Baptism

The church we attend here is not the same demonination from which we came, so some things are different. Doctrine and theology are the same, as we would not stray from what we believe to be principal foundation, but some things we were "used to" are noticeably different.

One thing that stands out to us is less frequent baptism. This church doesn't baptize each week, but baptizes several like once each month. Then, once a year there is a celebration baptism where many people are baptized. This happened to be today.

Stone is now going to "big church" with us. His age class does the same lesson, craft, etc. each hour, so he is pretty bored in the second hour if he stays in "extended session." So, we've been taking him to the service with us for several months now. This morning's service was a little different as it was "Celebrate Baptism" Sunday as well as the church's 50th anniversary celebration.

Fastforward to tonight around 8:30pm. This is what I hear from the bathtub:

Stone: "Stahley, what do you believe about Jesus?"
Stone (in a whisper): "Stahley, say, 'I believe Jesus is the Son of God.'"
Stahley: "Jesus is Son of God."
Stone (in a whisper): "... and He died for our sins."
Stahley: "huh?"
Stone: "nevermind, just hold your nose."

Water is splashed a lot. Stahley begins coughing... then laughter erupts from both of them.

Stahley: "your turn!"
Stone: "Oh, I'm way too heavy for you, Stahley!"

Gran

Today would have been my Gran's 84th birthday. I miss her so much some days! She was truly a special lady. I can say that with even more certainty now that I am a parent and see my parents as grandparents. They are such special people.

Gran was always up for fun. We giggled together, told jokes, and laughed a lot. My mom would often roll her eyes at us and walk away. Now I know why - I've done it to her with my kids:) It is even more fitting that my kids call my mom "Gran." It's such a reminder of what a special relationship I had!

Some of my favorite memories of my Gran are:

- Sunday afternoon lunch at her house every week (even though I didn't really like the menu!)

- Saturday morning shopping - grocery & the mall

- playing cards in the car on long trips to Tennessee

- eating lunch with her and grandad on Wednesdays when I finally left college and went to work!

- sitting in church on Sunday mornings with her and grandad when I was little

- her singing "Holy Spirit, breathe on me" in church... and then making fun of her singing it afterwards!

- whispering to her a "marginal" joke and us laughing hysterically about the punch line

- her pound cake - NO ONE can make one like she used to

- eating lunch (usually tuna fish sandwiches packed by her) at rest stops on long road trips

- Disney World rides with her beside me - and laughing the whole time

- spending the night at her house and her letting me skip brushing my teeth at night (which now I think is gross:)

- her washing my hair in her kitchen sink when I was little

- her loving on Stone until he was 9 months old

I do miss my Gran. Mostly I'm sad she didn't get to see all of my children. I do know, though, that would just be for my benefit. She is pain free, care free, and made whole - worshipping our Lord every moment of every day. I will see her again one day, and in that I take comfort.