Leah's Dedication

Sunday, October 10, we were able to have Leah's dedication at our church.
This was something I had been really looking forward to for a long time. When I was home this summer my mom and I picked out material and a pattern for a dress for Leah, so when mom came, she had this gorgeous dress completed :)

Doesn't she just look beautiful? But more than her looking beautiful, we were anxious to publically dedicate her to the Lord. Our greatest prayer for our daughter is that she would grow up loving her Saviour and live a life that is pleasing to Him. I love how our church does the baby dedication-it's a way to dedicate our child to the Lord, as well as dedicating Edgar & I to raising her in a way that is God-honoring. It's a big responsibility, as you all know, and we really do seek to please our Lord as we train her to be a Godly woman. Our pastor also takes the time to ask the church to dedicate themselves to being good, Godly examples. It's important to remember the role our church has in raising our children...and wonderful to know we are not alone.

We were very thankful that most of our family could be there. One of the reasons we had her dedication so early was so that my parents could be here. It was such a blessing to have our family standing with us as we dedicated her.

The elders and some friends from church joined us up front as our pastor prayed for her.

We came home and the family joined us for dinner. Dad had put a turkey in the oven before church, and mom had everything all set by the time we got home. Everyone contributed to the meal (except for me... :) ) and we had a wonderful time with family.

Before dinner we took some pictures. Eli even was game to take a few :) (Doesn'the look adorable in his suit?!)

Giving his sister a kiss :)

He loves his sister :) It's SO cute when he says 'Baby stister'

HUGS! A little rough...mommy was trying to rescue Leah at this point ;)

Our happy family!

The whole gang!

Abuelo & Abuela

Grandpa & Grandma

Surrounded by a lot of love! It's so wonderful to have TWO sets of granparents that pray for our children!

Us again

Ben even took some time to read to Eli...Eli was obviously so excited to be read to by his cousin!

Krista made a beautiful cake as well...and ridiculously delicious.

It was such a nice day. What a blessing to have a Godly family, a supportive church, and a beautiful healthy child. We are so amazed that God has blessed us so richly!

I leave you with the beautiful prayer that our pastor prayed for our family

Lord, thank you. Our great thanks go out to you today for your amazing goodness for sending loving people for generation after generation for your kindgdom. Of extending families, for creating safe places for children to grow and find you. And so we are greatful for your goodness and your love and kindness today in bringing Leah into Edgar & Rochel's life. Thank you for that. We pray for her, Lord. We pray for every good blessing to be hers-for health to be hers, for physical strength to be hers. That emotional stability would be hers, and that You would keep her safe from all harm at all times. That You would keep her from temptation at all times. We pray, O God, that You would help her to find her calling in life, and especially that you would help her to find You. That you would move her. That you would never relent in bringing her to You, until that day when she finally knows you Lord, and cries out to you as her Lord and Saviour. Lord we pray for Edgar and Rochel, that You would give them all that they need-the grace, the patience, the strength, the character, the integrity to be a great dad and a great mom-not just to Leah, but to Eli as well. We thank you, Lord, for how they have proven themselvs to be faithful so far. They really are a good man and a good woman-good parents. We pray that you would continue this good trajectory that you have already begun for them. And Lord, we also just pray for all of us, as their church family, that we would be good models for this child. That we could represent You well-that she could look all around her and see goodness & Godliness. Help us to be that for this girl. In Jesus' name, we dedicate Leah unto the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen