baptism

Eliza was baptized on Sunday, June 24, 2012. 

It's hard to say what was my favorite part of this day. Shane, our pastor and dear friend did the baptism. Before she was actually baptized, he spoke about how Eliza has a new name, Christian. This is not because of her faith, or our faith, but of God's. I glanced down at her and saw this tiny baby, so new to the world, with so much promise. Where will God take her? What will God call her to do for His glory one day? The baptismal vows were read to us and it was a renewal for us as parents. This charge to raise our girls in a home where Christ is the center. In a family that forgives because he forgave. This part of the vow really hit me:

"Do you now unreservedly commit your child to God and promise, in humble reliance upon God's grace, that you will endeavor to set before her a godly example, that you will pray with and for her, that you will teach her the doctrines of our holy faith, and that you will strive, using all the means which God has appointed, to bring her up in the nurture and instruction of the Lord?"

To respond to that, "We do," meant so much. So much to look forward to as we raise her, along with her sister.

After that, there is a charge to the congregation saying, "Do you as a congregation undertake the responsibility of assisting these parents in the Christian nurture of this child?"

I looked out and saw the faces of so many families that have already done this for Avery. People who we know pray for our family, people who encourage us as parents, people who would do anything to help us because we are their family, their church family. That might have been my favorite moment. Our church has been, over the past 6 years of living in New Orleans, one of the greatest things about living here. I truly love everyone in our church family. I'm excited that our girls get to grow up with such great kids and loving families.

It was a beautiful day.