Blessing Crystal

Youth minister Aaron Scott reads Crystal Alonzo's "Barak" or blessing

Crystal Alonzo gets a hug from youth minister Aaron Scott

High school Class of 2014 from College Church of Christ (clockwise from front): Branden Mack, Jamison Norby, Cheyenne Blackwell, Cheyenne Corona, Sam Amezcua, Andrew Ocheltree, Crystal Alonzo, Marquois Ellis, Jericho Locke, Dustin Swain, Aaron Scott (youth minister)
Not pictured: Akayla Varnel and Viviana Hinojosa

We had the privilege of participating in blessing our graduating high school seniors at church yesterday. We started in the morning, when our elders surrounded seniors and their parents/guardians/significant adults and laid hands on them and prayed over them. Then, in the evening, we had a "Barak" or blessing celebration, in which our youth minister read a special blessing over each graduate. The blessings were prepared by parents or other significant adults in the students' lives. We had the privilege of preparing the blessing for our son, Andrew (yesterday's blog) and our friend, Crystal Alonzo. Cystal's older sister, Christina, became our son, Paul's friend in the Bullard High School Marching Band during Paul's freshman year in high school (Paul is just finishing his sophomore year in college). Christina started coming to College Church of Christ, then brought two of her sisters, Crystal and Cece, with her. Crystal was baptized at College Church in 2010. Here is her "Barak" or blessing:

Lex Henderson, Crystal Alonzo and Steve Ocheltree in April,  2010 at College Church or Christ

Back Row: Katie Kirkley, Mary Tarkenton, Linda Sue, Carolyn Ocheltree,
Front Row: Dawn Frame, Crystal Alonzo, Paige Kirkley, Lauren Gale
April 2010, College Church of Christ

Crystal, you have a way of bringing beauty to the environment! Your pretty face and sweet smile bring a smile to others’ faces. Your ability to imagine and create beautiful things brings beauty to your surroundings.

I remember the fall when you and I created “snow-covered” pine cones to hang on the Christmas tree. You worked and worked at making those beautiful, sparkling cones dipped in glitter. I love watching your face when we go shopping at JoAnn Fabrics. I can see the wheels turning in your creative brain as we pass rows of felt, feathers, glue, glitter, paint and paper! Your enthusiasm bubbles over as you see worlds of beauty to create!

What fun we had when we painted all those silly signs and backdrops for the church Talent Show one spring! And decorating Easter cookies…

I am so happy that you and Andrew are walking together at graduation! You have enjoyed friendship and family events together and now you get to celebrate a huge accomplishment together—graduating high school!

I work with women who have to work very hard to graduate high school after many years of making bad choices, abusing drugs and alcohol. They are so proud when they earn their high school diplomas!  It is a major accomplishment and one you can be very proud of!

We are so happy to be privileged to share your growing-up years with you! Thanks for being part of our lives!

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned. Then the God of peace will be with you.”  Philippians 4:8,9

God bless you, Crystal,

Love,

Steve and Carolyn Ocheltree

--Posted by Mama O.