About a week or two ago Jake and I got the sweetest phone call. On the other end was the excited little voice of our 6-year-old friend, Mikayla. “I asked Jesus into my heart this morning!” she exclaimed. So precious. I can’t even describe what it’s like to know that a child has gained an understanding (limited though it may be) of what Jesus did for her, and has accepted that gift of forgiveness and redemption. It’s a reminder to me that Jesus doesn’t ask us to do anything special, or gain lots of knowledge to receive his gift of salvation. All he asks is for simple, childlike faith and repentance. Mikayla experienced that this past week. I experienced it 16 years ago. I’m still experiencing it everyday…that’s the beauty of God’s grace. It just so happened that Mikayla was baptized over the 4th of July weekend while we were home, so we got to celebrate with her. I was so excited! I love to see someone baptized anyway. There’s just something about the symbolism of them dying to their old self and raising up again to new life in Christ that gets me every time–even if I don’t know the person. But to be able to see a little girl I love so much baptized…it was awesome! Even more awesome was the fact that her dad, an ordained minister, is the one who baptized her. I can only imagine what that meant to him. Here they are…
Dave, Emily, Mikayla, Sarah, Kirsten….we love you guys! (well, I guess you’re mostly girls, actually) :-) And Mikayla, we are SO proud of you, and SO excited to watch as God continues to grow you up into a young woman who pleases him. I can’t wait to see how he’s going to use you for his glory!
and 
I am so glad you got a picture! I was so sad that I couldn’t be there to see my girl get baptized so the picture is so awesome to see! I am so proud of her and I too will never forget that sweet phone call!!!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful moment in the life of our family. God continues to amaze me with my own children. I knew that Mikayla would make a profession at an early age, not from anything that we did, but from what God has done in her. She is so smart and always has been that Em and are amazed at what she has already accomplished. Our prayers are that God will use her to do a great and mighty work for Him. We are very proud of her, and are excited to see what God has next for her!
Thanks for the pics, I had my head shaved and buffed just to get the glare off my head perfect!!! :)
Dave and Emily: You are great parents. It is wonderful to see a family raising their children in a loving Christian home. God has truly blessed you!!
I am so glad that you have posted so much on here! I have so much to read at work now!! LOL This is great about Mikayla though. I dont know her but that is truly AWESOME!!