baby dedication

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

3 John 1:4

Emma our prayer is that you would trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding, and that in all your ways you will acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

All of Emma's little buddies here were dedicated to The Lord together. One by one, families introduced themselves and their babies, explained their baby's name and why it was chosen, and vowed commitment to raising these babies in a Christian home with hope that one day their baby would become a disciple.

We chose the name Emma because when we were expecting we referred to her as our Little M&M, and Emma has two m's in it. The meaning of Emma is "universal" and that "she looks on everyone equally and without prejudice". Her middle name, Kate, means "pure" and is a family name. Matt's mother and sister and my maternal grandmother had the middle name Kathryn/Catherine.

Emma takes in her 15-minutes of fame.

Two of our local friends stood with us during the prayer time and prayed for Emma: "Aunt B" and "Aunt Whitney". It will be so sad to have Whitney and her husband return to Louisville in January. Ours is a life of transitioning relationships, it seems.

Pulling Whitney's nose while Brenda prays.

Patting Brenda's hand while Whitney prays. 

I am so thankful we have friends here who feel like family. It makes rites of passage like this and even the day to day a less lonesome experience and a joy, too.