Church and Chicken

Last Sunday was Caroline's baby dedication at our church. Some of our nearest and dearest came to witness as she was introduced to the congregation and our little family was prayed over. Mike and I also had the opportunity to publicly dedicate ourselves to raising her in a Christian home. This was our message to her.

Caroline,
When we were dating, we discovered that we shared the same favorite Bible verse. Jeremiah 29:11 says that God knows the plans He has for us and that those plans are to give us hope and a future. Through times of hardship and doubt, the Lord has shown this truth in both of our lives over and over in many ways—one of the greatest ways being you.
We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord created you with a distinct purpose. We are wholly committed to making sure you have every opportunity to know and love Him and to find His perfect plan for you. To guide you as this plan unfolds is the greatest and most wonderful responsibility either of us has ever had.
We love you more than we could ever describe, and we know that God’s love for you is even greater than ours. May that love always be a source of security, confidence, and inspiration as you grow into the woman God designed you to be.

Mom and Dad

God had clearly planned the day perfectly as the message that followed happened to be based on that same verse, Jeremiah 29:11--and the speaker used his own story, which included a struggle with fertility before receiving a baby girl, to illustrate.

Afterwards, our visitors to church came back to our house for a fancy gourmet lunch...

Ok, so not fancy or gourmet, but it was good--and the company was great...

Carson and Macie, the children Mike's college roommate and good friend, Jeff. Carson loves Caroline (and we know the feeling will be mutual when she's a little older) so we were especially glad to have him here for her special day.

Our sweet little pal, Sydney, and her dad, Steven. Our good friends, Scott and Christina.

Caroline napped until most everyone had left. But she came down for the after-party, sporting the cute new outfit Jeff and Courtney gave her in honor of her special day. Posing with "Aunt" Heather. (Apparently my dad, on the left, thought someone was throwing something at him.)

"Wrestling" with Papa Jim.Hanging out with Gogo.

We are so grateful for our church, our family, and our friends who will come alongside us as we raise our baby the way God intended.