9/15/13

I had a fantastic evening tonight. I wasn't going to write up a blog post about it tonight because I want to write, but I'm still thinking about it and it's kind of right in the moment so I figured I should write a blog post tonight or else I fear I won't have the words to say tomorrow.

Anyway, I got baptized tonight. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I had been looking forward to this since summer camp ended in July, and today finally came and it was fantastic. My family was there (my three brothers, two sister in laws and my nephews and my dad) and some great friends were there as well.

I'll admit, I was nervous and kind of freaking out so badly my hands were shaking, but it might've been because I had cried a bit on the way there, thinking about my mom. But that's okay, that's normal. I was actually surprised that I wasn't crying when I got in the pool they set up in the church courtyard, but that's okay too.

After the service, I hung around for quite a while with friends and family and there were lots of hugs and congratulations and cookies...okay, I only had two cookies and they were delicious, as always. But after everyone had gone, I heard some wonderful words that I needed to hear. It's amazing how God knows your heart and knows what you need and when you need it, and tonight, I needed to hear those things that had been said.

God is amazing and wonderful and I'm so glad I had such a wonderful opportunity to profess my faith in Christ Jesus surrounded by so many wonderful people. God has been good to me and He was there waiting for me when I came back to Him earlier this year. He caught me with His loving embrace when past events crushed my heart and I fell, and I don't know where I'd be without Him. The baptism service may be over, but I put my faith in God every day.

So, I guess I'm just going to leave it at this. I've been baptized, declaring my faith and obedience to the church, but it doesn't stop there. I hope to continue serving God in my life, and I pray that He shows me how I can continue to serve Him, whether it's in big or small ways. He sent His only son to die for my sins, and I want to show the world what He's done for me, whether the world means somewhere far away or simply around the church. I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually, with God's help.