Redeemed indeed

"and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 3:21

It has been a long time since I made the commitment to follow Christ yet I had never been baptized. Oddly, I have had a strange fear of being dunked under water by another person. John had been reminding me that I needed to get baptized but I didn't want to, or perhaps I just didn't feel I needed to after all this time. But this past spring, when church started announcing the dates for this years baptism I started to get excited. I knew in my heart I was ready to get baptized. 

Even though Josh and Kaleb have been raised in a Christian home and have attended church all of their lives, they made their own decision this past summer to accept Christ into their hearts. This was a beautiful thing for John and I to hear. Our sons had made the choice at summer sports camp to follow Jesus! Nothing is more incredible than knowing your child's heart desires to follow Jesus. After explaining the importance and meaning of being baptized and after some prayerful nights, Kaleb and Josh both asked to be baptized. 

October 9th, 2016 at Pirates Cove in Corona del Mar the boy's and I were baptized by Pastor Morgan. The Lord's timing of preparing both my heart and my sons hearts at the same time was unthinkable and unplanned. Only by His sovereign planning did this memorable day become as precious as it was. It will forever be a special day for our family. 

 "Go down into the river and let it run

 And wash away all the things you’ve done  

Forgiveness alright."-Farther Along, Josh Garrels

Our family who witnessed us getting baptized made our day all the more special. Their support, love, and excitement was encouraging and highlighted the importance of this decision we had made.

I can still vividly remember the sounds, the feeling, and what I saw as I was being carried out of the water. I pray those vivid memories never fade. I pray they are as real today as they will be in twenty years when I may be talking to my own grandchildren about  the importance of being baptized. I'm so glad I didn't wait any longer than I already had.