WingedGrace
Formerly Adiaglow
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2004
- Messages
- 234
- I was baptised -
The forecast called for rain, but when I opened my eyes this morning, blue sky was all I could see. The temperature was about 72. Just right.
I had butterflies all morning...a bit anxious about the process, and what to do. But He comforted me. We had to be there about 1 hour prior to the service that we were attending before the baptism ceremony. The mood was very light...seemed everyone was excited. The organizer of the ceremony explained the meaning of baptism & the process...they would hold a washcloth over our nose & mouth so we wouldn't get water in our noggins. One of the members was a tad freaked about that, but he was fine. Had to be sure to bend our knees so we would be easy to bend down.
The service was very nice...we took communion. I took 2 crackers. Actually, 1 1/2. Justin got a kick out of that. *smile* The pastor, Ed, spoke of how God remembers, but He also forgets. He forgets our sins when we repent of them, but He remembers our names...the number of hairs on our head, and keeps our tears in our bottle.
My in-laws also attend this church & they had come to this particular service to see me. My mother-in-law, Rhonda, waved at me excitedly after the first worship song, and I had a glimpse of what it will be like in Heaven, seeing my loved ones and being filled with a joy that can't be described. My eyes kept welling because of the meaning of this day.
After the service, we were to go out behind the church to the baptism pool. This was the first time this year they were able to do this outside because it has been too cold. Kind of glad I waited until today. We took our shoes off, and got in line, paired up. The girl with me was Kristen, if I remember correctly. We were both grinning. I saw my brother at the top of the stairs coming down in his Sunday best. That was cute, because this is a casual church. I saw my husbands family as well. My parents & 2nd oldest brother were running late, but they were able to see it.
They called my name, and I walked down the stairs into the water...it was warm. I walked over to the pastor, Terry. He reminded me of a beatnik. He said a few words from scripture, & that I was being obedient in doing this, and called me his sister. I was trying not cry, and I didn't...I just concentrated on the moment and his words. He then placed the washcloth over my nose and dipped me. It went very fast, but when I came up, all I could do was smile. I admit, I forgot to bend my knees in the midst of it all, but it went smoothly. I turned to leave, and the man who was waving me towards the exit stairs said to me, "You keep that smile on your face all day!"
I was wrapped in a towel by a woman and I walked up to see my family. I just smiled at them all and went to change. When I came out to meet them after I got changed, I could tell that my dad was very excited for me. He just kept smiling at me. I really miss talking with him like we used to. We always have had a good relationship & despite the bumps in the road the past couple of years, it still remains. I intend to call him this week to talk about today & of course other things. Here I go crying again...
All in all, I am overwhelmed with how well today went. I'm sorry for the long description, but I didn't want to leave anything out. I was pretty nervous beforehand, but He made it the most precious day. I am looking forward to the day when I meet Jesus and see my life and how it went in His eyes. To see this day played back, and the happiness it brought Him...the step I took in my walk with my Saviour. I have this feeling that this is the start to something very special and important. I've had this feeling all day that everything is just as it should be. And it feels divine.
I've enclosed a picture that my brother took with his cell phone. You can't really see me, but the person in the green shirt is the one who baptised me, and you can see my elbow, it's just blurry & far away. We are behind the yellow shirt. They're going to mail me a picture that a photographer took with my certificate.
For those of you who are holding back in the area of God...I pray that this will give you an urge in your heart to take a step and go for it. I cannot tell you how happy I have become since becoming serious about Jesus. Even when I stumble, He is there to help me back up and keep moving forward. I promise that if you make a committment and give it a chance, you will feel in your heart what I am talking about. I have seen some amazing works, and my eyes have been opened. I love every single one of you. Thanks for hearing my story of today. *grin*
The forecast called for rain, but when I opened my eyes this morning, blue sky was all I could see. The temperature was about 72. Just right.
I had butterflies all morning...a bit anxious about the process, and what to do. But He comforted me. We had to be there about 1 hour prior to the service that we were attending before the baptism ceremony. The mood was very light...seemed everyone was excited. The organizer of the ceremony explained the meaning of baptism & the process...they would hold a washcloth over our nose & mouth so we wouldn't get water in our noggins. One of the members was a tad freaked about that, but he was fine. Had to be sure to bend our knees so we would be easy to bend down.
The service was very nice...we took communion. I took 2 crackers. Actually, 1 1/2. Justin got a kick out of that. *smile* The pastor, Ed, spoke of how God remembers, but He also forgets. He forgets our sins when we repent of them, but He remembers our names...the number of hairs on our head, and keeps our tears in our bottle.
My in-laws also attend this church & they had come to this particular service to see me. My mother-in-law, Rhonda, waved at me excitedly after the first worship song, and I had a glimpse of what it will be like in Heaven, seeing my loved ones and being filled with a joy that can't be described. My eyes kept welling because of the meaning of this day.
After the service, we were to go out behind the church to the baptism pool. This was the first time this year they were able to do this outside because it has been too cold. Kind of glad I waited until today. We took our shoes off, and got in line, paired up. The girl with me was Kristen, if I remember correctly. We were both grinning. I saw my brother at the top of the stairs coming down in his Sunday best. That was cute, because this is a casual church. I saw my husbands family as well. My parents & 2nd oldest brother were running late, but they were able to see it.
They called my name, and I walked down the stairs into the water...it was warm. I walked over to the pastor, Terry. He reminded me of a beatnik. He said a few words from scripture, & that I was being obedient in doing this, and called me his sister. I was trying not cry, and I didn't...I just concentrated on the moment and his words. He then placed the washcloth over my nose and dipped me. It went very fast, but when I came up, all I could do was smile. I admit, I forgot to bend my knees in the midst of it all, but it went smoothly. I turned to leave, and the man who was waving me towards the exit stairs said to me, "You keep that smile on your face all day!"
I was wrapped in a towel by a woman and I walked up to see my family. I just smiled at them all and went to change. When I came out to meet them after I got changed, I could tell that my dad was very excited for me. He just kept smiling at me. I really miss talking with him like we used to. We always have had a good relationship & despite the bumps in the road the past couple of years, it still remains. I intend to call him this week to talk about today & of course other things. Here I go crying again...
All in all, I am overwhelmed with how well today went. I'm sorry for the long description, but I didn't want to leave anything out. I was pretty nervous beforehand, but He made it the most precious day. I am looking forward to the day when I meet Jesus and see my life and how it went in His eyes. To see this day played back, and the happiness it brought Him...the step I took in my walk with my Saviour. I have this feeling that this is the start to something very special and important. I've had this feeling all day that everything is just as it should be. And it feels divine.
I've enclosed a picture that my brother took with his cell phone. You can't really see me, but the person in the green shirt is the one who baptised me, and you can see my elbow, it's just blurry & far away. We are behind the yellow shirt. They're going to mail me a picture that a photographer took with my certificate.
For those of you who are holding back in the area of God...I pray that this will give you an urge in your heart to take a step and go for it. I cannot tell you how happy I have become since becoming serious about Jesus. Even when I stumble, He is there to help me back up and keep moving forward. I promise that if you make a committment and give it a chance, you will feel in your heart what I am talking about. I have seen some amazing works, and my eyes have been opened. I love every single one of you. Thanks for hearing my story of today. *grin*
