friends and family, to guide Lily. To look out for her. To love her. To walk with her as she strengthens her faith for a life of commitment to you.
So now, Lord, it is in the name of Jesus, and for his will and work to be done in Lily’s life that we lift her to you
This beautiful ceremony was followed by a prayer led by Pop-Pop and a delicious dinner with your friends!
After the meal, Ashton and Julia gave you the "last doll", a doll I had picked up in Guatemala over 13 years ago! Then Daddy attempted to put on your new high-heeled shoes. It was funny to watch him struggle with them! I guess he could have used some practice. Then you and your daddy danced to Stephen Curtis Chapman's Dance with Cinderella. Brother Stian helped Daddy and you learn how to dance. I could watch the video of the two of you dancing over and over again!!!! Such a special treasure!
Then you and your friends enjoyed some dancing time!!!!
Toward the end, you lit 15 candles in recognition of 15 very special people in your life. I was filled with such pride as I watched you speak with so much love and emotion about so many people who are important to you. There was not a dry eye in the house.
Lily, it was such a beautiful night and I hope it is a memory you will treasure forever!
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| Dancing with Daddy |
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| Lighting 15 candles |
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| Special cookies |
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| Beautiful and delicious cake by Alejandra Taylor |
