We had our little girl baptized this Sunday. It felt like such a grown up moment. You know, one of those where it suddenly feels like you're just a kid playing grown-up, only to realize that this little baby really thinks I'm the parent! It was also a bit of a time-warp moment... since I don't go to church very often these days, it's easy to get propelled into the past when I do go. And here I was, after so many church attendances of praying quietly for a life partner and for the opportunity to have a family, suddenly here I was standing next to Nathan with our Little Miss in arms! I was no longer asking but was instead giving thanks and taking a step toward guiding my daughter in what will become her own journey of faith. Baptism is so important in the Christian faith, and while many an argument has been had over the issue of infant vs adult baptism, I have to say that having my baby baptized was for me, a regrounding and restatement of my own faith almost more powerful than my own adult baptism. We renounced our sins before God and pledged not only to live in faith but to guide our little one in her own journey. I guess for me, one of the more powerful teaching tools is modeling, thus guiding Brenna in her journey means modeling it with my own. Maybe it's obvious, but it only really struck me as we stood before the Pastor.
Brenna and I had come rather close to missing the baptism! Getting out of the house much earlier than normal combined with pretty dress, christening gown, and last minute poopy diaper were expected hurdles... the un-expected was having trouble finding the church! The baptism was scheduled for 11am, and we arrived at 11:05. But you know, I just didn't have the heart to go to stress land. I knew that I wouldn't begrudge a mom and baby for being late to a baptism, so I determined not to worry about it with us and instead thought of a dear friend and how she handles situations. Thankfully too, since I'm glad now I didn't trade the experience of such a special day for the confusion and tension of stress!!
Little Miss was a hit!! Daddy met us at the door, and helped put the christening gown over Brenna's dress, and we went right into the baptism as they were waiting patiently for us! Brenna had been fast asleep, so woke up with her usual curiosity and pleasant demeanor. She wooed everyone with her big smiles, and I think was quite thrilled to have so many people smiling back at her all at once!! Unfortunately, the church has a no camera policy during services, so we didn't get those moments, but we were able to stage some shots after the service. A big thank you to Rochelle's dad for being our photographer!
Above picture shows Brenna being baptized by her Grandpa Steve, while wearing an heirloom gown that was made for and worn by her Grandpa Allan. (It was also worn by me, my sister Joanna, our cousin Brodie and our Uncle Don.) We thought this was pretty cool!
Left to right: Grandma Joanne, me, Nathan, Uncle Ben, Aunty Rochelle, Pastor Steve holding Brenna.
Uncle Ben and Aunty Rochelle are her sponsors. Too bad we didn't think to get a picture of the three of them!
Here we are all working at taking her gown off. Nathan said the moment struck him like that of a bride with everyone fussing over her dress. It's true, there's something about these sacred moments in our lives.
Brenna and Aunty Rochelle had matching sweaters over their dresses!
Back at Gramma and Grampa's we enjoyed a lunch and then Brenna, for the first time on her own, opened some presents!!
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| This book is authored by Desmond Tutu!! Sophisticated baby reading!! |
