What a beautiful day of celebrating!
A few weeks ago, while the big kids were at camp, Ameliya came to Mike and I and asked if she could talk to us about being baptized. Mike and I have gone back and forth on how young is "too young" to be baptized (or if there is such a thing). However, after talking and prayer with Mia, and seeking counsel from the youth pastor, we decided that Ameliya, was indeed ready to take the step towards baptism.
After that week of church camp, when Natalee came home, she came to Mike and I and asked if she could talk to us about being baptized. We talked and prayed with her and she also met with the youth pastor and we collectively decided she was also ready to commit her life over to Christ.
After we had talked to them individually, then we told them each about the others' decision. 💗
Our church held a baptism service at the public pool this time, so that they would have zero entry for those who needed it and it was a beautiful night.
Before the baptism service, we invited all our immediate family up to spend the day with us, to visit, celebrate, and have an early supper. I decided in addition to celebrating the baptisms we'd also sing happy birthday to Evie a couple weeks early. It is so hard to get everyone together as school is starting so this was a great triple whammy.
And celebrate we did. The kids played hard, we caught up on each other's vacations and life happenings, we ate, and enjoyed the day together.
Artie was obsessed with Xavier and Evie was obsessed with bossing Artie. {wink}
Birthday presents...
An inflatable couch and a new bedding set. "That's what she always wanted," she declared.
The girls also had baptism gifts that I guess I took zero photos of. The sweetest bracelet sets, Christmas ornaments, cards, and a few things from Mike and I.
Papa and Grandma baked! Evalynn was very specific about the kind of cake she wanted and they did not disappoint.
Lauren also brought a sheet cake so there was no shortage of delicious sweets.
Shout out to my mom and Mike for doing all the food for supper while I've been laid up.
The baptism service was at 7:15 after the pool closed to the public.
{love} our people
{so much}
Our girls were the last of 13 to be baptized.
Thank you, Kitty, for the videos. Her angle was much better than mine.
I made a mistake and sent in Natalee's favorite verse instead of the verse she had chosen for her baptism verse. That's what Pastor Shawn is referring to in her video - a change from the verse he had printed on his paper.
Natalee's sweet friend, Aubrey, and her sister Amara, also got baptized. They didn't plan it together but God did.
Ameliya's turn...
Mia and Amara...
Definitely a different vibe than the typical church clothes pics on a Sunday morning baptism service but I love it all the same.
What a beautiful night. The temps, the sky, our family, our church family, the decisions.....all glorious.
Our family headed home and the kids got in and pretended it was warm enough to swim with their friends. Thank you, Jesus.
All the baptisms...
God wins.
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