A SPECIAL SUNDAY

THIS PICTURE WASN'T TAKEN TODAY, BUT I COULDN'T HELP BUT POST ONE OF THIS SWEET LITTLE GUY!

OUR FAMILY IN FRONT OF THE BAPTISMAL FONT THAT WAS GIVEN IN MEMORY OF SAMUEL...

ALL THE KIDS GETTING READY TO GO HIKING AND EXPLORING IN THE WOODS.

(I HAVE TO PREFACE THIS BY SAYING THAT MY SPELL CHECK HAS NOT BEEN WORKING FOR A WHILE... NOT SURE WHAT IT UP WITH THAT... BUT WANTED TO GIVE YOU FAIR WARNING...SORRY:)

We had a really special Sunday today. Back when Samuel died, in lieu of flowers we had money given to SHOW HOPE (Steven Curtis Chapman's adoption organization) and our church to go towards a new baptismal font. It was taking FOREVER to get the font done and I remember mentioning to Greg after I got pregnant with Levi at some point that I REALLY wanted it to be done by the time I had this baby. I think the church originally had an idea of what they wanted done, but I am not sure why, but that plan fell through. So about 6 months ago Greg and I started to try to come up with some new ideas for the font. I wanted something that wasn't super traditional, somewhat simple, and unique in some way... just like our Samuel was unique, a one of a kind creation:) For the amount that was given in memory of Samuel the church was able to get 3 different things... one will be a more permanent baptismal area since the stone is HUGE and won't be able to be moved, a real small one for our chapel area, and then the one that Levi was baptized in today.

I love what Greg picked out... the pictures we took today really don't show the font itself very well at all. (Maybe we will be able to post a better one when we get some better pictures of it) The stone is really neat and is actually shaped in a triangle to represent the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Levi's sponsors are our good friends the Tiews, our niece Ella, Louis, and Caleb. I know they will all be praying for Levi as he grows and will be making sure that our little guy continues to know His Savior more and more as he grows older.

It was an emotional day... In the 2nd song today I remember specifically singing the line, "Mourning turns to songs of Praise" I could hardly sing it... I am so thankful that the Lord has turned my mourning into songs of Praise. I have been praising him a lot over the last 2 1/2 years but wow, there have been times, I just had to force myself to do it... to praise Him regardless of how I was feeling... but now I can't help myself... His faithfulness through my life is amazing to me!

There were a couple of times that my hubby was choked up... when he dedicated the new baptismal font given in memory of Samuel, and then too when he actually got to baptize Levi. During communion we sang "In Christ Alone". I love that song... we sang that at Samuel's memorial service too. Louis and I were sort of giggling this afternoon recalling communion. He was next to me up at communion and I was totally worshipping with my eyes closed that he had to elbow me a bit when the elder came to give me communion... I was in my own world... just me and my God!

We had a bunch of friends over after church for BBQ to celebrate the gift of this little boy:) We were so happy that my in laws were able to make it to town as well. (I tell you our friends are so gracious, during church Greg informed me that he had to help with the new member class after church and I remembered that it was our Sunday to clean up the kitchen... so even though some sweet person cleaned up the kitchen for us, we were a bit delayed with lunch... are we great hosts or what??:)

It was a sweet afternoon of eating, hanging out and visiting... the only bummer part was we did have one broken bone (a friend's son's arm) after a wrestling match on the trampoline... we are praying for Josh to heal quickly after they get the final word tomorrow on what needs to be done....

I am so glad to see that baptismal font finished. As a mom, I couldn't wait to see the finished product of what was given in memory of my precious Samuel... it was hard to have to wait so long. And to have Levi be able to be baptized in it was so very special to me. I am feeling so blessed these days.

We have an extremely busy week coming up... my in laws leave tomorrow and we have precious friends stopping and staying a couple of nights on their way back to Houston and then services every day Thursday through Sunday. I know that regardless of the busyness that I want to spend some time focusing with the kids on all that Christ did for us this week. Because of His death and Resurrection we too can spend eternity with Him... I am so thankful that He paid the price for me... giving me that free gift of Salvation. God is so good!