so... I got baptized

some have seen a comment here or there on my facebook wall that I got baptized on Easter Morning this year... I have received some odd private messages and comments, so I wanted to explain why I did.

I vividly remember having a backyard Bible club (similar to VBS) at my home when I was around 8... Mrs. Sylvia Poole led us in a fun week and prayed with us each day asking us to think about asking Jesus into our hearts... On the last day, I told her that I wanted to do it. She led me with a prayer, I jumped off the couch, screamed at my mom "I just asked Jesus into my heart, and now I'm going to throw up!" and I ran to the bathroom and threw up. I remember it like it was yesterday... but I also remember something else.

nothing really changed

I vividly remember my dad going forward and getting saved. I remember talk coming around the church about a baptism service coming on a Sunday night. My mother talked with me about how wonderful it would be for me and my dad to get baptized on the same night. I agreed. I remember climbing down into the water with Rev Ronald Mayers and being dunked.

nothing really changed

I wasn't the worst teen possible... no hard drugs or crazy wild parties... but I was a huge hypocrite. I have no doubt that my double lifestyle of being active in the youth group, dating the youth leaders' son and then being a cusser, crazy mean bully at the high school probably led many teens away from the church. I was the pure definition of a stumbling block.

nothing really changed

However, I wanted to go to college out of state. It was my plan to go to college far away and have a blast... so of course, I went to a Bible college... I wrote an amazing testimony (required for entrance) and was accepted. I left for Georgia and was thrilled at the thought of being "on my own". I went to my first bar, attended my first toga party, stayed out late, took great car trips and had so much fun.

nothing really changed

Then we had spiritual emphasis week... a speaker came and we were required to attend every night. Each night he would give an invitation for people to come forward to get saved. I thought he was an idiot. It was a Bible college... we had to write testimonies just to get it in.... but on the last night, with every eye closed and no one looking around - I started looking around. People had gone forward. I felt so uncomfortable because I knew that it was for me. But I couldn't walk down there because I was sitting with my fun friends... as I looked up, the speaker looked straight at me and with the mic to his mouth said "Are you coming, this is all for you." I ran.... to the front to pray

it finally happened - I began to change

Since that night, I fell in love with my husband, got married, taught high school, taught middle school, have had three children, taught at preschool and grown a lot... still have a bunch of hang up and struggles, but have tried to change. Scott and I have talked a lot about baptism. He felt like I needed to be baptized, and I thought he should mind his own business!

But then I started to pray, really pray about it a few weeks ago. I was having some really deep Biblical conversations with my children and a couple of close friends. I asked a friend to help me pray through it. I told Scott I was considering it. I talked with my teens about it. I met with a pastor about it a couple of times... I knew that when I had been baptized as a teen, I had just gotten wet... it had not been my choice. it was not a symbol of any commitment that I had made.

When Pastor Ryan agreed to baptize me, he told me that he thought I may back out, so he wanted me to come to church dressed and ready to go right when it started... He was a smart man. I was backing out as I got out of bed that morning. Not because I did not think I needed to do it, but because of pride.

I did not want anyone to wonder what I was doing. I have been a Christian for a long time and teach at a Christian preschool... what in the world... But I realized that pride was taking over my commitment and that I need to be more concerned with my submission to God than to what other people thought when they saw me up there...

I changed

Ryan talked with me, then asked Scott to get into the waters with us, and he and Scott laid hands on me and baptized me. Ryan as a pastor and Scott as the spiritual leader in my home...

I still am not perfect. But I am honestly making serious strides and growing and changing my heart. I have struggled with profanity for as long as I can remember... But God is helping me to tame my tongue in a way I have never experienced. I am growing.

So, yes I was baptized... I needed to stand up and say that I have accepted Christ as my Savior and Lord. Ryan also asked me a horribly hard question - "Do you promise to go where He wants you to go and do what He wants you to do..." UGH - that even means giving Him my children... I am trying to give Him everything... all areas, people, and things... This will be a process...

but it happened... I am changing

so very thankful

I am so very thankful... 

the list is ridiculously blessed long of the many things/people I am thankful for:

• so thankful that I can worship and learn about my God in a free country
• so thankful for the men/women who stand in harm's way to provide that freedom for me and my family
• so very thankful for my husband who provides me with patience and unending love when I am nuts and has never been judgmental about my size or looks... I am blessed beyond measure to have a man who has loved me from size 14 to 24 and back to a 10... he is the answer to most women's prayers, but is MINE
• so thankful for three healthy children who drive me crazy and give my joy
• so thankful for my parents and Scott's parents and his grandmother to be able to enjoy this holiday with us again this year
• so thankful for my sister (okay, sister-in-law but the closest thing to a sister I will ever have!) and her hubby (okay, my husband's brother, but chill out) and all 7 of her children who bring me laughter and tears and happiness by being in my home right now
• thankful for a job where I can work along-side friends and play with children while getting a paycheck - with hours that allow my children to continue to think I am a stay-at-home mom and can be there for them at any hour
• thankful for friends who I can call on in the middle of the night, chat with on facebook, laugh over coffee with, cry with, argue with, hug on, and love me even when I am unlovely
• so very thankful for my warm home - warm in temperature and warm in love
• thankful for the smells coming from my kitchen even at this early hour

Thanksgiving has come into my home... and I am so very thankful

He did it!

This is a couple of weeks late - forgive me!

My oldest has been striving toward his Eagle rank. He completed his project in August. He completed the paperwork in September. He received all of his six letters of recommendation in September.

All that was left was the Eagle Board of Review... that dreaded meeting with four scoutmasters/asst scoutmasters that he had never met before... his own father not permitted to be with him... they would ask questions that he would have to answer confidently and completely... He needed to be able to communicate with eye contact...

My son has most of the characteristics of Aspergers Syndrome. He struggles with communication. He is completely aware of these struggles. He faces it daily. It is difficult to ask for help in the classroom. He has a hard time facing an adult with a problem or if he is being challenged. He has been working on eye contact and a strong voice for years... we practiced and role played the Board of Review for WEEKS...

On October 30th, my son sat before his board. They asked questions about his project. They questioned him about the benefits of scouting in his life. He was asked about what he planned to do with scouts in the future. He told them about his favorites things in scouts and he future professional plans...

HE DID IT.

After his interview, they voted unanimously to award his hard work.

My son will forever be an EAGLE SCOUT.

We will host a big party for him in January after the holidays. He is already forming a list of people who he has loved and looked up to over the years that he wants us to invite. We are thrilled for him!

Last week, he attended a ceremony for a fellow scout... The Eagle Scouts in attendance were asked to stand and say something... He smiled from ear to ear and stood with great pride as he repeated the words. It was his first time being recognized as an Eagle Scout... what a beautiful sight!

I am proud of my kid... he has completed a feat that less than 10 scouts out of 100 ever complete... 

He is and will always be an Eagle Scout!