A Step of Faith

One of our greatest joys as parents is sharing in those defining moments in our children’s lives.  This weekend, we were privileged to witness one of Crisana’s as she took the step to follow Christ’s example by being baptized.

Some of the long-time blog readers know that on January 9, 2008, Crisana made her first step of faith when she accepted God’s gift of salvation at the ripe age of 4 years old.  She began asking about baptism then, but with us not having a church home, we encouraged her to wait.  However, she was persistent, so in May she and I met with our children’s pastor to make sure she was really ready.  He was blown away by her level of understanding and spiritual maturity, to say the least.

Well, this past Sunday was the big day.  She was first in line to be baptized, and boy was she ready!  Waking up bright and early, she was already dressed and ready to go before 7:00!  Needless to say, we didn’t get there quite that early.  We arrived in plenty of time for the 10:00 service, found our seats, and got ourselves settled.  Crisana, ever the social butterfly, chatted it up with all the other baptism participants, hardly able to contain her excitement.  When the baptism began, she marched right up the steps, went down into the baptismal “hot tub”, proclaimed her faith, and was ceremonially “dunked.”  As the pastor read her testimony, my eyes welled up with tears at the beautiful simplicity of her faith:

I have Jesus in my heart.

He wiped away all my sin.

I am a happy girl because I am getting baptized today.

As with Trey, we held a reception following the church service to honor Crisana and celebrate those who have had an important part in her spiritual development.  We held it at our house, rather than the church.  We had a wonderful chance to visit with family and friends, and enjoyed wonderful food as we celebrated together.  We look forward to how God is going to use Crisana as she now continues her journey of faith.

Crisana with her cake – and no, I didn’t make this one!

Crisana’s cake

Crisana with her boyfriend/best friend/future husband, Michael.

Crisana with Ms. Kathryn, her first Promiseland teacher at McFBC. 

Ms. Kathryn was one of the first to know of Crisana’s salvation, and was so excited for her!

Matt and his sister, Buff.  Unfortunately, Tom was unable to make it.

Proud Grandma with two loving grandchildren!