Timely Baptism

God knew that this would time itself out perfectly. Weeks ago I signed up to be baptized. Never been since I was a baby but I felt like this would be the time. Here's what I wrote to our pastor yesterday:

"My Nana went home to be with Jesus last night. We are so joyful but still sad.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know - in case I can't put it into words tomorrow, how much I am praising my Father for timing this the way he did. I hadn't felt the need to be baptized and then I found out that you were doing it this weekend at the School House - the location of my bridal shower 10 years ago in July. So this year as we celebrate 10 years of marriage on September 6, we'll be doing it as a marker of a whole new marriage with Christ as the center. That was huge.

And then there's the Nana part. When we went to visit her when she was really bad in March, I think I told you, Lamar that she was SO ELATED for Bob's baptism - she had prayed for our marriage so long. Also she had been immersion baptized probably just maybe 15 years ago and she just knew it was such a celebration. She was a woman of quiet faith and it was a real step for her to go public. Very much God in her. And maybe that's where some of my spiritual roots are in being private in my faith. So it will be very special tomorrow for me in that way too. I know that in some way, she will know that I'm honoring her memory in it too as well as my rededication to my Savior."

Praise God the giver of all things. Today I celebrate afresh a new life in Christ.

Thoughts on the Day

- It was a joy to celebrate with Bob as he "went public" with his faith in Jesus Christ.
- Having family there was just awesome. Everyone shared in the wonder at how all of it happened.
- There were smiles all around and tears of joy too. His mom and sister, my mom and sister, me. All crying as we sang "My chains are gone, I've been set free...." He's a different guy than a year ago.
- Having 35 people at my house to eat was not as bad as I thought. Then again, the weather cleared up in time for everyone to be able to sit outside comfortably. Later, the kids and the band even played ball in the yard for awhile.
- It was awesome that our two families came together through a love of Bob and through God to heal some of the wounds that seemed permanent just a few years ago.
- Marianne was amazing as always. She spoke with my family about Nana and her own loss of her mom less than a year ago. Then later sat with Bob's mom. She should have been a counselor. :) I can attest to it myself and now she's moving on to our families......... And there is comfort that it all comes from her being centered in God.
- People really seemed to enjoy themselves. Everyone stayed for at least a little while and relaxed and talked and ate.
- The food held up pretty well. We have A LOT leftover of some things but that's okay.
- Everyone had gone by 2 and I had cleaned up the most of it by 3:30. Life returns to normal. But not really.......

Things will be different for our eternity now. Not perfect, not without trial, not without pain. But better - full of hope and growing closer to our Savior while growing closer to each other. I still don't know what to say about that. I've been waiting all my life for that and it's like starting brand new after 10 years. Who would have thought that the next big milestone after our marriage problems was BAPTISM!!! Not me. I can't wait to see what He has in store for us next!!

Perfect, Bob is not but so much. The man I can love and respect that with the help of his Heavenly Father can stand before all those folks and declare before them that Jesus Christ has hold of his life..... That was as much love I could hold in my heart at that moment - and what I could not hold in my heart spilled out in tears..... I love you, Bob because God first loved us......

More pictures and video

Bob and the band do a little I am Free.

Pastor Tommy's intro to the ceremony....

And the one we've all been waiting for.....

Baptism closing from Pastor Jeff

And the winner is... Jesus Christ!!

Despite all predictions, God prevailed over the weather and all else today!!! I can't even begin to explain how awesome today was. Friends, family all sharing a love of God and a love for Bob. I was so filled with joy that words escape me.... Yes, you read correctly. Let the pictures and the video speak for God's amazing grace today!

Check out Pastor Jeff Mousa's post for today for some additional pictures and comments.
http://mousa.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/baptism-pictures/
http://mousa.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/sunday-icc-3/

By the way....

The forecast for tomorrow appears to be forcing us indoors - low 60s with a 70-80% chance of rain. I ran into Dolly Duke, Iron City Church's own version of Mother Church, while I was out shopping. She pointed out that Satan tends not to like these types of celebrations and so we'd just have to manage. Earlier in the week, I decided to let God handle it. He was either going to make the weather right or fix His child's heart so that I wasn't caring. He did the latter. Thanks to an cleaning machine of a husband, we got everything arranged downstairs to accomodate an indoor party! He is good - all the time!

All Ready!

Well, the food is purchased and prepared. The house is clean and reorganized. And Bob is all astir with the excitement of tomorrow.... It's the big day of his baptism and so many will be there to share that. My fridges both look like they should ALL the time :) Check out our progress.....

I won't show you the closets, garage or spare room where things are not so arranged..... :) And the beer is not baptism fare.... :)

He walked into the room at one point today and said he had no idea how Tommy was going to dunk him. He's not the only one wondering I bet :) Then again, this whole thing has been quite a wonder and a testimony to the tremendous power of the Lord.

He's so excited to have Molly and Sarah see him play tomorrow. He's said that several times (I plan on telling them that tomorrow.) There are so many parts to look forward to. Mom and Dad and the Kimptons coming to worship with us. The Baptism. The coming together of two families once torn apart by trial. All amazing.

I can't wait. And for those of you unable to make it - I will be posting pictures and video tomorrow so you can share in the joy.

Outlook for Sunday

Cloudy with a chance of a brand new life!!! Bob's baptism is scheduled for Sunday and the preliminary forecast is partly cloudy in the high 60s with a 30% chance of rain. With thirty or so folks headed for Casa De Masterino, let's hope for highest of 60s and some sun so people can mingle outside and the kids can play!!! Believe God can change a life? Then some good weather to top off a week of being able to have the energy to get a bunch done is nothing!!