Elder Adventurers: baby dedication.

tonight my babies were dedicated at church.

a church that has become our family the past 5 years.
we don't live in the same city as any blood family members but God has blessed us with an amazing community that has surrounded us, supported us, loved us and walked with us the past almost 5 years.

so to stand on the stage with 10 other families, to dedicate to love and raise our children to know & love the Lord was pretty special. It's a day I've dreamed about for years. Literally, every Elements service I've watched with tears in my eyes as other families dedicate their babies. and today. god ordained today a long time ago. it was special.

I love what Chad [one of our children's pastors] said...these kids aren't OUR kids, they are GODS. and we commit them into HIS hands and trust that He is good. He has given them to us to love & parent on this earth, but they are HIS kids. He read scripture from Deuteronomy 6:4-9,

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

Lord, that's what we want to do! We want to teach them about you, we want to teach them about your great love for them. We want to teach you + talk to you about that great love every day as we seek to raise you in a Godly home!

[Stephen's mom, "Nanny" drove in - thankful she lives not too far!]

and it was so special to have so many friends there. sadly, we had to leave early [I guess the babies wanted to go to bed before 9pm? who knew? :)] so I don't have pictures with everyone but please know we love you & you are so special to us!!!

[the Knights! love them all ;)]

[Wendy & Jenna....we have become quite the trio. these girls are my kinna crazy. we push each other, challenge each other, encourage/love/pray for each other and I am so thankful to do life with them!]

[2 of Wendy's kids...Baylie on the left, Sydnie on the right. I ❤ these girls + their entire family. Can't believe we didn't really know each other before Africa last year. They are our midland family. Sydnie + Bailey + Lacey (where were you for this pic?) are Angels with my babies. What a joy to watch Bailey go into those baptismal waters. She has a huge heart and will do mighty things in Jesus name!

One of my besties, Alison [who's literally been there since the beginning of the "trying to start a family" thing] said it well when she texted me after the service and said,

"Oh my goodness sweet friend, I can't tell you the overwhelming feeling that came over me seeing your sweet family on stage!! The presence of The Lord was SO powerful tonight! Tears just flowed and flowed and flowed out of sheer JOY in witnessing a family of believers proclaiming the gospel! And your sweet angels. Oh that they live in a Godly home and have the most amazing parents! I am truly so honored to know them! So thankful for your friendship and for our community and church!! My heart is so full tonight!"

part of me wishes I could have watched it through their eyes. I probably would have cried + cried too.

such a testament to Gods faithfulness!! They are HERE and we are PARENTS! it's for real!
Thank you JESUS!!!!