recent happenings...

so many things have been happening all at once during the month of may. it has sometimes been hard to coordinate them all. here are a few of the more important events...

our church was planning a baptism service and B wanted to be baptized. she picked up a packet that had all the information, a Bible study to complete and a form to fill out to help you verbalize your testimony. B was very serious about doing everything required exactly right. this lead her to be a little stressed and nervous. it did not help matters that we were very busy with so many other activities. as the date approached, i suggested that maybe we should just wait until the next time. but for B, this was just not an option. she reminded me of the story found in acts 8 about the ethiopian who believed when philip explained the scriptures to him. they came across a pool of water in the desert and he said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" like the ethiopian, she wanted to be baptized right now! and why not? here is water!

we couldn't have the cake reception for her like we did when her brothers were baptized, our weekend was just too packed with events. but she said, "you know, it's not about cake!" thank you, dear B, for reminding me to focus on the important things.

B shared her testimony about her sunday school teacher (miss paula)
teaching the kids about salvation when she was 5.
later that day she prayed to ask Jesus into her heart.

she was baptized by john, the children's pastor at our church, who has such a heart for the kids.
God has used him in a such a wonderful way in our family, especially evident in the spiritual growth spurt we have seen in B. she has learned so much through the children's ministry and has a real hunger for the Word. God has given her such a loving, compassionate, and generous heart. we have seen her give sacrificially to missions and serve the women's ministry by helping care for the younger children during Bible study. i am praising God for her sweet faith in action.

3 John 1:4

I have not greater joy than to hear that my children are
walking in Truth


This month was also important to C as he reached a milestone, graduating from 8th grade. my boy is ready for high school! (not sure about his mother!) this past year has been a time of tremendous growth, yes, physically, but also in maturity. i have watched him take on a man's work, side by side with his dad. he has taken responsibility for his studies, working independently through the algebra text book ahead of the class. i have also seen him overcome some pitfalls. (i will have to stop before i get into trouble...he is not too happy about being the subject of my blog. ) but i will say, i am so proud of this young man. it is a joy to see God working in his life.

C receives his certificate of 8th grade graduation

Philippians 1:6

...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

i must have turned my back one day, because when i looked again,

my boy had become a young man.

he has passed me up in height and is gaining on his dad!

clownin' around! :o)

everyday gift: celebrating achievements, growth, and God's grace