Wordless Wednesday

Two New Creatures: A Very Special Day

I am so proud to report that Caroline Elizabeth made the choice to be baptized by immersion this morning after service at church. Congratulations to my baby, I'm so proud of her! The story about how this all happened is pretty amazing:
We have been having some discussion at our house about sin and baptism and the different methods (the girls were both baptized as infants as was I). So this morning, before service I asked our Pastor if he could meet with the girls and I after after worship and he agreed (not knowing what about). The service was going on as usual until I realized the sermon was about baptism (divine intervention). I was hanging on every word and exchanging knowing glances with Kaley and Caroline. I could see in their innocent faces that they were getting it too. As the sermon was coming to a close, pastor shocked the congregation by announcing that he had filled the baptismal pool earlier this morning (something he's never done before) and wanted to invite anyone that wanted to be baptized right now to come forward while we all prayed with heads bowed and eyes closed. I quietly slipped past my girls and friends and went forward. Pastor asked me a few questions and the next thing I knew my friend and one of the deacons were taking me to the back of the sanctuary and we were all crying. Pastor then called upon my friend to join me in the water and she witnessed my rebirth as a new creature up close and personal while the congregation watched from a distance. I kept my eyes focused on Kaley and Caroline and could see the impact it had on them. It was the most indescribably joyful experience of my life and I'm so happy that I did it today! Afterwards as I was dripping wet and filled with the Holy Spirit, I asked my friend to bring the girls to were I was. They came and congratulated me and said how proud they were and Pastor joined us and answered the kids questions about baptism with me. It was then and there that Caroline came forward and decided for herself to be baptized today too. She wanted it to be private, so it was after church and her sister, myself and my friend and two of her daughters all stood by and cheered for the second new creature in our family. Kaley was very emotional and decided that she would also liked to be "re-baptized" privately but would let me know when she wanted to do it. I am proud that she didn't just "go with the flow" and follow suit but rather choose to think and study more about it to make the right decision for herself.

What a blessing today was and I for one am still rejoicing in it!

Calling all Women...

I meant to write this last weekend, but time got away from me (what a shocker). I had a wonderful night out last Saturday with a girlfriend from work and so enjoyed some grown up girl time! We started out with dinner at the Olive Garden (thanks to a gift card that my Mom gave me) and then headed to the movies (I had 2 free passes). We saw "The Women" and it was great! I can't urge you enough to check it out ladies! The cast is amazing, the plot and subject matter realistic (although Hollywoodized a bit), and the message is powerful and one we all need reinforced. The only thing that could have made it any better for me would have a been a Rick Springfield song in the soundtrack, LOL! Let me know if you're able to catch it as I am working on a project that I'll share here later that ties in with the movie too. There were some fab lines about girlfriends that hit home and cracked me up also, like: "putting it in the vault", and "don't be bitter, it leads to Botox"!
If memory serves, there was not one man on a single frame of this film too which I thought was kinda cool. If you are needing a kick in the rear, to be inspired or empowered, or just want to see a good "chick flick", check out "The Women"..you'll be glad you did!

If I can score some more free movie passes, the next one on my list that I want to see for me is "Nights in Rodanthe", so stay tuned as there might be another movie review in my future. Oh yeah, and by the way, I'm not getting paid to write these (LOL), just spreading the word like we women do. :)

Awesome MySpace Comments / Myspace Layouts

Awesome MySpace Comments / Myspace Layouts

Praises

Blog and surrogate sis Chris is home from the hospital!!! Please continue to keep she, Mike (who should also be home very soon), the girls, and their entire family in your prayers as they heal and work towards reuniting as a family.

Reconnecting with an old friend of mine and Chris's from High School (thank you Patty)

A stronger sense of family (thank you for your support recently and in the future)

No unfinished business in my life that hasn't been addressed and working towards healing out of love (thanks for honest communication and forgiveness M)

God's creatures, especially those that live with the girls and I (loyal protectors)

My friends are the best in the world! Near or far, they are truly there for me and I couldn't live without them (Renata, Shelly, Patty B., Chris and Mike, and Missy)

God's Grace!

Lastly and most importantly my biggest and best blessings and true gifts, Kaley Rose and Caroline Elizabeth being the best daughter's a Mom could ever have and for coming so far in such a short time during our period of ongoing adjustment (you are both an inspiration to me)!

Answered Prayer!

I am so happy to report that my blogger sis Chris that I have been asking your prayers for has made HUGE progress and is doing great...God is good! I am so thankful for her and her family! The outpouring of people lifting them up during this difficult time has been inspiring and good for my soul. You all are wonderful and I just wanted to let you know how much their family (and I) appreciate your thoughts and prayers! Please keep them all in your prayers as the healing process continues for Chris and Mike undergoes surgery soon himself...

Now that things are moving forward on all accounts in my life too, I hope to get back on track with the backlog of posts that I need to write covering our summer. Here's a quick sneak peek: The girls and I went on our first ever "mother/daughter" road trip to the mountains of NC and the Atlanta area and had a blast, Caroline got yet another new pet, Kaley went away to the beach for a weekend with her BFF and family and started some new hobbies, we went on a day trip to one of my favorite places on earth...the local rose garden, and the girls spent the first week of the summer at the beach with my folks. We all had a great experience at VBS at a friend's church this summer too and have actually started attending there and start Awanas next week. Busy busy busy as I'm sure you all are! Now that they are back in school, we are on a better schedule and routine that should leave me some blogging time. :)

I also wanted to send heartfelt thanks to my awesome, loyal, supportive, funny, (I could go on and on here) girlfriends and blogger pals for helping me get through the separation and impending divorce and especially for loving me! The girls and I are still in therapy and we all continue to cope and adjust. I am so proud of Kaley and Caroline, they are great kids and are handling this really well all things considered. They truly are my biggest blessings in life!

Hope all is well with you and yours, I have been stopping by your blogs here and there and reading to get caught up. Stay tuned for more hopefully soon, I miss you all!

P.S. Check out the new title of my blog and recent photos I've added to the sidebar!

Prayer Request

As many of you know, my blogger sis and lifelong friend Chris is in the middle of a long journey with some serious health issues. Her husband Mike is about to undergo surgery himself in 2 weeks and if you recall they have a one month old and a two year old. This special family has been through more in the last 2 months than I would wish on anyone. They need your daily thoughts and prayers...please add the Bresnan Family (Mike, Chris, Lindsay and Brooke) to your church's prayer list so they will be lifted up and feel the love of so many who care about them during this very difficult time. I know they will appreciate it as will I...thanks!