Oh Happy Day!

We had six baptized on Sunday, including Mary and Lydia.

It's always a father's pleasure to baptize his own.

I love this picture because it includes my other two girl, Courtney and Vanessa.

When Lydia opened these conversations about baptism I had her and Mary do writing assignments that reflected our discussions. They were to write out who God is, what He has done for us, who we are, and what He requires of us. Lydia's is following in her own spelling and punctuation (I wish I could copy her sweet handwriting too):

1. The Creator of the universe the one who im reqierd to love and prais 

2. He sent his only son to die on the cross for me. He created me in his own imge. He took care of me Loved me

3. A sinner in need of Jeasus. Who has rebelld agisant the one who cratad me and loved me beafore I was born. 

4. To love him with all my heart soul and mind to care for people in need live out a christian life. 

"Have mercy on me a sinner." Luke 18:13

Mary's is coming up...

Sweet Days!

Early Monday morning, Lydia asked if she could go with me to the grocery store instead of Sarah. (Sarah is my unofficial grocery shopping partner.) When we got in the car, Lydia started immediately with a conversation that went something like this one below. I wish so much I had a recorder, because like similar conversations with the other girls, I want to remember every word and tone of voice.

Lydia - Mama I think I want to be baptized. 

Me - Why would you want to be baptized? 

Lydia - Well the Bible says that Christians should be baptized. I want to be obedient. And you remember last Summer that I became a Christian? 

Me - I remember clearly. What makes you a Christian? 

Lydia - Jesus, God... 

Me - Why do you need a Saviour? 

Lydia - Creation is evidence that I need to be saved. And you are evidence, Jesus had to make you. 

Me - And what else? 

Lydia - Because I'm a sinner. I need to be saved from my sins.

There are a few points of discussion that need clarifying, but I'm pretty sure I see a baptism service coming up soon. Lydia's nickname has been "Badness", I didn't mean for it to be, but it just stuck to her. And possibly as a result, she has always seemed to be aware of her own sin. She is sensitive to times when she sins and usually wants to apologize quickly. Not all children are quit to confess and repent so it is refreshing to my heart, and a pleasant reminder that God truly saves sinners.

Baby Dedication

We had a great celebration service at our church recently with the baptism of one man, a family joining our church, and the dedication of four new babies. At the baby dedication, we parents committed to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and the church promised to help. I love our church family and am so thankful to be raising my children here with them.

 Rachel grabs Abigail anytime she can. Obviously, Abigail is happy about that.

 I absolutely LOVE the way she looks at her daddy.

 Lydia loves her friends and can't wait to get to church to see them.

 I am always amazed at God's saving grace.

What fun to be a part of the new parent's group with all these young families.

Praise God

What a wonderful day to have friends and family witness Sarah and Eleuterrio's baptism and join our fellowship of believers as official members.

Testimonies

Recently, our church celebrated the baptism service of a dear lady in our church. Her baptism has spurred a lot of conversation in our church family especially among the children. She wrote out her testimony and it was sent out on Ray's email list. Her testimony has had a huge impact and we have received so many comments on how it spoke to people. One of our daughters has asked a lot questions concerning testimonies and we used that as a beginning of a great Bible study in our own family worship time.
We studied Paul's testimony in several different passages and what it means to actually have a testimony. We looked at our friend's testimony and found that it has all that a person needs to make clear of his faith in Christ. She didn't give a lot of sordid details about her past but made clear her need of a savior. She told how she realized her need and what God has done since then. Reviewing and writing out your own testimony is a great exercise of faith. It will be encouraging to you and those that you would share it with. It should include but not be limited to: your need before Christ, how you came to faith in Christ, and what He has done since your salvation.
The focus of a testimony is not you but God and His greatness. No matter our past and what "big" sins we've committed, we were all just as lost as the "biggest" sinner we know. We all had the same need for a savior and His salvation is still amazing.