As many of you know, Annalina's journey to this day began years ago when she asked Jesus to be her Saviour. She recognized her sin and her need of Jesus as her Saviour from that sin. Annalina has grown both physically and spiritually since her salvation. She is strong minded :-) but desires to do what is right and tries hard to do it. Weeks ago I noticed Annalina seemed like something was on her mind but wasn't sure what it was, if really anything, it was just a Mommy hunch. Finally, one night she came to me and told me she wanted to be baptized and that she had been thinking about it and now just wanted to let me know. She knew it was what the Bible said was her next step but also understood that her salvation was complete but that the baptism was just in obedience and also to show others her trust in Him.
Pastor Grant came over one day and questioned Annalina concerning her faith and her understanding of baptism and came to the same conclusion Brian and I had that she was ready. Pastor Grant (our church's youth pastor) is an amazing pastor, while taking the matter very seriously and verifying her belief and understanding he showed such a calmness and love and excitement for her and her decision.
This morning just before it was her turn I saw the whole situation hit her and read it on her face but she assured me "I am still excited". I held her and said it is ok to be nervous that being brave meant doing what is right anyway and with that she was just that brave despite fear. When asked this morning why she wanted to be baptized she said "because Jesus loves me and I want people to know I love Him."
Watching her made me think back to when she was a really little tyke and Brian was deployed and Grandpa and I took her to a mall around Christmas time. A lady at the mall said something like "What do you want from Santa Claus?" Annalina said very kindly but unabashedly "I don't believe in Santa Claus I believe in God!" The same little girl was again today willing to brave going in front of people to say Hey, I am His and He is mine!!! As we know, the Christian walk is day by day and Annalina, as all of us, will daily have to make decisions as to her walk with her Lord but Brian and I are thrilled to see her desire to today identify with and obey Christ. We are so excited to see how God will use her if she stays surrendered to Him and that is our prayer. Thank you for those of you that pray for our children that they will grow to know and love Christ. I just wanted to share our special day with you.
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