What a wonderful day this was! our youngest little grand-baby, Ella Kate, was Dedicated to the Lord by her parents on Saturday afternoon. We left the 'Ham on Saturday morning and had a nice trip over to Atlanta--takes almost 3 hours--any way you look at it--give and take a few minutes! I don't mind the drive UNTIL we get near the city. Then, the traffic starts backing up and cars , from who knows from whence they come, start piling up! LOL!...We arrived and "Nana and Pappy" had just arrived also. So, needless to say, Carter was beside himself. He loves his grand parents for sure! And, when Nana takes a big stuffed BUZZ, you can only imagine how excited he was! HA! Soon it was time to get changed and get the little ones dressed. Ella Kate in her beautiful pink smocked dress with crosses couldn't have been more appropriate for today! We made a few pictures RIGHT BEFORE the bottom fell out of the sky! Talk about a MONSOON???? Of course, as we were getting in the car! LOL! My hair fell immediately but Ella Kate's just curled up!
The service itself was beautiful. When we arrived, there was a big sign that said, "Baby D" (what they casually refer the Baby Dedication service to). Inside the huge gym, (they meet in a local school---soon they will have their own facility--along with the other 5 , (I think 5, other large NorthPoint ministry churches in the Atlanta area). There were big round tables with a chalkboard with the last name of the family on each table. Along with beautiful, simple decorations (see pix below in the slide show). We were lucky to be one of the front tables!
The service was short/sweet/simple/profound/moving/filled with loves/scripturally sound/faith filled. The Watermarke youth minister spoke first, as a slide showing was going ( of each of the babies ~lots, not sure how many exactly!!). A few songs were sung. Then, each table had the parents read aloud letters they had written to their baby--core values they wanted to instill in their family and letters of love/hope and encouragement that they wanted their family who were attending to hear( so that they could be kept accountable for their actions. no worries there!)!. Katie's and Jon's were just beautiful. the tears flowed and we were all touched by their
beautiful words for Ella Kate. I KNEW Katie would cry but when Jon did....! Talk about tears flowing! We were to complete our circle of love for Ella Kate, by letting someone they had chosen ,finish the circle by praying. Big T had that honor, of course! He read a scripture and then prayed for Ella Kate/Jon and Katie and Carter. It was beautiful. Again, glad Katie had the kleneex there!
As a Methodist, (as well as our Episcopal children/grands: Charles/Rachel/Powell and Blakely) and with the exception of Ryder (who was also Dedicated) all the other Fry babies were Baptized (their parents also). Each one beautiful and special. (Blakely's was a special service , just for her, loved it also). Each one of the baptisms and dedications were beautiful/touching/grace filled....Now, At first, I must admit, I was a little sad Ella Kate wouldn't have an infant baptism. I don't know why, maybe because Katie and her siblings were as well as the other grands (except Ryder, who ALSO had a beautiful dedication service). But, that was short lived after the service. It was just as special and meaningful as it was. You see, the church they attend is Non-Denominational and do not do infant baptisms. In fact, Katie and Jon will have to be re-baptized when they join. I disagree with that, personally, but I understand that to be a part of their church it is required that they get immersed. And, it's not about ME. It's about Katie/Jon and their children and I am 1000% supportive, as is her dad. I'm not only supportive, but thrilled that they have found this church to be a part of/be ACTIVE in/learn from and grow into a closer relationship with Jesus. If I were in Atlanta, I would join in a heartbeat! (but not get re-baptized! LOL!)!!!!
All in all, it was , a totally GRACE FILLED service.
After the service, I got to see their Small Group friends again (we met them at Carter's B'day party). My heart was
filled to the brim watching these precious families and their babies/children. They love each other's children!
They were holding each other's kids and hugging and laughing and I was so touched and just KNOW that God
totally brought Katie/Jon to that church, without a shadow of a doubt. They have made FOREVER FRIENDS IN CHRIST.
Not just "forever friends", everyone has some of those, but friends brought to together by the Holy Spirit who is
weaving through their lives/bringing them together by experiences and joys & sorrows and by, most of all,
His Grace. It is truly amazing to see. And the lump that came in my throat on Saturday, remains there still. I pray that this group only gets stronger and that even when their time of Small Group meetings end, (and sadly, they will eventually), that their FRIENDSHIP through Jesus will continue to grow by the year. And ONE day, when they are old as Big T and GranJan, they will be attending THEIR grandchildren's Dedication Services with lumps in THEIR throats.
Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow!!!!!!
P.S. Now, the next time Ella Kate is here, GranJan is going to sneak her outside by the lake and sprinkle some River Jordan water on her head (that I brought back from Israel) so I can still say she was "SPRINKLED"!!!!!! bahahahaha
The service itself was beautiful. When we arrived, there was a big sign that said, "Baby D" (what they casually refer the Baby Dedication service to). Inside the huge gym, (they meet in a local school---soon they will have their own facility--along with the other 5 , (I think 5, other large NorthPoint ministry churches in the Atlanta area). There were big round tables with a chalkboard with the last name of the family on each table. Along with beautiful, simple decorations (see pix below in the slide show). We were lucky to be one of the front tables!
The service was short/sweet/simple/profound/moving/filled with loves/scripturally sound/faith filled. The Watermarke youth minister spoke first, as a slide showing was going ( of each of the babies ~lots, not sure how many exactly!!). A few songs were sung. Then, each table had the parents read aloud letters they had written to their baby--core values they wanted to instill in their family and letters of love/hope and encouragement that they wanted their family who were attending to hear( so that they could be kept accountable for their actions. no worries there!)!. Katie's and Jon's were just beautiful. the tears flowed and we were all touched by their
beautiful words for Ella Kate. I KNEW Katie would cry but when Jon did....! Talk about tears flowing! We were to complete our circle of love for Ella Kate, by letting someone they had chosen ,finish the circle by praying. Big T had that honor, of course! He read a scripture and then prayed for Ella Kate/Jon and Katie and Carter. It was beautiful. Again, glad Katie had the kleneex there!
As a Methodist, (as well as our Episcopal children/grands: Charles/Rachel/Powell and Blakely) and with the exception of Ryder (who was also Dedicated) all the other Fry babies were Baptized (their parents also). Each one beautiful and special. (Blakely's was a special service , just for her, loved it also). Each one of the baptisms and dedications were beautiful/touching/grace filled....Now, At first, I must admit, I was a little sad Ella Kate wouldn't have an infant baptism. I don't know why, maybe because Katie and her siblings were as well as the other grands (except Ryder, who ALSO had a beautiful dedication service). But, that was short lived after the service. It was just as special and meaningful as it was. You see, the church they attend is Non-Denominational and do not do infant baptisms. In fact, Katie and Jon will have to be re-baptized when they join. I disagree with that, personally, but I understand that to be a part of their church it is required that they get immersed. And, it's not about ME. It's about Katie/Jon and their children and I am 1000% supportive, as is her dad. I'm not only supportive, but thrilled that they have found this church to be a part of/be ACTIVE in/learn from and grow into a closer relationship with Jesus. If I were in Atlanta, I would join in a heartbeat! (but not get re-baptized! LOL!)!!!!
All in all, it was , a totally GRACE FILLED service.
After the service, I got to see their Small Group friends again (we met them at Carter's B'day party). My heart was
filled to the brim watching these precious families and their babies/children. They love each other's children!
They were holding each other's kids and hugging and laughing and I was so touched and just KNOW that God
totally brought Katie/Jon to that church, without a shadow of a doubt. They have made FOREVER FRIENDS IN CHRIST.
Not just "forever friends", everyone has some of those, but friends brought to together by the Holy Spirit who is
weaving through their lives/bringing them together by experiences and joys & sorrows and by, most of all,
His Grace. It is truly amazing to see. And the lump that came in my throat on Saturday, remains there still. I pray that this group only gets stronger and that even when their time of Small Group meetings end, (and sadly, they will eventually), that their FRIENDSHIP through Jesus will continue to grow by the year. And ONE day, when they are old as Big T and GranJan, they will be attending THEIR grandchildren's Dedication Services with lumps in THEIR throats.
Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow!!!!!!
P.S. Now, the next time Ella Kate is here, GranJan is going to sneak her outside by the lake and sprinkle some River Jordan water on her head (that I brought back from Israel) so I can still say she was "SPRINKLED"!!!!!! bahahahaha