Long time friends, baby shower and Baptism birthdays.......

Today I was driving on a road quite close to my house, when I saw something really unexpected.  It was an object on TOP of a car......it was a DOG SLED!  You know, the kind of thing that they use in the Iditarod? What were they doing with a dog sled, in Illinois, IN MAY?  I confess that I had a moment of contemplating if there was snow in our forecast.  I mean, it is Illinois and it has been in the 30's.  And it IS May.  Yes, it was very unexpected.  And in the last couple of days I have been looking for those unexpected things.  I'll let you know if I figure out any hidden meaning in this dog sled sighting!  (Possibly it goes along with my message from "Paddlefoot?)

 

Today was one of those really great, exciting days.   I had the wonderful pleasure of attending a baby shower for Gwen's best friend since 6th grade, Brenda.   It was certainly a time of celebrating and also a bit of remembering.  I calculated that Gwen and Brenda have been friends for 24 years.  WOW does that ever make me feel old!  I spent part of the day holding my sweet little Anna, and it was so wonderful contemplating all the fun Anna and this expected baby boy will have at future parties.  It is so good to gather together with friends and family and mark these important events.

 



It was also an important day for Ellie!  It is her "Baptism Birthday"!  Five years ago she was welcomed into the Covenant of God's family and sealed with the cross of Christ. 

 I love looking at these picture of Ellie's Baptism day.   She wore Gwen's Baptism dress and was so cute!  While I was going through the photo file, I discovered this photo......

This is Brenda holding Ellie, and her husband Rick, five years ago.  Today we celebrated their coming baby.   I can't help but think how wonderful this is!  I love that Anna and their baby will be only months apart.  There is something so powerful in seeing your kids and their friends, grow up and have their own kids.  Brenda spent so much time with Gwen that she really seems like part of our family.  I confess, it made me quite teary.  I can't wait to meet this new little one.

 

I am so thankful that Gwen and Tim have made it a priority to remember and celebrate the Baptism birthdays of their kids.  It is a time when the kids talk about what Baptism is all about.  They light their candle and remember that Jesus is the light of the world.   It is a special day for them.  Wouldn't we all benefit if we added in this extra special day of celebrating by remembering our Baptism birthday?  I plan to celebrate my special day this year....on November 7th.  I want to encourage you to find your own Baptism birth date and make it a priority this year.  Celebrate this very important day in your life.  Celebrate with family and friends..... and cake! 

 

Jesus, thank you for old friends and new life.  Thank you for the new life that we have in you.  Holy Spirit, thank you for your working in Baptism.  Jesus, bless Brenda and Rick and their baby.  Bring your peace and presence during these final weeks before the birth.  Thank you, Jesus, for Ellie and all that you are doing in and through her.  Help us all to remember and celebrate our Baptism Birthdays with joy.   Amen

 



A really special day.......God Bless Anna!

 

Today was Anna's baptism.  It was a wonderful family and friends event.  Anna was just amazing.  I don't think anyone heard her cry during the entire 3 hour event.  She was passed around and cuddled and jostled this way and that.   There were a bunch of kids (15 I think) running around, playing, shouting, laughing, and sometimes crying.  And Anna didn't even seem to notice.  She slept in the arms that she happened to find herself.  Every time I looked at her, I thought about Gwen.  She looks very much like her mama! 

This picture of Gwen was on the day we came home from the hospital.  I thought that Lia looked a lot like Gwen, but I think Anna even looks more like her.   Confession here -  I called Lia "Gwen" more than one time today.  (I think I AM turning into my mother!) So I expect that will be happening in the future with Anna also.

Gwen and her friend Kyle sang the song "Remember Me" to begin the Baptismal service.  I just love the words to this song.  I believe that this is the same song that was sung at each of the kid's baptisms.  So much of this special event is about remembering.  I love that any time I attend a baptism I think about my children's baptism and also my own baptism.  And I think about exactly what God does in baptism. What an amazing gift we receive as we are welcomed into the family of God and receive the Holy Spirit.    Here are the lyrics of the song..... "Remember Me". 

 

Remember me   In a Bible cracked and faded by the years
Remember me   In a sanctuary filled with silent prayers

 

And age to age   And heart to heart
Bound by grace and peace
Child of wonder, Child of God
I'll remember you   Remember Me

 

Remember me   When the color of the sunset fills the sky
Remember me   When you pray and the tears of joy
fall from your eyes

 

Remember me   When the children leave their Sunday school with smiles
Remember me   When they're old enough to teach
Old enough to preach  Old enough to leave

 

Age to age and heart to heart
Child of wonder child of God

Remember me

Age to age and heart to heart
Child of wonder child of God

 

 

What a special day with family and friends.  I feel so blessed tonight.  I love that we can remember and celebrate the gift of baptism.  God bless Annaleigh Ellen Johnson, child of God!