Hello all! Sorry it's been a few days since I've posted anything. I think today would be a nice day to tell you about the wonderful baptism experience my boys had on Saturday night. It was really everything we hoped it would be. The Saturday night service was intimate, but not too small, so it was not overly intimidating but it also felt like the church body was there to welcome them. There were a couple of songs, both of which were wonderful praise songs ("Open The Eyes of My Heart, Lord" was one of them. That is such a wonderful song, and the repetition made it easy for the boys to pick up, so they were really worshiping with the adults.). Then, after a brief introduction by Pastor Warren, it was their turn. Both boys stood together on stage, next to Warren and the musicians, and, I swear, they actually looked comfortable up there! I thought they would be terrified, but they were both smiling!

Jacob went first. Warren held the microphone for him and he read his testimony, which he wrote himself. Here's what he said:

Jacob’s Story

Back in 2003, when I was 5 years old, me and my mom had just finished reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Mom and I started talking about becoming a Christian and how the book is like that. A few days later, I decided that I wanted to become a Christian and ask Jesus to become my forever friend. I wanted to have the gift of eternal life and I wanted to become a part of Jesus’ family.

Knowing that Jesus died for my sins made me feel sad, and I felt that he was a kind and giving God to do that for me and everyone else. It’s like somebody is offering you a present. I didn’t want to be someone who would say “No thank you, I don’t want it.” So, I asked my mom to pray the special prayer with me, and I accepted Christ into my heart as my forever friend.

Jesus helps me to be kind to others and to do what God wants me to do, which is how to find true happiness. Without Jesus, no matter how much you get, you still want more, because nothing brings you true happiness except Jesus. Since I have Jesus, I can be truly happy with what I have and live a good life.

I try to be a good example for my friends by not calling people names, by being kind to my enemies and by not doing things that I know God doesn’t want me to do. Jesus gives me the strength to do what’s right even if everyone else is doing something bad. I am really glad that I became a Christian and that I can have eternal life and happiness.

Isn't that great?!?! He read it really well, too, only getting a little mixed up towards the end (he had to restart a sentence and he accidentally said "by doing things that I know God doesn't want me to do" instead of "by NOT doing..." We all knew what he meant, though!). Then, it was time to get dunked! Warren and he got into the baptismal, which he later told me was actually "quite warm" and "much deeper" than he expected, and, after a few questions, Warren dunked him and welcomed him as a "brother!" I have to say, I was quite teary eyed at this point. Joshua watched from next to the baptismal, and when Jacob came back up, Josh jumped up and down and gave him a thumbs up. It was so cute!

At this point, there was a bit of a conundrum, as Warren was too wet to come out and hold the mike for Josh. I thought, "What's Josh going to do now? Will he be confused? Will I have to help him?" I should not have worried. Josh just went straight to the front of the stage, next to the guitar player, smiled, and got down to business. The guitar player helpfully held out a microphone, as Warren had done, to catch Josh's words, but Josh grabbed the mike right out of his hand! He held it in his left hand, pointed right at his mouth, with his paper in his right hand, and spoke without even the slightest tremor of nerves. You would think he had been speaking on stage for years! Here's what he said:

Joshua’s Story

In 2003, my mom finished reading me a book called “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.” She started talking to me about becoming a forever friend of Jesus. She asked us if we wanted to. I said yes and she told me how to do it. We prayed together and I accepted Jesus into my heart.

When Aslan died in the book, I was very sad. Then he came back to life, and I felt happy and excited. When my mom told me about Jesus dying for me, I felt the same way. I know he didn’t have to do it, that we deserved to go to Hell, But He did it anyway. It made me feel like God is good, that He really loves us. If Jesus loves me that much, I really want to be His friend.

Following Christ makes me kinder and happier, safe and protected, and I feel like I have a friend who is always with me who I can talk to anytime. If I hadn’t become saved, I would probably sin a lot more and feel sad, like something was missing in my life. As a Christian, I am content and thankful for what I have.

Too cool! Then he traipsed over to the baptismal, entered the water, was asked the questions by Warren, and "splash!" he too was welcomed as a brother! The congregation clapped and cheered for both of them, and they were all smiles as they gathered their towels and scurried out to get changed. I know I was crying rather heartily at this point, and I believe there were more than a few other wet faces in the crowd.

I am so thankful to God that my boys are both saved. They are believers in Christ, they have the Holy Spirit in their hearts, and, whatever else happens in their lives, I know that someday they will be with Him in heaven. There is nothing more important than that fact, not school, not sports, not wives or grandchildren or successful careers, not anything at all. They are SAVED!!!!! My boys are baptized brothers in the church of Christ, and, what's more, they really understand what that means. I could have had them baptized a few years ago, since they were saved then, but I'm glad that I waited until now. They're still young, but they're old enough to understand the meaning of baptism and to remember this moment for the rest of their lives. I am so incredibly proud of them both, and just so, so thankful for this experience.

Afterwards, my parents joined us at a restaurant of the boys' choice (Pizzaria UNO. They just love the "make your own pizza" menu choice!) to celebrate. I know the entire night was a really special experience for them, just as I always hoped it would be. THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!!!