A special, special day . . .

We made a promise today . . . a promise to teach, a promise to love, a promise to pray. We made a promise today to do our best to teach Grace about Jesus, to show her God's love, and to pray that she will grow up to love Jesus, too.

A few pictures of Grace in her baptism gown

The service was lovely . . . and Grace did wonderfully. After church we went to Mom and Dad's for brunch . . . seriously, my Mom is the hostesss with the mostess. I don't know how she does it, but she continually puts on the most fabulous parties and makes it look effortless. When, oh when, will some of that rub off on me?

Fruit, muffins and egg casseroleThe cake . . . love, love, love it. Can you see the words written on it? "Blessing, love, baptism, joy, Holy Spirit, Precious Baby, Cherish . . . " With only our immediate families, it still is about 30 peopleOur joy! One happy family . . . Baby Jack outfitted in his Coug gearThe cousins love each otherIt was so special to have the Jones's, Lautenbachs, Larsons, DeHoogs, Martins, Birds, Burkes and Vander Meys all there to celebrate . . . all the people that love Grace and will help us to raise her to know God's love, faithfulness, grace and mercy.

Dear Grace,

I have to trust God with you.
With us.
It's all I have.
But we are just people.
It's hard to see beyond this world.
That's where faith comes in.
But my faith,
well,
I'm just not there.
I have so much growing to do.
I feel so inadequate
to be this person you look to.
You are the most special gift.

Thank You, Lord, for Your Word.
I would be desperate without it.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9