Raised to walk in newness of life

When the girls were a few months old Brandon and I stood before our home church in Oklahoma and dedicated them to the Lord. We were making a public profession that we would raise them in a Christian home and church, cover them in prayer, and trust them into God's hands. We've had so much help along the way. From grandparents, to Sunday School teachers, pastors, and dear friends, we aren't alone in raising them in the Lord. We never once pressured our girls into a relationship with Christ, but instead let the Holy Spirit be their guide. When they were eight years old, they both accepted Him as their Savior (not at the same time, but a few months apart, actually), but had never been obedient in believer's baptism. Until last week, that is.

Our church had been having revival and on Tuesday night Caylee couldn't tell me fast enough that she wanted to be baptized the following night. As I was talking to her, Baylee told me that she, too, was wanting to be baptized. It is so cool how God worked this out. We all know how much Bay and Cay love horses, right? Well, since the church was planning for a lot of baptisms (turns out there was over 80 that night), they had set up three horse troughs at the front. So, yeah. Baylee and Caylee, the horse enthusiasts, were baptized in a horse trough. Perfect!

They were baptized by their youth pastor, and our friend, Josh. I had my big camera, video camera, and iPhone ready, but the church had arranged for photographers to capture the moment, so I kept my good camera in the bag and snapped away with my phone. And I handed the video camera to a stranger behind me. Ha!

Baylee

Caylee

Fresh out of the water!

Grammy and Grandpa were able to come for the special night!

Josh and the girls

We know our job of raising them in the Lord is far from over. Yes, they've taken the first steps. Now we continue to grow, all of us, together.