Madilyn's Baptism - February 24th, 2013

 

Aleana took the camara into church but I didn't expect her to take a picture of the actual baptism!!

It's kind of nice but if I had known ahead of time I would have told her not to.  We had the minister from Lynden, WA, Rev. Wielenga baptize Madilyn because it was a pulpit exchange that day - Matthew was telling people at school that Madilyn was having an American baptism!!

The picture above shows some drawings Peter made for Madilyn. He wanted me to put them in her Graco so she could look at them :).
And here we are with Grandma and Grandpa Buma.  Will's grandparents. It's amazing that are doing so well.  We are thankful for them in our lives!!!

Madilyn is named after my sister Michelle Christy Van Driel.  I woke up from a nap one afternoon while I was pregnant and the name Christelle was in my head.  It was a perfect combination of Michelle and Christy!!  My sister is awesome and I love her dearly.  She has had a rough few years and I wanted to honor her this way.  Madilyn was baptized on my Mom's birthday and that was super special for me.  Mom always said Michelle had tonnes of common sense and it is so true.  Sometimes my head can be up in the clouds and all over so then I just talk to her and she can bring me back to reality.  What I also love about my sister is that she has Mom's sense of humor.  Nadia has it too and it cracks me up.  Zany and Wacky.  Thanks for being so supportive during my pregnancy and now that Madilyn is in the outside world, Michelle.  You've been grieving so many losses and yet you are still there for me and that means so much.  You love our children like your own and I thank the LORD every day that I have you for my sister.   BIG HUGS!!!!!! 

We have so many things to be thankful for.  Above all we are thankful that Madilyn has the sign and seal of the covenant.  This is a gift from the LORD that He has included her in His family - not because we are so great and wonderful but out of His grace.  It truly is a gift that we pray she will one day embrace with a believing heart.  Praise the LORD - Jesus indeed has a special place for all of His children.  He will take care of and love even those that were taken to Him before they recieved the sign and seal. 

What a comfort we have - ALL of our children that we have loved and have left this world are already with HIM and in His arms.  I have a peace that passes all understanding about our tiniest babies. 

Those babies have something that I do not yet have - seeing Jesus!!!