09-09-99

No, that's not a mistake in the title! That is the date of my baptism! My ten year anniversary is today, 09-09-09. Wow! Where does the time go? I have so much in my head I'd like to write, but Thomas has decided he likes the 3:00am-5:30am hours for playtime and so I'm exhausted. I just had to have a post with today's date to commemorate this amazing event in my life!
The pictures on this post are from the session that Raye Law gifted us last Monday on Thomas's two week birthday! Raye heard about our story from Becky and was so sweet to ask to photograph us! Here's a link to her site, Raye Law Photography where there are a few more pictures of our family. Thank you, Raye!I came to the University of Arkansas and joined the Razorbacks for Christ group on campus. That group, lead by Scott Karnes, read his blog as he and his family prepares to be missionaries in Ireland) changed my life as well as influenced many friends and family members of mine.
I started attending ladies' bible studies on campus and eventually felt brave enough to tell the girls that I was interested in being baptized, but nervous about telling people I hadn't been or having to do it in front of a big congregation. The girls immediately took action and told me that they were thrilled with my decision and that we didn't have to do it in front of a big group. (In my mind it had to be a Sunday morning thing in front of the whole church) They even said we could go right now! (Which happened to be a Thursday night at about 8:00pm! They asked if they could call a few other bible studies meeting around campus and invite them-I told them sure, but didn't really think anyone would be interested in coming, I was still pretty new to the RFCs. Well, I was wrong, when we got to the church there were probably about forty college kids there along with Scott all totally excited about my decision! We sang lots of songs and prayed and then Scott baptized me in front of that group. It brings tears to my eyes-ten years later(!)-when I think about the amazing feeling of being lifted out of that water to everyone's clapping and cheers. I cried a lot that evening, for the person I was and for the person I was ready to strive to be. I love that I learned you don't have to have everything "fixed" before you give yourself to Christ, you just have to be open to the idea of letting God work on you and do your best to love Him! He will use your faith even if it is the size of a mustard seed (as the bible says!) That is comforting, because somedays that is all I have to give and he gladly accepts that.I think back to ten years ago and all that has happen since then...I have had-and continue to have-a blessed life. God has provided me with a way to influence the future from teaching kindergarten through college aged students, I was married to an amazing man who loved us with a fierce devotion, I have two adorable children that I love so much it takes my breath away, literally countless family and friends that lift us up in prayer--as well as take care of us any way they can, and most importantly my relationship that has grown with God and having the fulfillment that only He can provide and, thank goodness, His promises of what can be ours after this unbelievably short time we have on Earth.
PS Thank you Nellie and Becky for taking me out to eat for my special day and for your phenomenal, faithful friendship!
Thank you to all of my readers for the uplifting comments on my blog, e-mail and facebook-they truly help me get through each day.