Baptism

Last weekend was a very special weekend for our family. About a year ago, Allie shared with us that she wanted to follow Jesus.  Here is the link from last year that shares her story.  She expressed a desire to be baptized, but we wanted to allow her to mature some more to make sure she understood the significance of this decision. Last Sunday, we have the privilege of witnessing this exciting event in her life!

We gave her this devotional book that morning.  My MIL (a.k.a. "Bunny") gave me the adult version some time ago, and it is a wonderful paraphrase of scripture for daily life if you are looking for a good one. I was excited to find there is a very sweet and simple kid version.

Pappy and Bunny came down to celebrate. We had a very relaxing weekend and BEAUTIFUL weather! I'm thankful for their role and my parents' role as well in Allie's life. There's no doubt they've prayed for her to make this decision for years, just as they did for us as we were growing up.  We come from a long line of parents and grandparents committed to prayer, and I can't think of a better legacy.

These sweet girls came to watch! Emma Cate is on the right, and she and Allie met the first day of preschool right after we moved here. Those two were tight from day one, and finished out 3 years at the same school.  They only have one activity together now, but every time they get together, they just pick up where right they left off. You never hear a harsh word between them, and they just love being together. Madyn is on the left, and this little one saw Allie the first day of school at CHS and said to her mamma, " I know her from art camp!" She remembered being with Allie for a short time at camp earlier in the summer, and they have been close ever since.  Again, you never ever hear them squabble and they play quite a bit since they are in school everyday together.  We love these two girls very much! 

Em and Adam came over from their church (they lead the college group..hence the t shirts), to see it. These two have been a huge part of Allie's life especially since we moved to the same town. I'm so incredibly thankful to share our lives in close proximity!

Can't leave out little lion. I've probably said before that a week after we moved here, he greeted me at the door (a 2 year old) at our first small group meeting. Now at 7, I get the same greeting....a huge hug and a beaming smile like he hasn't seen me in months.  Love this boy too. He and Allie are perfect friends. She tells him what to do, and he's happy to comply!  I've always joked that if he were to pick one of our girls to marry, that he probably should choose Mary...or be bossed around for the rest of his life!

His parents have been in small group with us for 5 years, and they teach Allie every week in Sunday School. They have watched her grow from week to week and we are so blessed for their role in her life.

The church watches inside on a big screen.  Allie gave a little bit of her story. She seemed so big!

Her daddy had the honor of baptizing her!

What a wonderful day!!! That night as we prayed at bedtime, she prayed, "Thank you Jesus for choosing me to be your child." That was the first time I'd heard her say it that way, and I couldn't have been more thankful myself.